Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
4,242 games: White 46.0% / Draw 4.7% / Black 49.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 987987 | ||
| 964964 | ||
| 870870 | ||
| 378378 | ||
| 251251 | ||
| 234234 | ||
| 188188 | ||
| 8383 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−1.01 Black is better
Best play: 2... c5 3. c3 Nc6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bf4 Qb6 6. Qb3 c4 7. Qxb6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation (ECO A06, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Zukertort Opening, reached after 1. Nf3 d5 2. Rg1 (2 moves).
In 4,242 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.0%, Black 49.3% and 4.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…c5, in 23% 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 Opening: Ampel Variation
The most played answer, 2…c5, also scores best for Black: 54.1%, with Black winning 51.5% and White 43.4% of 987 games. Of the main answers, 2…c6 scores lowest: 46.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 2…c5.
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. “Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation (A06)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/zukertort-opening-ampel-variation