Rat Defense: Spike Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
8,830 games: White 43.9% / Draw 3.7% / Black 52.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,2943,294 | ||
| 1,6661,666 | ||
| 1,0101,010 | ||
| 602602 | ||
| 403403 | ||
| 318318 | ||
| 314314 | ||
| 305305 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.83 Black is better
Best play: 2... d5 3. h3 dxe4 4. Nc3 h5 5. g5 e5 6. Nxe4 Nc6 7. c3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Rat Defense: Spike Attack (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Pirc Defense, reached after 1. e4 d6 2. g4 (2 moves).
In 8,830 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.9%, Black 52.4% and 3.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…Nf6, in 37% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Rat Defense: Spike Attack
The most played answer, 2…Nf6, also scores best for Black: 56.1%, with Black winning 54.5% and White 42.3% of 3,294 games. Of the main answers, 2…e5 scores lowest: 54.0%. Stockfish's first choice is 2…d5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Rat Defense: Spike Attack (B00)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/rat-defense-spike-attack