King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation (C32)

The Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation is a variation of the King's Gambit Declined, catalogued as ECO C32. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nd2, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5, Black on e4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five moves. White has doubled pawns on the d-file.

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

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King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation — position after Nd2 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nd2

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4d5
3exd5e4
4d3Nf6
5Nd2

ECO: C32

Stockfish: -0.35 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Declined lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation?

The Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nd2. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Declined and is catalogued as ECO C32.

What is the ECO code for the Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation?

The Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation is ECO C32. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Gambit Declined.

Is the Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nd2 at -0.35 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 Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5, Black on e4), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has doubled pawns on the d-file.