ECO A45 · Indian Defense

Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit, Maltese Falcon

1. d4 Nf6 2. g4 Nxg4 3. f3 Nf6 4. e4

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

4… d5−0.94

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit, Maltese Falcon (A45), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4 Nxg4 3. f3 Nf6 4. e4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.94).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.944… d5 5. e5 Nh5 6. Ne2 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Ng3 Bg5 9. Bf2
  2. −0.674… g6 5. Nc3 d5 6. Bg5 Bg7 7. Qd2 dxe4 8. fxe4 Nc6 9. O-O-O
  3. −0.654… e6 5. Be3 d5 6. Nc3 b6 7. Nge2 Qd7 8. Qd2 Bb7 9. Nf4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit, Maltese Falcon?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. g4 Nxg4 3. f3 Nf6 4. e4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black, continuing 5. e5 Nh5 6. Ne2 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Ng3 Bg5 9. Bf2. Black is clearly better (−0.94). The next best moves are 4… g6 (−0.67) and 4… e6 (−0.65).
Is the Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit, Maltese Falcon a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.94: black 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 Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit, Maltese Falcon?
A45. 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+).