Chess Openings Lab
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Italian Game: Deutz Gambit

The Deutz Gambit is 3...Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d4, where White castles first and then throws the d-pawn forward. White offers material to open lines against Black's king, while Black can take with the bishop, the pawn or the knight, and only one of these is fully safe.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d4
ECO
C50
Engine
−0.21 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
469 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 5...exd4 push e5, and if Black hits back with ...d5, take on f6 and use Re1+ against the uncastled king.
  • Against 5...Nxd4 play Nxe5, then Bxf7+ hits the exposed king and leaves Black's position loose.
  • After 5...Bxd4 recapture with the knight, develop with Nc3 and Bg5, and use the d5 square for a knight.
  • Keep pieces active: being down a pawn is acceptable only if the c4 bishop and rooks stay busy.

Black

  • Take with 5...Bxd4: after Nxd4 Nxd4 Black keeps an extra pawn and a knight on d4.
  • After the trades, play ...d6 and ...Be6 to challenge the c4 bishop and finish development.
  • Avoid 5...Nxd4, since Nxe5 followed by Bxf7+ leaves the black king exposed in the center.
  • If you prefer 5...exd4, know that e5 and ...d5 lead to wild play with the g7 pawn falling.

Plans and pawn structure

After 5...Bxd4 6.Nxd4 Nxd4 Black has a pawn more and a strong knight on d4, but has given up the dark-squared bishop. White develops with Nc3 and Bg5 and aims a knight at d5, pressing on f6 and c7. Black castles, plays ...d6 and ...Be6, and tries to trade the c4 bishop to calm things. In the sharper 5...exd4 line the e-file opens and both sides race: White with Re1 and checks, Black with an extra piece for a short while.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.21: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.21 5...Bxd4 6.Nxd4 Nxd4 7.Nc3 d6 8.Bg5
  2. +0.18 5...exd4 6.e5 d5 7.exf6 dxc4 8.fxg7
  3. +0.61 5...Nxd4 6.Nxe5 Qe7 7.Bxf7+ Kf8 8.Nd3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

469 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.1%.

1200–159951.3%
1600–199954.5%
2000 and up54.1%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Scotch Gambit, Max Lange Attack Accepted5...exd4 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, choose 5...Bxd4 and simplify with 6...Nxd4. Then play ...d6 and ...Be6 and castle. Steer clear of 5...Nxd4: Nxe5 and Bxf7+ follow, and your king never finds a home. If you take with the e-pawn, be ready for e5 and ...d5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Italian Game: Deutz Gambit?

The Italian Game: Deutz Gambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d4. Its ECO code is C50.

Is the Italian Game: Deutz Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.21 at depth 20, which is level. In 469 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.1%. A surprise weapon for attacking White players, but a Black player who knows 5...Bxd4 keeps the extra pawn without much risk.

What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Deutz Gambit?

White castles and then sacrifices the d-pawn to open the center fast. Black's safest answer is 5...Bxd4 with ...Nxd4 next, keeping a pawn while White plays for activity with Nc3, Bg5 and Nd5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bxd4, with exd4 and Nxd4 close behind. 5...Bxd4 grabs the pawn with the bishop, and after Nxd4 Nxd4 Black holds the d4 square with a knight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.