ECO D00 · Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

1. d4 d5 2. e4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2… dxe4−0.55

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (D00), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. e4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… dxe4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.55).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.552… dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 g6 5. Qd2 Bg7 6. O-O-O h6 7. Bxf6
  2. +0.062… e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Nf3
  3. +0.372… c6 3. e5 Bf5 4. Be2 e6 5. Nf3 h6 6. O-O Ne7 7. Re1

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6

All Blackmar-Diemer Gambit variations (16)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit?
After 1. d4 d5 2. e4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… dxe4 for Black, continuing 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 g6 5. Qd2 Bg7 6. O-O-O h6 7. Bxf6. Black is slightly better (−0.55). The next best moves are 2… e6 (+0.06) and 2… c6 (+0.37).
Is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.55: black is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit?
D00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; D is the volume for closed and semi-closed games.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).