[Event "Chessastic - shortgames: Danish gambit"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/QwwsnxjW/NnGkro32"] [Result "*"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/OlgiSakkmatyi"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C21"] [Opening "Danish Gambit Accepted: Copenhagen Defense"] [StudyName "Chessastic - blog"] [ChapterName "Danish gambit"] [UTCDate "2025.02.21"] [UTCTime "17:00:42"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/wWOR3p8t/B5qZta31"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 e5 2. d4 { This is the opening move of the Danish Gambit. Here, we can talk about what gambits are. We sacrifice a pawn for faster development. } 2... exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 { White has sacrificed two pawns so far for faster development, but powerful bishops will counterbalance the disadvantage. } 4... cxb2 5. Bxb2 { The bishop pair represents extraordinary value. Together, they are stronger than two knights, or a knight and a bishop. Pressure on the f7 and g7 squares can immediately cause problems, for example, if the f8 bishop is moved carelessly. } { [%csl Gf7,Gg7] } 5... Bb4+ { There are many ways to defend against a check in chess. For example, by interposing or moving the king. However, not every solution is good. Of course, interposing with the queen is pointless to calculate. After the king moves, castling should no longer be an option. Therefore, the possible moves: } (5... Be7 6. Bxg7 Bf6 7. Bxh8 Bxa1 8. Bxa1) 6. Nc3 { gives the most opportunities for white } (6. Nd2 { ok, but not really active }) (6. Bc3 { No! We don't want't to change our bishop }) 6... Nf6 7. Ne2 { The goal is to reinforce the c3 square. Which pawn can Black capture for free now? } 7... Nxe4 { Due to the pin, the knight cannot be recaptured. } { [%cal Gb4e1] } 8. O-O Nxc3 9. Nxc3 { Of course, we don’t give up the bishop. } { [%csl Gb2] } 9... Bxc3 { Black makes a mistake by exchanging his last active piece. } 10. Bxc3 { Although White is down by 3 pawns, they are still in a much better position: all of White's pieces are ready for action, they control the center, and the king is safe. Meanwhile, Black has no pieces in play. It's very easy for Black to make a fatal mistake now, and even with the best moves, it's not certain that Black could defend their position. } 10... O-O?? { From this point, checkmate is unavoidable. How would you continue the attack with White? } 11. Qg4 { This move forces the weakening of the king's position. Find all of Black's possible defenses against the checkmate. } 11... g6 12. Qd4 { [%cal Gc4g8] } 12... Nc6 13. Qg7# { 1-0 White wins by checkmate. } *