King's Gambit Declined · C32

Falkbeer Countergambit, Charousek Gambit, Keres Variation

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nd2

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. 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.

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.

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