Chess openings / Center Game

Center Game: Normal Variation

Center Game: Normal Variation (C22) starts 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6. In 1,583 games between strong players, White wins 47%, 11% are drawn and Black wins 43%; the most played move is 4.Qe3 (77%).

abcdefgh87654321

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6

ECO
C22
Games between strong players
1,583
To move
White
47%43%

White wins, draws and Black wins, from this position.

What strong players play next

The moves played most from this position in over-the-board broadcasts and the Lichess Elite Database, how often, and how the games ended.

MovePlayedResultsLeads to
4.Qe377% (1,223)47%44%Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation
4.Qd310% (160)39%20%41%–
4.Qc46% (98)47%19%34%Center Game: Hall Variation
4.Qa44% (69)57%39%–
4.Qd11% (8)63%37%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from Center Game Accepted 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4

More Center Game lines

Played the Center Game lately?

Enter your Chess.com or Lichess username: every move of your game labelled from Brilliant to Blunder, and where you left theory. Free, no account.