Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...exf4/3. Nf3/3...g5/4. Bc4/4...g4/5. O-O/5...gxf3/6. Qxf3/6...Qf6

Muzio Gambit, Sarratt Defence Muzio Gambit, Sarratt Defence Black defends their f4 pawn and f7 pawn while developing the queen and blocking the f-file. This is the most testing reply to the Muzio Gambit as it forces White to prove sufficient compensation for the knight sacrifice. Black also carries the threat of 7...Qd4+ winning the bishop on c4. White must not let their attack fizzle out; for example, the most common move at club level is 7. c3, but this is too slow. There are other, better options available for White. 7. d3 is the soundest move for White in this position, but some players consider it slow. It allows the c1 bishop to view the f4 pawn, thus adding another attacker to it. 7. e5 often leads to chaotic play. More common that 7. d3 due to its aggressive style, this often leads to the Double Muzio Gambit, 7...Qxe5 8. Bxf7+, where White sacrifices their bishop as well. 7. Nc3?, the Bello Gambit, tries to distract the queen from defending the f4 pawn by tempting 7...Qd4+, but this simply does not work. After 8. Kh1 Qxc4, White can try either 9. Qxf4 or 9. Nd5 (the Baldwin Gambit), but they can be easily diffused: 9. Qxf4 Bd6-+ or 9. Nd5 d6-+ and Black is up two pieces. 7. b3!? is an extremely rare move which sets a somewhat dastardly trap; 7...Qxa1 8. Nc3 Bg7?? 9. Qxf4! and White is almost completely winning due to the undefendable f7 square and the queen on a1 stuck out of play, not able to do anything.