Scandinavian Defense, Portuguese Gambit

The Portuguese Gambit arises after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Bg4. Black still does not recover the d5-pawn and instead moves the c8-bishop to g4. A gambit gives up material, or allows the opponent to keep it, in exchange for placing pieces on useful squares and creating threats before the opponent is ready.

The sequence is written in algebraic notation: squares such as e4 combine a column letter and row number; N means knight, B bishop, R rook, and Q queen; pawn moves normally show their destination, x marks a capture, and + marks check. Moves are read in pairs, White first and Black second; dots before a move shown alone indicate Black's turn.

The bishop on g4 makes it harder for White to bring the pieces out comfortably and may provoke f3, which drives the bishop away but weakens squares near the king. White can also continue with Be2 or Nf3 without trying to settle everything at once. The choice affects whether Black soon recovers on d5 or continues pressure with ...Nc6 and ...e6 or ...e5.

What Black receives in return

• Black wants to bring pieces out quickly, pressure d4, and open the center before White secures the extra pawn.
• White wants to neutralize the active bishop, bring the remaining pieces out, and reach a position where the extra material can be kept safely.

Black's attack is not automatic. If White develops without creating weaknesses and exchanges pieces, the extra pawn may become important. The Portuguese belongs to the Modern Variation through 2...Nf6. It differs from the Icelandic-Palme because White plays d4 and Black answers ...Bg4 rather than ...e6.