Bishop's Opening: McDonnell Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4
3… Bxb4−0.12
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Bishop's Opening: McDonnell Gambit (C23), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Bxb4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.12).
Top engine moves
- −0.123… Bxb4 4. c3 Ba5 5. d4 Qh4 6. Nf3 Qxe4+ 7. Be3 d5 8. Qa4+
- −0.083… Bb6 4. a4 a5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. bxa5 Rxa5 7. d3 O-O 8. O-O
- +0.323… d5 4. Bxd5 Bd6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd5 7. Nxd5 O-O 8. Bb2
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Bishop's Opening: McDonnell Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Bxb4 for Black, continuing 4. c3 Ba5 5. d4 Qh4 6. Nf3 Qxe4+ 7. Be3 d5 8. Qa4+. The position is roughly equal (−0.12). The next best moves are 3… Bb6 (−0.08) and 3… d5 (+0.32).
Is the Bishop's Opening: McDonnell Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.12: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Bishop's Opening: McDonnell Gambit?
C23. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).