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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nf3

Perseus gambit
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3
ECO code: C00
Parent: French defence


3. Nf3!? · Perseus gambit

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With 3. Nf3, White gambits their e4 pawn, and after 3...dxe4 must move their knight again.

This at first seems like just a plain mistake for White. If White tries to recapture the pawn with 4. Ng5?, they will find they can't bring enough attackers (4...Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 Qxd4 ∓).

Instead White plays 4. Ne5, hoping a nice central outpost for their knight is sufficient compensation.

This knight is hard for Black to remove: 4...f6?? to kick the knight is a trap, as it allows 5. Qh5+ g6 6. Nxg6 hxg6 7. Qxh8 +-. 4...Nd7, to trade off White's knight, is an option.

4...Nf6 instead is a natural move, leaving White's knight and focusing on protecting e4 and preventing any ideas of Qh5. Black has an edge here, by engine and practically.

The Perseus gambit may also arise in the move order 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4!?.

Theory table

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

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3!?

3 4 5 6 7
Perseus-Carlson gambit ...
dxe4
Ne5
Nf6
Be3
Bd6
Nd2
O-O
Bg5
 
...
...
...
...
Nc3
Nxe5
dxe5
Qxd1+
Kxd1
f5
...
...
...
Ne7
Qh5
g6
Qh4
Bg7
Qxd4
O-O
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Qxd4??
Qf6!
 
±
...
...
...
f6??
Qh5+
g6
Nxg6
hxg6
Qxh8
 
+-

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v · t · e
Chess openings quick reference
1. e4
2. Nf3
With 2...Nc6:
With other 2nd moves:
2. Other
1... other
1. d4
Flank
Unorthodox