Chessy
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Blackmar Gambit as White
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Blackmar Gambit begins with an early pawn sacrifice, and the drill below drops you straight into the critical position after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3. That is the moment to understand, because Black is already calling the shots. Stockfish gives -0.96, so the position is better for Black, and your job is to learn how to survive the most accurate defence while keeping the opening practical. Play the drill, test your judgement, and get used to the tabiya where the game really begins.
Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Blackmar Gambit against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise the key decisions as White. Create a free account to keep training this opening and return to it anytime.
Create a free account →The main problem for White
This opening asks White to spend a pawn very early for activity and initiative, but the engine is not impressed in the resulting position. With Stockfish on -0.96, Black has a clear, lasting advantage. That does not mean the opening is unplayable, but it does mean you should treat the position as a practical challenge rather than a forced attack. If you choose this gambit, you need good piece activity, fast development, and a clear eye for where Black’s extra pawn can become an asset.
What Black is trying to do
The engine’s best move is e5, and the listed continuation is e5 dxe5 Qxd1+ Kxd1. That tells you a lot about the character of the position: Black is happy to simplify and reduce White’s attacking chances. If you are playing White, you must be ready for that kind of response and understand that the game may steer toward an ending or a quieter middlegame rather than a wild tactical battle. In the drill, look for ways to keep your pieces active even when Black chooses the most direct answer.
What the database says about this line
This exact position has been reached in 1,357,569 games in the Lichess database, so it is not some rare sideline. White scores 50.6%, draws 3.3%, and Black wins 46.1%. That split shows why the opening still attracts players: it is playable in practice, and White often gets enough chances to fight. But the engine verdict remains the more serious guide for improvement, so do not confuse practical results with objective safety.
The replies you must know
The most played continuation is exf3 in 1,040,782 games, where White scores 51.4%. Other common replies are Nf6 in 155,816 games, Nc6 in 31,077 games, e5 in 28,777 games, Bf5 in 28,583 games, and f5 in 23,220 games. Two of those moves are flagged as inaccuracies: Bf5 loses about 0.6 pawns, and f5 loses about 0.9 pawns, with e5 the better move in each case. If you are training White, these are useful signs of where Black may drift away from the strongest defence.
Results across 1,357,569 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exf3 | 1,040,782 | 51.4% |
| Nf6 | 155,816 | 48.5% |
| Nc6 | 31,077 | 45.1% |
| e5 | 28,777 | 38.0% |
| Bf5 | 28,583 | 49.6% |
| f5 | 23,220 | 49.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Blackmar Gambit sound for White?
The engine does not regard this exact position as good for White. Stockfish gives -0.96, which means Black is better, and the position is described as a clear, lasting advantage for your opponent. It is still a playable practical weapon, but you should enter it knowing you are not equal according to the engine.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The best move is e5. The listed continuation is e5 dxe5 Qxd1+ Kxd1, which shows that Black can choose a very direct line. When you train the position, be ready for Black to simplify rather than allow a messy attack.
Which reply is most common after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3?
The most played continuation is exf3, and it appears in 1,040,782 games. White scores 51.4% in that continuation, so it is a very practical branch for study. It is worth drilling because it is the move you are most likely to see in practice.
Which black moves are considered inaccurate here?
Bf5 and f5 are both marked as inaccuracies. Bf5 loses about 0.6 pawns and f5 loses about 0.9 pawns, while e5 is the better move in both cases. That makes them good patterns to recognise when you are facing this gambit.
How many games feature the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Blackmar Gambit?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Blackmar Gambit position. White wins 50.6%, Black wins 46.1%, with 3.3% draws — based on real rated games.