411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6/3. Nxe5/3...Nc6/4. Nxc6
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Stafford gambit accepted C42 Stafford gambit
4. Nxc6 · Stafford gambit accepted
White, being up one pawn in material, trades knights.
4...dxc6 and Black recaptures while opening lines for their bishop and queen. Black will want to make an aggressive attack on White's kingside and try to swindle a win before the end game.
Taking back the other way, 4...bxc6, doesn't give Black developmental compensation and Black cannot then justify the pawn sacrifice.
Theory table
.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nc6 4. Nxc6
4
5
Stafford Gambit (5. d3)
...dxc6
d3Bc5
+
4
5
Stafford Gambit (5. e5)
...dxc6
e5Ne4
+
4
5
Stafford Gambit (5. Nc3)
...dxc6
Nc3Bc5
+
45Stafford Gambit (4...bxc6 5. d3)...
bxc6d3d5 +
References
Petrov Defence