Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...Nc6

2...Nc6, a way to decline the king's gambit, is much more common in amateur games than in tournament chess. 2...Nc6 develops a piece and prepares to recapture on e5, though Black's pawn was not actually hanging because 3. fxe5?? can be answered with 3...Qh4+!.

3. Nf3 is the main move, as in many king's gambit lines. This controls h4, therefore preventing the riposte ...Qh4+, and White actually threatens fxe5. Though the engine line is 3...d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qe6, Black's usual idea is 3...f5!?, the Miles defence. 3...exf4 4. d4 transposes to the MacLeod defence.

3. Nc3 transposes to the Max Lange defence of the Vienna gambit.