ECO C40 · for Black
Elephant 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.
3,223,108 games in this band reached the Elephant Gambit position. From there Black won 49% and drew 4%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. d3 Qxd5 6. dxe4 Qxe4 7. Qxe4+ Nxe4 8. Bd3 Nc5
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo
2... d5
Moves 3 to 4
3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6
3. exd5
3... e4
4. Qe2
4... Nf6
Moves 5 to 6
5. d3 Qxd5 6. dxe4 Qxe4
5. d3
5... Qxd5
6. dxe4
6... Qxe4
Moves 7 to 8
7. Qxe4+ Nxe4 8. Bd3 Nc5
7. Qxe4+
7... Nxe4
8. Bd3
8... Nc5
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.
- You can castle to either side, although castling queenside is most common
- The knight on c5 typically recaptures the bishop on e6
- The queenside knight generally develops to c6
- The light-squared bishop can develop to e6 or f5
- The dark-squared bishop usually develops to d6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Italian Game for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black