The Paulsen Variation, Pollock Gambit is a variation of the Vienna Game, catalogued as ECO C26. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Nge2 d5 6. exd5, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d5, Black on e5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after six moves. White has doubled pawns on the d-file.
On the Vienna Game generally: White delays Nf3 in favor of Nc3, keeping options open for a kingside attack with f4.
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The Paulsen Variation, Pollock Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Nge2 d5 6. exd5. It is a variation of the Vienna Game and is catalogued as ECO C26.
The Paulsen Variation, Pollock Gambit is ECO C26. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Vienna Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Nge2 d5 6. exd5 at +0.69 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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 d5, Black on e5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has doubled pawns on the d-file.