Portuguese Gambit

The Portuguese Gambit, 3. d4, answers 2...Nf6 by striking at the center immediately instead of defending e4, so both the e4-pawn and the d4-pawn are available for Black to capture. The most common reply is 3...exd4, while 3...c6, hitting the bishop, and 3...Nxe4 are also frequent. The line is rare. Black scores well in online games, particularly after either capture, and the engine gives Black a slight edge.