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The Rousseau Gambit is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
Contents
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5The gambit is named after Eugène Rousseau. White can decline the gambit by supporting the e-pawn with 4.d3. The resulting position is similar to a King's Gambit Declined with colours reversed, and White's king bishop aiming at Black's weakened kingside. Black will have trouble castling kingside and Ng5 is a likely threat. White's position is better, but still requires careful play.
Key themes for White are to attack Black's kingside and to avoid attempts by Black to simplify the position. Exchanges involving White's light-square bishop are particularly suspect.
Gambit Declined: 4.d3
White can decline the gambit and to wait to capture the f-pawn.
Gambit Accepted: 4.exf5
White still has a good game after the inferior 4.exf5, but the position is less clear. Black usually plays 4...e4, which White may meet by 5.Nd4! Nf6 (5...Nxd4? leads to trouble after 6.Qh5+) 6.Nxc6.
4.d4!
White gets a clear advantage with 4.d4!: