King's Gambit Declined · C30

Classical, Svenonius Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. f4 d6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 exf4

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as Black's avenue and the f-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. f4 offers a pawn to drag Black's e-pawn off the centre and open the f-file - development and attack against material, the oldest bargain in chess. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Bc4 Develops the bishop to c4, eyeing d5. It eyes f7, the one square only the king defends. Theory calls this the Bishop's Opening.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.

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