ECO A40 · Horwitz Defense

Horwitz Defense: Zilbermints Gambit

1. d4 e6 2. c4 e5

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. dxe5+1.15

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Horwitz Defense: Zilbermints Gambit (A40), reached after 1. d4 e6 2. c4 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. dxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.15).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.153. dxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Be6 5. Bf4 Bxc4 6. Qa4+ b5 7. Qc2 Nc6
  2. +0.473. e3 exd4 4. exd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bc4 Nxc3
  3. +0.373. Nc3 exd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Qd3 d6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Horwitz Defense: Zilbermints Gambit?
After 1. d4 e6 2. c4 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. dxe5 for White, continuing d6 4. Nf3 Be6 5. Bf4 Bxc4 6. Qa4+ b5 7. Qc2 Nc6. White is clearly better (+1.15). The next best moves are 3. e3 (+0.47) and 3. Nc3 (+0.37).
Is the Horwitz Defense: Zilbermints Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.15: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Horwitz Defense: Zilbermints 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+).