The Lopez Gambit is a variation of the Bishop's Opening, catalogued as ECO C23. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qe2 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. f4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Black is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to White's one. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Bishop's Opening generally: White develops the bishop early to c4, targeting f7. Can lead to sharp or quiet positions.
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.
See all 9 Bishop's Opening variations →
The Lopez Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qe2 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. f4. It is a variation of the Bishop's Opening and is catalogued as ECO C23.
The Lopez Gambit is ECO C23. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Bishop's Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qe2 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. f4 at -2.33 at depth 18, which is a clear advantage for Black. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Black is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to White's one. It is Black to move.