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King's Gambit Accepted

Muzio Gambit, Holloway Defense

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.f4exf4
  3. 3.Nf3g5
  4. 4.Bc4g4
  5. 5.O-Ogxf3
  6. 6.Qxf3Nc6
61 games77%21%

A rare Black reply in the Muzio Gambit, 6...Nc6 develops a knight but leaves f4 unguarded, letting White's attack on f7 gather speed.

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About the Holloway Defense

The Holloway Defense meets the queen recapture in the Muzio Gambit with 6...Nc6. The move develops a piece but leaves the f4-pawn undefended, unlike the Sarratt Defense (6...Qf6) or From's Defense (6...Qe7). The usual reply, 7. Qxf4, adds pressure on f7. Then 7...Nh6 loses to 8. Bxf7+ Ke7 9. Qf6#, and after 7...Qe7 8. Bxf7+ Kd8 9. Nc3, White threatens Nd5. Engines give White a slight edge, and White scores heavily in the few games played.

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