French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit (C13)

The Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C13. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after seven moves.

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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French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit — position after Qxg5 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e6
2d4d5
3Nc3Nf6
4Bg5Be7
5e5Nfd7
6h4Bxg5
7hxg5Qxg5

ECO: C13

Stockfish: +0.54 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related French Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit?

The Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C13.

What is the ECO code for the Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit?

The Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit is ECO C13. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.

Is the Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 at +0.54 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, 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.

What kind of position does the Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move.