The Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B52. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.
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The Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B52.
The Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit is ECO B52. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4 at +0.13 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.