Classical Defense
The Classical Defense is most certainly the most played opening in antichess. This is likely due to it being very useful in fast time controls, and the appeal of giving pieces earlier (the most common opening for beginners). This opening is used in every level of play, which likely contributes to why it is has been played on lichess more than 3x all of the other Watkins’ Opening variation combined! This opening is also estimated to be around #100.
All opening names come from FM Arimakat, tolius, or were popularized within the community. If you notice any openings that do not appear on here that are seen quite frequently, be sure to contact one of the members on the steering committee for more information.
| Name | Moves | Result |
| Classical Defense | 1.e3 b5 | #100? |
| Multani Defense | 1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e5 | #31 |
| Suicide Defense | 1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Bb7 | #38 |
| Bozick Variation |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Bb7 3.Bxd7 Bxg2 4.Bxe8 Bxh1 5.Bxf7 Qxd2 6.Bxd2
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| Modern Suicide Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Bb7 3.Bxd7 Bxg2 4.Bxe8 Bxh1 5.Bxf7 Qxd2 6.Kxd2 Bd5
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| Old Suicide Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Bb7 3.Bxd7 Bxg2 4.Bxe8 Bxh1 5.Bxf7 Qxd2 6.Kxd2 Bf3
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| Antique Defense | 1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 c6 | #39 |
| Watkins Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 c6 3.Bxc6 Nxc6 4. b4 Nxb4 5.Qf3
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| Wing Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 c6 3.Bxc6 Nxc6 4. b4 Nxb4 5.a4
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| Dragon Defense | 1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Nh6 | #80 |
| MegaBot Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Nh6 3.Bxd7 Kxd7
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| Nagorko Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Nh6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7
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| Sjaak Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Nh6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4.h3
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| Two Knights Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Nh6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7
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| Watkins Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Nh6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7 4.e4
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| Bosman Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Nh6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7 4.c4
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| Bosnian Defense | 1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 | #99 |
| Old Bishop Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxa6
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| Geerlings Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Qxd7
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| Accelerated Geerlings Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Qxd7 4.Qe2
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| Sjaak Gambit |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Qxd7 4.Ke2
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| Classical Bosnian Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7
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| Herz’ Variation |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7 4.d3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 g6
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| Seattle Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7 4.d3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 h6
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| Queen Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7 4.d3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 Qb8
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| Rook Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 Ba6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7 4.d3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 Rb8
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| Meta Defense | 1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 | #100 |
| Mexican Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Nxd7
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| Minear Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4. b4 Bxb4 5.a4
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| Knight Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4. Nh3
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| DiePiecesDie Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4. Nh3 Nh6
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| Double Pawn Attack |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4. Na3
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| Quebec Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4. Na3 Bxa3 5. bxa3 Bc8
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| Sordid Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4. Na3 Bxa3 5.bxa3 Qh4
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| Sjeng Defense |
1.e3 b5 2.Bxb5 e6 3.Bxd7 Bxd7 4. Na3 Bxa3 5.bxa3 c6
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