ECO A40 · Horwitz Defense

Horwitz Defense: Zilbermints Gambit

1. d4 e6 2. c4 e5

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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. 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 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+).