A22

English Opening: King's English, Erbenheimer Gambit

Chess diagram: English Opening: King's English, Erbenheimer Gambit after 4…Ng4

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Statistics from Lichess

965 games: White 68.1% / Draw 2.6% / Black 29.3%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

+3.21 White is clearly better

Best play: 5. Ngxe4 c6 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nxf6+ Qxf6 8. g3 Bb4 9. a3 Bxc3

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

Overview

English Opening: King's English, Erbenheimer Gambit (ECO A22, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation, reached after 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 e4 4. Ng5 Ng4 (4 moves).

In 965 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 68.1%, Black 29.3% and 2.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Ngxe4, in 97% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “English Opening: King's English, Erbenheimer Gambit (A22)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-kings-english-erbenheimer-gambit