Chess Openings Lab
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King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit

The Busch-Gass Gambit is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Bc5, developing the bishop and leaving the e5 pawn unprotected. Black hopes for quick piece play against f2, while White can grab the pawn with Nxe5 and keep a solid extra pawn with careful play.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Bc5
ECO
C40
Engine
+1.71 · a large advantage for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
17,362 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take with Nxe5, the engine's top move; the knight is safe and Black has no direct follow-up.
  • After ...Nc6, retreat with Nf3, and if Black tries ...d5, take with exd5 and play c3.
  • Watch for ...Qh4 aimed at f2; answer with d4 or Nd3 to cut the c5 bishop's diagonal.
  • c3 and d4 are also good without taking, building a strong center that kicks the bishop.

Black

  • The gambit is dubious; after Nxe5 Black lacks full compensation and must play for activity.
  • After Nxe5, ...Nc6 and ...d5 open lines and speed up development for the bishop and queen.
  • ...Qh4 is the trick against careless play: it hits f2 together with the c5 bishop.
  • Develop quickly, castle, and look for tactics on f2 before White consolidates the extra pawn.

Plans and pawn structure

After Nxe5, White is a pawn up and Black relies on speed. The bishop on c5 points at f2, so White must watch tactics there, especially with the queen joining from h4. White wants c3 and d4 to gain space and kick the bishop. Black's plan is ...Nc6, ...d5 and quick castling, hoping White's queen or knight gets chased around. If White develops carefully, the extra pawn should tell in the long run.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.71: a large advantage for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.71 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.Nf3 d5 5.exd5 Qxd5
  2. +0.54 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 Nd7 5.d4 exd4
  3. +0.43 3.Nc3 d6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

17,362 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.3%.

under 120053.9%
1200–159952.8%
1600–199953.4%
2000 and up51.2%

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

Where it goes next

  • Busch-Gass Gambit, Chiodini Gambit3.Nxe5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take with Nxe5 and keep an eye on f2. After ...Nc6, retreat with Nf3, then play c3 and d4 to gain space with tempo on the bishop. Avoid greed: develop and castle before chasing more material, and never leave f2 defended only by the king.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit?

The King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Bc5. Its ECO code is C40.

Is the King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.71 at depth 20, which is a large advantage for White. In 17,362 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.3%. A dubious gambit that works mostly as a surprise; White players who take on e5 and develop carefully keep a healthy extra pawn.

What is the main idea of the King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit?

Black develops the bishop to c5 and leaves e5 hanging, hoping for quick attacks on f2. White takes the pawn with Nxe5 and stays alert to ...Qh4 tricks.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxe5, with c3 and Nc3 close behind. Nxe5 wins a pawn, and Black's pressure on f2 is not enough compensation if White stays alert.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.