Chess lessons › Chess openings
The Budapest Gambit
Give the e-pawn on move two, win it back with ...Ng4, and know the mate that waits after axb4.
The idea
Black gives the e-pawn on move two and wins it back with ...Ng4.
- axb4 looks like winning a bishop for a pawn.
- But after axb4 the knight on e5 jumps to d3 with check.
- Once the knight leaves e5, the queen pins the pawn on e2: Nd3 is mate.
In a game: In the Budapest, look at d3 before you take a bishop on b4 with your a-pawn.
How the lesson begins
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4, Black can play 2...e5, the Budapest Gambit. The pawn on e5 attacks the pawn on d4 and offers itself for quick piece play. Among players rated 2000 and above on Lichess, White scores 52% from here.
Find the move
White to move. Take the pawn.
Show the answer
3. dxe5
3.dxe5 is one of the engine’s top moves. You are a pawn up for now, and the pawn on e5 attacks the knight on f6.
In numbers
How often it is played
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | Too few games |
| 800 to 1199 | Too few games |
| 1200 to 1599 | 0.2 |
| 1600 to 1999 | 1.5 |
| 2000 and up | 3.2 |
How the games ended
White won 48%, 4% were drawn and Black won 48%, over 1,940 games that start this way, in a sample of rated Lichess games from 2026.