ECO C30 · King's Gambit Declined

King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation, Walthoffen Attack

1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Qh5

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

3… Nc6−0.95

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation, Walthoffen Attack (C30), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Qh5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.95).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.953… Nc6 4. fxe5 Nd4 5. e6 Nxe6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Qh4 d5 8. exd5
  2. −0.523… Nf6 4. Qxe5+ Be7 5. Qc3 Nxe4 6. Qxg7 Bf6 7. Qh6 d5 8. d3
  3. −0.313… d6 4. Bc4 g6 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. c3 Nf6 8. fxe5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation, Walthoffen Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Qh5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black, continuing 4. fxe5 Nd4 5. e6 Nxe6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Qh4 d5 8. exd5. Black is clearly better (−0.95). The next best moves are 3… Nf6 (−0.52) and 3… d6 (−0.31).
Is the King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation, Walthoffen Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.95: 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 King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation, Walthoffen Attack?
C30. 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+).