ECO A40 · Modern Defense

Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit

1. d4 g6 2. h4 Nf6 3. h5

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

3… Nxh5−0.05

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

Analyze this position

In the Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit (A40), reached after 1. d4 g6 2. h4 Nf6 3. h5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nxh5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.05).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.053… Nxh5 4. e4 d5 5. Nc3 dxe4 6. Rxh5 gxh5 7. Qxh5 Rg8 8. Be3
  2. +0.253… d5 4. hxg6 fxg6 5. Nc3 c5 6. Bg5 Nc6 7. e3 cxd4 8. exd4
  3. +0.643… c5 4. hxg6 fxg6 5. dxc5 Bg7 6. c3 O-O 7. Nf3 Na6 8. Be3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit?
After 1. d4 g6 2. h4 Nf6 3. h5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nxh5 for Black, continuing 4. e4 d5 5. Nc3 dxe4 6. Rxh5 gxh5 7. Qxh5 Rg8 8. Be3. The position is roughly equal (−0.05). The next best moves are 3… d5 (+0.25) and 3… c5 (+0.64).
Is the Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.05: 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 Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer 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+).