Chess Openings Lab
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King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted

The Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted is 2...d5 3.exd5, where White takes the d5 pawn instead of e5. Black can push ...e4 into the Staunton Line, take on f4, or play ...c6, while White hopes to keep the extra pawn on d5.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5
ECO
C31
Engine
−0.14 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
956 games in our lichess sample
White scores
56.9%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 3...exf4, develop Nf3 and play c4 and d4, as in the engine line, to hold the d5 pawn.
  • Against ...c6, Qe2 pins the e5 pawn and prepares fxe5 with an extra pawn.
  • If Black takes back with ...Qxd5, Nc3 hits the queen with tempo.
  • Win back f4 later with the c1 bishop once d4 is played.

Black

  • 3...exf4 is the engine's choice, transposing to Modern Defense style play with ...Nf6 and ...Bb4+.
  • The ...e4 push is the most played reply: the pawn cramps White and takes f3 from the knight.
  • 3...c6 attacks d5 and gives a pawn for fast development and open lines.
  • Avoid 3...Qxd5: Nc3 gains time on the queen and White develops with tempo.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black chooses 3...exf4, the structure becomes one where White has a d-pawn and no e-pawn, Black no d-pawn. White keeps d5 with c4 and d4 while Black develops with ...Nf6, ...Bb4+ and ...O-O, then hits d5 again with ...c6. In the ...e4 lines, the e4 pawn cramps White and Black regains d5 later with ...Nf6 and ...Nxd5. Development speed decides the game, not the extra pawn.

Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.14: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.14 3...exf4 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.c4 c6 6.d4
  2. +0.17 3...c6 4.Qe2 cxd5 5.fxe5 Nc6 6.Nf3
  3. +0.47 3...Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qe6 5.Nf3 exf4+ 6.Be2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

956 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 56.9%.

under 120050.0%
1200–159955.1%
1600–199957.7%
2000 and up64.3%

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

Where it goes next

  • Falkbeer Countergambit, Staunton Line3...e4 · 970 games
  • Falkbeer Countergambit, Miles Gambit3...Bc5 · rare
  • Falkbeer Countergambit, Modern Transfer3...exf4 · rare
  • Falkbeer Countergambit, Pickler Gambit3...c6 · rare
  • Falkbeer Countergambit, Alapin Variation3...e4 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, choose 3...exf4 or the ...e4 push and develop quickly. Do not take back on d5 with the queen, because Nc3 gains time. Keep the e-file in mind: once it opens, your rook on e8 and checks on b4 work against White's king.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted?

The King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted starts 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5. Its ECO code is C31.

Is the King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.14 at depth 20, which is level. In 956 lichess games from our sample, White scored 56.9%. A practical choice for White players who like extra material, but Black gets easy development with ...exf4 or ...e4.

What is the main idea of the King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted?

White accepts Black's countergambit and keeps a pawn on d5. Black chooses between ...exf4 with quick development, ...e4 to cramp White, or ...c6 to sacrifice for activity.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is exf4, with c6 and Qxd5 close behind. 3...exf4 takes the gambit pawn and steers into a sound structure with quick ...Nf6 and ...Bb4+ development.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.