King's Gambit Declined · C30

Mafia Defense

1. e4 c5 2. f4 e5

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... c5 Fights for d4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Sicilian Defense.
• 2. f4 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the McDonnell Attack.
• 2... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Mafia Defense.

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