Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6/3. Nxe5/3...Nc6/4. Nxc6/4...dxc6/5. d3/5...Bc5

Stafford Gambit - Main Line
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) r1bqk2r/ppp2ppp/2p2n2/2b5/4P3/3P4/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nc6 4. Nxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bc5

Stafford Gambit - Main Line

5...Bc5

The stage is now set for the Stafford Gambit. Black exploits the opponent's weakest piece: the f-pawn, by pushing the dark square bishop. Due to the nature of White's pawn structure, it becomes difficult for the bishop to be removed. To put more pressure on the f2 square, Black also has future plans to move their knight forward with Ng4.

White's Responses

• 6. Be2 prepares for Black's knight moving forward while simultaneously developing their pieces.

• 6. h3 prevents the knight from moving to g4 altogether.

• 6. Be3 blocks the dark square bishop from attacking the f-pawn. Black will likely accept the trade of the bishops and play aggressively with their knight and queen.

• 6. Nc3? allows Black to win back their pawn.

• 6. Bg5?? leads to an extremely infamous trap in the Stafford Gambit. While the Black knight appears to be pinned, Black has a deadly combination to gain material or even win the game.