Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
9,857 games: White 48.2% / Draw 5.4% / Black 46.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,0422,042 | ||
| 2,0182,018 | ||
| 1,3591,359 | ||
| 1,0791,079 | ||
| 795795 | ||
| 612612 | ||
| 417417 | ||
| 406406 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 8, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.28 White is better
Best play: 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. Qd2 Ng8 5. Nc3 d6 6. e4 Bg4 7. O-O-O Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation (ECO A04, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Zukertort Opening, reached after 1. Nf3 Nh6 2. d4 g6 (2 moves).
In 9,857 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.2%, Black 46.4% and 5.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. c4, in 21% 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 Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation
3. e4 scores best for White: 52.7%, with White winning 50.2% and Black 44.8% of 2,018 games. The most played, 3. c4, scores 51.7% in 2,042 games, and 3. e3 scores lowest: 49.0%. Stockfish's first choice is 3. Bf4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White'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. “Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation (A04)”. Lichess data as of 8 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/zukertort-defense-kingside-variation