Nimzowitsch Defense: Hornung Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
11,166 games: White 49.6% / Draw 3.5% / Black 46.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,8616,861 | ||
| 1,5801,580 | ||
| 1,2881,288 | ||
| 860860 | ||
| 152152 | ||
| 8888 | ||
| 5454 | ||
| 5353 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.44 Black is slightly better
Best play: 3... dxe4 4. d5 Ne5 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Qd4 Neg4 7. O-O-O e5 8. dxe6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzowitsch Defense: Hornung Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Be3 (3 moves).
In 11,166 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.6%, Black 46.9% and 3.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…dxe4, in 61% 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 Nimzowitsch Defense: Hornung Gambit
3…e5 scores best for Black: 51.8%, with Black winning 50.1% and White 46.5% of 860 games. The most played, 3…dxe4, scores 49.6% in 6,861 games, and 3…Nf6 scores lowest: 45.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 3…dxe4.
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. “Nimzowitsch Defense: Hornung Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzowitsch-defense-hornung-gambit