Cochrane Gambit: 4.Nxf7 is variation 6 of 6 in the Petroff Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO C42). It runs 16 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 …. White gives a knight for the f7 pawn to drag Black's king forward. Take the knight. Then walk the king to g8, develop and stay calm. Black gets a whole piece for two pawns and is better. 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... Nf6 – The Petroff: Black attacks e4 in return.
3. Nxe5 – White takes the pawn.
3... d6 – Black kicks the knight.
4. Nxf7 – The Cochrane Gambit. White gives up the knight to pull Black's king into the open.
4... Kxf7 – Take it. Black gets a whole knight for two pawns.
5. d4 – White builds a big centre. The plan is to push with f4 and e5.
5... Be6 – Black develops the bishop. It covers the light squares in front of the king.
6. Nc3 – White develops and supports e4.
6... Kg8 – Castling is no longer allowed, so the king walks to g8 by itself. It is much safer there.
7. f4 – White pushes the f-pawn. The idea is e5 to chase the f6 knight.
7... Nbd7 – The knight develops and watches e5, so the push is less strong.
8. Be3 – White develops and protects d4.
8... c5 – Black attacks White's centre. With the king safe, Black is better. The extra piece counts more with every trade.
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