ECO C21 · Best studied as Black
Danish Gambit Declined: Sörensen Defense
- Gambit
- Central
- Attacking
What is the Danish Gambit Declined: Sörensen Defense?
The Danish Gambit is a bold attempt by White to sacrifice pawns for rapid development and attacking lines. In the Sörensen Defense, Black declines the full gambit by striking back in the center immediately.
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 d5
The lesson
Play through the Danish Gambit Declined: Sörensen Defense, move by move
Scroll the moves and watch the board follow along. Every move comes with the idea behind it.
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 d5
Before the first move
The Danish Gambit is a bold attempt by White to sacrifice pawns for rapid development and attacking lines. In the Sörensen Defense, Black declines the full gambit by striking back in the center immediately. This leads to an open game where both sides fight for central control and piece activity from the very first moves.
1. e4White
White opens with e4, the King's Pawn Opening. By controlling d5 and f5, White prepares for rapid development. This is the starting point for many famous openings, including the Ruy Lopez and the Italian Game.
1... e5Black · your move
Respond by pushing your pawn to e5. By mirroring White's move, you prevent White from occupying the center with a second pawn and prepare to develop your kingside pieces. It is the most classical response to the king's pawn.
Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)
2. d4White
White plays d4, initiating the Center Game. This aggressive thrust demands an immediate reply from Black. While White could develop more slowly with the Alapin (Ne2) or the Leonardis (d3), this move seeks to blow the center open right away.
Other paths here: Ke2 (Bongcloud Attack) · c4 (English Opening: The Whale) · Ne2 (King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening) · f3 (King's Pawn Game: King's Head Opening)
2... exd4Black · your move
Capture the pawn on d4 with your e-pawn. This is the most principled response, removing White's central presence. You must be prepared for White to offer more material in exchange for a lead in development.
Other paths here: d5 (King's Pawn Game: Beyer Gambit) · d6 (Centre Game: Maroczy Defence, 3.dxe5)
3. c3White
White plays c3, the defining move of the Danish Gambit. White is willing to sacrifice pawns for speed. Instead of this gambit, White often recaptures with the queen (Qxd4) in the standard Center Game or tries the Halasz-McDonnell Gambit with f4.
Other paths here: Qxd4 (Center Game) · f4 (Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit) · Nf3 (Center Game: Kieseritzky Variation) · Bd3 (Center Game: Ross Gambit)
3... d5Black · your move
Push your pawn to d5. This is the Sörensen Defense. By striking the center, you decline the second pawn and challenge White's e4 pawn. This move helps you catch up in development and blunts White's attacking potential.
Other paths here: Ne7 (Danish Gambit Accepted: Svenonius Defense) · dxc3 (Danish Gambit Accepted) · d3 (Danish Gambit)
Where you stand
The position is now balanced but highly energetic. White must decide how to handle the tension between the d5 and e4 pawns, while Black aims to develop pieces quickly and castle. The battle will revolve around whether White can use their slight lead in space to create an attack, or if Black's solid structure will prevail in the endgame.
- e4-d5 Capture on d5 to open the e-file
- g1-f3 Develop the knight and pressure d4
- g8-f6 Develop the knight and prepare castling
- f8-d6 Position the bishop to control the center
Your games
Related Danish Gambit Declined lines
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