Rousseau Gambit

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Rousseau Gambit

The Rousseau Gambit is a dubious chess opening characterised by the moves (in algebraic chess notation):

1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bc4 f5

The gambit is named after Eugéne Rousseau. White's best response is to simply decline the gambit and continue by supporting the e pawn and developing with 4.d3. The resulting position is similar to a King's Gambit Declined with Black playing the gambit with less development, and White's king bishop pointing at Black's weakened king-side -- not very comfortable for Black. Black will have trouble castling kingside and Ng5 is a likely threat. White's position is better, but still requires careful play.

Key themes for White are to attack Black's kingside and to avoid attempts by Black to simplify the position via exchanges. Exchanges involving White's light bishop are particularly suspect.

The best advice for Black is to not play this gambit as it is considered refuted.

[edit] Rousseau Gambit Declined

Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Image:chess_zver_26.png
a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8
a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1
Image:chess_zver_26.png
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Rousseau Gambit Declined

White's best response is to decline the gambit and to wait to capture the f pawn.

1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bc4 f5
4.d3

[edit] Rousseau Gambit Accepted

Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Image:chess_zver_26.png
a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8
a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1
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Rousseau Gambit Accepted

White still has a good game after the inferior 4.exf5, but the position is less clear. Black usually plays 4...e4, which White may meet by 5.Nd4! Nf6 (5...Nxd4? leads to trouble after 6.Qh5+) 6.Nxc6.

1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bc4 f5
4.exf5


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