Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
7,872 games: White 47.7% / Draw 4.0% / Black 48.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,7396,739 | ||
| 511511 | ||
| 328328 | ||
| 9999 | ||
| 9191 | ||
| 2323 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1818 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.13 The position is about equal
Best play: 3... Nxh5 4. e4 d5 5. g4 Nf6 6. e5 Nfd7 7. e6 Nf6 8. g5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit (ECO A40, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense, reached after 1. d4 g6 2. h4 Nf6 3. h5 (3 moves).
In 7,872 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.7%, Black 48.3% and 4.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Nxh5, in 86% 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 Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit
The most played answer, 3…Nxh5, also scores best for Black: 51.5%, with Black winning 49.5% and White 46.5% of 6,739 games. Of the main answers, 3…Bg7 scores lowest: 43.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3…Nxh5.
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. “Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit (A40)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-lizard-defense-pirc-diemer-gambit