Main lineC40
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5
In the centre, White holds e4 while Black holds d5 and e5.
C40
Elephant Gambit
4 named lines in this family, ECO C40. Every one of them opens 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5, so the notes on those moves are written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.
The moves every line here plays
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
- 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Elephant Gambit. Fair warning: engines rate this gambit as objectively dubious; it is a practical weapon, not a promise of equality.
Maróczy GambitC40
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6
An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.
Paulsen CountergambitC40
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4
Wasp VariationC40
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5
Walk these lines on a board
An account opens every move's note in this family, the plan behind each line, and a trainer that plays the line back at you. It is free.