Damiano Defense (C40)

One of the oldest and most dubious defenses. 2...f6 weakens the king and is punished by 3.Nxe5. A great teaching opening.

Every line in this family begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 fxe5 4. Qh5+ Ke7, then branches. Each variation below has its own page with the full move order, the position it reaches, and a Stockfish evaluation.

All 1 line can be practised free in the browser: pick a variation, walk it move by move in Learn mode, then drill it from memory until you can play it without prompting.

All 1 variations of the Damiano Defense

Frequently asked questions

What are the main moves of the Damiano Defense?

The Damiano Defense begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 fxe5 4. Qh5+ Ke7. From there it branches into 1 named variation, each with its own move order and typical plans.

What is the ECO code for the Damiano Defense?

The Damiano Defense is catalogued under ECO code C40. Individual variations list their own specific code on their page.

How can I practise the Damiano Defense for free?

Open any variation on Chess Ramp and use Learn mode to walk the line one move at a time, then Drill mode to replay it from memory. Practice runs in your browser with no account required.