Chess Openings Lab
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King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation

The Leonardis Variation is 1.e4 e5 2.d3, a modest move that supports e4 but blocks the f1 bishop. White aims for a reversed Philidor or a King's Indian Attack setup with g3 and a fianchetto, while Black takes the free space with ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...d5.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.d3
ECO
C20
Engine
−0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
28,862 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Continue with Nf3 and g3, aiming for a fianchetto and short castling.
  • After ...d5 and exd5, Nc3 hits the queen and gains a tempo for development.
  • Push f4 against an early ...d5 and ...Qd8, as the third engine line shows, opening the f-file.
  • Keep the d3 pawn as a steady support for e4 and a later c3 or f4 push.

Black

  • ...Nc6 and ...Nf6 develop naturally, the top engine lines, and prepare ...d5 next.
  • ...d5 claims the center at once; after exd5, recapture with the queen or knight.
  • Use the extra tempo for ...Bc5 or ...Bb4 to put pieces on active squares.
  • Avoid passive moves; White's slow setup gives Black time to take the initiative.

Plans and pawn structure

The d3 pawn makes White's setup safe but passive. Black takes the center with ...d5 and develops freely. White's main plans are a fianchetto with g3 or a quick f4 push. If White plays f4 and opens the f-file, the game gets sharper. If White plays slowly, Black gets an easy, comfortable position with more space. Then White's pieces need extra time to find good squares.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.16: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.16 2...Nc6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.exd5
  2. −0.15 2...Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.exd5
  3. −0.04 2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qd8 5.f4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

28,862 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.8%.

under 120050.0%
1200–159949.6%
1600–199950.3%
2000 and up44.9%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Clam Variation, King's Gambit Reversed2...f5 · rare
  • Clam Variation, Radisch Gambit2...Nf6 · rare
  • Weber Gambit2...d5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...d5 to take the center. After exd5, the engine recaptures with the knight or queen. As White, develop with Nf3 and g3, or try f4 if you want a sharper game. Do not block the c1 bishop with too many pawn moves.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation?

The King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.d3. Its ECO code is C20.

Is the King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 28,862 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.8%. A solid but passive choice for White, and Black gets easy equality by taking the center.

What is the main idea of the King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation?

White plays d3 to support e4 and aim for a solid, slow setup. Black takes the free space with ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...d5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc6, with Nf6 and d5 close behind. ...Nc6 develops and keeps ...d5 and ...Nf6 ready.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.