Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...f5

=Philidor Counter-Gambit= The situation is getting complicated. Black deliberately weakened his king-side to keep chances at the center.


 * /4. dxe5/ isn't the best solution. After 4...fxe4, the knight is forced to move to d4 or d2, blocking queen's attack against the Black pawn. Then, Black can rebuild his center with d5. A few games have been tried with 5. Ng5 where Black development is made harder by the White pawn.
 * /4. exf5/ may lead to weird pawn structures in both camps. If 4...exd4 5. Nxd4 White has only an advanced pawn on f file left, while Black has still his d6 pawn (but with a weakened king side).
 * /4. Bc4/ poses the Ng5 threat and Black should remain vigilant for any attempt to launch a Qh5+ attack.
 * /4. Nc3/ defends the attacked pawn and prepares a deadly trap. If 4...fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Nxg6 and the situation is bad for Black.

Theory table
.

'''1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5'''