Steinitz Gambit, Main Line

The Main Line of the Steinitz Gambit is the position after 4...Qh4+ 5. Ke2. White's king stands on e2, a pawn down, and Black must choose a defense. The most common reply is 5...d6, the Paulsen Defense, followed by 5...d5, the Zukertort Defense. The Fraser-Minckwitz Defense, 5...b6, and the Sörensen Defense, 5...g5, are rarer. The engine gives Black a slight edge and ranks 5...b6 first, yet practical results are almost even.