Staunton Gambit 2.e4 is variation 6 of 6 in the Dutch Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A83). It runs 18 moves and begins 1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nc6 …. White sacrifices a pawn for quick development. Black takes, plays ...Nf6 and meets 4.Bg5 with ...Nc6: after 5.d5 Ne5 6.Qd4 Nf7 Black keeps the extra pawn or returns it for a safe, active position. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... f5 – The Dutch.
2. e4 – The Staunton Gambit: White offers a pawn to open lines against Black's king.
2... fxe4 – Accepts the gambit; the e4 pawn is hard for White to win back quickly.
3. Nc3 – Attacks e4.
3... Nf6 – Defends e4 and develops.
4. Bg5 – Attacks the knight that defends e4.
4... Nc6 – The most active answer: the knight hits d4 and can go to e5 or f7.
5. d5 – Chases the knight from c6.
5... Ne5 – The knight goes to the centre and eyes f3 and c4.
6. Qd4 – Attacks the e5 knight and the e4 pawn at the same time.
6... Nf7 – The knight retreats and now also guards g5, so the g5 bishop becomes a target.
7. Bxf6 – White gives up the bishop to win back the e4 pawn.
7... exf6 – Recaptures towards the centre and opens the e-file and the f8 bishop.
8. Nxe4 – White regains the pawn.
8... f5 – Chases the knight with tempo and gains space; Black's bishops will be strong.
The lesson goes on for 2 more moves, each with its explanation.
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