Chess Openings Lab
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French Defense: Wing Gambit

The Wing Gambit is 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4, where White offers the b-pawn to lure Black's c-pawn away from the center. Black can take and keep the extra pawn with ...a6, while White hopes for a big center with d4 and c3.

Moves
1.e4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4
ECO
C00
Engine
−0.35 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
909 games in our lichess sample
White scores
58.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 4...cxb4, play 5.d4 and c3 to build a center and open lines on the queenside.
  • Develop with Bd3 and castle, as the top engine line shows, and aim for attacking chances.
  • Against 4...d4, take with 5.bxc5 and use Ba3 to fight for the dark squares.
  • If Black gets greedy, use the open b-file and c-file for your rooks.

Black

  • Take with 4...cxb4 and follow with ...a6 to keep the extra pawn and stop Bb5 tricks.
  • Develop with ...Nc6 and ...Nge7, then strike at d4 with ...Qb6 ideas if White's center gets loose.
  • 4...d4 is a calm alternative that grabs space instead of the pawn.
  • Don't open the position too soon; White's attacking chances grow with open files.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black accepts, White gets a center with d4 and c3 and open lines on the queenside. The engine still prefers Black, who keeps the extra pawn and has a solid French chain. White's plan is quick development, castling and an attack while Black's queenside is unsettled. Black's plan is ...a6, ...Nc6, ...Nge7 and solid development, then attacks the chain with ...f6.

Where the engine's main line heads: French chain: d4–e5 against d5–e6. The French chain: White's pawns on d4 and e5 face Black's on d5 and e6. White has kingside space, Black attacks the base of the chain.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.35: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.35 4...cxb4 5.d4 a6 6.c3 Nc6 7.Bd3
  2. +0.02 4...d4 5.bxc5 Bxc5 6.Ba3 b6 7.Bxc5
  3. +0.15 4...Nc6 5.bxc5 d4 6.Ba3 g5 7.h3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

909 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 58.4%.

1200–159971.4%
1600–199958.6%
2000 and up56.8%

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

How to play against it

As Black, take with 4...cxb4 and play ...a6. Develop calmly with ...Nc6 and ...Nge7 and keep the extra pawn. Avoid early queen moves that let White develop with tempo.

Questions

What are the moves of the French Defense: Wing Gambit?

The French Defense: Wing Gambit starts 1.e4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4. Its ECO code is C00.

Is the French Defense: Wing Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.35 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 909 lichess games from our sample, White scored 58.4%. A dubious gambit that scores well in practice and suits attacking White players, but a calm Black player keeps the pawn.

What is the main idea of the French Defense: Wing Gambit?

White gives a pawn to remove Black's c-pawn and build a center with d4 and c3. Black can accept and keep it with ...a6, which the engine prefers.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is cxb4, with d4 and Nc6 close behind. 4...cxb4 takes the pawn and Black can keep it with ...a6 next.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.