Cochrane Gambit, Center Variation
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nf6
- 3.Nxe5d6
- 4.Nxf7Kxf7
- 5.d4
1,024 games
Cochrane Gambit line in Petrov's Defense where White meets 4...Kxf7 with 5. d4, building a pawn center in return for the sacrificed knight.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Center Variation
The Center Variation of the Cochrane Gambit, 5. d4, uses the tempo after 4...Kxf7 to set up an e4–d4 pawn pair instead of checking with the bishop. The most common reply, 5...Be7, prepares artificial castling with ...Re8 and ...Kg8. The alternative 5...c5 challenges the center from the queenside. Taking with 5...Nxe4 is a mistake because of 6. Qh5+ g6 7. Qd5+, which wins the knight. Engines give Black a clear advantage, yet White scores well in practice.