Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
29,884 games: White 49.0% / Draw 5.3% / Black 45.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 11,36111K | ||
| 8,7028,702 | ||
| 3,1133,113 | ||
| 3,0283,028 | ||
| 1,5821,582 | ||
| 1,3831,383 | ||
| 179179 | ||
| 130130 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.02 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. dxc5 Nxc3 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. bxc3 Bg7 9. Bd2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit (ECO D80, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a gambit in the Grünfeld Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. h4 (4 moves).
In 29,884 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.0%, Black 45.7% and 5.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…Bg7, in 38% 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 Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit
4…c5 scores best for Black: 56.2%, with Black winning 52.9% and White 40.4% of 3,113 games. The most played, 4…Bg7, scores 47.4% in 11K games, and 4…dxc4 scores lowest: 46.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4…c5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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. “Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit (D80)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-zaitsev-gambit