Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...Bc5/4. c3/4...f5

4....f5 is the Cordel gambit. Black offers their f-pawn for White's e-pawn.

This resembles the Schliemann after 3...f5, though it is not as sharp. In this variation, White does not have the option of Nc3 to defend the e pawn, their main response to the Schliemann, but on the other hand Black's bishop on c4 gives White some tempo options they wouldn't otherwise have.

5. exf5, accepting the gambit, allows 5...e4 to hit White's knight. Trying to save it with 6. Nd4 leads to Black recovering the pawn and taking over more space: 6...Nxd4 7. cxd4 Bxd4 8. Be2. Alternatively, White can trade it with 6. d4, but has to accept losing their centre and a poorer pawn structure (6...exf3 7. dxc5 Qe7+ 8. Be3 fxg2 9. Rg1 Nf6, see diagram).

5. d4, declining the gambit, is the stronger riposte. If 5...fxe4 6. dxc5 exf3 7. Qxf3, and White is happy with the open position and the bishop pair (see diagram). If 5...exd4? White must be sure to play 6. e5, moving their e-pawn out of danger, before they recapture on d4.

Since Black has played f5, White might try for an attack on Black's king while it is still in the centre. They have the following tricky alternative with Nxe5:

First White plays 5. Bxc6?! to remove the defender of e5, then 5...dxc6 6. Nxe5 with the idea to allowing the queen out to h5. The natural 6...fxe4?? allows 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Nxg6!. White has a double attack on Black's rook and bishop. 8...hxg6 9. Qxh8 and White is up the exchange.

However, this is dubious for White as Black has 6...Bd6 7. Nc4 fxe4= where it's equal material and Black has the bishop pair, or 6...Qh4^[1], preventing Qh5+.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 f5

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