The Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation is a variation of the Center Game, catalogued as ECO C21. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one 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 d-file.
On the Center Game generally: ECO C20. A chess opening with 18 known variations.
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See all 4 Center Game variations →
The Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3. It is a variation of the Center Game and is catalogued as ECO C21.
The Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation is ECO C21. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Center Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3 at -1.08 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 e4, Black on d4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.