Lion Defense
What is the Lion Defense?
The Lion Defense is a chess opening that begins with 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7. It is classified under ECO B00–B07 and has 6 named variations. Black chooses it with the move Nbd7.
Moves: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7
ECO: B00–B07
Chosen by: Black
Main variations
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. f3
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. g4
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bc4 d5
All 6 variations
| ECO | Variation | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| B00 | Lion's Jaw | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. f3 |
| B07 | Main line | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 |
| B07 | Anti-Philidor | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 |
| B07 | Bayonet Attack | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. g4 |
| B07 | Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 |
| B07 | Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bc4 d5 |
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: where the pieces go, which pawn breaks matter and what the typical middlegame plans are. Then play it, and after each game look up the point where you or your opponent left the known moves. MentoChess shows that point automatically for every game you import.
Opening lessons: Three golden opening rules · Scholar’s mate and how to stop it · Italian Game: plans, not just moves · Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined · Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 · From moves to structures