King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit, Blackburne Attack
The Blackburne Attack is 2...d5 3.Nf3, where White develops instead of capturing on d5 or e5. Black can pin with ...Bg4, take on e4, or capture on f4, while White aims to win a center pawn with Nxe5 or exd5.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.Nf3
- ECO
- C31
- Engine
- −0.21 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,006 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.8%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Meet ...Bg4 with exd5 and Qe2 to unpin and pressure the e4 pawn after ...e4.
- After ...dxe4, take with Nxe5 and follow with d4 and Bd3 for quick development.
- Against ...exf4, exd5 and d4 build a center while Bc4 aims at f7.
- Castle early; the f-file and the g1 square are already loose after f4.
Black
- 3...Bg4 pins the f3 knight and plans the ...e4 push after exd5.
- The ...dxe4 capture with ...Bd6 develops quickly and hits the e5 knight.
- ...exf4 and ...Bd6 turn the game into an accepted gambit with active pieces.
- Keep an eye on Qb5+ ideas in the ...Bg4 line that fork the king and the b7 pawn.
Plans and pawn structure
Both sides are still fighting for the center. In the ...Bg4 line, Black pushes ...e4 and White uses Qe2, h3 and Qb5+ to target the queenside. In the ...dxe4 line, White's knight on e5 is strong, and Black hits it with ...Bd6 and develops with ...Nf6 and short castling. In the ...exf4 line, White plays d4 and Bc4 against f7. The side who castles first and opens the e-file safely usually comes out ahead.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.21: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.21 3...Bg4 4.exd5 e4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.h3
- −0.19 3...dxe4 4.Nxe5 Bd6 5.d4 exd3 6.Bxd3
- −0.12 3...exf4 4.exd5 Bd6 5.d4 c6 6.Bc4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,006 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.8%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, pick ...dxe4 or ...exf4 for clear development. If you choose ...Bg4, know the Qb5+ follow-up that hits b7 after ...Bh5. Do not leave the e5 pawn to be taken for nothing, and castle before you open the e-file for good.
Questions
What are the moves of the King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit, Blackburne Attack?
The King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit, Blackburne Attack starts 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.Nf3. Its ECO code is C31.
Is the King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit, Blackburne Attack good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.21 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,006 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.8%. A flexible choice for White players who prefer development over grabbing pawns; balanced and full of play for both.
What is the main idea of the King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit, Blackburne Attack?
White develops the knight first and keeps both captures on d5 and e5 available. Black can pin with ...Bg4, take on e4, or take on f4, and the center opens fast.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Bg4, with dxe4 and exf4 close behind. 3...Bg4 pins the knight and prepares ...e4 to drive it away after exd5.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.