Openings Rare first moves
Mieses Opening (1.d3): Setups, Transpositions and Stats
1.d3 opens the c1 bishop and supports a later e4, but gives Black the center for free. With g3, Bg2 and Nf3 it becomes a King’s Indian Attack or a Pirc with colors reversed; with e4 it can turn into a quiet 1.e4 game.
A00Mieses Opening
Games from this position (1600–1999): 32k
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37% | 12k | ||
| 20% | 6,606 | ||
| 10% | 3,071 | ||
| 8% | 2,581 | ||
| 7% | 2,172 | ||
| 5% | 1,506 | ||
| 4% | 1,392 | ||
| 3% | 1,083 | ||
| 2% | 762 | ||
| 2% | 494 | ||
| 1.0% | 315 |
Plans for both sides
White
- g3, Bg2, Nf3, O-O and e4 is the most useful plan: a King’s Indian Attack.
- After 1...e5, 2.e4 gives a King’s Pawn Game with d3; 2.Nf3 or 2.g3 keeps the reversed Pirc.
- Do not expect an advantage; aim for a setup you know.
Black
- Take the full center with ...d5 and ...e5, or ...d5 with ...Nf6 and ...c5.
- Develop normally: White’s first move gives you time, not problems.
- Against a King’s Indian Attack setup, ...c5, ...Nc6 and ...b5 is active play.
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Mieses Opening (1.d3) at each rating
How often the position after 1.d3 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...e537% | |
| 1200–1599 | 33k0.6% | 1...d536% | |
| 1600–1999 | 32k0.5% | 1...d537% | |
| 2000+ | 7,8450.4% | 1...d537% | |
| All | 95k0.5% | 1...d536% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
White builds g3, Bg2 and O-O, then e4; Black grabs the center with ...c5, ...Nc6 and ...e5.
400 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 5% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.d3 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 c5 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.O-O e5White plays a Pirc Defense with colors reversed and an extra move.
5,052 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 4% were drawn, Black won 47%.
Show on the board: 1.d3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2White offers to trade center pawns; about two in three take with 2...dxe4, and after 3.dxe4 Black can trade queens at once.
17k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 44%, 6% were drawn, Black won 49%.
Show on the board: 1.d3 d5 2.e4 dxe4This becomes a King’s Pawn Game with d3, covered in the 1.e4 e5 guide.
130k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 4% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.d3 e5 2.e4
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At club level
White scores only about 49% after 1.d3, and about 47% below 1200, the lowest of the eleven most common first moves here. At 2000+ it is about even. Below 1200 1...e5 is the top reply, at 2000+ 1...d5.
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.