Chessy
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Lemberger Countergambit as Black
After 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5, the game reaches a sharp but balanced tabiya. Your job as Black is not to panic, but to meet White's central ambition with calm development and accurate play. Stockfish rates this -0.12, a small plus for Black. That means you are essentially equal here. The drill below lets you practise the critical reply and learn what to do against White's most popular tries.
Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Lemberger Countergambit against the engine
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Play the drill below and practise the best reply as Black. Create a free account to track your progress and sharpen your opening play.
Create a free account →What Black is fighting for
This opening is about accepting the gambit and then answering White's pressure in the centre without drifting. Black has already committed to the challenge with ...dxe4 and ...e5, so your next moves should be chosen with purpose: finish development, keep the position under control, and avoid wasting time. The position is not about grabbing extra pawns at any cost. It is about handling the tension better than White and reaching a sound middlegame.
The move the engine wants
In this exact position, the engine's best move is Nge2. The continuation given is Nge2 Nc6 Be3 exd4, which shows the kind of setup Black is aiming for: natural development, pressure in the centre, and a position where White still has to prove compensation. If you remember one thing from the drill, remember this: do not chase side issues when a simple developing move is the cleanest answer.
What the numbers say
Across 187,138 games from this exact position, White wins 45.9%, draws 4.3%, and Black wins 49.7%. That is a very healthy result for Black in practice, and it matches the engine's calm verdict. The position is not a trap for White, and it is not a forced win for you either. It is a practical opening choice if you like straightforward, active play and are happy to defend accurately when White gets ambitious.
Common White tries to know
Several replies appear often, and they all ask different questions. The most-played continuation is d5, with 54,108 games; Nxe4 has 49,492 games; dxe5 has 34,788 games; f3 has 28,050 games; Be3 has 8,975 games; and Qh5 has 3,505 games. The big practical lesson is that White has many ways to continue, but none of them changes the basic story: Black should stay disciplined and meet the central fight with development rather than greed or panic.
The mistakes the drill punishes
Three replies are specifically flagged as mistakes here. d5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 1.0 pawns; f3 is a mistake and loses about 1.3 pawns; Qh5 is a mistake and loses about 1.1 pawns. In each case, the better move is Nge2. That makes this position perfect for training: you can learn not only the best reply, but also which White ideas are overreaching and should be punished by calm, principled play.
Results across 187,138 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 54,108 | 46.5% |
| Nxe4 | 49,492 | 47.9% |
| dxe5 | 34,788 | 44.0% |
| f3 | 28,050 | 42.2% |
| Be3 | 8,975 | 47.6% |
| Qh5 | 3,505 | 55.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Lemberger Countergambit good for Black?
In this exact position, yes: the engine rates it -0.12, a small plus for Black. The practical results are also fine for Black, with Black scoring 49.7% across 187,138 games. It is a solid choice if you want an active, balanced position.
What is Black's best move here?
The engine's best move is Nge2. The continuation given is Nge2 Nc6 Be3 exd4, which reflects a simple development-first approach. In the drill, focus on matching White's initiative with sound moves rather than trying to do too much.
Which White tries should I watch for?
The most common continuations are d5, Nxe4, dxe5, f3, Be3, and Qh5. The drill is especially useful because some of these are frequent while others are tactical overreaches. Learning the best response here helps you stay calm when White changes plans.
What should I expect from the middlegame after this opening?
You should expect a sharp but balanced middlegame where development and central control matter more than material tricks. Black's task is to complete development smoothly and meet White's ideas with accurate play. If you handle this position well, you can reach a comfortable game.
How many games feature the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Lemberger Countergambit?
Over 187K Lichess games have reached the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Lemberger Countergambit position. White wins 45.9%, Black wins 49.7%, with 4.3% draws — based on real rated games.