Beyer Gambit

The Beyer Gambit arises when Black answers 1. e4 e5 2. d4 by mirroring the central thrust with 2...d5 rather than capturing on d4. The idea resembles the Falkbeer Countergambit against the King's Gambit, but here White's e4-pawn is not the only target; the e5-pawn hangs too. Engines give White a clear advantage, and on Lichess White scores well.

The usual and most testing reply is 3. dxe5, winning a pawn. If Black copies with 3...dxe4, then 4. Qxd8+ Kxd8 trades queens and leaves White a pleasant endgame, since the black king has lost the right to castle and stands on the open d-file. The alternative 3...d4 keeps the game a true gambit, gaining space with tempo, though Black's compensation for the pawn is hard to demonstrate. The second most common reply, 3. exd5, is less ambitious: after 3...Qxd5 material is level and Black has a playable position. 3. Nf3 is also seen, while 3. f4 transposes to the Hinrichsen Gambit of the Falkbeer Countergambit.