The Closed, Center Attack, Basque Gambit is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C84. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. e5 Ne4 8. c3 dxc3, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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The Closed, Center Attack, Basque Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. e5 Ne4 8. c3 dxc3. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C84.
The Closed, Center Attack, Basque Gambit is ECO C84. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. e5 Ne4 8. c3 dxc3 at -0.47 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.