Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. d4/2...exd4

Centre Game
Black goes in the direction of the Centre Game by capturing the e-pawn.

White's responses
The usual move is '''3. Qxd4'''.

3. c3 is the Danish Gambit.

3. Nf3, the Kieseritzky variation, often leads to several transpositions. Black can transpose to the Scotch with 3...Nc6 or 3...Bb4+, to the Philidor with 3...d6, to Petrov's Steinitz variation with 3...Nf6, or to the Lewis Gambit of the Bishop's Opening with 3...Bc5 (followed by 4. Bc4 Nf6). An independent line is 3...Bc5 4. Nxd4 Nf6.

Theory table
'''1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4'''