English Defense: Poli Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
1,408 games: White 38.4% / Draw 3.8% / Black 57.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 885885 | ||
| 303303 | ||
| 9494 | ||
| 5555 | ||
| 3333 | ||
| 2323 | ||
| 33 | ||
| 22 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. fxe6 Nf5 7. Bf4 dxe6 8. Nc3 Nxd4 9. Nge2 Nbc6 10. Qd2 Nxe2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
English Defense: Poli Gambit (ECO A40, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the English Defense, reached after 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6 (5 moves).
In 1,408 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 38.4%, Black 57.9% and 3.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. fxe6, in 63% 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: Poli Gambit
The most played answer, 6. fxe6, also scores best for White: 41.6%, with White winning 40.1% and Black 56.8% of 885 games. Of the main answers, 6. Bxh6 scores lowest: 40.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. fxe6.
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: Poli Gambit (A40)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-defense-poli-gambit