Irish Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nxe5
3… Nxe5−2.07
Black is winning. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Irish Gambit (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nxe5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nxe5 for Black. Black is winning (−2.07).
Top engine moves
- −2.073… Nxe5 4. d4 Ng6 5. c4 Be7 6. Nc3 d6 7. f4 c5 8. dxc5
- +0.343… Qe7 4. d4 Nxe5 5. dxe5 Qxe5 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Bd2 Nf6 8. f4
- +0.733… Qh4 4. Qg4 Qxg4 5. Nxg4 f5 6. exf5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne7 8. Ne5
All Irish Gambit variations (0)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Irish Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nxe5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nxe5 for Black, continuing 4. d4 Ng6 5. c4 Be7 6. Nc3 d6 7. f4 c5 8. dxc5. Black is winning (−2.07). The next best moves are 3… Qe7 (+0.34) and 3… Qh4 (+0.73).
Is the Irish Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −2.07: black is winning. 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 Irish Gambit?
C44. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).