Lines
Unfortunately, White is able to capture either of Black's center pawns with the advantage, either by 3. exd5 or 3. Nxe5. With a center pawn removed, Black is in a passive position with White clearly having the initiative as White controls more space.
A typical line might continue
a) 3.exd5 e4 (3...Qxd5 saves the pawn, but leaves White with a big lead in development after 4.Nc3) 4.Qe2 Nf6 5.d3 Qxd5 6.Nbd2 Be7 7.dxe4 Qe6 and White remains a pawn ahead, though Black's development is somewhat smoother.
Alternatives are: b) 3...Bd6 (the Elephant Gambit proper) with 4. d4 e4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Nc3 0-0 7. Bc4 ..., but here White enjoys a distinct superiority, but no immediate attack, according to de Firmian.
c) 3. Nxe5, Black plays 3...Bd6 4. d4 dxe4 5. Bc4 Bxe5 6. Qh5 Qf6 7. dxe5, which is thought to be slightly better for White.
d) After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2, Black plays 4...f5 5. d3 Nf6 6. dxe4 fxe4 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Qb5+ c6 9. Qxb4 exf3 with 10. Bg5 cxd5 11. 0-0-0 Nc6 as in Tal-Lutikov, Tallinn 1964 (see de Firmian) with advantage for White. The continuation of the game can be found here: . (de Firmian suggests 12. Qe5, which is not possible given the position.
e) After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6
- e1) 5. d3 Be7 6. dxe4 0-0 7. Nc3 Re8 8. Bd2 Bb4 9. 0-0-0, with advantage for White (de Firmian).
- e2) 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Nxe4
- e2a) 6...Nxd5 7. d3 0-0 8. Qd1 Bg4 9. Be2 f5 10. Ng3 Nc6 11. c3 with slight advantage for White, as in Salomonsson-H. Sorenson, Malmo 1982 (de Firmian).
- e2b) 6...0-0 7. Nxf6+ Bxf6 8. d4 Re8 9. Be3, with distinct superiority for White (de Firmian).
f) 3. d4 can be used to enter some uncommon territory.
Read more about this topic: Elephant Gambit
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