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

=Stafford Gambit=

4...dxc6
Black recaptured the knight with the d-pawn. This opens the d-file for Black's queen and the diagonal for Black's light square bishop. The g4-square is now covered by Black's light square bishop.


 * 5. Nc3 protects the e4-pawn.
 * 5. f3 protects the pawn and covers the important g4 square.
 * /5. e5/?! moves the pawn away from danger and gains tempo on Black's knight.