Schlechter Gambit

The Schlechter Gambit, named after the Austro-Hungarian master Carl Schlechter, is a less explored branch of From's Gambit. After 1. f4 e5 2. fxe5, Black skips the usual 2...d6 and develops the queen's knight, which bears down on the extra pawn on e5. The pawn's recovery is postponed, and Black relies on quick development and on the weaknesses around White's king left by the advance of the f-pawn. The move also contains a trap for an unwary opponent.

The most common reply by far is 3. Nf3, chosen in about four games out of five. It defends e5, develops, and covers h4, closing the diagonal that Black's queen often uses in From's Gambit. The next most common move is 3. d4, which supports the pawn with another pawn and takes space in the center. In practice, though, Black has scored better than White against it. 3. e4 is rarely played. Overall, White scores slightly better in the database, and the engine gives White a slight edge, so Black's compensation for the pawn is considered incomplete.