Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. b4

Portsmouth Gambit
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b4

Portsmouth Gambit edit

A variant of the Wing gambit. White sacrifices the b4-pawn for a semi-open b-file and sometimes an open c-file, along with control of the center and quick development. This also frees up the a1–h8 diagonal. If Black declines the gambit, White has the threat of bxc5, or even sometimes b5.

In contrast to the regular Wing gambit, after 3...cxb4, White will play 4. d4. In many positions d5 is a threat, forcing the knight to either go to a5 or back to b8.

If Black captures with the knight, White will attack it with 4. c3. After 4...Nc6, White will attack the center with 5. d4.

Theory table edit

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

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b4

4 5 6 7
...
cxb4
d4
d5
exd5
Qxd5
c4
bxc4
=
...
Nxb4
c3
Nc6
d4
cxd4
cxd4
e6
...
e5
b5
Nd4
Nxe5
Qe7
Nc4
Qxe4+
=

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