ECO B00 · Pirc Defense

Pirc Defense: Roscher Gambit

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3

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

3… Nxe4−0.48

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pirc Defense: Roscher Gambit (B00), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nxe4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.48).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.483… Nxe4 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. O-O g6 6. Re1 Bg7 7. h3 O-O 8. c4
  2. +0.183… c5 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nde2 Be7 8. Ng3
  3. +0.473… e5 4. Nc3 exd4 5. Nxd4 Be7 6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pirc Defense: Roscher Gambit?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. O-O g6 6. Re1 Bg7 7. h3 O-O 8. c4. Black is slightly better (−0.48). The next best moves are 3… c5 (+0.18) and 3… e5 (+0.47).
Is the Pirc Defense: Roscher Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.48: black is slightly 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 Pirc Defense: Roscher Gambit?
B00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).