2...f6 3.Nxe5: the Damiano Defence is variation 4 of 6 in the Beating the Latvian, Elephant and other 2nd-move tries course, a beginner opening course for White (ECO C40). It runs 19 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 Qe7 4. Nf3 Qxe4+ …. Black defends e5 with the f-pawn. That weakens the king, and White can take on e5 at once. If Black takes the knight, a queen check wins. After the best reply 3...Qe7 White develops fast and Black's king stays exposed. 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 claims an equal share.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks e5.
2... f6 – The Damiano Defence. A mistake, because the pawn opens the diagonal from h5 to Black's king.
3. Nxe5 – White gives the knight. Taking it back loses for Black.
3... Qe7 – The best answer. The queen attacks the e5 knight.
4. Nf3 – The knight goes back. White is a pawn up for now.
4... Qxe4+ – Black wins the pawn back with check.
5. Be2 – White blocks the check and develops. Next White castles.
5... d5 – Black takes space in the centre.
6. O-O – White castles. The e-file will soon be open against Black's king and queen.
6... Ne7 – Black develops and gets ready to castle.
7. Re1 – The rook stands behind the bishop and faces the queen on e4.
7... Nbc6 – Black develops the other knight.
8. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
8... Bg4 – Black develops the bishop and pins the f3 knight.
The lesson goes on for 3 more moves, each with its explanation.
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