Danish Gambit

Accepted or Declined? I recently played an OTB game where I accepted the gambit and White didn't seem able to find compensation. However, I have rarely played against this, and wasn't sure if White was making the best moves. What are your experiences playing against this opening? I'm looking for novelties to try against this person. Thanks 🙂

After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 I like playing 3...d5. If you want to accept it, try 5...d5 6. Bxd5 Nf6 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qxd8 Bb4+.
5...d6 is also possible; see http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1094238

Originally posted by Anakin Skywalker
After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 I like playing 3...d5. If you want to accept it, try 5...d5 6. Bxd5 Nf6 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qxd8 Bb4+.
5...d6 is also possible; see http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1094238

I like accepting it...
all the way to b2
black does not have to give back both pawns if he plays it correctly, and I personally like to make a mad scramble to castle queenside before his bishops start hurting the kingside...

giving back both pawns has been basically proven to lead to equality, but if you feel that you are a far superior (especially tactical) player than your opponent, then go ahead and try holdiing on to the pawns and defending.

Black can pocket the two extra pawns and forstall a kingside attack by playing the Nordic Variation: 1 e4 e5 2 d4 ed 3 c3 dc 4 Bc4 cb 5 Bb2 Nh6(!?). Nh6 is playable because White can't play Bxh6.

According to Reuben Fine, Black is slightly better if he returns the pawns: 1 e4 e5 2 d4 ed 3 c3 dc 4 Bc4 cb 5 Bb2 d5 6 Bd5 Nf6 7 Bf7 Kf7 8 Qd8 Bb4 9 Qd2 Bd2 10 Nd2 Rd8 and 11...c5.