A04

Zukertort Opening: Shabalov Gambit

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Statistics from Lichess

365 games: White 58.6% / Draw 6.6% / Black 34.8%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next move	Games	White / Draw / BlackW / D / B
	237237
	6969
	4242
	77
	44
	33
	11
	11

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

Engine evaluation

+0.93 White is better

Best play: 5. cxb5 Nf6 6. e3 Be7 7. Be2 axb5 8. Nxb5 d6 9. O-O O-O

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

Overview

Zukertort Opening: Shabalov Gambit (ECO A04, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Zukertort Opening: Queen's Gambit Invitation, reached after 1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 a6 3. Nc3 c5 4. g3 b5 (4 moves).

In 365 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 58.6%, Black 34.8% and 6.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. cxb5, in 65% of those games.

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Description

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Zukertort Opening: Shabalov Gambit (A04)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/zukertort-opening-shabalov-gambit