Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation
The Chigorin Variation of the Queen's Pawn is 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3, blocking the c-pawn to aim for e4 instead of c4. Black can develop with ...Nf6 into Jobava London setups, pin or trade bishops with ...Bf5, or hit d4 with ...c5.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3
- ECO
- A45, D00, D02
- Engine
- −0.10 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 43,142 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.3%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Follow with Bf4 and e3 for the Rapport-Jobava setup, aiming the knight at b5 and the bishop at c7.
- Look for e4 when Black allows it; the c3 knight already supports the push.
- Against ...Bf5 play Bd3 to trade off what is often Black's best minor piece.
- Meet an early ...c5 with e4, pushing d5 if Black takes, to gain space.
Black
- 2...Nf6 is the main reply, stopping e4 and keeping options of ...Bf5 or ...e6.
- Develop the light-squared bishop to f5 early, before e3 and Bd3 trade it.
- 2...c5 hits d4 at once and can lead to the sharp Irish Gambit after 3.e4.
- Use ...c6 and ...e6 for a solid shell and then ...Nbd7 and ...Bd6.
Plans and pawn structure
White's c3 knight changes the usual Queen's Pawn plans: there is no c4 break, so White plays for e4, Bf4 setups and kingside piece play. Black usually stops e4 with ...Nf6 and ...Bf5 and builds a solid center with ...e6 and ...c6. Once Black is safe, the ...c5 break hits d4 and opens the c-file. If Black allows e4 for free, White gets a strong center.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.10: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.10 2...Nf6 3.Bf4 Bf5 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3
- +0.11 2...c5 3.e4 dxe4 4.d5 Nf6 5.Nge2
- +0.20 2...Nc6 3.Bf4 a6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
43,142 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.3%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Rapport-Jobava System2...Nf6 · 17,776 games
- Rapport-Jobava System, with e62...e6 · 5,442 games
- Chigorin Variation, Alburt Defense2...Bf5 · 3,034 games
- Chigorin Variation, Irish Gambit2...c5 · 1,150 games
- Chigorin Variation, Anti-Veresov2...Bg4 · rare
- Chigorin Variation, Shaviliuk Gambit2...e5 · rare
- Chigorin Variation, Shropshire Defense2...h5 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, keep control of e4 with ...Nf6 and develop the bishop to f5 before White plays e3 and Bd3. Avoid slow moves that allow e4 with tempo. If you like sharp play, 2...c5 is the active try, but know the 3.e4 lines.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5; 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 e6; 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation?
The Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3. Its ECO code is A45, D00, D02.
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.10 at depth 20, which is level. In 43,142 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.3%. A surprise weapon for White players who want piece play without much theory, and Black reaches a comfortable game with natural moves.
What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation?
White puts the knight on c3 early to aim for e4 and Bf4 setups instead of c4. Black controls e4 with ...Nf6 and ...Bf5, or hits back with ...c5.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Nf6, with c5 and Nc6 close behind. 2...Nf6 controls e4 and keeps Black's setup flexible against Bf4 lines.
Related lines
- Queen's Pawn Game (1.d4 sidelines)
- Accelerated London System
- Modern Defense
- Zukertort Variation
- Symmetrical Variation
- Levitsky Attack
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.