The Hartlaub Gambit Declined is a variation of the English Defense, catalogued as ECO A40. The line runs 1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. d5, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the English Defense generally: ECO A40. A chess opening with 7 known variations.
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See all 3 English Defense variations →
The Hartlaub Gambit Declined goes 1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. d5. It is a variation of the English Defense and is catalogued as ECO A40.
The Hartlaub Gambit Declined is ECO A40. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. d5 at -0.22 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.