Bird Opening · A02

Schlechter Gambit

1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 Nc6

White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it. White has doubled pawns on the e-file.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. f4 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Bird Opening.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the From's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2. fxe5 Takes the pawn on e5, toward the centre.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Schlechter Gambit.

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