The Classical, Réti Variation is a variation of the King's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO C30. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 f5 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. d4 exd4 7. Bc4, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d4), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. White’s e-file pawn is isolated.
On the King's Gambit Declined generally: Black declines the gambit pawn, leading to solid and strategic middlegame positions.
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The Classical, Réti Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 f5 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. d4 exd4 7. Bc4. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO C30.
The Classical, Réti Variation is ECO C30. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Gambit Declined.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 f5 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. d4 exd4 7. Bc4 at 0.00 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 e4, Black on d4), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White’s e-file pawn is isolated.