C21
Center Game
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4
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 C21. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4: 5 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.
Analyze my games free →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
Related openings
Center GameCenter Game AcceptedCenter Game: Halasz-McDonnell GambitCenter Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile VariationCenter Game: Kieseritzky VariationCenter Game: Lanc-Arnold GambitCenter Game: Lanc-Arnold Gambit, Schippler GambitCenter Game: Ross GambitCenter Game: von der Lasa GambitDanish Gambit