Semi-open games

Lion Defense

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.f3

The Lion Defense starts with 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.f3 and is catalogued under ECO B00, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 6 lines inside it, grouped into 6 named variations, and the position after those moves has 1 playable continuation to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

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Current position
Lion Defense
13 plies
Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.e4

    Claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and king’s bishop.

    Idea: Build quick development and make early castling possible.

  2. 1d6

    Advances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  3. 2.d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2Nf6

    Develops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  5. 3.Nc3

    Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  6. 3Nbd7

    Develops the knight to d7, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  7. 4.Nf3

    Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  8. 4e5

    Advances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  9. 5.Bc4

    Develops the bishop to c4, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  10. 5Be7

    Develops the bishop to e7, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  11. 6.dxe5

    Captures the pawn on e5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.

  12. 6dxe5

    Captures the pawn on e5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

1 move

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Lion Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Lion Defense.