The Zeller Defense, Soller Attack is a variation of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, catalogued as ECO D00. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3 Nf6 5. Bc4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on e4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five moves. Black has doubled pawns on the e-file.
On the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit generally: ECO D00. A chess opening with 18 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.
See all 3 Blackmar-Diemer Gambit variations →
The Zeller Defense, Soller Attack goes 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3 Nf6 5. Bc4. It is a variation of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and is catalogued as ECO D00.
The Zeller Defense, Soller Attack is ECO D00. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Bf5 4. f3 Nf6 5. Bc4 at -0.94 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge 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 d4, Black on e4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the e-file.