ECO C21 · Center Game

Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… Nc6−0.87

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit (C21), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.87).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.873… Nc6 4. Nf3 d5 5. e5 Bc5 6. Nbd2 Nh6 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. a4
  2. −0.733… Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 d6 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. O-O
  3. −0.673… d5 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. exd5 Nbd7 6. Bb5 Be7 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. Nc3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black, continuing 4. Nf3 d5 5. e5 Bc5 6. Nbd2 Nh6 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. a4. Black is clearly better (−0.87). The next best moves are 3… Bc5 (−0.73) and 3… d5 (−0.67).
Is the Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.87: black is clearly better. 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 Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit?
C21. 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+).