Hungarian Opening: Van Kuijk Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
10,560 games: White 50.1% / Draw 4.0% / Black 45.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 9,0189,018 | ||
| 811811 | ||
| 427427 | ||
| 7575 | ||
| 5757 | ||
| 5757 | ||
| 2626 | ||
| 2525 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.24 White is better
Best play: 3. Nxh4 e5 4. d4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qa4 d5 7. Bg2 Bd7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Hungarian Opening: Van Kuijk Gambit (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Lasker Simul Special, reached after 1. g3 h5 2. Nf3 h4 (2 moves).
In 10,560 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.1%, Black 45.9% and 4.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. Nxh4, in 85% 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 Hungarian Opening: Van Kuijk Gambit
The most played answer, 3. Nxh4, also scores best for White: 53.6%, with White winning 51.5% and Black 44.4% of 9,018 games. Of the main answers, 3. Bg2 scores lowest: 43.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. Nxh4.
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. “Hungarian Opening: Van Kuijk Gambit (A00)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/hungarian-opening-van-kuijk-gambit