ECO A51 · for Black
Budapest Gambit
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
2,130,451 games in this band reached the Budapest Gambit position. From there Black won 49% and drew 4%.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bf4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 Qe7 7. Qd5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qa3 9. Qd2
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... Nf6
Preventing e4 while developing a piece.
2. c4
Controlling some central squares using a flank pawn before playing Nc3
2... e5
An aggressive move, attacking the pawn on d4. However, this is considered an inaccuracy as it can lead to a disadvantage after dxe5 Ng4 4.Nf3, where white has a lead in development and black's knight on g4 is awkwardly placed.
Moves 3 to 4
3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Nf3 Nc6
3. dxe5
Capturing the sacrificed pawn and attacking the knight.
- 3. d5: Advancing the attacked pawn and gaining space in the center. This move also prevents Black's knight from developing to c6.
- 3. Nc3: Developing the knight and fighting for control of the center. Black will likely capture on d4 next and force White's queen to come out.
3... Ng4
Moving the knight away from the threat and aiming to recapture the pawn.
4. Nf3
Developing the knight and defending the hanging e5 pawn.
- 4. Bf4: More accurate than Nf3, since White can now answer Bc5 with e3 and the bishop is outside the pawn chain.
4... Nc6
Moves 5 to 6
5. Bf4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 Qe7
5. Bf4
5... Bb4+
6. Nc3
6... Qe7
Moves 7 to 9
7. Qd5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qa3 9. Qd2
7. Qd5
7... Bxc3+
8. bxc3
8... Qa3
9. Qd2
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles kingside
- The knight on g4 generally captures the pawn on e5
- The queen on c5 usually captures the queen on d4
- The queen on a3 can move to e7 or c5
- Common pawn moves are d6 and b6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black