Urusov Gambit: 3.d4 is variation 5 of 6 in the Bishop's Opening course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C24). It runs 19 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 Nxe4 …. White offers a pawn with 3.d4 for quick development. After 3...exd4 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Qxd4 Nf6 White castles long, puts a rook on e1 and attacks Black's king in the centre. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black takes an equal share.
2. Bc4 – The bishop aims at f7.
2... Nf6 – The Berlin Defence. Black attacks e4.
3. d4 – The Urusov Gambit. White opens the centre and offers a pawn.
3... exd4 – Black takes the pawn. This is the best reply.
4. Nf3 – White develops and plans to take back on d4 with the queen.
4... Nxe4 – Black takes a second pawn in the centre.
5. Qxd4 – White takes back and attacks the e4 knight.
5... Nf6 – The knight goes back home. This is the safest square.
6. Nc3 – White develops and prepares to castle long.
6... c6 – Black plans a pawn push to d5 to stop the bishop.
7. Bg5 – The bishop puts pressure on the f6 knight.
7... d5 – Black blocks the bishop and fights for the centre.
8. O-O-O – White castles long. The rook on d1 now hits the d5 pawn.
8... Be6 – Black protects d5 once more.
The lesson goes on for 3 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM