Elephant Gambit
Black's complete intermediate repertoire in the Elephant Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5). Seven drills cover the modern 3.exd5 e4 main line, the sound 3.Nxe5 Qe7 defence, the aggressive Maroczy 3.Nxe5 Bd6 double-gambit, the Paulsen 3.exd5 e4 4.Qe2 Be7, the Paulsen Counter-Gambit ...Bd6, the 3.d4 centre exchange, and the 3.Nc3 quiet sideline.
The Elephant Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5!?) is the surprise weapon for Black against 1.e4 — strike at White's centre on move two and play for fast development, half-open files, and tactical chances against an unprepared opponent. This pack drills the seven essential paths: the modern 3.exd5 e4 main line with ...Nf6, ...Be7 and the bishop trade on e4, the sound ...Qe7 defence pinning the e5 knight against the critical 3.Nxe5, the sharp Maroczy double-gambit with ...Bd6 leading to a queenless equal endgame, the Paulsen ...Be7 with the ...Bb4 pin, the Paulsen counter-gambit with ...Bd6 and ...e4, the equalising 3.d4 centre exchange with ...Qxd5, and the 3.Nc3 quiet sideline with ...d4 kicking the knight. Thirty exam positions sharpen the central wedge play, the queen-pin technique against the e5 knight, the timing of trades and queenside expansion, and the rapid-development style that makes the Elephant Gambit a serious surprise weapon at intermediate level.