411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Bb4/3. Nxe5/3...Nc6
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3...Nc6?! — Radium Gambit Accepted: Rayford Gambit
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Bb4?! 3. Nxe5, Black plays 3...Nc6?!, developing the knight and immediately challenging White's knight on e5.
4. Nxc6 accepts the offered knight trade, allowing White to exchange the active knight.
4...dxc6 recaptures and gives Black doubled c-pawns while opening the d-file.
4...bxc6 recaptures the knight with the b-pawn, restoring material while leaving Black with doubled c-pawns.
4. Nf3 retreats the knight and keeps the extra pawn. (Rayford Gambit Declined)
4. Nc4 keeps the knight active on c4 and continues to hold the extra pawn.
Downsides: Black offers a knight trade while still being a pawn down, and ...dxc6 can leave Black with doubled pawns. However, Black gains development and opens lines for the pieces.
The Rayford Gambit is where Black challenges White by offering a knight trade.