Stafford Gambit (5.e5)

White defends their e pawn by moving it, and kicks the Black knight from its square at the same time. Black must move it:

5...Ng4? counter attacks the e5-pawn and pressures the pawn on f2. However, White has time to reinforce their centre with 6. d4 (also acting to prevent Black's bishop from coming to c5), then kick the knight again with 7. h3.

5...Ne4 is the usual move. This sets White up for a mistake with 6. d3?? 6...Bc5!, as in the 1950 Lowens v Stafford game,^[1] threatening mate and winning at least an exchange, or 6. f3?? Qh4+! winning at least rook. After 6. d4 Qh4 is trappy, but as long as White avoids playing g3?? they should be safe.

The engine choice, 5...Nd5, is much drier for Black, though there is a trap after 6. d4 c5 7. c3 c6 (essentially a waiting move) 8. Bc4 (to attack knight without dropping the d4 pawn) Be6 9. O-O?? Nxc3! 10. bxc3 Bxc4 11. Re1. Also tried is 6...Qh4, hoping to induce the blunder 7. g3?? Qe4+ 8. Qe2 Qxh1.

5...Qe7 to pin the pawn is cute, but prevents Black from playing Bc5 and only postpones moving the knight until White has castled.

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