ECO A45 · Indian Defense

Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5

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

3. dxe5+1.67

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit (A45), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. dxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.67).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.673. dxe5 Ng4 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. exd6 Bxd6 7. Bxd6 cxd6
  2. +0.223. Bg5 h6 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 5. dxe5 Qxe5 6. a3 c6 7. e4 d6
  3. +0.163. e3 exd4 4. exd4 d5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. a3 Be7 7. h3 Ne4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. dxe5 for White, continuing Ng4 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. exd6 Bxd6 7. Bxd6 cxd6. White is clearly better (+1.67). The next best moves are 3. Bg5 (+0.22) and 3. e3 (+0.16).
Is the Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.67: 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 Indian Defense: Maddigan Gambit?
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+).