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

In this tabiya of the Queen's Pawn Game: Levitsky Attack, White's most precise engine choice is Nd2, developing the queenside knight while keeping the c-pawn free to support the center. The engine assesses this continuation at +0.07, yielding a 58.3% score for White across 7.1K recorded games (12.2% of the database). While the move develops flexibly, White also frequently selects the immediate Bd3 or the solidifying c3.

Strategic roles of the knight and pawns

The primary appeal of Nd2 is flexibility along the c-file. By withholding the knight from c3, White retains the option to establish a solid pawn triangle with c3, blunting Black's counterplay against d4. The engine's illustrative continuation runs Nd2 c5 c3 O-O Bd3 Nc6, where White steadily develops kingside pieces while maintaining a resilient central structure against Black's flank expansion.

Popular alternatives and bishop development

By far the most common human choice is Bd3, chosen in 59.6% of database games (35K recorded) and carrying a +0.09 engine evaluation. However, players must be prepared for dynamic counterplay; the engine main line Bd3 c5 c3 Qb6 Nd2 Qxb2 demonstrates that an early queenside sortie by Black can target the b2 pawn. Alternatively, playing c3 immediately (+0.10, 6.9K games) avoids these tactics entirely, leading into lines like c3 c5 Nd2 O-O Bd3 Nc6.

Active piece play with Bb5+ and Nc3

White also occasionally opts for more direct piece pressure. The check Bb5+ (+0.05, 3.6K recorded games) challenges Black's coordination, illustrated by the continuation Bb5+ Bd7 Nc3 c5 Nge2 a6. Finally, the natural developing move Nc3 (+0.00, 5.9K games) remains viable, often transposing into complex maneuvering after Nc3 O-O Nb5 Ne8 Ne2 c5.