Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6/3. Nxe5/3...Nc6/4. Nxc6/4...dxc6/5. Nc3

Stafford gambit with 5. Nc3 C42 Stafford gambit 5. Nc3 5. Nc3 protects e4 with a natural developing move. White may have held off on d3 hoping to play d4 in one move, but will find that difficult without a knight on f3 or a pawn on c3 to support it. Black's move is invariant: the standard Stafford idea, 5...Bc5, to coordinate with ...Ng4 and attack f2. White must prevent ...Ng4. History This is the refutation recommended by Grandmaster Eugene Perelshteyn.Eugene Perelshteyn, 2020. GM Eugene Perelshteyn Teaches You How to Refute the Stafford Gambit! Youtube. Though sharp, 5. Nc3 playable as long as White avoids 5...Bc5 6. Be2?? and 5. Nc3 Bc5 6. h3 h5 7. Be2??. Theory table References Petrov Defence