Center Game

1.e4 e5 2.d4

ECO C20

The Center Game is a chess opening reached after 1.e4 e5 2.d4, catalogued under code C20 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d4 is chosen by White on move 2.

12 named continuations branch from this position, including the Halasz-McDonnell Gambit and the Kieseritzky Variation.

Named variations

• Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit — ECO C21
• Center Game: Kieseritzky Variation — ECO C21
• Center Game: Lanc-Arnold Gambit — ECO C21
• Center Game: Ross Gambit — ECO C21
• Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit — ECO C21
• Center Game: Berger Variation — ECO C22
• Center Game: Charousek Variation — ECO C22
• Center Game: Hall Variation — ECO C22
• Center Game: Kupreichik Variation — ECO C22
• Center Game: Normal Variation — ECO C22
• Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation — ECO C22
• Center Game: l'Hermet Variation — ECO C22

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Danish Gambit course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.