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French Defense

McCutcheon Variation, Wolf Gambit

C15gambitoffbeataggressive

  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d4d5
  3. 3.Nc3Bb4
  4. 4.Ne2Nf6
  5. 5.Bg5
266 games47%48%

A rarely played gambit in the French McCutcheon in which White answers 4...Bb4 with Ne2, offering the e4-pawn for development and quick play.

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About the Wolf Gambit

The Wolf Gambit replaces the usual 5. e5 of the McCutcheon with 5. Ne2. White leaves the e4-pawn en prise in return for development, and the e2-knight stands ready to recapture on c3 without doubled pawns. The position also arises from the Winawer via 3...Bb4 4. Ne2 Nf6 5. Bg5. Black most often replies 5...h6 or accepts with 5...dxe4. Engines consider the position balanced, and Lichess results are nearly even.

Popular continuations