Kennedy Variation, Hammer Gambit

The Hammer Gambit, 3...f6, is one of several ways for Black to leave the pawn on e5 after 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5. Rather than recapturing with the knight, Black hits e5 with the f-pawn and accepts a material deficit. The engine considers White's advantage large. The most common reply, 4. exf6, is the line in which Black scores best in practice. The alternatives 4. Nf3 and 4. Nc3 develop pieces instead and give White better results.