Chessy
King's Pawn Game: MacLeod Attack, Lasa Gambit as Black
After 1.e4 e5 2.c3 f5, the game becomes sharp at once. You are not aiming for a quiet equalising setup; you are stepping into a position where White can already claim the better chances, and your task is to handle the most practical replies without drifting into trouble. The drill below puts you in the critical position as Black, so you can learn the safest way to continue and recognise which White moves deserve respect.
Play the King's Pawn Game: MacLeod Attack, Lasa Gambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What the engine wants you to do
In the exact position after 1.e4 e5 2.c3 f5, Stockfish rates it +0.90, a clear advantage for White. That means you are already under real pressure and need accurate play. The engine's best move here is exf5, and the listed continuation is exf5 Nf6 g4 h5. The message is simple: if White takes the pawn, you should be ready to meet the opening of the kingside with active piece play and timely pawn moves, not passive defence.
What the database says about this position
Across 79,591 games from this exact position, White wins 47.3%, draws 3.0%, and Black wins 49.7%. Those results show that the position is not dead or routine; it is still very playable in practice, but White keeps the better chances overall. For your drill, that means accuracy matters more than memorising long lines. You are looking for the best practical defence, not a risky pawn grab that lets White build an easy attack.
The replies you will meet most often
The most-played continuation is exf5, with 37,425 games, and White scores 48.1% there. That is the main branch you need to understand first. The next most common choices are d4, with 10,146 games and White scoring 50.7%, d3, with 8,702 games and White scoring 45.4%, f3, with 6,689 games and White scoring 42.6%, Bc4, with 3,583 games and White scoring 50.0%, and Nf3, with 3,029 games and White scoring 46.9%. These numbers tell you where opponents are most likely to steer the game and which moves are most useful to rehearse in the drill.
Moves that go wrong quickly
Three White moves are flagged as mistakes or inaccuracies here, and they all point back to the same lesson: White should not waste time. d3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, with exf5 being better. f3 is a mistake and loses about 2.1 pawns, again with exf5 being better. Bc4 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, with exf5 being better. From your seat as Black, this is useful because it tells you which setups are most likely to hand you a better game if you stay alert and meet them energetically.
Results across 79,591 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exf5 | 37,425 | 48.1% |
| d4 | 10,146 | 50.7% |
| d3 | 8,702 | 45.4% |
| f3 | 6,689 | 42.6% |
| Bc4 | 3,583 | 50.0% |
| Nf3 | 3,029 | 46.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the King's Pawn Game: MacLeod Attack, Lasa Gambit good for Black?
The exact position after 1.e4 e5 2.c3 f5 is not comfortable for Black. Stockfish gives +0.90, a clear advantage for White, so you should treat it as a position where your opponent has the better chances. Your goal is to defend accurately and know the engine's preferred response.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine's best move is exf5. The given continuation is exf5 Nf6 g4 h5, which shows that active play is needed after White takes. In the drill, focus on reaching that kind of position cleanly.
Which White reply should I expect most often?
The most-played continuation is exf5, with 37,425 games. It is by far the main reply, so you should be most comfortable meeting it. The other common moves are d4, d3, f3, Bc4, and Nf3.
Which White moves are the biggest mistakes?
f3 is the biggest listed mistake, and it loses about 2.1 pawns. d3 and Bc4 are both listed as inaccuracies and each loses about 0.8 pawns. If White chooses one of these, you should stay calm and keep playing the best move rather than rushing.
How many games feature the King's Pawn Game: MacLeod Attack, Lasa Gambit?
Over 79K Lichess games have reached the King's Pawn Game: MacLeod Attack, Lasa Gambit position. White wins 47.3%, Black wins 49.7%, with 3.0% draws — based on real rated games.