Chessy
Danish Gambit: d5 – A Dead-Equal Fight That Rewards Accuracy
You've pushed 1.e4, met 1…e5, gambitted with 2.d4, and offered another pawn with 3.c3. Black grabbed it — 3…dxc3 — and now you've recaptured with 4.Bc4… wait, no. The position on the board is 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 d5. Black refused the second pawn and struck back in the centre. After 4.exd5 it's Black to move, and the engine says –0.07 — dead level. Neither side is better out of the opening. This page shows you what happens next: the engine's best move, the most popular replies, and one mistake you can immediately punish. Jump into the drill below to practise the position yourself.
Play the Danish Gambit: d5 against the engine
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Create a free account →The Engine's One Best Move
Stockfish's top choice after 4.exd5 is Qxd5, continuing Qxd5 cxd4 Nc6 Nf3. Black develops the queen to d5, White recaptures on d4 with the c-pawn, Black develops a knight to c6, and White develops a knight to f3. The position stays roughly equal — neither side has a significant edge. This line is also by far the most popular in practice, appearing in over 124,000 games in the database.
What the Numbers Say
Over 142,452 games from this exact position, the results are as tight as the evaluation suggests: White wins 47.4%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 48.6%. You are essentially level out of the opening, so your chess from here will decide the game — not the opening choice. Among Black's replies, the most common are Qxd5 (124,053 games, White scores 47.1%), Nf6 (9,492 games, White scores 44.2%), and dxc3 (6,108 games, White scores 55.1%). That last one — Black capturing on c3 — gives you your best results, so you can feel confident if Black goes that route.
The Mistake to Spot and Punish
The one named mistake in this position is Qe7+, played in 361 games. It's a clear error that loses roughly 1.1 pawns compared to the correct move, which was Nf6. If Black checks from e7, you should respond accurately. The engine's preferred reply leads to a comfortable position for you, and the statistics back that up: when Black plays Qe7+, White scores an impressive 63.7%. Keep this trick in your back pocket — it's a free edge if your opponent blunders.
What This Opening Asks of You
The Danish Gambit: d5 line steers the game toward open, tactical play without giving you any inherent advantage or disadvantage. You don't need to memorise a deep book of variations — the position is straightforward after 4.exd5. The main thing to know is that Black's most dangerous reply is the natural Qxd5, and the most favourable for you is dxc3. If you face Qe7+, don't miss your chance to convert. Practise the most common lines in the drill below so you recognise them instantly.
Results across 142,452 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qxd5 | 124,053 | 47.1% |
| Nf6 | 9,492 | 44.2% |
| dxc3 | 6,108 | 55.1% |
| c6 | 893 | 46.6% |
| Bd6 | 389 | 51.2% |
| Qe7+ | 361 | 63.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Danish Gambit: d5 good for White?
It is dead level: Stockfish rates the position –0.07, meaning neither side is better. White scores 47.4% from this exact position, which is essentially equal. The opening leads to a balanced fight where your middlegame skill decides the result.
What is the best move for Black after 4.exd5?
The engine's top move is Qxd5, developing the queen to the centre and attacking d4. The recommended continuation is Qxd5 cxd4 Nc6 Nf3. Black's second-best move is Nf6, and third is dxc3, which actually gives White a slight practical edge.
Is Qe7+ a good move for Black in this position?
No, Qe7+ is a mistake. It loses about 1.1 pawns compared to the better move Nf6. White scores 63.7% when Black plays Qe7+, so you should be happy to face it. The engine's reply will leave you with a clear advantage.
What should I do if Black plays dxc3 instead of Qxd5?
If Black captures on c3 with the pawn, you are in a favourable spot. White scores 55.1% from that line, the best result against any of Black's main options. Practise the position in the drill so you know how to recapture and develop with an edge.
How many games feature the Danish Gambit: d5?
Over 142K Lichess games have reached the Danish Gambit: d5 position. White wins 47.4%, Black wins 48.6%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.