Elephant Gambit: Paulsen Countergambit
The Paulsen Countergambit is 3...e4, Black's pawn push after 3.exd5 in the Elephant Gambit. Black kicks the f3 knight and hopes for quick development, while White can keep the extra d5 pawn and attack the advanced e4 pawn.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 e4
- ECO
- C40
- Engine
- +1.01 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 4,745 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 48.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 4.Qe2 is the strongest reply. The queen attacks e4 and lines up on the e-file against Black's king.
- After Qe2 and d3, the e4 pawn falls or is traded, opening the e-file while Black's king still sits on e8.
- Keep the knight on f3 when you can. Ne5 is a playable alternative but returns some of White's advantage.
- Nc3 adds a defender to d5 and gains time if Black's queen has recaptured there.
Black
- Develop with ...Nf6 to defend e4 and prepare to win back d5 with the queen.
- ...Qxd5 regains the pawn, but watch for Nc3 gaining time on your queen.
- ...Bb4 pins or pressures the c3 knight, the most active square for the f8-bishop here.
- ...Qe7 blocks the e-file if White's queen and rook start to pressure the king.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a dubious gambit for Black. After 4.Qe2, the e4 pawn is attacked and pinned to the king along the e-file, and White's d3 break opens lines while Black is undeveloped. Black usually gets the d5 pawn back with ...Nf6 and ...Qxd5, but then Nc3 hits the queen and White develops with tempo. Black's best practical try is fast castling and pressure with ...Bb4. White's plan is simple: Qe2, d3, Nc3, castle, and use the open e-file.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.01: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +1.01 4.Qe2 Nf6 5.d3 Qxd5 6.Nc3 Bb4
- +0.25 4.Ne5 Qxd5 5.d4 exd3 6.Nxd3 Nc6
- +0.02 4.Ng1 Nf6 5.d4 Nxd5 6.Bc4 c6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
4,745 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, play 4.Qe2 and do not retreat the knight early. The queen does two jobs: it attacks e4 and eyes e8. Then play d3 and Nc3. As Black, avoid moving the queen early into the open; get ...Nf6 in before anything else.
Questions
What are the moves of the Elephant Gambit: Paulsen Countergambit?
The Elephant Gambit: Paulsen Countergambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 e4. Its ECO code is C40.
Is the Elephant Gambit: Paulsen Countergambit good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.01 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 4,745 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.1%. Risky for Black and objectively poor; it works only against players who do not know 4.Qe2 and retreat the knight instead.
What is the main idea of the Elephant Gambit: Paulsen Countergambit?
Black pushes ...e4 to drive away White's knight and gain time. White's answer is 4.Qe2, attacking e4 and using the e-file, which keeps White clearly better.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Qe2, with Ne5 and Ng1 close behind. 4.Qe2 hits the e4 pawn and pins it against the king, so Black cannot keep both pawns.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.