Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
25,060 games: White 58.5% / Draw 3.9% / Black 37.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 12,17912K | ||
| 10,37010K | ||
| 1,0851,085 | ||
| 664664 | ||
| 266266 | ||
| 108108 | ||
| 9393 | ||
| 6969 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+2.50 White is clearly better
Best play: 3. Bxg5 Ne4 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. f3 Nd6 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxb2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit (ECO A50, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Indian Defense: Normal Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g5 (2 moves).
In 25,060 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 58.5%, Black 37.6% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. Nc3, in 49% 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: Medusa Gambit
3. Bxg5 scores best for White: 65.4%, with White winning 63.5% and Black 32.7% of 10K games. The most played answer, 3. Nc3, scores lowest: 57.9% in 12K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. Bxg5.
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: Medusa Gambit (A50)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/indian-defense-medusa-gambit