ECO A40 · English Defense

English Defense: Poli Gambit

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6

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

6. fxe6−0.09

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Defense: Poli Gambit (A40), reached after 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. fxe6 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.09).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.096. fxe6 Nf5 7. Bf4 dxe6 8. Ne2 g5 9. Be5 Rg8 10. Nbc3 Nc6
  2. −0.206. Bxh6 Qh4+ 7. g3 Qxh6 8. Bg2 Qe3+ 9. Ne2 Nc6 10. Qd2 Qxd2+
  3. −0.626. Bd3 Qh4+ 7. g3 Qxd4 8. Ne2 Bb4+ 9. Nbc3 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Defense: Poli Gambit?
After 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. fxe6 for White, continuing Nf5 7. Bf4 dxe6 8. Ne2 g5 9. Be5 Rg8 10. Nbc3 Nc6. The position is roughly equal (−0.09). The next best moves are 6. Bxh6 (−0.20) and 6. Bd3 (−0.62).
Is the English Defense: Poli Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.09: the position is roughly equal. 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 English Defense: Poli Gambit?
A40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

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