Don Chess

Learn the Stafford Gambit

The internet’s trap gambit: you give a pawn and set one trap after another. Against the unprepared you often win in 10 moves.

You play with Black. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

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The main line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.Nxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bc5 6.Be2 h5

C42 · Petrov's Defense: Stafford Gambit Accepted

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…e5 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e5.
  3. 2.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  4. 2…Nf6 Develops the knight to f6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  5. 3.Nxe5 Takes the pawn on e5.
  6. 3…Nc6 Develops the knight to c6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  7. 4.Nxc6 Takes the knight on c6.
  8. 4…dxc6 Takes back on c6 – material is level again.
  9. 5.d3 Supports the pawn on e4 – the centre stands firm.
  10. 5…Bc5 Develops the bishop to c5 – pieces out first, then attack.
  11. 6.Be2 Develops the bishop to e2 – pieces out first, then attack.
  12. 6…h5 Gains space with the pawn on h5.

Idea and plans

The idea

With 2…Nf6 Black attacks e4 instead of defending e5 – very solid and symmetrical.

Plan for White

Squeeze small advantages from the lead in development and pressure on the e-file.

Plan for Black

Equalise through symmetrical development and exchanges.

Tip

After 3.Nxe5 do not play 3…Nxe4?? at once – 4.Qe2 wins material. Play 3…d6 first.

The 4 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

Train the Stafford Gambit now →

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