Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...exf4/3. Nf3/3...d5

Modern defence
	a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h
	Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3p4/4Pp2/5N2/PPPP2PP/RNBQKB1R
	Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 d5
	ECO code: C36
	Parent: King's gambit → King's knight's gambit

3...d5 · Modern defence

Black attacks White' e-pawn. As with 3...d6, the Fischer defence, moving the d-pawn opens the line for Black's bishop to develop. Moving it to ...d5 is more forcing, however, and by threatening ...dxe4, it compels White to capture the the pawn first, 4. exd5, and robs them of the time to make a developing move of their own.

4. e5? is inferior because after 4...g5 5. h4 g4, White has taken away the e5 square to where they would otherwise like to move their knight. White can end up transposing into the dubious Allgaier gambit.

Theory table

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 d5

	4	5	6
Modern defence → Abbazia defence	exd5 Nf6	Bc4 Nxd5	O-O	⩱

Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...exf4/3. Nf3/3...d5

3...d5 · Modern defence

Theory table

References

See also