The Main Line with d4 Nc6 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, reaching the position shown below after 12 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 White to move after six 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.
See all 6 Halloween Gambit variations →
The Main Line with d4 Nc6 goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Ne5. It is a variation of the Halloween Gambit and is catalogued as ECO C47.
The Main Line with d4 Nc6 is ECO C47. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Halloween Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Ne5 at -0.65 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for Black. 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. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move.