Chessy
Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit with Bc5 — A Bold Sacrifice That Works
Most gambits ask you to give up a pawn for development. The Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit with Bc5 asks you to give up a bishop for something more immediate: checkmate threats. After 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Bc4 Bc5, you play 4.Bxf7+ — a shocking sacrifice that rips Black's kingside open before the game is five moves old. Black must take with the king (the only good move), but you follow up with Qh5+, forking king and bishop. The engine gives your position a solid +1.16, and the statistics across over a quarter-million games confirm it: you score 66.1% as White. The drill below will show you exactly how to handle whatever Black tries next.
Play the Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit: Bc5 against the engine
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Test your understanding of the von der Lasa Gambit in the interactive drill below. Play the position against the engine and see if you can convert that +1.16 —
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The von der Lasa Gambit isn't just a cheap trick — it's a principled attack. By taking on f7, you remove the king's protective pawn and force Black's king into the open. If Black captures your bishop with 4...Kxf7, you play 5.Qh5+ immediately. That queen check attacks the king on f7 and the bishop on c5 at the same time. Black has to block with 5...g6, and then 6.Qxc5 leaves you with a pawn, better development, and a king that has lost castling rights. The engine assessment of +1.16 reflects a clean, lasting advantage — your attacking chances are real and your position is easy to play.
Black's Three Replies and What They Mean
Over 269,517 games in the Lichess database, Black has tried three main moves after 4.Bxf7+ — and only one is acceptable. Here is what you face at the board: - 4...Kxf7 (217,605 games): The best move. You respond with 5.Qh5+ g6 6.Qxc5. Black is up a piece but your queen is well placed and White scores 68.0% from here. You are clearly better. - 4...Kf8 (49,862 games): An inaccuracy that costs Black about half a pawn. They avoid the open board but hand you even more initiative. White wins 57.2% — still a good result. - 4...Ke7 (2,050 games): The worst of the three, losing nearly a full pawn. Black's king is exposed and misplaced. White scores a crushing 72.6%. Spot this move and you know you have already won the opening.
Why 4...Kxf7 Is the Critical Test (and How to Beat It)
The vast majority of your opponents will take the bishop with 4...Kxf7. That is the right move for Black, so you need to know the follow-up cold. After 5.Qh5+ g6 6.Qxc5, the dust settles. You have given up a bishop for a pawn and Black's broken kingside. Here is what to aim for next: - Develop your knights toward the centre quickly. - Castle quickly — queenside is often fast and safe here. - Keep the queen active — she is your biggest asset on the open board. Black still has two bishops but their king can never feel safe. Your plan is simple: open the centre and attack. The engine says your advantage is clear and lasting.
The Statistics That Back This Gambit
This is not a speculative sideline — the numbers speak for themselves. In 269,517 games at this exact position, White wins 66.1% of the time, with only 3.1% draws. That winning percentage climbs even higher against Black's weaker replies: - After 4...Kxf7: White scores 68.0% - After 4...Kf8: White scores 57.2% - After 4...Ke7: White scores 72.6% A 66.1% win rate is enormous for a line that begins with a piece sacrifice — and it holds up across all three of Black's replies. The von der Lasa Gambit works because it asks concrete questions immediately — and most players, even strong ones, struggle to find accurate defensive moves under pressure.
Results across 269,517 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Kxf7 | 217,605 | 68.0% |
| Kf8 | 49,862 | 57.2% |
| Ke7 | 2,050 | 72.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit sound for White?
Yes — the engine gives White a +1.16 advantage after 4.Bxf7+, and White wins 66.1% of games in the Lichess database. The sacrifice is well-founded on concrete tactics and lasting pressure on Black's king.
What is the best move for Black after 4.Bxf7+?
Black should play 4...Kxf7, accepting the sacrifice. After 5.Qh5+ g6 6.Qxc5, Black is up a piece for a pawn but White has strong attacking chances. The alternatives 4...Kf8 and 4...Ke7 are both inaccuracies that make White's job even easier.
Does Black ever play 4...Kf8 and is it good?
4...Kf8 is the second most common reply (49,862 games), but it is an inaccuracy that costs Black roughly half a pawn. White scores 57.2% against it — good for you, but not as crushing as the 72.6% White scores against 4...Ke7.
What is White's plan after 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 Qh5+?
After 5.Qh5+ g6 6.Qxc5, White has a pawn, a lead in development, and Black's king is stuck in the centre. You should develop your pieces quickly — knights toward the centre, castling queenside — and aim to open lines against the exposed black king.
How many games feature the Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit: Bc5?
Over 269K Lichess games have reached the Center Game: von der Lasa Gambit: Bc5 position. White wins 66.1%, Black wins 30.9%, with 3.1% draws — based on real rated games.