Chess Openings Lab
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Zukertort Opening: Ross Gambit

The Ross Gambit is 1...e5 against 1.Nf3, offering the e5 pawn to the knight. White should take with 2.Nxe5 and keep the extra pawn, while Black hopes for quick development to make up the material.

Moves
1.Nf3 e5
ECO
A04
Engine
+1.37 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,962 games in our lichess sample
White scores
58.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take with 2.Nxe5 and answer ...Nf6 with d4, as the top engine line shows.
  • Retreat the knight to f3 after ...d6 and play Bg5 to pin the f6 knight.
  • Keep developing quickly: Nc3 and e3 follow, keeping the extra pawn safe.

Black

  • After 2.Nxe5, play ...Nf6 and ...d6 to chase the knight and gain time.
  • Use ...d5 to take central space and free the c8 bishop, as in the engine line.
  • Don't lose more time: develop and castle quickly to compensate for the lost pawn.

Plans and pawn structure

The Ross Gambit is a dubious gambit: Black loses a pawn for little compensation. White takes with Nxe5, retreats the knight to f3 after ...d6, and plays d4 and Bg5 for a solid center and quick development. Black's only hope is to use the tempi from chasing the knight to get pieces out and castle. White should convert the extra pawn by trading pieces and keeping the center solid.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.37: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.37 2.Nxe5 Nf6 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 d5
  2. +0.28 2.e4 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
  3. +0.24 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.e4 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,962 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 58.8%.

under 120058.9%
1200–159958.4%
1600–199958.8%
2000 and up59.6%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • The Walrus2.Nxe5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take the pawn with 2.Nxe5 and play d4 next. Don't let Black trap your knight; retreat it to f3 after ...d6. Develop quickly with Bg5 and Nc3 and keep the extra pawn. Trade pieces when you can, since every swap makes the extra pawn count for more.

Questions

What are the moves of the Zukertort Opening: Ross Gambit?

The Zukertort Opening: Ross Gambit starts 1.Nf3 e5. Its ECO code is A04.

Is the Zukertort Opening: Ross Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.37 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 2,962 lichess games from our sample, White scored 58.8%. A dubious choice for Black; White players should take the pawn and develop calmly.

What is the main idea of the Zukertort Opening: Ross Gambit?

Black offers a pawn on e5 for quick development. White takes with 2.Nxe5 and stays a pawn up with a sound center.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxe5, with e4 and Nc3 close behind. 2.Nxe5 wins a clean pawn, and White keeps it with d4 and quick development.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.