Chessy
Play the Sodium Attack: Durkin Gambit as Black – A Small Edge, If You Know the Moves
White has opened with the bizarre 1.Na3 – the Sodium Attack – and followed up with 2.Nc4, then pushed 3.e4. The Durkin Gambit is on the board, and after Black's reply 3...f5, you have already seized control of the game. The engine gives -0.47, a small advantage for Black. That means you are already slightly better in just three moves. But you have to know how to keep it. The statistics tell a clear story: across 130 games at this position, Black wins 52.3% of the time, while White manages only 41.5%. Let the drill below show you how to handle White's most likely attempts and turn your early edge into a full point.
Play the Sodium Attack: Durkin Gambit against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Jump into the interactive drill below and practise the Durkin Gambit from Black's side. The engine adapts to your play — use the statistics and tips from this页面
Create a free account →What You're Fighting For: The Centre and the f-pawn
After 1.Na3 e5 2.Nc4 Nc6 3.e4 f5, White has gambitted a pawn on e4, and your job is to accept it confidently. Your f-pawn attacks the centre, while White's knight on c4 looks active but has no safe square after you develop naturally. The key tension is on the e-file: if White can recapture on e4 with a piece, they get a bit of coordination; if you can hold the extra pawn and keep the centre closed, your position practically plays itself. Stick to simple developing moves — get your kingside pieces out, castle quickly, and dare White to prove compensation for the pawn.
The Engine's Best Move: Nf3 – What It Tells Us
Stockfish's top recommendation for White is 4.Nf3, intending 4...fxe4 5.Nfxe5 Nxe5. This line shows that White needs to create immediate tactical threats to justify their strange opening. If White plays Nf3, you simply capture on e4 with your f-pawn, then exchange knights after White's knight recaptures on e5. You end up with a clean extra pawn and a solid position. The engine's choice reveals something important: White's position is so awkward that even the best move leads to a favourable trade for you. Any deviation by White makes things even better for the second player.
Where White Goes Wrong – The Three Most Common Mistakes
The database shows that White often plays moves that worsen their already-tricky position. The most common mistake, Qh5+, loses roughly 1.8 pawns compared to the best move (Nf3). A queen check from h5 looks threatening, but you can simply block with ...g6 or move your king to e7 and stay a pawn up with no real danger. Similarly, f3 is also a mistake (losing ~1.8 pawns) — it doesn't challenge you and weakens White's king position. And Bd3 loses about 1.2 pawns; it develops a piece but fails to address the central tension. If White plays any of these, stay calm, keep your extra pawn, and develop naturally.
How to Meet the Most Popular Replies: d3 and exf5
The two most-played moves from White are d3 (54 games) and exf5 (48 games). Against 4.d3, White scores 53.7% — the highest of any continuation. Here you should take the pawn on e4: 4...fxe4 5.dxe4 Qh4, putting immediate pressure on White's weakened kingside. White's knight on c4 is awkward, and your queen on h4 creates threats that are hard to meet. Against 4.exf5, White's score drops to just 31.2%. This is a gift: capture with your bishop on f5 (4...Bxf5), and you have a healthy extra pawn plus the bishop pair. White's knight on c4 still has no great future, while your pieces flow out naturally.
Results across 130 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d3 | 54 | 53.7% |
| exf5 | 48 | 31.2% |
| Qh5+ | 8 | 25.0% |
| Nf3 | 8 | 50.0% |
| f3 | 4 | 50.0% |
| Bd3 | 2 | 0.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Durkin Gambit a good opening for White?
No — the Sodium Attack: Durkin Gambit is a dubious opening. Stockfish evaluates the position after 3...f5 at -0.47, meaning Black already has a small advantage. In practice, Black wins 52.3% of games from this position, so White is fighting for equality. You should be happy to meet it.
How should Black respond to 1.Na3?
Play 1...e5, the most natural and effective reply. You take the centre immediately, and after 2.Nc4 Nc6 3.e4 f5, you have already seized the advantage. There is no need for tricky sidelines — straightforward development works perfectly against the Sodium Attack.
What is White's biggest mistake in the Durkin Gambit?
Both Qh5+ and f3 are serious errors, each losing roughly 1.8 pawns compared to the best move (Nf3). Bd3 is also a mistake, costing about 1.2 pawns. If White plays any of these, you can consolidate your extra pawn and develop without risk.
How do I play against 4.d3, the most common reply?
Take the pawn: 4...fxe4 5.dxe4, then play Qh4. Your queen attacks the e4-pawn and the kingside, while White's knight on c4 remains awkwardly placed. Black scores well from this position, and you'll have a pleasant middlegame with an extra pawn.