2...Bc5 3.Nxe5: the Busch-Gass Gambit is variation 1 of 6 in the Beating the Latvian, Elephant and other 2nd-move tries course, a beginner opening course for White (ECO C40). It runs 23 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5 3. Nxe5 Qh4 4. d4 Qxe4+ …. Black develops the bishop and leaves e5 without a guard. White takes the pawn. After 3...Qh4 White hits the bishop with 4.d4. Then White blocks the check with the e3 bishop and chases the queen. 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 and opens lines for the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks the e5 pawn.
2... Bc5 – A dubious move. The bishop is active, but nothing defends e5 now.
3. Nxe5 – White simply takes the free pawn. The knight on e5 also eyes f7.
3... Qh4 – A mistake, though it is Black's most popular try. The queen attacks f2 and e4 at once.
4. d4 – The best answer. The pawn attacks the c5 bishop and opens the c1 bishop.
4... Qxe4+ – Black wins the pawn back with check.
5. Be3 – The bishop blocks the check and guards d4. Now the c5 bishop is attacked.
5... Bb4+ – An inaccuracy. The bishop escapes with check, but it has to move again soon.
6. c3 – White blocks the check and gains time on the bishop.
6... Bd6 – The bishop goes back and attacks the e5 knight.
7. Nd2 – White develops with an attack on the e4 queen.
7... Qh4 – The queen runs back to h4.
8. Ndf3 – The knight comes to f3 and attacks the queen once more.
8... Qd8 – The queen goes all the way home. Black has lost a lot of time.
The lesson goes on for 7 more moves, each with its explanation.
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