Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

King's Gambit Accepted: Schallopp Defense

The Schallopp Defense is 2...exf4 3.Nf3 Nf6, where Black develops the king's knight and attacks e4 instead of guarding the pawn. White can push 4.e5 to drive the knight to h5 or defend with Nc3, and Black aims for ...d5 and a central break.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Nf6
ECO
C34
Engine
−0.48 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,189 games in our lichess sample
White scores
57.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Push 4.e5 and send the knight to h5, then play d4 to build a pawn wedge.
  • 4.Nc3 keeps e4 protected; after ...d5 and exd5, a check on b5 helps development.
  • Win back the f4 pawn with the c1 bishop once d4 or d3 opens its path.
  • After e5, the f6 square is taken from Black's knight, so a knight on h5 can be stranded.

Black

  • After 4.e5, ...Nh5 keeps the knight guarding f4, then ...d5 and ...g5 build a chain.
  • Hit the e5 or e4 pawn with ...d5 to fight for central squares.
  • Support the f4 pawn with ...g5 and ...h6 when the knight sits on h5.
  • After 4.Nc3 d5 5.exd5, retake with the knight and answer a b5 check with ...c6.

Plans and pawn structure

After 4.e5 Nh5, White has a space advantage with pawns on d4 and e5, while Black's knight on h5 holds f4 together with ...g5. White castles and tries to undermine the chain with g3 or h4, sometimes sacrificing on f4. Black castles short behind ...h6 or keeps the king flexible, and uses ...d5 to cramp White's light-squared bishop. In the 4.Nc3 line, the center opens and the game turns on quick development and checks along the e-file.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.48: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for White:

  1. −0.48 4.e5 Nh5 5.d4 d5 6.Be2 g5
  2. −0.48 4.Nc3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bb5+ c6
  3. −0.77 4.d3 d5 5.Bxf4 Nc6 6.e5 Nh5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,189 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 57.3%.

under 120060.1%
1200–159957.3%
1600–199957.7%
2000 and up48.5%

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

Where it goes next

  • Schallopp Defense, Tashkent Attack4.e5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, 4.e5 or 4.Nc3 both keep a playable game. Do not leave e4 hanging for a quick ...Nxe4. Against ...Nh5, play d4 and Be2, then castle and look for g3 or a knight hop to attack the h5 knight. Avoid trading your good c1 bishop for that knight too early.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Gambit Accepted: Schallopp Defense?

The King's Gambit Accepted: Schallopp Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Nf6. Its ECO code is C34.

Is the King's Gambit Accepted: Schallopp Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.48 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 2,189 lichess games from our sample, White scored 57.3%. A practical, developing defense for Black, but White players at club level score well when they know the 4.e5 plan.

What is the main idea of the King's Gambit Accepted: Schallopp Defense?

Black develops ...Nf6 and puts pressure on e4. After 4.e5 Nh5, the knight guards f4, and Black follows with ...d5 and ...g5 to build a chain while White grabs space.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is e5, with Nc3 and d3 close behind. 4.e5 gains space and pushes the knight to h5, where it guards f4 but sits on the rim.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.