Opening family
Lion Defense Lines and Variations
The Lion Defense family contains 6 named lines in this opening book, spanning ECO B00 to B07. Use this page as the map, then open individual lines for exact move orders and diagrams.
How to study this family
White
White should use the move order as a checkpoint: finish development, identify the central break, and compare the continuations below before memorizing moves.
Black
Black should ask what White is threatening in the center, then choose development moves that prepare a clean pawn break or a useful exchange.
Start with the shortest line, then branch to the variations that change the pawn structure or tactical target. Memorizing every branch before understanding the family plan is usually wasted work.
Main named lines
- B00 · Lion Defense: Lion's Jaw
- B07 · Lion Defense
- B07 · Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor
- B07 · Lion Defense: Bayonet Attack
- B07 · Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave
- B07 · Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit
Deep theory branches
- 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bc4 d5 — Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit
- 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 — Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave
- 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 — Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor
- 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. g4 — Lion Defense: Bayonet Attack
- 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 — Lion Defense
- 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. f3 — Lion Defense: Lion's Jaw