The Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C02. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Bd3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d4 and d5). White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, 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 French Defense generally: A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain. Leads to strategic middlegames with clear plans.
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The Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Bd3. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C02.
The Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit is ECO C02. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Bd3 at -0.01 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 e5, Black on d4 and d5). White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.