Italian Game, Rousseau Gambit


The Rousseau Gambit is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
The gambit is named after French chess master Eugène Rousseau. White can decline the gambit by supporting the e-pawn with 4.. 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.

White responses

Gambit Declined: 4.d3

White can decline the gambit and 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 6.Nxc6.

4.d4!

White gets a clear advantage with 4.d4!: