King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation: what to play after d6?

In the King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation, White's most incisive option according to engine evaluation is f4 (+0.21), striking immediately at Black's central pawn structure. While the quiet developing move Nc3 is the most frequent choice, appearing in 43.7% of the 2,596,454 recorded games, the thrust f4 offers White a 53.3% scoring rate across 763K recorded outings.

Aggression with the f-Pawn

The choice of f4 transforms the position into a King's Gambit-type structure where Black's d6 limits the scope of rapid counterplay. It challenges Black's foothold on e5 right away and prepares open lines on the kingside. White scores effectively here, outperforming quieter alternatives. A primary engine continuation runs f4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 Be2 g6, where both sides contest key central squares before committing their kings.

Natural Development and Closed Structures

Players preferring a more patient setup often select Nc3 (+0.14), which accounts for 1.13M games and yields a 52.0% score for White. Rather than clarifying the center immediately, White can steer into a King's Indian Attack setup, as seen in the sample continuation Nc3 Nf6 g3 Be7 Nf3 O-O. In a similar vein, the flexible Be2 (+0.09) is seen in 12.9% of games, often leading to central tension via Be2 g6 d4 exd4 Qxd4 Nf6.

Flank Setups: c4 and g3

White also has access to English-style setups such as c4 (+0.08, played in 8.4% of games) and the immediate fianchetto g3 (+0.08, 5.6% of games). The line c4 g6 g3 c5 Nc3 Bg7 clamps down on the center, while g3 g6 Bg2 Bg7 c4 c5 reaches an identical symmetrical formation. These options maintain a solid 51.4% to 51.5% score, though they offer a more restrained character than f4.