Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
6,395 games: White 61.1% / Draw 3.1% / Black 35.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,7152,715 | ||
| 2,3732,373 | ||
| 809809 | ||
| 123123 | ||
| 8787 | ||
| 4141 | ||
| 4040 | ||
| 3535 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.84 White is clearly better
Best play: 3. e5 Nd5 4. c4 Nb6 5. Bg5 d6 6. exd6 cxd6 7. Nf3 g6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Goldsmith Defense, reached after 1. e4 h5 2. d4 Nf6 (2 moves).
In 6,395 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 61.1%, Black 35.8% and 3.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. e5, in 42% 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 Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense
The most played answer, 3. e5, also scores best for White: 64.7%, with White winning 63.2% and Black 33.8% of 2,715 games. Of the main answers, 3. Bd3 scores lowest: 61.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. e5.
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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense (B00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/goldsmith-defense-picklepuss-defense