King's Pawn Game · C40

Damiano Defense, Damiano Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 fxe5 4. Qh5+ g6 5. Qxe5+ Qe7 6. Qxh8

White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it. White's pawn 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. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
• 2... f6 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Damiano Defense.

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