King's Pawn Game · C20

Wayward Queen Attack, Mellon Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nh6 4. d3 g6 5. Qf3 f6 6. Ne2 d5

The pawns on d5 and e4 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure.

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. Qh5 Develops with a pin: the pawn on f7 is stuck shielding the king. Theory calls this the Wayward Queen Attack.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.

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