Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack

The Levitsky Attack is 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5, bringing the bishop out early to attack e7 and slow ...Nf6. White hopes to make Black's development awkward, while Black can kick the bishop with ...f6 or ...h6 and claim the center with ...e5.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.Bg5
ECO
D00
Engine
−0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
7,014 games in our lichess sample
White scores
55.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After ...f6, drop the bishop to d2 or h4 and play e3 and c4 to hit the center.
  • Use the c4 break to fight Black's d5 pawn once Black plays ...e5.
  • Against ...c5, play e3, Nf3 and retreat to f4 or e5 when ...h6 and ...g5 come.
  • Do not expect quick gains: White's early bishop move is easy for Black to answer.

Black

  • Play ...f6 and ...e5 to build a big pawn center while the bishop goes back.
  • 2...Nc6 with ...f6 and ...e5 also takes space and develops at the same time.
  • 2...c5 with ...Nc6 hits d4 and chases the bishop with ...h6 and ...g5.
  • Keep the e7 pawn safe; ...f6 or ...Nf6 both stop White's bishop from doing damage.

Plans and pawn structure

The early bishop on g5 makes Black think, but Black has good answers. With ...f6 and ...e5 Black takes the center, and White must hit back with e3, c4 and Bb5 to fight it. With ...c5 and ...Nc6, Black pressures d4 and chases the bishop with ...h6 and ...g5. White's plan is to show that Black's pawn moves left weak squares on e6 and the kingside, while Black wants fast development and central control.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.28: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.28 2...f6 3.Bd2 e5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Bb5
  2. −0.24 2...Nc6 3.e3 f6 4.Bh4 Nh6 5.c4
  3. −0.22 2...c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.Nf3 h6 5.Bf4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

7,014 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.2%.

under 120047.4%
1200–159957.0%
1600–199955.4%
2000 and up55.7%

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

Where it goes next

  • Levitsky Attack, Welling Variation2...Bg4 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, answer the early bishop with ...f6 and ...e5 or with ...c5. Do not be afraid to gain space with pawns; just develop the pieces quickly after. Watch out for Bb5 pins against the c6 knight and for c4 hitting d5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack?

The Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack starts 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5. Its ECO code is D00.

Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.28 at depth 20, which is level. In 7,014 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.2%. A rare surprise weapon for White that gives Black easy central play, so it suits only players who like unusual positions.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack?

White brings the bishop to g5 early to disrupt Black's development. Black kicks it with ...f6 or ...h6 and builds a strong center with ...e5 or ...c5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is f6, with Nc6 and c5 close behind. 2...f6 chases the bishop and prepares ...e5 to build a strong center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.