ECO A50 · Indian Defense

Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g5

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

3. Bxg5+1.49

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit (A50), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Bxg5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.49).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.493. Bxg5 Ne4 4. Be3 d5 5. g3 dxc4 6. Bg2 Nd6 7. Nc3 Bg7
  2. +1.393. Nc3 h6 4. h4 g4 5. e4 d6 6. Nge2 Nh5 7. Be3 Bg7
  3. +1.053. g3 h6 4. h4 gxh4 5. Rxh4 Bg7 6. Nc3 d6 7. Qd3 c6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Bxg5 for White, continuing Ne4 4. Be3 d5 5. g3 dxc4 6. Bg2 Nd6 7. Nc3 Bg7. White is clearly better (+1.49). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+1.39) and 3. g3 (+1.05).
Is the Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.49: 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: Medusa Gambit?
A50. 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+).