From's Gambit 1...e5 2.fxe5 d6 is variation 6 of 6 in the Bird Opening course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A02). It runs 21 moves and begins 1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nf3 g5 …. Black gives a pawn to open lines toward White's king. White takes twice, develops the knight to f3 and answers 4...g5 with 5.d4. After the queens come off, White stays a pawn up. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. f4 – The Bird Opening. White controls e5.
1... e5 – From's Gambit. Black offers a pawn at once to open lines.
2. fxe5 – White takes the pawn.
2... d6 – Black offers a second pawn to open the diagonal of the f8 bishop.
3. exd6 – White takes the second pawn.
3... Bxd6 – Black takes back. Now the bishop aims at h2 and g3.
4. Nf3 – The only good move. The knight stops a queen check on h4.
4... g5 – Black's sharpest try. The pawn wants to kick the f3 knight away.
5. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
5... g4 – Black kicks the knight away from f3.
6. Ne5 – The knight jumps to the centre. It offers a trade for the d6 bishop.
6... Bxe5 – Black takes the knight. This is the best answer.
7. dxe5 – White takes back. The queens now face each other on the d-file.
7... Qxd1+ – Black trades queens with check.
8. Kxd1 – The king takes back. With the queens gone, the king is safe in the centre.
8... Nc6 – Black develops and attacks the e5 pawn.
The lesson goes on for 5 more moves, each with its explanation.
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