Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...f5

Brussels gambit B27 Sicilian defence → 2. Nf3 2...f5? · Brussels gambit Black offers the f-pawn, hoping to deflect White's e-pawn from control of d5. However, it comes with severe trade-offs. Moving the f-pawn opens the a2-g8 and e8-h5 diagonals, and if White accepts the pawn Black may find their unable to play ...d5 anyway, due to the weaknesses of the e6 and e5 squares. Therefore the gambit is not considered sound. After 3. exf5, Black may hope for compensation in the form of reducing White's control of the centre. In particular, Black can now play 3...d5. This may look appealing because it takes space in the centre and prepares to develop the bishop and recapture the pawn. However, playing ...d5 turns the e5 and e6 squares into holes that White can exploit to pressure Black's position. For example, 4. Bb5+ Nc6 (4...Bd7 is better) 5. Ne5!: the knight jumps into the centre with the threat to take twice on c6 and win another pawn, and if 5...Bd7? 6. Qh5+! exploits the weakened king's side. 6...g6 7. fxg6 Nf6 8. g7+! Nxh5 9. gxh8=Q +++. Black may think it's wise to start with 3. Nf6 to control h5. After White plays 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4, opening the position and readying their attack, Black may still not play 5...d5 due to 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Ne6!. 3...Nh6?! has (for whatever reason) acquired the name the "double Dutch gambit". Black intends to recapture the pawn with the knight instead. White should of course allow it and focus on their development. History Schiller includes this gambit in his 1998 book. He gives the line 3. exf5 d6 4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. Nd4!! (Schiller's annotation; Stockfish gives it ??) cxd4 6. Qh5+ g6 7. fxg6 Nf6 8. g7+ Nxh5 9. gxh8=Q Bxb5 (?? per engine. Schiller misses 9. Nf6 and White's queen is stuck) 10. Qxh7 Nf4 11. d3 Nxg2+ 12. Kf1 Bc6 13. Qh5+ Kd7 14. Rg1 e5.Unorthodox Chess Openings Schiller Eric Cardoza Publishing 1998 New York 403 References See also nl:Brussels gambiet