Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bc4/3...Nd4

Blackburne Shilling Gambit
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/2BnP3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nd4

Blackburne Shilling Gambit

3...Nd4

Black violates an opening principle by again moving his knight. It may be tempting for White to take the now unprotected pawn with 4. Nxe5 but after 4...Qg5, White is in trouble (though 5. Bxf7+ remains playable). To maintain an advantage, White can play 4. Nxd4, 4. c3 or 4. O-O.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nd4

	4	5	6
	O-O Nxf3+	Qxf3 Nf6	+/=
	Nxd4 exd4	O-O	+/=
	c3 Nxf3+	Qxf3 Nf6	+/=
	Nxe5 Qg5	Bxf7 Kd8	Ng4 Nh6	∞
	Bxf7 Kxf7	Nxe5 Ke7	=+
	Nxe5 Qg5	Nxf7 Qxg2	Rf1 Qxe4!!	+-