Openings Flank openings
Bird Opening (1.f4): From’s Gambit, Setups and Stats by Rating
1.f4 grabs e5 and prepares a kingside setup, like a Dutch Defense with colors reversed and an extra move. It loosens the e1–h4 diagonal a little, and From’s Gambit 1...e5 tries to exploit exactly that.
A02Bird Opening
Games from this position (1600–1999): 83k
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38% | 32k | ||
| 11% | 8,863 | ||
| 10% | 8,205 | ||
| 9% | 7,216 | ||
| 6% | 5,215 | ||
| 5% | 4,361 | ||
| 5% | 4,003 | ||
| 5% | 3,896 | ||
| 4% | 3,420 | ||
| 3% | 2,653 | ||
| 3% | 2,196 |
Plans for both sides
White
- Against 1...d5, Nf3, e3, Be2 or b3 with Bb2, and O-O is the classic setup; Ne5 and Qe1–h4 can follow.
- Against From’s Gambit, 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Bxd6 4.Nf3 is the safe line: with the f-pawn gone, never allow ...Qh4+.
- Keep the e5 square: a knight there with f4 behind it is the heart of the Bird.
Black
- 1...d5 with ...Nf6, ...g6 and ...Bg7, or ...Bg4, is solid against any setup.
- From’s Gambit 1...e5 is sharp: after 4.Nf3 g5 Black throws the g-pawn at White’s king.
- Aim at e4, which the f-pawn can no longer guard from f3, and contest e5 with ...Nc6 and ...e5.
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Bird Opening at each rating
How often the position after 1.f4 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 22k0.7% | 1...d540% | |
| 1200–1599 | 52k0.9% | 1...d540% | |
| 1600–1999 | 83k1.3% | 1...d538% | |
| 2000+ | 23k1.1% | 1...d536% | |
| All | 180k1.0% | 1...d539% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
A reversed Dutch setup; White follows with b3, Bb2, Qe1 and Ne5.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.Be2 Bg7 5.O-O O-OThe bishop pins the f3 knight; Be2, or b3 with Bb2, are the usual answers.
1,076 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 52%, 5% were drawn, Black won 43%.
Show on the board: 1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bg4Black fianchettoes; White mirrors with b3 and Bb2 and fights over e5.
75 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 51%, 1% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.f4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.b3 Bg7 4.Bb2Black gives a second pawn to open the g-file; White answers 5.g3 or 5.d4.
1,062 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 3% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Bxd6 4.Nf3 g5White gives the e-pawn for quick play. White scores only about 46% after it, and about 41% below 1200.
4,573 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 45%, 4% were drawn, Black won 52%.
Show on the board: 1.f4 d5 2.e4
Common traps
From’s Gambit: 4.Nc3?? Qh4+
After 3...Bxd6 White has to stop ...Qh4+. The natural 4.Nc3?? allows 4...Qh4+ 5.g3 Qxg3+ 6.hxg3 Bxg3 mate. 4.Nf3 covers h4 and is the main move.
Fewer than 6 games in our data reached the end of this line.
Show on the board: 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Bxd6 4.Nc3 Qh4+ 5.g3 Qxg3+ 6.hxg3 Bxg3#(ends in mate)Advertisement
At club level
1...d5 is the most common answer at every level, about four games in ten. From’s Gambit comes in about one game in ten, and at 2000+ about four in five take with 2.fxe5. White scores about 52% after 1.f4 overall, but only about 49% below 1200.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- Réti Opening (1.Nf3)
1.Nf3
- English Opening
1.c4
- Hungarian Opening (1.g3)
1.g3
- Nimzo-Larsen Attack
1.b3
- Polish Opening (1.b4)
1.b4
- King’s Indian Attack
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3