Repertoire Builder

Bird Opening: all variations and ECO codes

28 named lines across 3 ECO codes (A02–B21), spanning ECO volumes A, B. Source: the CC0-licensed lichess.org opening database.

The idea

White claims kingside space and prepares a later e5 push or a fianchetto setup on the long diagonal, essentially playing a reversed Dutch Defense with an extra tempo. The tradeoffs are the same ones Black accepts in that opening - a slightly weakened kingside and the e1-h4 diagonal left open - just taken on by White, a move ahead, from the other side of the board.

The main line

Position after 1.f4 (A02). Open this line on Lichess → · Bird Opening on Lichess

How the main line scores at your rating

Real Lichess win rates for 1.f4, playing as white: the family’s other variations are not separately tracked for win rate yet, main line only.

Scroll to see more →

Win/draw/loss rate by rating band
Rating bandGamesWhite / draw / BlackScore for white
1400-1600 1,557 White/draw/black: 49.4% / 4.5% / 46.1% 49.4% / 4.5% / 46.1% 51.6%
1600-1800 2,328 White/draw/black: 51.3% / 4.7% / 44.0% 51.3% / 4.7% / 44.0% 53.7%
1800-2000 2,185 White/draw/black: 51.2% / 3.8% / 45.0% 51.2% / 3.8% / 45.0% 53.1%
2000+ 1,201 White/draw/black: 47.6% / 5.1% / 47.3% 47.6% / 5.1% / 47.3% 50.2%

All 28 named variations

Every named line in the Bird Opening family, from the CC0-licensed ECO classification: not separately tracked for win rate, but every ECO code and move sequence is real, sourced data.

Browse more

ECO Volume A: Flank Openings → · All ECO families → · Search and play every line in the interactive explorer →

Related

Benko Gambit

8 named lines, ECO A57

Benko Gambit Accepted

10 named lines, ECO A57

Benoni Defense

61 named lines, ECO A40