King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation, Euwe Attack (C30)

The Classical Variation, Euwe Attack 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 Bg4 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. Qa4+, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.

On the King's Gambit Declined generally: Black declines the gambit pawn, leading to solid and strategic middlegame positions.

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.

King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation, Euwe Attack — position after Qa4+ a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Bg4 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. Qa4+

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4Bc5
3Nf3d6
4c3Bg4
5fxe5dxe5
6Qa4+

ECO: C30

Stockfish: +0.06 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Declined lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Classical Variation, Euwe Attack?

The Classical Variation, Euwe Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Bg4 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. Qa4+. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO C30.

What is the ECO code for the Classical Variation, Euwe Attack?

The Classical Variation, Euwe Attack is ECO C30. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Gambit Declined.

Is the Classical Variation, Euwe Attack good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Bg4 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. Qa4+ at +0.06 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.

What kind of position does the Classical Variation, Euwe Attack lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.