Clemenz Opening: what should White play?

Arising from the unorthodox Clemenz Opening, this position gives White several distinct setups to contest Black's early central space. The engine rates the natural development Nf3 and the central strike d4 as the strongest options, both evaluated at -0.04. Developing the knight via Nf3 prepares rapid kingside piece deployment while keeping central pawn breaks flexible against Black's pawn structure.

Central Expansion with Nf3 and d4

Although Nf3 has been selected in 14.3% of the recorded games (4.9K recorded), it provides White with the cleanest route to equalize. A primary continuation runs Nf3 Nf6 d4 Nc6 c4 e6, transposing the game into Queen's Gambit-style structures where White's extra flank pawn moves remain playable. Choosing d4 achieves an identical evaluation of -0.04 across 9.1% of games (3.1K recorded), often reaching the same pawn structure via d4 Nf6 Nf3 Nc6 c4 e6.

The Popular Flank Strategy: 3. a3

By far the most frequent continuation across recorded games is a3, chosen in 65.2% of matchups (22K recorded). This passive flank thrust carries an engine evaluation of -0.16 and does little to dispute Black's central presence immediately. A characteristic engine line proceeds a3 Nf6 d4 cxd4 exd4 Nc6, leading to an open center where Black easily completes piece development.

Minor Piece Alternatives

Other moves leave White slightly further behind in development. The modest bishop lift Be2 accounts for 5.4% of games (1.9K recorded) with an evaluation of -0.24, where Be2 e5 d4 cxd4 exd4 e4 allows Black to gain space. Finally, the check Bb5+ appears in 6.1% of games (2.1K recorded) and evaluates at -0.31, leading directly to trades after Bb5+ Bd7 Bxd7+ Qxd7 Nf3 Nc6.