Morphy Gambit

The Morphy Gambit arises when White, after 3. d4 exd4, does not recapture on d4 and plays 4. Bc4 instead. The bishop immediately targets f7, and White gives priority to rapid development and initiative over material. It is named after Paul Morphy, who used it to defeat the English player Thomas Wilson Barnes.

Black must choose between holding the extra pawn and returning it. 4...Nf6 invites 5. Ng5, which creates threats against f7 before Black has finished developing. Trying to keep the pawn with 4...c5 or 4...Nc6 tends to leave Black cramped and vulnerable. The most common reply, and usually the safest, is 4...Be7, preparing short castling and accepting that the pawn may be given back. Next in frequency come 4...h6, which rules out Ng5, and 4...c5. The gambit is not a main-line choice at the highest level but appears regularly in online play, where White scores somewhat better than Black. Engines rate the position as a slight edge for White despite the pawn deficit.