King's Gambit Declined · C32

Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, after 4... Nf6

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. dxe4 Nxe4 6. Qe2

The structure hands Black the half-open d-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it. 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's knight on e4 is pinned against the king.

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. f4 Challenges the pawn on e5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the King's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Falkbeer Countergambit: development and initiative over material.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 7 more moves in this line, 11 in all.