B00

Hippopotamus Defense

1. e4 Nh6
♜♞♝♛♚♝♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♞♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♞♝♛♚♝♞♜
The position after 1. e4 Nh6, White to move.

In the Hippopotamus Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

See how you play it

The Hippopotamus Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code B00. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 Nh6: 2 moves in, with White to play.

Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.

Club players rarely lose the Hippopotamus Defense in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.

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Related openings

Nimzowitsch DefenseBarnes DefenseBorg DefenseBorg Defense: Borg GambitBorg Defense: Troon GambitBorg Defense: Zilbermints GambitCarr DefenseCarr Defense: Zilbermints GambitDuras GambitFried Fox Defense

See how you play this opening