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Ponderchess / Petrov's Defense

Stafford Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6. Black gives up a pawn for quick development and a host of traps. With careful play White keeps the extra pawn and a good position.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6

Step through it in the Petrov's Defense explorer →

Key ideas

  • After 4.Nxc6 dxc6, Black's bishops and queen come out quickly. ...Bc5 aims at f2, and ...Ng4, ...Qh4 or ...Qd4 can follow against the same square.
  • The e4 pawn is White's main concern. 5.d3 and 5.Nc3 defend it; then Be2, which also covers g4, and an early h3 against ...Ng4 let White castle in safety.
  • Black's typical attacking moves are ...Bc5, ...h5 to support a knight on g4, and ...Qe7 or ...Qd4 to add pressure on e4 and f2. The h-pawn push often prepares to open the h-file if White ever captures on g4.

Plans for White

Do not grab more material. Defend e4 with d3 or Nc3, cover g4 with Be2 or h3, castle, and the extra pawn should tell. Be wary of any move that leaves f2 or the e1-h4 diagonal weak.

Plans for Black

Play for quick development and pressure on f2 and e4 with ...Bc5, ...h5 and ...Ng4. Against careful defence you are simply a pawn down, so take chances to regain it when they appear.

Watch out

After 4.Nxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bc5, the natural 6.Bg5? loses to 6...Nxe4, because 7.Bxd8 Bxf2+ 8.Ke2 Bg4# is mate.

For the wider picture, see the Petrov's Defense guide.