Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...exf4/3. Nf3/3...Nf6

Black answers with 3...Nf6, the Schallopp Defense: an active line named after 19th-century German master Emil Schallopp. Instead of defending the f4 pawn or playing ...g5 immediately, Black develops a piece and prepares to counter in the center.

If White plays 4. e5, trying to drive the knight away, Black should respond with 4...Nh5!, preserving pressure on f4 and preparing ...d6 and possibly ...g6 to solidify control over the light squares. After quieter moves like 4. Nc3 or 4. Bc4, Black can continue with ...d5 or ...Be7 followed by short castling.

The Schallopp Defense leads to balanced positions where Black concedes the center temporarily but gains fast development and long-term counterplay. It's less tactical than the Kieseritzky or Fischer Defense, but strategically sound and well-suited for players aiming to neutralize White’s early initiative without deep theoretical preparation.

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

1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Nf6

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Wikipedia has related information at Kings Gambit

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.