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Bird Opening

Wagner-Zwitersch Gambit

A02gambitaggressiveoffbeat

  1. 1.f4f5
  2. 2.e4
1,537 games51%45%

A Bird Opening gambit in which White answers the symmetrical 1...f5 with 2. e4, offering a pawn to open lines; engines slightly favor Black.

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About the Wagner-Zwitersch Gambit

The Wagner-Zwitersch Gambit, 1. f4 f5 2. e4, answers Black's symmetrical reply by striking at f5 at once rather than settling for a closed, mirrored game. After 2...fxe4, the engine's preferred reply, White has given a pawn for open lines and quick development. A frequent alternative is 2...e5, which transposes to the Panteldakis Countergambit of the King's Gambit Declined. The engine slightly favors Black, though White scores marginally better on Lichess.

Popular continuations