Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack: what should White play?

In the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, White's dark-squared bishop on g5 is directly challenged by Black's pawn push. The engine's primary recommendation is Bf4, retaining control over central squares while yielding the top engine evaluation of -0.27. Although it is played in 16.5% of recorded games (300K recorded), it provides White with a solid setup where White scores 51.6% of points.

The Retreat to f4

The move Bf4 keeps the bishop active outside the pawn chain without allowing Black to gain additional tempo on the kingside. An illustrative continuation following this path is Bf4 Nc6 Bg3 e5 dxe5 fxe5, where White accepts Black's central thrust while relocating the bishop safely to the g3 square. Alternative retreats to the back rank or queenside, such as Bd2 (-0.32, played in 2.5% of games) and Bc1 (-0.52, played in 0.8% of games), surrender spatial control much earlier.

The Popular Choice of Bh4

By far the most frequent practical choice is Bh4, chosen in 79.4% of games (1.44M recorded). Despite an engine evaluation of -0.50, White scores 55.2% from this position, demonstrating its viability in human play. An illustrative engine continuation runs Bh4 Nh6 f3 Nc6 e3 e5, where White bolsters the center while Black develops aggressively.

Passive Alternatives

Other alternatives fair worse under engine scrutiny and in practical results. The retreat Be3 carries an evaluation of -0.74 and accounts for just 0.7% of games (12K recorded), with White scoring only 45.7%. The sample line Be3 e5 Nf3 e4 Nfd2 Ne7 demonstrates how Black can immediately contest the center and push White's pieces backward, confirming why active diagonal maintenance with Bf4 remains preferred.