Sicilian Defense · B20

Wing Gambit, Romanian Defense

1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 e5 6. Bb2 Nc6 7. c4 Qe6

Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade. White's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... c5 Fights for d4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Sicilian Defense.
• 2. b4 Challenges the pawn on c5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Wing Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... cxb4 Takes the pawn on b4.

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