English Defense: Eastbourne Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
9,394 games: White 52.0% / Draw 4.4% / Black 43.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,2925,292 | ||
| 2,6002,600 | ||
| 628628 | ||
| 429429 | ||
| 326326 | ||
| 4848 | ||
| 2828 | ||
| 2323 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.19 White is better
Best play: 4. dxe5 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bb4 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Qe7 8. Nd4 Nxe5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
English Defense: Eastbourne Gambit (ECO A40, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the English Defense, reached after 1. d4 b6 2. c4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e5 (3 moves).
In 9,394 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.0%, Black 43.6% and 4.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. d5, in 56% 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 English Defense: Eastbourne Gambit
4. dxe5 scores best for White: 56.9%, with White winning 54.3% and Black 40.5% of 2,600 games. The most played, 4. d5, scores 54.3% in 5,292 games, and 4. Nf3 scores lowest: 50.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. dxe5.
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. “English Defense: Eastbourne Gambit (A40)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-defense-eastbourne-gambit