The Schlechter 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 d5, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, 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 Schlechter Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 d5. It is a variation of the Danish Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C21.
The Schlechter 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 d5 at +0.10 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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 d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move. White’s a-file pawn is isolated.