C21 Gambit for White Practical weapon

Danish Gambit

White offers one or two queenside pawns so both bishops can enter the game quickly and point toward Black's king.

A sharp opening with clear attacking ideas. Black has reliable ways to return material and reduce the attack, so White must keep developing.

Why learn it: It makes active bishops and open lines easy to see, which makes it useful practice for tactics in open games.

Start lesson Practice

The trade-off

What you get in return

Offering a pawn is not the goal. The goal is to use the time and open lines you gain before your opponent gets their pieces ready.

Pawn offered
The c3 pawn, with b2 sometimes offered next
What you hope to gain
  • Both bishops on active diagonals
  • A lead in development
  • Open central files before Black castles
A good fit for
Players learning open-game tactics who want every piece to have an obvious attacking role.

If they accept

Use the time you gain

After ...dxc3 and possibly ...cxb2, develop with Bc4 and Bxb2, then use Qb3, Nf3, and castling. The bishops provide compensation only if White avoids wasting time with the queen.

If they decline

Keep the useful benefits

If Black plays ...d5 or returns a pawn, accept the transition into an equal-material center. Keep the development lead and do not insist on preserving gambit complications.

White's game plan

  1. 01 Develop both bishops before searching for a combination.
  2. 02 Castle so the rook can use the open d- or e-file.
  3. 03 Use Qb3 only when it creates a concrete double attack.

How Black can respond

  1. 01 Return one pawn with ...d5 to complete development.
  2. 02 Trade queens when it removes White's initiative.
  3. 03 Block the bishops before trying to keep every extra pawn.

Key squares

Know where the fight is

The c4 bishop targets f7, the b2 bishop controls g7 and the long diagonal, and d5 is Black's central move for returning material under favorable terms.

Tactics to watch for

  • A double attack from Qb3
  • A bishop sacrifice on f7
  • A rook check on an open central file

Common mistakes

Make the pawn offer count

  • Activate both bishops before moving the queen several times.
  • Welcome a sound pawn return instead of avoiding an equal position.
  • Castle before opening another line near the king.

Learn the moves

Take one common reply at a time

Start with the main moves, then add the common ways your opponent can respond. Practice asks only for your side's moves, so you can learn at your own pace.

C21 Start here

Danish Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3

C21 3 moves

Danish Gambit Accepted

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3

C21 3 moves

Danish Gambit Declined: Sörensen Defense

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 d5

C21 5 moves

Danish Gambit Accepted: Schlechter Defense

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 d5

Questions players often ask

Know the idea before you try it

Does White always sacrifice two pawns?

No. White may offer the c-pawn only, and Black can decline or return material before the second pawn is taken.

Why are the bishops so important?

The pawn exchanges open both diagonals, letting the bishops enter the game without the usual c- and d-pawns blocking them.

How should Black neutralize the attack?

Black can return material with ...d5, trade queens, and finish development instead of trying to defend every extra pawn.