Chess Openings Lab
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King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit

The Panteldakis Countergambit is 1.e4 e5 2.f4 f5, where Black copies White's pawn thrust on the other wing. Black wants to open the f-file and hit e4, but the move weakens the e8-h5 diagonal, and White can grab a pawn with 3.exf5 and develop with tempo.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.f4 f5
ECO
C30
Engine
+1.13 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
322 games in our lichess sample
White scores
55.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take with 3.exf5, the engine's clear first choice, and follow with Nf3 and Nc3.
  • After ...Qe7, develop and let Black spend time winning back the f5 pawn.
  • Watch for checks on the h5-e8 diagonal: a queen check on h5 can be strong once lines open.
  • If Black plays ...Nf6 and ...Nxe5, trade pieces and keep the extra pawn.

Black

  • After 3.exf5, ...Qe7 pins the e-file and plans to win back a pawn on e5 or f5.
  • Develop ...Nc6 and ...Nf6 quickly to cover h5 and fight for e4.
  • Against 3.Nc3, take on f4 and play ...Be7 and ...d6 to hold the pawn.
  • Do not let White's queen reach h5 with check while your king is uncastled.

Plans and pawn structure

Both f-pawns have moved, so both kings feel the draft. After 3.exf5 Qe7, Black's queen blocks the f8 bishop, and White develops Nf3, Nc3 and d4 with a clear lead. Black hopes to regain material on e5 with knights and to open the e-file against White's king. White is better because of the extra pawn and the faster development. The f5 pawn may become a target later, but White can support it with g4 in some lines.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.13: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.13 3.exf5 Qe7 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6
  2. +0.52 3.Nc3 exf4 4.Qe2 Be7 5.d3 d6
  3. +0.18 3.d3 d6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Be7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

322 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.0%.

under 120056.4%
1200–159955.5%
1600–199955.9%

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

Where it goes next

  • Panteldakis Countergambit, Symmetrical Variation3.exf5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take on f5 and develop quickly with Nf3 and Nc3. Do not grab more pawns if it costs moves. Castle short as soon as you can, and use the open e-file and the h5-e8 diagonal against Black's king.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit?

The King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.f4 f5. Its ECO code is C30.

Is the King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.13 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 322 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.0%. A dubious surprise weapon for Black; White players who know 3.exf5 get a comfortable edge.

What is the main idea of the King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit?

Black answers 2.f4 with ...f5, hoping to open lines against White's king. White simply takes on f5 and develops, leaving Black behind in material and development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is exf5, with Nc3 and d3 close behind. 3.exf5 wins a pawn and opens the e-file with tempo against Black's still-uncastled king.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.