ECO A40 · Mikenas Defense

Mikenas Defense: Pozarek Gambit

1. d4 Nc6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. Nc3 Nxc4

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

5. Nf3−0.13

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Mikenas Defense: Pozarek Gambit (A40), reached after 1. d4 Nc6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. Nc3 Nxc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.13).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.135. Nf3 Nb6 6. e4 Bc5 7. a3 a5 8. Bf4 d6 9. e5 dxe5
  2. −0.135. e4 Nb6 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. a3 a5 8. Bf4 d6 9. e5 dxe5
  3. −0.355. Qd4 Nb6 6. a4 Qf6 7. Nf3 Qxd4 8. Nxd4 Bb4 9. a5 Nd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Mikenas Defense: Pozarek Gambit?
After 1. d4 Nc6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. Nc3 Nxc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White, continuing Nb6 6. e4 Bc5 7. a3 a5 8. Bf4 d6 9. e5 dxe5. The position is roughly equal (−0.13). The next best moves are 5. e4 (−0.13) and 5. Qd4 (−0.35).
Is the Mikenas Defense: Pozarek Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.13: the position is roughly equal. 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 Mikenas Defense: Pozarek 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+).