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Modern Defense

Westermann Gambit

B06gambitoffbeat

  1. 1.e4g6
  2. 2.d4Bg7
  3. 3.Bd2
929 games52%45%

A rare gambit line of the Modern Defense in which 3. Bd2 leaves the d4-pawn en prise to Black's g7-bishop; engines favor Black.

Train it in Theoria

About the Westermann Gambit

The Westermann Gambit, 3. Bd2, is an uncommon sideline of the Modern Defense. Developing the bishop to d2 cuts the queen's protection of d4 and leaves that pawn to the g7-bishop. Engines prefer 3...Bxd4 and rate Black slightly better. Most players decline the pawn, however. 3...d6 and 3...e6 are the usual replies, and White scores a little better than Black after them. The less common 3...b6 turns out poorly for Black.

Popular continuations