Theoria
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Petrov's Defense

Moody Gambit

C42gambitoffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nf6
  3. 3.Qe2Nc6
  4. 4.d4
206 games45%53%

A rare gambit line of Petrov's Defense in which White guards e4 with 3. Qe2 and, after 3...Nc6, offers the d-pawn with 4. d4.

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About the Moody Gambit

In the Moody Gambit, White meets Petrov's Defense by guarding e4 with 3. Qe2. After 3...Nc6, White offers the d-pawn with 4. d4. The queen on e2 blocks the king's bishop, and the line is seldom played. Black most often captures with 4...exd4. The alternative 4...Nxd4 gains time by hitting the queen, and 4...Bb4+ has scored well for Black. Engines give Black a slight edge, and Black also wins more often in online games.

Popular continuations