Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3
5… d5−1.21
Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation (C21), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… d5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−1.21).
Top engine moves
- −1.215… d5 6. e5 Bg4 7. b4 Bb6 8. b5 Nce7 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3
- −0.865… dxc3 6. Nxc3 Nf6 7. e5 Ng4 8. Ne4 Bb6 9. Bc4 d5 10. Bxd5
- −0.795… Qe7 6. e5 dxc3 7. Nxc3 d6 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. Nd5 Qd8 10. Be3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… d5 for Black, continuing 6. e5 Bg4 7. b4 Bb6 8. b5 Nce7 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3. Black is clearly better (−1.21). The next best moves are 5… dxc3 (−0.86) and 5… Qe7 (−0.79).
Is the Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −1.21: 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, Crocodile Variation?
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+).