The Damiano Defense, Damiano Gambit is a variation of the King's Pawn Game, catalogued as ECO C40. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 fxe5 4. Qh5+ g6 5. Qxe5+ Qe7 6. Qxh8, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up four points of material. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the King's Pawn Game generally: ECO B00. A chess opening with 38 known variations.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 4 King's Pawn Game variations →
The Damiano Defense, Damiano Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 fxe5 4. Qh5+ g6 5. Qxe5+ Qe7 6. Qxh8. It is a variation of the King's Pawn Game and is catalogued as ECO C40.
The Damiano Defense, Damiano Gambit is ECO C40. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Pawn Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 fxe5 4. Qh5+ g6 5. Qxe5+ Qe7 6. Qxh8 at +2.91 at depth 18, which is a clear advantage for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up four points of material. It is Black to move.