The Classical Defense is a variation of the Danish Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO C21. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 Nf6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move after five moves. White’s a-file pawn is isolated.
On the Danish Gambit Accepted generally: ECO C21. A chess opening with 6 known variations.
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See all 5 Danish Gambit Accepted variations →
The Classical Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 Nf6. It is a variation of the Danish Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C21.
The Classical Defense is ECO C21. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Danish Gambit Accepted.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 Nf6 at -0.41 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, 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 e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move. White’s a-file pawn is isolated.