C40
Elephant Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5
In the Elephant Gambit, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Elephant Gambit is a chess opening classified under ECO code C40. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5: 4 moves in, with White to play.
Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.
3 named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.
Play the Elephant Gambit? See where you go wrong.
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Analyze my games free →Variations of the Elephant Gambit
- Maroczy Gambit1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6
- Paulsen Countergambit1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4
- Wasp Variation1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5
Related openings
King's Knight OpeningElephant Gambit: Maroczy GambitElephant Gambit: Paulsen CountergambitElephant Gambit: Wasp VariationGunderam DefenseKing's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass GambitKing's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit, Chiodini GambitKing's Pawn Game: Damiano DefenseKing's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense, Damiano GambitKing's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense, Damiano Gambit, Chigorin Gambit