ECO C42 · for Black
Petrov's Defense: Stafford Gambit
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
2,494,400 games in this band reached the Stafford Gambit position. From there Black won 50% and drew 3%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nc6 4. Nxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bc5 6. Be2 h5 7. c3 Ng4 8. d4 Bb6 9. h3 Nf6
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo
2... Nf6
Attacking the e4 pawn, aiming to equalize the position by challenging white's control of the center.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nxe5 Nc6 4. Nxc6 dxc6
3. Nxe5
Capturing the hanging pawn, but leaving e4 hanging.
3... Nc6
Popularized by IM Eric Rosen, this gambit has become very popular in online chess but is fundamentally unsound.
4. Nxc6
Capturing the knight and playing a pawn up position.
4... dxc6
Capturing the knight with the d-pawn in order to activate all the minor pieces quickly.
Moves 5 to 6
5. d3 Bc5 6. Be2 h5
5. d3
Passively supporting the e4 pawn while opening up the dark squared bishop.
- 5. Nc3: Developing the knight and supporting the hanging e4 pawn.
- 5. e5: Advancing the pawn and attacking Black's knight, forcing it to move.
5... Bc5
Developing the bishop and preparing to castle while targeting the f2 pawn for a potential attack.
6. Be2
Defending the g4 square and preparing to castle.
6... h5
Moves 7 to 8
7. c3 Ng4 8. d4 Bb6
7. c3
Prepares d4 to attack and cut off the bishop from attacking the f2 pawn
7... Ng4
8. d4
8... Bb6
Move 9
9. h3 Nf6
9. h3
9... Nf6
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles queenside
- The pawn on g7 generally recaptures the bishop on f6
- The queen usually develops to d7
- The light-squared bishop can develop to e6 or d7
- The knight on f6 often moves to d5
- A common pawn move is c5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Italian Game for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black