Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...f6/3. Nxe5

Damiano Defence
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 e5 2.Nf3 f6
ECO code: C40
Parent: King's Knight Opening

3. Nxe5!! - Damiano Defence edit

The critical move that refutes the Damiano Defense after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6? is 3. Nxe5!! This move allows White to seize a pawn and gain a tempo, instantly activating White's pieces.

If Black takes back with 3... fxe5?, Black would be struck with the move 4. Qh5+ and after 4... g6, White wins the exchange with 5. Qxe5+ and then 6. Qxh8. (You may refer to the Sample Game).

When Black responds with 3... Qe7, the most resilient move in this situation, The only way to regain the pawn is 3...Qe7, but after 4. Nf3 Qxe4+ 5. Be2, white would have a large lead in development with no weaknesses. This sequence results in a substantial lead in development for White and greater control of the board. The underlying issue for Black in the Damiano Defense is the hindrance of piece development, especially the knight, which is blocked from its natural square at f6 by the pawn moved to f6. This results in a compromised kingside defense for Black.

Theory table edit

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

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6? 3. Nxe5!

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
See the Sample Chess Game ...
fxe5?
Qh5+
Ke7
Qxe5+
Kf7
Bc4+
d5
Bxd5+
Kg6
d4?
Bd6!
Bf7+
Kxf7
Qh5+
Kf8!
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
h4
h6
Bxb7!
Bd6
Qd5?
Nf6!
Qb3
Bxb7
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Qa5!
Nf6
Bxa8
Na6
a3 ±
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
h5
Bxb7!
Bxb7?
Qf5+!
Kh6
d4(d3)+
g5
Qf7 +−
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bd6
Qa5!
Nf6
Bxa8 ±
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Qg3+
Qg5
Qxc7
Qd7
h4
Qe5
Qxe5
Qxe5
h5+! ±
...
Qe7
Nf3
Qxe4+
Be2
d5
O-O
Qa4
Re1 ±
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Ne7
Re1 ±
...
...
...
d5
d3
dxe4
dxe4
Qxe4+
Be2
Nc6
Nc3
Qe6
Nb5 ±
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Qe7
O-O
Qd8
Bf4 ±
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bb4
O-O
Bxc3
bxc3
Qa4
Nxd4 ±

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References edit

Bibliography

External links edit

  • Kavalek, Lubomir (1997). CHESS: Damiano Defense.
  • Copeland, Sam (2019). Damiano's Defense Chess Opening Trap: Sac A Knight On Move Three!.
  • Perunovic, Miodrag (2019). Chess For Beginners: Killing Damiano's Defense.
  • Rozman, Levy (2022). WORST OPENING In Chess...
  • Volclus (2022). WIN IN 3 - The Damiano Trap.
  • Stripes, James (chessskill.blogspot.com) (2012). Opening Disaster: Damiano's Defense.