ECO C21 · Center Game

Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Bc4

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

3… Nf6−0.21

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit (C21), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Bc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.21).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.213… Nf6 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 d5 7. exd5 Be7 8. O-O
  2. −0.043… Bb4+ 4. c3 dxc3 5. bxc3 Qf6 6. cxb4 Qxa1 7. Qb3 Qf6 8. Nf3
  3. +0.113… Nc6 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. O-O Nf6 7. a3 Be7 8. e5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Bc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black, continuing 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. bxc3 d5 7. exd5 Be7 8. O-O. The position is roughly equal (−0.21). The next best moves are 3… Bb4+ (−0.04) and 3… Nc6 (+0.11).
Is the Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.21: 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 Center Game: von der Lasa 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+).