Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
138,495 games: White 53.0% / Draw 3.7% / Black 43.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 104,264104K | ||
| 13,07213K | ||
| 7,6237,623 | ||
| 4,6964,696 | ||
| 3,2153,215 | ||
| 2,6012,601 | ||
| 1,4431,443 | ||
| 453453 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+2.22 White is clearly better
Even so, Black scores 45.1% here in practice: wins plus half the draws in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500.
Best play: 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bf4 d6 6. exd6 Bxd6 7. Bxd6 cxd6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit (ECO A45, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Indian Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 (2 moves).
In 138,495 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.0%, Black 43.3% and 3.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. dxe5, in 75% 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 Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit
The most played answer, 3. dxe5, also scores best for White: 58.3%, with White winning 56.4% and Black 39.8% of 104K games. Of the main answers, 3. d5 scores lowest: 46.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. dxe5.
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. “Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit (A45)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/indian-defense-maddigan-gambit