The Spanish Countergambit, Harding Gambit is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C60. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d5 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nxc6, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up four points of material. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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 184 Ruy Lopez variations →
The Spanish Countergambit, Harding Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d5 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nxc6. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C60.
The Spanish Countergambit, Harding Gambit is ECO C60. 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 d5 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nxc6 at -0.38 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up four points of material. It is Black to move.