← Danish Gambit

Practice: Danish Gambit Declined (Sörensen)

Returning the pawn

Black declines the second pawn with ...d5, countering in the centre. A solid way to defuse the gambit.

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 d5
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • White sacrifices up to two pawns (first the c-pawn, then the b-pawn) to get two bishops pointing at the kingside for a fast attack.
  • After 3...dxc3 4.Bc4 cxb2 5.Bxb2, White has immediate threats of Bxf7+ and Qb3. Black must defend precisely.
  • Even if Black returns the pawns, White ends up with active development and attacking chances. The gambit is sound enough for casual play.

Common mistakes & traps

  • If Black plays badly: 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Bc4 cxb2 5.Bxb2 Nf6? 6.e5! d5 7.exf6 dxc4 8.Qh5. White has a winning attack.
  • Black's safest response is 5...d5! immediately, returning one pawn to break White's centre and equalise comfortably.

Pawn structure notes

White gives up the c- and b-pawns, leaving an e4-d4 centre against Black's extra pawns on the queenside. White's bishops are powerful on the open long diagonals, especially the one on b2.

Tips

  • ...d5 strikes back immediately in the centre instead of grabbing the second pawn
  • After exd5 Qxd5, Black has a solid position and avoids the dangerous gambit lines
  • The most principled way to decline - Black gets a fair game

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.