Stafford Gambit

The idea

After 3.Nxe5, Black plays 3...Nc6, offering a pawn. After 4.Nxc6 dxc6, Black has open lines for the bishops and queen and hopes White will make a natural-looking mistake.

The gambit is known for its traps, which come quickly. Played calmly, White keeps the extra pawn.

Plans for White

Play solid, simple moves: 5.d3 or 5.Nc3, then Be2 and castle. Don't grab more material or play aggressive bishop moves before the king is safe. A pawn up with a safe king, White is better.

Plans for Black

Develop fast with ...Bc5, ...O-O and ...Re8, and aim the pieces at f2 and White's king. Black's practical chances come from White playing carelessly. Against careful play, Black is simply a pawn down.

Watch out for

For White, the Légal trap: after 5.d3 Bc5, the natural pin 6.Bg5?? loses to 6...Nxe4! If 7.Bxd8, then 7...Bxf2+ 8.Ke2 Bg4 is checkmate.

Also for White, after 5.e5 Ne4 6.d3?? Bc5!, taking the knight with 7.dxe4 runs into 7...Bxf2+ 8.Ke2 Bg4+, and the queen on d1 falls.