Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack
The Veresov Richter Attack is 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.Nc3, where White prepares e4 with both the f-pawn and the knight. Black should strike in the center with ...e6, ...c5 or ...c6, since f3 takes away the knight's natural square.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.Nc3
- ECO
- A45
- Engine
- −0.44 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 899 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 47.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Push e4 next; after exd5 Nxd5 trade knights and develop with Ne2.
- Use the extra central space if Black is slow to challenge it.
- Against ...c6 lines, a3 and e4 prepare central expansion while stopping ...Bb4.
- Accept that f3 weakens the kingside and take the g1 knight to e2 instead.
Black
- 3...e6 with ...c5 hits the center at once and frees the f8 bishop.
- 3...c5 with ...Nc6 puts pressure on d4 before e4 is fully supported.
- After the trades on d5, Black often has a better structure and easier development.
- Use the e3 square and the a7-g1 diagonal, both weakened by f3.
Plans and pawn structure
White wants e4 to build a big center, but f3 costs a move and takes the f3 square from the knight. Black uses the time to hit d4 with ...c5 and develop quickly. After e4 and exd5 Nxd5, the knights often trade and Black gets an easy game. White's long-term plan is central space and a kingside attack, but Black's quick pressure on d4 and the dark squares usually comes first.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.44: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.44 3...e6 4.e4 c5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxd5
- −0.43 3...c5 4.e4 Nc6 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.dxc5
- −0.27 3...c6 4.a3 Nbd7 5.e4 e5 6.exd5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
899 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, play ...e6 or ...c5 at once to challenge the center. Do not let White play e4 with full support. Use the weakness on e3 and the dark squares, and develop the f8 bishop toward the c5 square or the long a7-g1 diagonal.
Questions
What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack?
The Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.Nc3. Its ECO code is A45.
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.44 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 899 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.7%. A provocative choice for White that gives Black easy play, so it suits only players who like unusual attacking setups.
What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack?
White uses f3 and Nc3 to prepare e4. Black strikes at once with ...e6 or ...c5 and uses the weakened dark squares.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is e6, with c5 and c6 close behind. 3...e6 opens the f8 bishop and prepares ...c5 against White's center.
Related lines
- Queen's Pawn Game (1.d4 sidelines)
- Accelerated London System
- Chigorin Variation
- Modern Defense
- Zukertort Variation
- Symmetrical Variation
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.