Dutch Defense · A83

Staunton Gambit, Nimzowitsch Variation

1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 b6

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as White's avenue and the f-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... f5 Fights for e4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Dutch Defense.
• 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 Staunton Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... fxe4 Takes the pawn on e4, toward the centre. Theory calls this the Staunton Gambit Accepted.

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