King's Pawn Game · C40
La Bourdonnais Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Qf6 3. Bc4 Qg6 4. O-O
White's pawn on g2 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... Qf6 Develops the queen with tempo - it attacks the knight on f3. It also props up the e5 pawn. Theory calls this the McConnell Defense.
Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 3 more moves in this line, 7 in all.
Where this fits
This line is one of 38 in the King's Pawn Game. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.