Zukertort Opening with d5 (A06)

Summary

The Zukertort Opening: d5 arises after 1.Nf3 d5 and falls under ECO code A06. With 1...d5, Black immediately occupies the center, and as is typical after 1.Nf3, White retains a wide array of continuations along with abundant transpositional possibilities. Sensible options include 2. g3, 2. d4, 2. c4 (entering the Reti), 2. d3, 2. b3, 2. e3, and even the adventurous 2. b4!?. The Tennison Gambit, 2. e4!?, is also available (more commonly reached via 1. e4 d5 2. Nf3?!), though it is regarded as dubious with accurate play. With 50.8 million Lichess games across all rating levels, it is a well-established opening choice.

History and Notable Players

It arises from the Zukertort Opening. Among the most prolific practitioners on the White side are Ulf Andersson (213 games), Aleksander Wojtkiewicz (208 games), Vladimir Kramnik (182 games). On the Black side, notable exponents include Oleg Korneev (137 games), Aleksey Dreev (125 games), Jonny Hector (101 games).

Statistics

Based on 50.8 million Lichess games across all rating levels:

White wins: 50.6%
Black wins: 44.5%
Draws: 5%

White holds a moderate edge statistically, though Black has good practical chances.

Main Lines and Variations

After 1.Nf3 d5, the main continuations include:

Each of these lines leads to distinct types of positions and requires its own understanding of the resulting pawn structures and piece placements.

Practice on Chessiverse

The best way to learn the Zukertort Opening: d5 is through practice. On Chessiverse, you can play chess against computer opponents that specialize in this opening. Our AI bots range from beginner to grandmaster level, each with unique playing styles — from aggressive attackers to solid defenders. Choose a bot that matches your rating and work your way up as you master the opening's key ideas.

Play the Zukertort Opening: d5

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WhiteBlack

Move 1After the Line

After 1.Nf3 d5 Pick the position up and play on from there.

Opponent

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Quick Facts

Games on Lichess: 50,810,259
Most Popular At: 2500
Sharpness: Balanced; Réti-flavored setup where White probes the center from the flank in slow positional play.

Main Line: 1.Nf3 d5
FEN: rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/8/3p4/8/5N2/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 2
Parent Opening: Zukertort Opening
Style: Hypermodern

Top Players

As White

As Black

Oleg Korneev137 games
Aleksey Dreev125 games
Jonny Hector101 games

Data from Lichess opening explorer (blitz & rapid)

Hypermodern: Hypermodern openings let the opponent occupy the center with pawns, then attack it from the flanks with pieces and fianchettoed bishops. Control is exerted from a distance rather than by direct occupation.

It's played most at 2500: about 1 in 30 games there, against 1 in 110 games at 1400. At 1200, White wins 50% and Black 46%; at 2500 it's 48% to 41%, with more draws (11%).

Percentage of all games at each rating bracket that feature this opening.

Data from Lichess opening explorer (blitz & rapid games)

At 1200, White's most common reply is 2.d4 (42% of games), with five other moves each played in at least 1 in 20 games. At 2500, 2.g3 takes over (41%).

How often players choose the single most popular move at this position. Higher = more predictable play.

White to move after the opening line

It's more popular than it used to be: about 1 in 89 games in 2025, up from 1 in 120 games in 2013.

Share of all Lichess blitz + rapid games featuring this opening, by year.

White to move after the opening line

Top moves by rating
Rating	Most Popular	2nd	3rd
400	2.d435.9%	2.Nc317.5%	2.g314.6%
1000	2.d440.8%	2.g316.7%	2.e410.3%
1200	2.d441.7%	2.g317.2%	2.e411.1%
1400	2.d440.7%	2.g317.6%	2.e411.5%
1600	2.d437.9%	2.g318.7%	2.c413.9%
1800	2.d434.3%	2.g321.6%	2.c418.3%
2000	2.d429.8%	2.g328%	2.c421.3%
2200	2.g334.9%	2.d424.9%	2.c422.4%
2500	2.g341.4%	2.c420.8%	2.d420.7%

It's about as common in bullet, blitz and rapid: from 1 in 85 to 1 in 100 games. White wins more often in bullet (52%) than in rapid (50%).

Bullet1.2%31.5M
Blitz1.1%40.2M
Rapid0.96%10.6M

2% more decisive in bullet

Raw Data Tables (Lichess Blitz + Rapid)

Zukertort Opening: d5: popularity and win rates by player rating
Rating (Elo)	Share %	Games	White win %	Black win %	Draw %	Sharpness
400	0.99	2,278,825	46.8	48.2	4.9	0.951
1000	0.97	4,061,321	48.6	47.1	4.3	0.957
1200	0.91	6,163,999	49.5	46.4	4.0	0.960
1400	0.89	8,125,504	50.3	45.7	4.0	0.960
1600	0.96	9,500,326	51.1	44.6	4.3	0.957
1800	1.14	9,603,743	52.0	43.1	5.0	0.950
2000	1.53	6,951,977	52.1	41.9	6.1	0.939
2200	2.17	3,669,011	50.2	41.7	8.1	0.919
2500	3.34	455,553	47.5	41.4	11.1	0.889

Zukertort Opening: d5: move-choice theory adherence by rating
Rating (Elo)	Top move	Top move %	Viable moves	Theory %	Entropy
400	2.d4	35.9	5	68.0	2.801
1000	2.d4	40.8	6	67.8	2.684
1200	2.d4	41.7	6	70.0	2.645
1400	2.d4	40.7	5	69.8	2.629
1600	2.d4	37.9	5	70.6	2.617
1800	2.d4	34.3	6	74.3	2.584
2000	2.d4	29.8	5	79.1	2.484
2200	2.g3	34.9	5	82.2	2.334
2500	2.g3	41.4	5	82.9	2.224

Zukertort Opening: d5: popularity over time
Year	Share %	Games	White win %	Black win %	Draw %
2013	0.85	24,372	50.6	45.6	3.8
2014	0.96	86,898	50.1	45.5	4.4
2015	1.08	240,083	50.7	45.0	4.3
2016	1.07	659,990	51.3	44.2	4.5
2017	1.05	1,200,762	51.1	44.3	4.7
2018	1.09	2,035,444	50.8	44.5	4.6
2019	1.12	3,210,591	50.9	44.5	4.7
2020	1.11	6,368,770	50.4	44.4	5.2
2021	1.04	7,928,437	50.3	44.6	5.1
2022	1.07	7,890,340	50.6	44.5	4.9
2023	1.05	8,362,001	50.6	44.5	5.0
2024	1.09	8,137,686	50.6	44.4	5.0
2025	1.12	8,304,015	50.7	44.4	5.0

Zukertort Opening: d5: popularity by time control
Format	Share %	Games	White win %	Black win %	Draw %	Sharpness
bullet	1.18	31,451,948	52.4	44.1	3.5	0.965
blitz	1.12	40,198,281	50.8	44.3	4.9	0.951
rapid	0.96	10,611,978	49.7	45.3	5.0	0.950

Zukertort Opening: d5: top candidate moves by rating bracket
Rating (Elo)	1st move	1st %	2nd move	2nd %	3rd move	3rd %
400	2.d4	35.9	2.Nc3	17.5	2.g3	14.6
1000	2.d4	40.8	2.g3	16.7	2.e4	10.3
1200	2.d4	41.7	2.g3	17.2	2.e4	11.1
1400	2.d4	40.7	2.g3	17.6	2.e4	11.5
1600	2.d4	37.9	2.g3	18.7	2.c4	13.9
1800	2.d4	34.3	2.g3	21.6	2.c4	18.3
2000	2.d4	29.8	2.g3	28.0	2.c4	21.3
2200	2.g3	34.9	2.d4	24.9	2.c4	22.4
2500	2.g3	41.4	2.c4	20.8	2.d4	20.7

Zukertort Opening: d5: top practitioners by side
Side	Player	Games
White	Ulf Andersson	213
White	Aleksander Wojtkiewicz	208
White	Vladimir Kramnik	182
Black	Oleg Korneev	137
Black	Aleksey Dreev	125
Black	Jonny Hector	101

Guided Play

What Is Guided Play?

Practice This Opening With a Coach

John follows this exact line and grades every move — green for best, red for blunders — with hints on demand and a blunder guard watching your back.

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Training Recommendations

Targeted drills using our bots' unique playstyles to sharpen your skills in this opening.

First Steps in the Zukertort Opening
Beginner · Positional
Attacking Savage Betty Rookwood is most dangerous when positions get messy, while Vlad Stone plays patiently — a defensive Guardian who cuts down the position. A friendly entry point for picking up the structure and main ideas.
- Betty Rookwood (1354)Savage
- Vlad Stone (1348)Guardian
Learning the Patterns in the Zukertort Opening
Novice · Positional
Attacking Hunter Malat Sultan forces the position, then simplifies once the initiative bites, while all-round Mediator Kit Chenware adapts to whatever the game becomes. Drill against them once the move-orders feel automatic.
- Malat Sultan (1538)Hunter
- Kit Chenware (1660)Mediator
Developing Strategy in the Zukertort Opening
Intermediate · Tactical
Cecilia Notes, an attacking Savage, relishes deep complications, while Rena Mateeva, a versatile Mediator, plays the position on its merits. Practice at the intermediate level to handle sharper positions.
- Cecilia Notes (1971)Savage
- Rena Mateeva (2075)Mediator
Proving Your Preparation in the Zukertort Opening
Skilled · Tactical
Hana Blossom, a versatile Mediator, plays the position on its merits, while Brock Enroque is an aggressive Savage who thrives in tactical chaos. Use this matchup to stress-test the lines you have actually studied.
- Hana Blossom (2303)Mediator
- Brock Enroque (2175)Savage
Master-Level Challenge in the Zukertort Opening
Advanced · Positional
Miles Tonne plays patiently — a defensive Guardian who cuts down the position, while all-round Mediator Knight Nolan adapts to whatever the game becomes. Practice at the advanced level to face master-strength resistance.
- Miles Tonne (2904)Guardian
- Knight Nolan (2759)Mediator

Frequently Asked Questions

Zukertort Opening: d5

What is this opening?

This opening begins with 1.Nf3 d5 and is classified under ECO code A06. Black stakes a claim to the center.

Is this opening good for beginners?

This opening can be played at any level. Beginners should focus on understanding the key strategic ideas rather than memorizing long theoretical lines. Our AI bots at various rating levels provide a great way to practice the opening concepts.

What are the main variations of this opening?

The main continuations include: King's Indian Attack; Réti Opening. Each variation leads to distinct types of positions with their own strategic themes.

What are the win rates for this opening?

Across 50.8 million Lichess games, White wins 50.6% of the time, Black wins 44.5%, and 5% are drawn. Notable master practitioners on the White side include Ulf Andersson and Aleksander Wojtkiewicz. On the Black side, Oleg Korneev and Aleksey Dreev are among the most frequent practitioners.

Sources

Chess Opening Theory/1. Nf3/1...d5 (opens in a new tab) — Wikibooks, opening theory
Lichess opening explorer (opens in a new tab) — game statistics and move data (blitz & rapid)

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