1.f4. White claims e5 with the f-pawn, reaching a Dutch Defense with colours reversed and an extra tempo, at some cost to the king's safety.
Watch it in 3D
3D lesson · 11 steps · 60 seconds
The Bird Opening in 3D
Bird Opening: Thomas Gambit, move by move: f4 d5 b3 Nf6 Bb2 d4 Nf3 c5 …
Preparing your opening…
Key ideas
1...d5 (the Dutch Variation) leads to reversed Dutch structures. White develops with Nf3, e3 and Be2 or Bd3, often adds b3 and Bb2 aimed at e5, or chooses a Leningrad-style setup with g3 and Bg2.
From's Gambit (1...e5 2.fxe5 d6) is the sharpest reply. Black gives a pawn to open lines toward White's king, which is exposed on the e1-h4 diagonal.
A typical attacking plan, borrowed from the Dutch, is Nf3, e3, Be2 and O-O followed by Qe1-h4 or Qe1-g3. A knight on e5 often supports it.
White also has gambits of its own against 1...d5, such as the Williams Gambit (2.e4).
Plans for White
Control e5 with f4, Nf3 and Bb2, castle short, and consider the Qe1-h4 manoeuvre for a kingside attack. A knight on e5 is often the cornerstone of the position.
Plans for Black
Fight for e5 and the e-file. ...d5, ...Nf6, ...g6 and ...Bg7 is a sound setup, and an ...e5 break, prepared or as a gambit, exploits the loosened kingside.
Watch out
In From's Gambit, after 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Bxd6, the safe reply is 4.Nf3, covering h4. A careless move such as 4.Nc3? allows 4...Qh4+ 5.g3 Qxg3+ 6.hxg3 Bxg3#.
Puzzles from the Bird Opening
Tactics that came up in real games played with this opening, from easiest to hardest.
