Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...d5

Falkbeer Countergambit
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3pp3/4PP2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5

Falkbeer Countergambit

With 2...d5 Black signals an intent to maintain an active position. White challenges the center with options of developing quickly. White normally now chooses to take the pawn on d5.

• 3. exd5 The normal White response leading to a scramble of control of the d5,e4 and e5 squares.
• 3. Nf3 Developing the Knight and controlling the h4 square to prevent Black's Queen check.
• 3. fxe5?? is a blunder as ...Qh4+! 4. g3 Qxe4+ 5. Qe2 Qxh1 is most embarrassing.

Theory table

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5

	3	4	5	6
	exd5 c6	Nc3 exf4	Nf3 Bd6	Bc4 Ne7	∞
	... e4	Nc3 exf4	d3 Nf6	dxe4 Nxe4	∞
	Nf3 dxe4	Nxe5 Nd7			=
	fxe5?? Qh4+!	Ke2 Qxe4+	Kf2 Bc5+	Kg3 Qxe5+	-+
	... ...	g3 Qxe4+	Qe2 Qxh1		-+

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

External links

• 365Chess. 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5
• chessgames. 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5