The Portuguese Gambit is lesson 5 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 2: gambits, an opening course suited to players rated around 1200 (improving players). Scandinavian Defence, Portuguese Gambit, B01. Black gives a second pawn for a lead in development. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Portuguese Gambit. Black already gave the d-pawn. White kicked the bishop with f3 and holds the pawn with c4. Now Black hits back with another pawn. About 187,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
e6! Black offers the e-pawn too. White's king side is weak after f3, and Black wants open lines.
After dxe6, Nc6 develops and hits d4. Black follows with Bxe6 or Qe7, castles long and attacks. The engines say White is only a little better, and the game is hard to play for White.
Recap.
In the Portuguese Gambit, f3 weakens White's king side.
e6 opens the position for Black's pieces.
After dxe6, Nc6 hits d4.
If White ignores it, take back on d5.
What you practise
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Portuguese Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White holds the d5 pawn with c4. Open the position with a second pawn.
White does not take on e6. White develops with Nc3. Win your pawn back.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Portuguese Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. White answers c4. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White holds the d5 pawn with c4. Open the position with a second pawn. That is the Portuguese Gambit idea. You are behind in pawns, but ahead in development.
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