Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...exf4/3. Nf3/3...d5

Modern defence C36 King's gambit → King's knight's gambit 3...d5 · Modern defence Black attacks White' e-pawn. As with 3...d6, the Fischer defence, moving the d-pawn opens the line for Black's bishop to develop. Moving it to ...d5 is more forcing, however, and by threatening ...dxe4, it compels White to capture the the pawn first, 4. exd5, and robs them of the time to make a developing move of their own. 4. e5? is inferior because after 4...g5 5. h4 g4, White has taken away the e5 square to where they would otherwise like to move their knight. White can end up transposing into the dubious Allgaier gambit. Theory table 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Nxd5 6. O-O Modern defence → Abbazia defence - References See also