Chess Openings Lab
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King's Pawn Game: Gunderam Gambit

The Gunderam Gambit is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 c6, a pawn move that does not defend e5 and takes c6 away from the knight. Black wants ...d5 to build a big center, but White can strike first with d4 or take with Nxe5.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 c6
ECO
C40
Engine
+1.37 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,730 games in our lichess sample
White scores
56.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • d4 is the engine's top move; after ...exd4, Qxd4 develops with tempo and centralizes the queen.
  • Nxe5 wins a pawn; after ...Nf6 and ...d5, keep it with Bc4 and d4.
  • Develop the dark bishop to g5 and pin the f6 knight once Black's queen is tied down.
  • Nc3 is a calmer option that stops ...d5 for now and keeps a healthy lead.

Black

  • The move is dubious; aim for ...d5 quickly to build a center.
  • After d4, ...Nf6 and ...exd4 bring the knight into play while White's queen recaptures.
  • After Nxe5, ...Nf6 and ...d5 give some activity in return for the pawn.
  • ...Qc7 and ...Nd7 are slow but solid ways to defend e5 if needed.

Plans and pawn structure

White leads in development and can open the center with d4. Black hopes for ...d5 and a strong center, but often loses time. After Nxe5, White is a pawn up and develops with Bc4 and d4. Black's plan is quick development, castling and central play with ...d5. White should open lines and use the lead in development before Black catches up.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.37: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.37 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 exd4 5.Qxd4 d5
  2. +1.10 3.Nxe5 Nf6 4.Bc4 d5 5.exd5 Bd6
  3. +0.57 3.Nc3 d6 4.d4 Qc7 5.h3 Nd7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,730 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 56.4%.

under 120058.5%
1200–159955.6%
1600–199954.4%
2000 and up64.8%

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

How to play against it

As White, play d4 or Nxe5 at once. After d4, recapture on d4 with the queen and develop quickly with Nc3 and Bg5. As Black, if you play this, aim for ...d5 and fast development, and avoid more pawn moves.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Pawn Game: Gunderam Gambit?

The King's Pawn Game: Gunderam Gambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 c6. Its ECO code is C40.

Is the King's Pawn Game: Gunderam Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.37 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 1,730 lichess games from our sample, White scored 56.4%. A dubious line for Black; White players should strike with d4 or Nxe5 and develop quickly.

What is the main idea of the King's Pawn Game: Gunderam Gambit?

Black plays ...c6 to prepare ...d5, ignoring the attack on e5. White strikes with d4 or takes on e5 and keeps a lead in development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d4, with Nxe5 and Nc3 close behind. d4 opens the center at once, using White's lead in development against Black's loose e5 pawn.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.