C00

French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit, Pinova Gambit

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Statistics from Lichess

61 games: White 44.3% / Draw 1.6% / Black 54.1%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next move	Games	White / Draw / BlackW / D / B
	2020
	1313
	55
	44
	33
	33
	33
	22

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

−1.39 Black is better

Best play: 3... Nc6 4. f4 d6 5. Nf3 f6 6. c3 Ba5 7. Na3 fxe5 8. fxe5

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

Overview

French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit, Pinova Gambit (ECO C00, Open Games) is a gambit in the French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. b4 Bxb4 3. e5 (3 moves).

In 61 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.3%, Black 54.1% and 1.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…d5, in 33% of those games. That is too few games for the percentages to mean much.

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Description

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit, Pinova Gambit (C00)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-banzai-leong-gambit-pinova-gambit