1.e4 — the open games
Danish Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3ECO C21
White offers one or even two pawns for two raking bishops on the a1–h8 and a2–g8 diagonals and a huge development lead. Romantic and dangerous, though precise defence with …d5 neutralises the fire.
Key ideas
- After 3…dxc3 4.Bc4 cxb2 5.Bxb2 White has two monster bishops aimed at Black's king.
- The whole idea is speed: open the position while Black is undeveloped.
- The antidote is the calm …d5, giving a pawn back to blunt the bishops and reach a safe game.
Who it suits
Romantic attackers who value initiative and open diagonals over material.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Danish Gambit move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer