Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

French Defense: Franco-Hiva Gambit

The Franco-Hiva Gambit is 2...f5, an early kingside pawn thrust against White's e4-d4 center. Black wants to break up the center and open the f-file, while White can simply take on f5 and exploit the weakened e6 and e5 squares.

Moves
1.e4 e6 2.d4 f5
ECO
C00
Engine
+1.61 · a large advantage for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
201 games in our lichess sample
White scores
58.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take with 3.exf5, the engine's top move. After ...exf5 develop with Nf3, Bd3 and short castling.
  • 3.Nc3 is also strong: a check on h5 after the trade on f5 can force ...g6 and loosen Black's king.
  • 3.e5 gains space and leaves Black with a hole on e6 and a bad c8 bishop.
  • Aim pieces at e5 and the e-file once it opens; Black's king has lost its f-pawn shelter.

Black

  • After 3.exf5 recapture with ...exf5 and develop ...Nf6, ...Be7 and castle fast.
  • Plant a knight on e4 to block the e-file and annoy White's development.
  • Against 3.Nc3, a pin with ...Bb4 adds pressure on e4 before White trades.
  • Do not expect a quick attack; the f-pawn push mostly weakens your own king.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's 2...f5 tries to turn the French into a Dutch-style game, but White's pawns are already on d4 and e4. After 3.exf5 exf5 White has the easier development and targets on e5 and e6, plus an open e-file aimed at Black's king. Black tries to castle quickly and use the e4 square for a knight. If 3.e5 is played instead, the game becomes closed, and Black's light-squared bishop and the e6 point remain long-term problems.

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 White:

  1. +1.61 3.exf5 exf5 4.Nf3 Be7 5.Bd3 Nf6
  2. +1.20 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.exf5 exf5 5.Qh5+ g6
  3. +0.87 3.e5 a6 4.Nf3 d6 5.Nc3 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

201 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 58.5%.

under 120066.7%
1200–159956.4%
1600–199954.4%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, take on f5 with 3.exf5 and develop with Nf3, Bd3 and short castling. Black's best is ...exf5, after which c4 and a rook on e1 give you lasting pressure. Do not chase the f5 pawn with your queen before your pieces are out.

Questions

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

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

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.61 at depth 20, which is a large advantage for White. In 201 lichess games from our sample, White scored 58.5%. Too loosening to recommend for Black; White players who capture and develop calmly get a clear edge.

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

Black hits e4 with the f-pawn to unbalance the French. White's simplest answer is 3.exf5, which leaves Black with weak central squares and a loose king.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is exf5, with Nc3 and e5 close behind. 3.exf5 removes Black's attacking pawn and opens the e-file against Black's king.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.