Caissa Codex
B06

Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense, Norwegian Gambit

Chess diagram: Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense, Norwegian Gambit after 4…d6

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

23,317 games: White 38.5% / Draw 4.2% / Black 57.3%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
20,31720K
1,1191,119
898898
798798
8686
3333
1111
88

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 10, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.95 White is better

Best play: 5. f4 Ng7 6. Nf3 h5 7. O-O Nf5 8. Bd3 dxe5 9. dxe5 Na6

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense, Norwegian Gambit (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. Be2 d6 (4 moves).

In 23,317 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 38.5%, Black 57.3% and 4.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bxh5, in 87% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense, Norwegian Gambit (B06)”. Lichess data as of 10 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-norwegian-defense-norwegian-gambit

https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-norwegian-defense-norwegian-gambit