Caissa Codex
A00

Clemenz Opening: Spike Lee Gambit

Chess diagram: Clemenz Opening: Spike Lee Gambit after 2. g4

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Statistics from Lichess

1,180 games: White 35.7% / Draw 8.9% / Black 55.4%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
1,0291,029
4444
3737
2121
1414
99
88
33

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026

Engine evaluation

−1.75 Black is clearly better

Best play: 2... hxg4 3. d4 d5 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. Qd3 gxh3 6. Nxh3 Nc6 7. Bf4

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Clemenz Opening: Spike Lee Gambit (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Clemenz Opening, reached after 1. h3 h5 2. g4 (2 moves).

In 1,180 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 35.7%, Black 55.4% and 8.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…hxg4, in 87% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 1…h5 2. g4, the position after Clemenz Opening also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Clemenz Opening: Spike Lee Gambit (A00)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/clemenz-opening-spike-lee-gambit

https://chesscodex.org/openings/clemenz-opening-spike-lee-gambit