Modern Defense: Westermann Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
18,661 games: White 50.3% / Draw 4.6% / Black 45.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,4397,439 | ||
| 3,5383,538 | ||
| 1,5861,586 | ||
| 1,5471,547 | ||
| 1,0021,002 | ||
| 938938 | ||
| 693693 | ||
| 663663 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.65 Black is slightly better
Best play: 3... Bxd4 4. Bc3 Bf6 5. Qd2 Nc6 6. Bb5 e5 7. f4 Bg7 8. Bxc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Modern Defense: Westermann Gambit (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Modern Defense, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bd2 (3 moves).
In 18,661 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.3%, Black 45.1% and 4.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…d6, in 40% 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: Westermann Gambit
3…Bxd4 scores best for Black: 54.3%, with Black winning 51.7% and White 43.1% of 938 games. The most played, 3…d6, scores 48.2% in 7,439 games, and 3…b6 scores lowest: 38.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3…Bxd4.
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: Westermann Gambit (B06)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-westermann-gambit