Chessy
Modern Defense: Wind Gambit — play White with confidence
The Wind Gambit begins with a simple question: what is Black’s best reaction after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Bd3? This drill puts you in that exact position as White, so you can test your feel for the opening instead of memorising long lines. The position is still very playable, but you should know what Black is aiming for and which replies you are hoping to punish. Use the board below to train the first critical decision and build a practical plan from there.
Play the Modern Defense: Wind Gambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is really about
After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Bd3, the game is already asking for a practical answer. White has set up a broad centre and has not rushed to commit the kingside pieces too early. That gives you space, but it also means Black gets a moment to challenge your setup. In this position, your main job is to stay alert to the central tension and keep your development flowing. If you play calmly, you can make Black prove that the fianchetto bishop and flexible pawn structure are enough to equalise.
The engine’s main warning
Stockfish rates this -0.60, a small edge for Black. That means you are slightly worse here. The best move for Black is Bxd4, and the engine continues with Bxd4 f4 c6 Nf3. For you, the lesson is straightforward: do not assume this opening is harmless just because the position looks natural. Black can use the moment to simplify your centre and make your next moves less comfortable. In the drill, pay close attention to whether you can keep your position solid after that central exchange.
What the database says
This exact position has been reached 56,362 times in the Lichess database, so it is a useful practical tabiya rather than a rare curiosity. The results are close, but they still lean a little against White: White wins 46.8%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 49.4%. That tells you this is a fighting position, not an automatic advantage. If you want to use the Wind Gambit as White, you need to understand the ideas behind it and be ready for Black’s most natural replies instead of hoping for an easy edge.
Replies you should know
The most-played continuations are d6 (21,023 games, White scores 45.4%), e6 (11,982 games, White scores 49.1%), b6 (5,497 games, White scores 48.6%), Nf6 (3,099 games, White scores 48.1%), Bxd4 (2,582 games, White scores 43.1%), and c6 (2,473 games, White scores 46.9%). The important takeaway is that Black has several workable setups, so your move must fit a clear plan rather than just a general opening mood. In particular, if you see the central capture Bxd4, be ready for a sharper fight than against the quieter developing moves.
Common mistakes to punish
The database marks d6, e6, and b6 as mistakes in this position, each losing about 1.3 or 1.4 pawns, with Bxd4 being the better move in all three cases. That is very useful for your training: when Black plays one of these moves, you should treat it as a chance to seize the initiative. Good opening play is often about recognising when your opponent has spent a tempo in the wrong place. In this drill, try to spot why the listed mistakes are weaker and whether you can keep the position under pressure after the natural response.
Results across 56,362 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d6 | 21,023 | 45.4% |
| e6 | 11,982 | 49.1% |
| b6 | 5,497 | 48.6% |
| Nf6 | 3,099 | 48.1% |
| Bxd4 | 2,582 | 43.1% |
| c6 | 2,473 | 46.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defense: Wind Gambit good for White?
It is playable, but the numbers here do not give White a clear advantage. Stockfish rates the position -0.60, which is a small edge for Black, so you should treat it as a fighting opening rather than a safe route to an advantage.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is Bxd4. The listed continuation is Bxd4 f4 c6 Nf3, so you should be ready for Black to challenge your centre rather than drift into a passive setup.
Which Black replies are most common here?
The most-played continuations are d6, e6, b6, Nf6, Bxd4, and c6. Several of them are frequent enough that you should know the plans behind them, not just the move order.
Which moves by Black are marked as mistakes?
The database flags d6, e6, and b6 as mistakes in this exact position. All three are weaker than Bxd4, so if you meet one of them, you should look to make the most of the tempo Black has spent.
How many games feature the Modern Defense: Wind Gambit?
Over 56K Lichess games have reached the Modern Defense: Wind Gambit position. White wins 46.8%, Black wins 49.4%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.