Stafford Gambit (C-42) Opening Theory

 

 Stafford Gambit Chess Resources

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6,

 is an aggressive gambit that quickly turns the game sharp. Although considered relatively dubious, it holds many lines that involve traps.

After 4.Nxc6 dxc6, White wins a pawn, but Black gains initiative and attacking chances. White must play accurately in order to maintain advantage.

 Play usually continues with White defending the e4 pawn while Black develops the bishop with ...Bc5. After 5.e5 (5.d3 is better) Ne4 6.d3?? (White should play 6.Nc3, 6.d4, or 6.Qe2) 6...Bc5! and White resigned in Lowens-Stafford, US correspondence game 1950.

BOOKS (Free)

700 Opening Traps - 59 Page PDF

Stafford Gambit Articles

The Stafford Gambit a Complete Guide - Long Chess.com Article By IM Rosen
Stafford Gambit -  Listudy Site On the Gambit  (Things this site has)
                       -  Several Videos on The Stafford
                       -  6 Lichess Studies On The Gambit
                       - Allows you to practice against with it against Stockfish

Bulliton no45 -  The Stafford Gambit -  Very Solid Article showing the 7 traps, refutation, how to play against it etc.
Stafford Gambit – How to Play as White and Black - Chessable Blog Opening Guide (Very well done)
Stafford Gambit: Tricks and Refutation - Chesstier Opening Guide
Stafford Gambit | The Refutation - Chessmood Article - GM Grigoryan

Stafford Gambit Lichess Studies

Stafford Gambit Trap Training - interactive training exercise for 11 variations
Stafford Gambit Refutation -  interactive Study with 10 Chapters
Understanding the Stafford Gambit - 5 Chapter Study (550+ Hearts)
Stafford Gambit - 23 Chapter Study (In Depth) (780+ hearts)

Stafford Gambit Videos

Stafford Gambit Traps  - 17 Video Playlist  - Chess Traps

A Beginner Lesson in the Stafford Gambit - 57 Min IM Rosen
How to Play the Stafford Gambit Declined - 25 Min IM Rosen
Stafford Gambit Accepted - 17 Min Video
The Trappiest Opening in Chess? - 11Min IM Rosen

Why We Play the Stafford Gambit - 24 Min GM Nakamura

How Dubov Beat Hou Yifan with the Stafford Gambit - 21 Min IM Rosen
On Eric Rosen's Beloved Stafford Gambit - 22 Min GM Nakamura
Learn to Play NEW Stafford Gambit Trap! More Stafford Theory - 9 min

Rufuting The Stafford

(Eric Rosen's) Stafford Gambit Refuted?? | Deadly TRAPS & TRICKS - 20 Min
Snuffing the Stafford Gambit | Busting the Gambits with GM Naro - 27 Min
Refuting unsound Gambits | Stafford Gambit - 12 Min IM Andras Toth
Game Videos
Stafford Gambit  - 52 Video Playlist  - IM Eric Rosen
Stafford Gambit - 11 Video Playlist - Johnathan Schrantz