Maróczy Gambit

The Maróczy Gambit is the branch of the Elephant Gambit in which Black, after 3. exd5, neither recaptures on d5 nor advances with 3...e4, but plays 3...Bd6 to defend the e5-pawn with the bishop. Black stays a pawn down in return for rapid development and the chance to castle early. White's extra pawn on d5 stands in front of the d2-pawn, so for the moment White's d-pawns are doubled. Declining 3...Qxd5 denies White the tempo gain with Nc3, and declining 3...e4 leaves the f3-knight unharassed.

The engine rates the position as clearly better for White, with 4. d4, 4. c4 and 4. Nc3 as its leading choices. In practice 4. Nc3 is the most frequent reply, followed by 4. d3 and 4. d4. After 4. d4 e4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Bc4 White keeps a clear advantage, though without a direct attack on the black king. Online results are nonetheless close to level, with Black winning slightly more often than White. This matches the Elephant Gambit's wider record as a surprise weapon.