Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined · D00

Lamb Defense

1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3 Nc6

An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... dxe4 Takes the pawn on e4, toward the centre and opens the d-file for the queen.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 4 more moves in this line, 8 in all.