King's Gambit Declined · C30

Queen's Knight Defense

1. e4 e5 2. f4 Nc6

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... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn. Theory calls this the Queen's Knight Defense.

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