Zukertort Opening: Vos Gambit
The Vos Gambit is 1...d6 2.d4 e5, a pawn offer where Black hopes for quick play. White should take with 3.dxe5, while Black aims to win back the pawn or get development.
- Moves
- 1.Nf3 d6 2.d4 e5
- ECO
- A04
- Engine
- +1.48 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 752 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 57.6%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Take with 3.dxe5, the top engine move, and meet ...Nd7 with Bg5 and Nc3.
- After ...dxe5, trading queens on d8 and taking e5 with the knight wins a pawn.
- Keep the extra pawn safe with quick development, Nc3 and short castling.
Black
- After 3.dxe5, play ...Nd7 to defend e5, then ...f6 to win back the pawn.
- Avoid ...dxe5, which loses a pawn after the queen trade and Nxe5.
- Develop quickly with ...Be7 and ...Ngf6 to make up for the lost pawn.
Plans and pawn structure
The Vos Gambit is a dubious gambit: White takes with 3.dxe5 and keeps a big edge. Black tries ...Nd7 and ...f6, but White's development with Bg5 and Nc3 is faster. After ...f6 and exf6, Black regains the pawn but leaves e6 weak and the e-file open. White develops with Nc3 and castles, aiming rooks at the e-file and Black's loose king. Black must find active moves to justify the pawn.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.48: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +1.48 3.dxe5 Nd7 4.Bg5 f6 5.exf6 Ngxf6
- +0.71 3.e4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7
- +0.70 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Be7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
752 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 57.6%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, take with 3.dxe5 and develop with Bg5 and Nc3. Don't let Black win back the pawn for free. If Black plays ...dxe5, trade queens and take on e5 with the knight. Keep your pieces active and castle short before Black's ...f6 break.
Questions
What are the moves of the Zukertort Opening: Vos Gambit?
The Zukertort Opening: Vos Gambit starts 1.Nf3 d6 2.d4 e5. Its ECO code is A04.
Is the Zukertort Opening: Vos Gambit good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.48 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 752 lichess games from our sample, White scored 57.6%. A dubious choice for Black; White players should take the pawn and develop calmly.
What is the main idea of the Zukertort Opening: Vos Gambit?
Black offers the e5 pawn for quick development. White takes with 3.dxe5 and keeps a clear edge.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is dxe5, with e4 and Nc3 close behind. 3.dxe5 wins a pawn, and after ...Nd7 White develops with Bg5 and Nc3.
Related lines
- Zukertort Opening (1.Nf3)
- Tennison Gambit
- Queen's Gambit Invitation
- Sicilian Invitation
- Black Mustang Defense
- Pirc Invitation
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.