Maróczy Variation, Maróczy Gambit

The Maróczy Gambit is a branch of the Maróczy Variation, better known as the Fantasy Variation. After 4...e5 5. Nf3, Black skips the customary pin 5...Bg4 and captures on d4. White does not recapture but plays 6. Bc4 and leaves Black a pawn up. The compensation comes from development and open lines. The bishop bears down on f7, the f-file is already half-open after the early fxe4, and Black's kingside pieces are still at home. Black's extra pawn on d4 restricts White's queenside development but can become a target once White's pieces are mobilized. Géza Maróczy played the line as early as 1899.

The most common reply is 6...Nf6, developing while hitting e4. 6...Be6 offers to exchange White's most active piece. 6...Bg4 pins the knight but has scored poorly for Black. Engines prefer 6...b5, gaining time against the bishop, alongside 6...Nd7 and 6...Nf6. They still assess the position as a slight edge for White despite the pawn deficit. White's results in online games are strong.