Theoria
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Scandinavian Defense

Portuguese Gambit, Elbow Variation

B01gambittacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4d5
  2. 2.exd5Nf6
  3. 3.d4Bg4
  4. 4.Bb5+c6
208 games51%46%

Sharp Portuguese Gambit line in which Black meets 4. Bb5+ with 4...c6, inviting dxc6 for quick development rather than blocking with the knight.

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About the Elbow Variation

The Elbow Variation answers the zwischenzug 4. Bb5+ with 4...c6 instead of the more common 4...Nbd7. White nearly always captures with 5. dxc6, and Black must then avoid 5...Bxd1?? 6. c7+ Nbd7 7. cxd8=Q+ Rxd8 8. Kxd1, which leaves White with extra material. The playable path is 5...Nxc6 6. Nf3, when Black has a pawn less but active pieces. Engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations