ECO C20 · for White
Wayward Queen Attack
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
2,331,216 games in this band reached the Wayward Queen Attack position. From there White won 51% and drew 5%.
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4 g6 4. Qf3 Nf6 5. c3 Bg7 6. d3 O-O 7. Bg5
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Qh5
Attacking the e5 pawn and aiming for a kingside attack without pieces developed is a typical beginner way to play openings.
2... Nc6
Developing the knight while protecting the pawn.
- 2... d6: Protecting the hanging e5 pawn.
- 2... Qf6: Defending the pawn with the queen in an inefficient way.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Bc4 g6 4. Qf3 Nf6
3. Bc4
Developing the bishop while threatening mate on f7.
3... g6
Defending the mate threat while also attacking the queen.
- 3... Qf6: Defending the mate with the queen likely intending to follow up with Bc5 and attack f2.
- 3... Qe7: Protecting the f7 pawn with the queen, instead of playing g6 to force white's queen to retreat.
4. Qf3
Retreating the attacked queen while renewing the mate threat on f7.
4... Nf6
Developing the knight and preventing the mate on f7.
- 4... Qf6: Activating the queen early in order to prevent White's checkmate threat. Black should have developed the knight to f6 instead.
Moves 5 to 7
5. c3 Bg7 6. d3 O-O 7. Bg5
5. c3
5... Bg7
6. d3
6... O-O
7. Bg5
Plans for White in this position
What White usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The pawn on e4 typically captures the pawn on d5
- The bishop on g5 generally captures the knight on f6
- The queenside knight usually develops to d2
- The kingside knight often develops to e2
- The bishop on g5 often moves to h4
- The bishop on h4 often moves to g3
- A common pawn move is h3
Related opening guides
- Italian Game for White
- Queen's Gambit for White
- English Opening for White
- Bishop's Opening for White
- Philidor Defense for Black
- Zukertort Opening for White