Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.f4

ECO C21

The Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit is a chess opening line in the Center Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.f4.

It is catalogued under code C21 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move f4 is chosen by White on move 3.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Crocodile Variation.

Named variations

• Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation — ECO C21

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.