Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Bc5/3. Nxe5/3...Qh4

3...Qh4 threatens mate on f2 and looks to recover the e pawn.

Black is perhaps hoping for 4. g3??, which prevents mate but allows 4...Qxe4 Qe2 5. Qxh8 -+, or 4. Nf3??, which blunders 4...Qxf2#.

White can counter both the threat to f2 and e4 with 4. Qe2!?. Black then hopes to develop faster and easier than White (White's queen is in the way of their bishop, for example) and that this will provide them with sufficient compensation for the lost pawn, but it is not borne out. A continuation might be 4...Nf6 (attacking e4) 5. Nc3 O-O 6. g3 Qh5 7. Qxh5 Nxh5 8. Bg2.

The most critical line is actually 4. d4! Qxe4 5. Be3. White gives back the pawn but achieves a crushing lead in development instead (5...Nf6 6. Nd2 Qf5 7. Bd3 Qe6 8. Nxf7 Qxf7 9. dxc5).

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5 3. Nxe5 Qh4

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.