Caissa Codex
B00

Owen Defense: Matovinsky Gambit

Chess diagram: Owen Defense: Matovinsky Gambit after 5…g6

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Statistics from Lichess

25,950 games: White 59.9% / Draw 3.0% / Black 37.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
25,91426K
2020
77
44
22
11
11
11

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

+5.56 White is clearly better

Best play: 6. fxg6 Bg7 7. gxh7+ Kf8 8. Nh3 Bxh1 9. Ng5 Nh6 10. Nc3 e6

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

Overview

Owen Defense: Matovinsky Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Owen Defense, reached after 1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 f5 4. exf5 Bxg2 5. Qh5+ g6 (5 moves).

In 25,950 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 59.9%, Black 37.0% and 3.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. fxg6, in 100% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 f5 4. exf5 Bxg2 5. Qh5+ g6, the position after Owen Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Owen Defense: Matovinsky Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/owen-defense-matovinsky-gambit

https://chesscodex.org/openings/owen-defense-matovinsky-gambit