Halloween Gambit: Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 (C47)

The Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 is a variation of the Halloween Gambit, catalogued as ECO C47. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Ne5 7. f4, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move after seven moves.

On the Halloween Gambit generally: A shocking piece sacrifice in the Four Knights Game. White gives up a knight for central pawns and attacking chances.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Halloween Gambit: Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 — position after f4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Ne5 7. f4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Nc3Nf6
4Nxe5Nxe5
5d4Nc6
6d5Ne5
7f4

ECO: C47

Stockfish: -0.58 at depth 18

Practice this line free →

Position characteristics

Related Halloween Gambit lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4?

The Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Ne5 7. f4. It is a variation of the Halloween Gambit and is catalogued as ECO C47.

What is the ECO code for the Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4?

The Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 is ECO C47. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Halloween Gambit.

Is the Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Ne5 7. f4 at -0.58 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.

What kind of position does the Accepted, 5...Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move.