Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Pawn Game: Mason Attack

The Mason Attack is 1.d4 d5 2.f4, a Stonewall-type pawn move that controls e5 but loosens White's kingside. White hopes for Nf3, e3 and kingside play, while Black develops freely with ...Nf6, ...Bf5 and ...c5.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.f4
ECO
D00
Engine
−0.50 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
4,023 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Follow with Nf3 and e3 to complete a Stonewall-like setup with pawns on d4, e3 and f4.
  • Use c4 to hit d5 so Black does not get the center for free.
  • Put a knight on e5 later, backed by the f4 and d4 pawns.
  • Be aware the f4 push weakens e4 and the king's diagonal, so do not delay castling.

Black

  • Develop with ...Nf6 and ...Bf5, putting the bishop on its best square before White plays e3 and Bd3.
  • Use the e4 square, weakened by f4, for a knight after ...Nf6.
  • Strike with ...c5 to hit d4 and open lines for Black's pieces.
  • After cxd5 take with ...exd5 for an open e-file aimed at e3.

Plans and pawn structure

White's f4 controls e5 but leaves e4 and e3 weak. Black uses this by developing the bishop to f5 and placing a knight on e4 when possible. White's plan is Nf3, e3, c4 and Bd3, then a knight to e5 and kingside play. Black's ...c5 break hits d4 and opens the queenside, while ...exd5 after cxd5 gives Black an open e-file against e3. Black gets a comfortable game with natural moves.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.50: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.50 2...Nf6 3.Nf3 Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.cxd5
  2. −0.47 2...Bf5 3.c4 e6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.e3
  3. −0.46 2...c5 3.dxc5 Nc6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

4,023 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

under 120046.7%
1200–159956.6%
1600–199953.3%
2000 and up53.2%

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

How to play against it

As Black, develop with ...Nf6 and ...Bf5 and do not let White trade that bishop easily. Use ...c5 to hit d4. Avoid locking the c8 bishop behind ...e6 before it comes out. The e4 square is your best outpost for a knight.

Questions

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

The Queen's Pawn Game: Mason Attack starts 1.d4 d5 2.f4. Its ECO code is D00.

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.50 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 4,023 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A dubious choice for White because f4 weakens e4 early, and Black gets an easy game with simple development.

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

White plays f4 early to control e5 and aim for a Stonewall-style setup. Black develops with ...Nf6 and ...Bf5 and uses the weak e4 square and ...c5 for counterplay.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf6, with Bf5 and c5 close behind. 2...Nf6 develops and controls e4, the square that f4 weakened.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.