Borg Defense: Troon Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
6,328 games: White 50.2% / Draw 4.1% / Black 45.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 4,2144,214 | ||
| 676676 | ||
| 385385 | ||
| 240240 | ||
| 174174 | ||
| 115115 | ||
| 110110 | ||
| 9797 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+2.25 White is clearly better
Even so, Black scores 47.7% here in practice: wins plus half the draws in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500.
Best play: 4. Nc3 d6 5. Nge2 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Ng3 Nf6 8. Bd3 Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Borg Defense: Troon Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Borg Defense, reached after 1. e4 g5 2. d4 h6 3. h4 g4 (3 moves).
In 6,328 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.2%, Black 45.7% and 4.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Qxg4, in 67% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Borg Defense: Troon Gambit
4. Nc3 scores best for White: 60.8%, with White winning 57.7% and Black 36.1% of 385 games. The most played answer, 4. Qxg4, scores lowest: 51.0% in 4,214 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. Nc3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Borg Defense: Troon Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/borg-defense-troon-gambit