The Alien Gambit is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense, catalogued as ECO B15. The line runs 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Ng5 h6 6. Nxf7, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after six moves. Black’s e-file pawn is isolated.
On the Caro-Kann Defense generally: A solid defense to 1.e4 that leads to sound pawn structures. Popular at all levels.
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 Alien Gambit goes 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Ng5 h6 6. Nxf7. It is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense and is catalogued as ECO B15.
The Alien Gambit is ECO B15. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Caro-Kann Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Ng5 h6 6. Nxf7 at -1.37 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black’s e-file pawn is isolated.