Dunst-Perrenet Gambit

The Dunst-Perrenet Gambit, 3. d3, arises after 1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4. Instead of regaining the pawn with 3. Nxe4, White hits the advanced e4-pawn with the d-pawn. The same position can also come from the Scandinavian Defense by 1. e4 d5 2. Nc3 dxe4 3. d3. White wants open d- and e-files and faster development in exchange for the pawn. After the usual 3...exd3, Black keeps the extra material, and White plans to use the open lines to bring out the pieces quickly. It is one of three gambits available at this point, alongside the Dougherty Gambit, 3. f3, and the Hector Gambit, 3. Bc4.

Capturing with 3...exd3 is by far the most common reply, chosen in more than four games out of five. In online play White has scored well against it. Black can also leave the pawn on e4 for the moment with 3...Nf6, or counter in the center with 3...e5. Both are much rarer, and both have given Black better practical results than the capture. The engine rates the position as slightly better for Black, so the gambit is objectively doubtful but not refuted outright.