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

Busch-Gass Gambit
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) rnbqk1nr/pppp1ppp/8/2b1p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5
ECO code: C40
Parent: Open Game

Busch-Gass Gambit

2...Bc5?!

Black ignores the attack on their e-pawn immediately goes on the offensive.

The move is considered unsound, however it often results in sharp play and thus may serve as a good surprise opening for Black.

The best way for White to continue is with Nxe5 accepting the gambit. Still, they must play carefully as this position can quickly transpose into dangerous gambits like the Stafford or Traxler.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5

	3	4	5	6
	Nxe5 Nc6	Nxc6 dxc6	c3 Nf6	d4 Bb6	+/-

References

• Short-Corbin
• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

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