C02

French Defense: Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit

Chess diagram: French Defense: Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit after 5. Bd3

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

91,762 games: White 50.2% / Draw 4.3% / Black 45.4%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
78,91879K
2,9902,990
2,7992,799
1,0921,092
1,0701,070
982982
769769
695695

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.08 The position is about equal

Best play: 5... Nc6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Nbd2 Nge7 8. Nb3 Bb6 9. a4 a5 10. c3

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

French Defense: Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit (ECO C02, Open Games) is a gambit in the French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch System, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Bd3 (5 moves).

In 91,762 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.2%, Black 45.4% and 4.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Nc6, in 86% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “French Defense: Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit (C02)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-advance-variation-ruisdonk-gambit