The Thomas Gambit is a variation of the Bird Opening, catalogued as ECO A03. The line runs 1. f4 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 d4 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Bird Opening generally: ECO A02. A chess opening with 28 known variations.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
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The Thomas Gambit goes 1. f4 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 d4 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3. It is a variation of the Bird Opening and is catalogued as ECO A03.
The Thomas Gambit is ECO A03. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Bird Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. f4 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 d4 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 at +0.51 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.