Chess Openings Lab
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French Defense: Franco-Hiva Gambit Accepted

The Franco-Hiva Gambit Accepted arises after 2...f5 3.exf5, when White takes the f5 pawn. White gets a clear edge from Black's weakened kingside and loose e6 point, while Black hopes for open lines and quick development.

Moves
1.e4 e6 2.d4 f5 3.exf5
ECO
C00
Engine
+1.61 · a large advantage for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
158 games in our lichess sample
White scores
64.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop with Bd3 and Nf3, castle short and pressure the f5 pawn after ...exf5.
  • Push c4 to hit Black's center and open lines for the queen and bishops.
  • Use the open e-file: a rook on e1 and a knight on e5 point at Black's uncastled king.
  • Against 3...Nf6 or 3...Qf6, take on e6 with fxe6 and keep the extra pawn.

Black

  • 3...exf5 is the best try. It regains the pawn and opens the e-file for the queen.
  • Develop with ...Nf6, ...Be7 and castle at once; the king is the main worry.
  • The knight jump ...Ne4 hits the c3 and f2 squares and blocks the e-file.
  • Avoid 3...Qf6 and early queen moves; White just takes on e6 with a large advantage.

Plans and pawn structure

Black has traded the f-pawn for White's e-pawn, leaving weak squares on e6 and e5. White develops quickly, castles and uses the open e-file, often with c4 to attack d5 if Black plays ...d5. Black needs ...Nf6, ...Be7 and castling before White's rooks arrive, then ...Ne4 and ...d5 for central control. If Black gets castled, the game becomes playable, but White keeps the better structure.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.61: a large advantage for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +1.61 3...exf5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Be7 6.O-O
  2. +1.67 3...Nf6 4.fxe6 d5 5.Nf3 Bxe6 6.Bd3
  3. +2.16 3...Qf6 4.fxe6 Nc6 5.d5 Bc5 6.Nf3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

158 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 64.2%.

1200–159959.7%
1600–199966.9%
2000 and up61.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As White, develop with Bd3, Nf3 and short castling, then hit the center with c4. Do not grab more pawns with your queen. Use the open e-file and the e5 square for a knight. As Black, play 3...exf5, develop the kingside and castle quickly before the e-file opens.

Questions

What are the moves of the French Defense: Franco-Hiva Gambit Accepted?

The French Defense: Franco-Hiva Gambit Accepted starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 f5 3.exf5. Its ECO code is C00.

Is the French Defense: Franco-Hiva Gambit Accepted good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.61 at depth 20, which is a large advantage for White. A poor choice for Black; White players who develop calmly get a large edge, so it works only as a rare shock weapon.

What is the main idea of the French Defense: Franco-Hiva Gambit Accepted?

Black gives up f5 to unbalance the game, but the gambit fails to the simple 3.exf5. White develops, castles and attacks the weak light squares around Black's king.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is exf5, with Nf6 and Qf6 close behind. 3...exf5 regains material and opens the e-file, the least damaging of Black's options.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.