Chess opening · ECO C40
Elephant Gambit
2...d5 against 2.Nf3 is the Elephant Gambit, a central counterpunch that ignores the attack on e5. Black wants open lines and quick piece play, and is ready to give up a pawn to get them. White can take on d5 or on e5, and each capture leads to a different kind of position.
- Rank by weighted share
- #104 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5
- 2... d5The d-pawn hits e4 and opens a path for the c8 bishop. Black leaves e5 hanging, so White has two captures to choose from on move three.
Pushing on with 3.exd5 e4
After 3.exd5, Black often plays 3...e4, attacking the f3 knight and grabbing space. A common White answer is 4.Qe2, which puts pressure on the e4 pawn down the e-file, followed by d3 to attack it a second time.
Why 3...Qxd5 costs time
Taking back on d5 with the queen looks natural, but 4.Nc3 hits her right away. Black must move the queen a second time while White develops another piece, and once the queen leaves d5 the e5 pawn needs a new defender.
The other capture, 3.Nxe5
White can also take the e5 pawn first. After 3.Nxe5 Bd6 4.d4 dxe4, material is level, Black's bishop eyes the e5 knight, and White has a strong knight in the center and a pawn on d4.
Pressure on the e4 pawn
3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. d3
The queen on e2 pins the e4 pawn to the black king, so it cannot take on f3, and d3 adds a second attacker. Black defends the pawn with the knight and must decide how to support it further.
Top replies by rating
Taking with exd5 leads in every band, and Nxe5 holds second place throughout. At 2000 and up the two captures are almost level.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | exd5 36% | Nxe5 24% | d3 14% |
| 1200–1399 | exd5 51% | Nxe5 23% | Nc3 7% |
| 1400–1599 | exd5 67% | Nxe5 18% | d3 5% |
| 1600–1799 | exd5 71% | Nxe5 20% | Nc3 3% |
| 1800–1999 | exd5 59% | Nxe5 30% | d4 5% |
| 2000 and up | exd5 42% | Nxe5 38% | d4 14% |
Related openings
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