A40
Horwitz Defense
1. d4 e6
In the Horwitz Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Horwitz Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code A40. It is reached after the moves 1. d4 e6: 2 moves in, with White to play.
Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.
1 named variation branches from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.
Play the Horwitz Defense? See where you go wrong.
Deepline reviews your real games, finds the exact moves that cost you, and trains the fixes.
Analyze my games free →Variations of the Horwitz Defense
- Zilbermints Gambit1. d4 e6 2. c4 e5