Zukertort Opening · A06
Tennison Gambit
1. e4 d5 2. Nf3
In the centre, White holds e4 while Black holds d5.
The first 3 moves, explained
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Scandinavian Defense.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Tennison Gambit: development and initiative over material.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 47 in the Zukertort Opening. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.