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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...d5/3. exd5

< Chess Opening Theory | 1. e4 | 1...e5 | 2. f4 | 2...d5
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Falkbeer Countergambit
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3Pp3/5P2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR b

Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5

Falkbeer Countergambit

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3.exd5

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This is the normal response, capturing the pawn on d5, as black is putting pressure on both the e4 and f4 pawns of white and 3. fxe5?? loses to Qh4+!. From here, Black has three choices:

  • 3... exf4 is the natural response. Nf3 is usually played to prevent Qh4+ forcing the king to move.
  • 3... c6!? is a new, modern response that focuses on development and the cramping f4 pawn over material. It usually leads to unclear positions.
  • 3... e4?! is bad due to d3! If Qxd5 then Nc3 hits the queens even if it is temporarily pinned by Bb4. If Nf6 then dxe4 with complications that favor White.

Theory table

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

1. e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5

3 4 5 6
...
e4		 d3
Nf6		 dxe4
Nxe4		 Nf3
Bc5		 +=
...
c6		 Nc3
exf4		 Nf3
Bd6		 Bc4
Ne7		 =
...
exf4		 Nf3
Nf6		 c4
c6		 d4
Bb4+		 Nc3
O-O		 Be2
cxd5		 O-O
Be6		 Bxf4
dxc4		 Ng5
Nc6		 Nxe6
fxe6		 Bxc4
Qxd4+		 Qxd4
Nxd4		 Rad1
b5		 Rxd4
bxc4		 Rxc4
a5		 =

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

 

Wikipedia has related information at Falkbeer Countergambit

References

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  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.


v · t · e
Chess openings quick reference
1. e4
1...e5 · Open
2. Nf3
With 2...Nc6:
Four knights: (
)
Italian game: (
)
Spanish game: (
)

With other 2nd moves:
2. Other

1...c5 · Sicilian
2. Nf3 · Open Sicilian
With 2...Nc6:

With 2...d6:

With 2...e6:

With other 2nd moves:
Anti-Sicilians
1... other
Caro-Kann
French
Other


1. d4
1...d5 · Closed
2. c4
2. Nc3
2. other
1...Nf6 · Indian
2. c4
With 2...e6:

With 2...g6:

With other 2nd moves for Black:
2. Nf3
2. other
1... other
Flank
Unorthodox
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