ECO A53 · Old Indian Defense

Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Grinberg Gambit

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. e4

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

4… Bxe4+0.29

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

Analyze this position

In the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Grinberg Gambit (A53), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. e4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bxe4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.294… Bxe4 5. Nxe4 Nxe4 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. g4 c6 8. Bg2 Nf6 9. g5
  2. +0.434… Nxe4 5. Qf3 Nxc3 6. Qxf5 Na4 7. Qb5+ Qd7 8. Qxb7 Nb6 9. Qe4
  3. +0.774… Bg6 5. Bd3 e5 6. Nge2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. f3 Nbd7 9. d5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Grinberg Gambit?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. e4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bxe4 for Black, continuing 5. Nxe4 Nxe4 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. g4 c6 8. Bg2 Nf6 9. g5. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 4… Nxe4 (+0.43) and 4… Bg6 (+0.77).
Is the Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Grinberg Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: 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 Old Indian Defense: Janowski Variation, Grinberg Gambit?
A53. 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+).