# Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...f6/3. Nxe5
## 3. Nxe5!! - Damiano Defence

The critical move that refutes the Damiano Defense after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6? is 3. Nxe5!! This move allows White to seize a pawn and gain a tempo, instantly activating White's pieces.
If Black takes back with 3... fxe5?, Black would be struck with the move 4. Qh5+ and after 4... g6, White wins the exchange with 5. Qxe5+ and then 6. Qxh8. (You may refer to the Sample Game).
When Black responds with 3... Qe7, the most resilient move in this situation, The only way to regain the pawn is 3...Qe7, but after 4. Nf3 Qxe4+ 5. Be2, white would have a large lead in development with no weaknesses. This sequence results in a substantial lead in development for White and greater control of the board. The underlying issue for Black in the Damiano Defense is the hindrance of piece development, especially the knight, which is blocked from its natural square at f6 by the pawn moved to f6. This results in a compromised kingside defense for Black.

## Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6? 3. Nxe5!
| | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... fxe5? | Qh5+ Ke7 | Qxe5+ Kf7 | Bc4+ d5 | Bxd5+ Kg6 | d4? Bd6! | Bf7+ Kxf7 | Qh5+ Kf8! | | | ∓ |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | h4 h6 | Bxb7! Bd6 | Qd5? Nf6! | Qb3 Bxb7 | | ∓ |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | Qa5! Nf6 | Bxa8 Na6 | a3 | ± |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... h5 | Bxb7! Bxb7? | Qf5+! Kh6 | d4(d3)+ g5 | Qf7 | +− |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... Bd6 | Qa5! Nf6 | Bxa8 | | ± |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | Qg3+ Qg5 | Qxc7 Qd7 | h4 Qe5 | Qxe5 Qxe5 | h5+! | ± |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... Qe7 | Nf3 Qxe4+ | Be2 d5 | O-O Qa4 | Re1 | | | | | | ± |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... Ne7 | Re1 | | | | | | ± |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... d5 | d3 dxe4 | dxe4 Qxe4+ | Be2 Nc6 | Nc3 Qe6 | Nb5 | | | | ± |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... Qe7 | O-O Qd8 | Bf4 | | | ± |
| See the Sample Chess Game | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... ... | ... Bb4 | O-O Bxc3 | bxc3 Qa4 | Nxd4 | | ± |
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## References

Bibliography
* Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
* Pandolfini, Bruce (1989). Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps. ISBN 0-671-65690-2.
* Panov, Vasily (1973). Teoría de Aperturas, Tomo I: Aperturas Abiertas - Aperturas Semiabiertas. ISBN 84-270-0132-0.

#### External links

* Kavalek, Lubomir (1997). CHESS: Damiano Defense.
* Copeland, Sam (2019). Damiano's Defense Chess Opening Trap: Sac A Knight On Move Three!.
* Perunovic, Miodrag (2019). Chess For Beginners: Killing Damiano's Defense.
* Rozman, Levy (2022). WORST OPENING In Chess...
* Volclus (2022). WIN IN 3 - The Damiano Trap.
* Stripes, James (chessskill.blogspot.com) (2012). Opening Disaster: Damiano's Defense.