C20

Center Game

1. e4 e5 2. d4

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. d4, Black to move.

In the Center Game, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

The Center Game is a chess opening classified under ECO code C20. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. d4: 3 moves in, with Black to play.

Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.

14 named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.

Play the Center Game? See where you go wrong.

Deepline reviews your real games, finds the exact moves that cost you, and trains the fixes.

Variations of the Center Game

Halasz-McDonnell Gambit1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4
Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3
Kieseritzky Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nf3 c5 4. Bc4
Lanc-Arnold Gambit1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nf3 Bc5 4. c3
Lanc-Arnold Gambit, Schippler Gambit1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nf3 Bc5 4. c3 dxc3 5. Bc4
Ross Gambit1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Bd3
von der Lasa Gambit1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Bc4
Berger Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6
Charousek Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Bb4+ 5. c3 Be7
Hall Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qc4
Kupreichik Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Bc4 d6 9. Nh3
Normal Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6
Paulsen Attack Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3
l'Hermet Variation1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 f5