Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Bc5/3. Nxe5

Busch-Gass gambit C40 Busch-Gass gambit 3. Nxe5 White captures Black's undefended e-pawn. Black's plan to justify the gambit is 3...Qh4. This threatens mate on f2 and looks to recover the e pawn. White can counter both threats with 4. Qe2, but the most critical line is actually 4. d4! Qxe4 5. Be3, giving up the pawn but achieving a crushing lead in development (5...Nf6 6. Nd2 Qf5 7. Bd3 Qe6 8. Nxf7 Qxf7 9. dxc5). Black's alternative third move is 3...Nc6, the Chiodini gambit, which transposes into a Stafford gambit after 4. Nxc6 dxc6. The wild sacrifice 3...Bxf2+?! achieves nothing. 3...d6 is probably the most sound continuation, but Black has to make peace with having given up a pawn in exchange for a slightly improved Philidor. Theory table Busch-Gass gambit (trap) 3... Qh4 4. g3?? Qxe4+ 5. Qe2 Qxh1 -+ Busch-Gass refutation 3. ... ... 4. d4 Qxe4+ 5. Be3 Nf6 6. Nd2 Qf5 7. Bd3 Qe6 8. Nxf7 Qxf7 9. dxc5 +- Chiodini gambit accepted 3. ... Nc6 4. Nxc6 dxc6 Stafford transposition 3. ... ... 4. ... ... 5. d3 Nf6 References