The Kangaroo Defense is 1. 2. : you check with the f8 bishop before your knights come out, so your opponent has to block on d2 or c3. Across 6,045 Lichess games rated 900 to 1700 (September 2026), you score 45%. Strong players go 3. 4. 5. : you trade off that bishop and set up a pawn on d5 that hits c4.
Lichess games from September 2026 (30,577,162 rated 900 to 1700) and 31,791 over-the-board games rated 2300+ from the last 12 months. Data updated: October 14, 2026.
2 named lines in this family; 1 with their own page.
The opening's share in each Lichess rating band.
At your level, opponents meet with 3. in 55 games out of 100 and with 3. in 42. Players rated over 2200 online flip that around: 3. in 56 out of 100, 3. in 24 and 3. in 20. Over the board above 2300, it's always 3.. After 3., is the most common reply in both groups: 59 in 100 at your level and 45 among strong players, who also play in 32. When it comes to recapturing on d2, the public splits between 4., 55 in 100, and 4., 45. Strong players take with the queen 2 times in 3.
| Move | Lichess 900–1700 | White's score | Online, 2200+ | Over the board, 2300+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55.0% | 54.9% | 24.0% | no data | |
| 41.6% | 55.4% | 55.7% | 100.0% | |
| 3.5% | 56.2% | 20.4% | no data |
After 3. 4. 5., retreats the bishop, but 6. hits it again, and on b6 it would be kicked by the c4 pawn pushing to c5. After 7. 8. , the bishop is gone. After 5., 7 in 100 play it. You score 34.4, against 47.7 with .
7 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 5.9 pawns of advantage. It scores 34.4%; scores 47.7%.
After 3. 4., walks the bishop into a cage. 5. attacks it, and after 6., the c5 pawn takes b6 away. After 7. , you've lost the bishop. After 4., about 4 in 100 play it. You score 32.1, against 48.9 with .
4 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 6.3 pawns of advantage. It scores 32.1%; scores 48.9%.
After 3. 4., clears d7 and opens the a4 diagonal to your king. 5. is check and hits your undefended b4 bishop. blocks and guards it, but 6. attacks that pinned knight. After 7. , you're a pawn down. 2 in 100 play it. You score 45.4, against 53.7 with .
2 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 5 pawns of advantage. It scores 45.4%; scores 53.7%.
After 3. 4. 5., leaves your b4 bishop guarded only by that knight. 6. hits both, and after 7. 8., your opponent has pawns on c3, d4 and e4. Most players, 60 in 100, play it, and at this level it often goes unpunished: you score 43.7, against 47.5 with , which covers e4.
60 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 0.7 pawns of advantage. It scores 43.7%; scores 47.5%.
1. 2. 3. · A40
3,052 amateur games · White's score: 55.1%