2...d5 3.exd5: the Elephant Gambit is variation 3 of 6 in the Beating the Latvian, Elephant and other 2nd-move tries course, a beginner opening course for White (ECO C40). It runs 21 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 …. Black opens the centre at once and offers a pawn. White takes on d5. After 3...e4 White hits the pawn with 4.Qe2, develops and keeps the extra pawn safe. 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... d5 – The Elephant Gambit. A dubious move that hits e4 but leaves e5 weak.
3. exd5 – White takes the pawn. Now e4 is gone, and e5 is still attacked.
3... e4 – Black's main try. The pawn chases the f3 knight.
4. Qe2 – The queen attacks the e4 pawn and pins it to Black's king.
4... Nf6 – Black defends the e4 pawn and develops.
5. d3 – White attacks e4 a second time and opens the c1 bishop.
5... Qxd5 – Black wins back the d5 pawn and guards e4 with the queen.
6. Nc3 – White develops and attacks the queen.
6... Bb4 – The bishop pins the c3 knight.
7. Nd2 – The knight leaves f3 and attacks e4 once more.
7... Bxc3 – Black trades so that the c3 knight cannot take on e4.
8. bxc3 – White takes back. White gets the two bishops.
8... Qc6 – The queen steps away from the open d-file.
The lesson goes on for 5 more moves, each with its explanation.
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