The Marshall Gambit is a variation of the Tarrasch Defense, catalogued as ECO D32. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on d5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Tarrasch Defense generally: ECO D32. A chess opening with 26 known variations.
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 25 Tarrasch Defense variations →
The Marshall Gambit goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e4. It is a variation of the Tarrasch Defense and is catalogued as ECO D32.
The Marshall Gambit is ECO D32. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Tarrasch Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e4 at +0.01 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on d5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.