The Adler, Main Line is a variation of the Budapest Gambit, catalogued as ECO A52. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after six moves. White has doubled pawns on the e-file.
On the Budapest Gambit generally: A counter-gambit where Black strikes at d4 with ...e5 immediately. Leads to sharp, unbalanced positions.
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See all 4 Budapest Gambit variations →
The Adler, Main Line goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Nc3. It is a variation of the Budapest Gambit and is catalogued as ECO A52.
The Adler, Main Line is ECO A52. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Budapest Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 at +0.52 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has doubled pawns on the e-file.