Tennison GambitLesson 5 · Against …f5

Don’t force a trick.
Build the attack.

The move …f5 keeps the pawn but weakens f7 and blocks Black’s development.

ConceptUnderstand before you move

Sometimes the lesson is positional: aim bishop and knight at f7, castle, and bring the queen in. Your lead in development is the compensation.

Not every opening has a forced trick; switch from tactics to sound development.
A pawn move such as …f5 can hold material while weakening squares and slowing development.
King safety and piece activity usually matter more than recovering one pawn immediately.

Last movef5f7 → f5White to move

FEN & PGNTap any move above for its position+

FEN · current

rnbqkbnr/ppp1p1pp/8/5pN1/4p3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq f6 0 4

PGN · through this move

1. e4 d5 2. Nf3 dxe4 3. Ng5 f5

♘

Your move

Point another piece at the weak f7 square.

Don’t force a trick.Build the attack.