Queen's Pawn Game: Zukertort Variation
The Zukertort Variation is 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3, a flexible knight move that keeps c4, Bf4 and e3 all available. Black chooses a setup with ...e6, ...Nf6, ...c6, ...c5 or ...Bf5, each leading to a different system.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3
- ECO
- D02, D05
- Engine
- +0.17 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 25,367 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 53.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play c4 next for Queen's Gambit play; after ...dxc4 the check Qa4+ wins the pawn back.
- Bf4 or e3 lead to London or Colle setups if White prefers fixed plans.
- After ...c6 and ...Nf6, Nc3 and Bg5 give White a Queen's Gambit with active pieces.
- Keep the knight on f3 controlling e5, which slows down any ...e5 ideas from Black.
Black
- 2...Nf6 is the most flexible move, leading to the Symmetrical Variation and many systems.
- 2...e6 prepares ...c5 and ...Nf6, and takes with ...dxc4 if White plays c4.
- The ...c5 push is the Krause Variation, hitting d4 at once with a pawn.
- The ...Bf5 move develops the bishop before ...e6, a Baltic Defense type setup.
Plans and pawn structure
This move order keeps everything open. White can choose a Queen's Gambit with c4, or a system with Bf4 or e3. Black's choice shapes the middlegame: ...Nf6 keeps options open, ...e6 heads for Queen's Gambit Declined or London lines, ...c5 creates an active Tarrasch-like center, and ...Bf5 brings the bishop out before the pawn chain closes it in. In most lines the c4 and ...c5 breaks decide the structure.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.17: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.17 2...e6 3.c4 dxc4 4.Qa4+ Nc6 5.a3
- +0.20 2...Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 c5 5.Bxc4
- +0.22 2...c6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
25,367 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- London System, with e62...e6 · 12,184 games
- Symmetrical Variation2...Nf6 · 10,651 games
- Krause Variation2...c5 · 4,401 games
- Baltic Defense, Pseudo-Slav2...Bf5 · 1,496 games
- Meran Variation, Sozin Variation2...Nf6 · rare
- Chandler Gambit2...c5 · rare
- Levitsky Attack, Euwe Variation, Modern Line2...c6 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, pick a setup you know and stick to it. 2...Nf6 and 2...e6 are the most solid. If you play ...dxc4 against c4, expect Qa4+ or e3 to win the pawn back, so do not waste time defending it.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nbd2 e6 5.b3.
Questions
What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Zukertort Variation?
The Queen's Pawn Game: Zukertort Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3. Its ECO code is D02, D05.
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Zukertort Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.17 at depth 20, which is level. In 25,367 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A flexible move order for White and a starting point for Black to choose a favorite setup.
What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Zukertort Variation?
White develops the knight to f3 and keeps every system available. Black's second move chooses the structure, from Queen's Gambit to London or Krause lines.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is e6, with Nf6 and c6 close behind. 2...e6 prepares ...Nf6 and ...c5 and keeps the game flexible.
Related lines
- Queen's Pawn Game (1.d4 sidelines)
- Accelerated London System
- Chigorin Variation
- Modern Defense
- Symmetrical Variation
- Levitsky Attack
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.