King's Pawn Game · C20

MacLeod Attack, Lasa Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. c3 f5

In the centre, White holds e4 while Black holds e5.

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. c3 Fights for d4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the MacLeod Attack.
• 2... f5 Challenges the pawn on e4 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Lasa Gambit: development and initiative over material.

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