Caissa Codex
B06

Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation, Tal Gambit

Chess diagram: Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation, Tal Gambit after 6…Qxb2

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Statistics from Lichess

781 games: White 50.8% / Draw 2.4% / Black 46.7%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 18, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.57 White is slightly better

Best play: 7. Rb1 Qa3 8. Bc4 Nd7 9. O-O Nb6 10. Bb3 h6 11. Be3 Nf6

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

Overview

Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation, Tal Gambit (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 c6 5. Bg5 Qb6 6. Qd2 Qxb2 (6 moves).

In 781 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.8%, Black 46.7% and 2.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Rb1, in 96% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation, Tal Gambit (B06)”. Lichess data as of 18 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-two-knights-variation-suttles-variation-tal-gambit

https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-two-knights-variation-suttles-variation-tal-gambit