The Urusov Gambit, Keidansky Gambit is a variation of the Bishop's Opening, catalogued as ECO C43. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qxd4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five moves. The e-file file is fully open.
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 Urusov Gambit, Keidansky Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qxd4. It is a variation of the Bishop's Opening and is catalogued as ECO C43.
The Urusov Gambit, Keidansky Gambit is ECO C43. 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 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qxd4 at -0.05 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. The e-file file is fully open.