Owen Defense: Naselwaus Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
14,757 games: White 60.4% / Draw 3.5% / Black 36.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 4,2034,203 | ||
| 3,4813,481 | ||
| 1,6391,639 | ||
| 1,5961,596 | ||
| 1,1451,145 | ||
| 1,1211,121 | ||
| 908908 | ||
| 188188 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.22 The position is about equal
Best play: 3... Bxe4 4. d5 c6 5. c4 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Bg7 8. Nc3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Owen Defense: Naselwaus Gambit (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Owen Defense, reached after 1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bg5 (3 moves).
In 14,757 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 60.4%, Black 36.0% and 3.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Bxe4, in 28% 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 Owen Defense: Naselwaus Gambit
3…g6 scores best for Black: 44.1%, with Black winning 42.0% and White 53.8% of 1,596 games. The most played, 3…Bxe4, scores 41.7% in 4,203 games, and 3…e6 scores lowest: 8.4%. Stockfish's first choice is 3…Bxe4.
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. “Owen Defense: Naselwaus Gambit (B00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/owen-defense-naselwaus-gambit