user19921: What are some aggressive gambits that White could use out of the Nimzowitsch Defense? 1. e4 Nc6 d4 d5

user14202: 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5:

3.Nc3

scores best for White according to my database and it is the move I play.
3...dxe4
Your opponent can go into the French Defense with 3...e6, but this is not a good French with the N on c6 blocking the c-pawn.
4.d5 Ne5 is the most common.
5.Qd4 Ng6
Now White can consider Qxe4, h2-h4, f3... White has many aggressive options.
The safe 6.Qxe4 Nf6 7.Qa4+ Bd7 8.Qb3 continues to give Black problems.
The pawn sac offer of f2-f3 seems to have clear compensation based on the development advantage it gives.  But the problem with non-queen moves is that they allow Black to play e7-e5 which is close to equal.

Alternatively 2.Nf3

a common line is 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 offering Black to return to a standard opening with 2...e5.  If 2...d5 you get an odd Scandinvian/Center-counter.  Black usually plays 2...d6 and after 3.d4 Bg4 4.Bb5 a6 5.Bxc6 White scores better.

19921: <p>What are some aggressive gambits that White could use out of the Nimzowitsch Defense? 1. e4 Nc6 d4 d5</p>
 14202: <p>1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>3.Nc3</p>
</blockquote>

<p>scores best for White according to my database and it is the move I play.</p>

<p>3...dxe4</p>

<p>Your opponent can go into the French Defense with 3...e6, but this is not a good French with the N on c6 blocking the c-pawn.</p>

<p>4.d5 Ne5 is the most common.</p>

<p>5.Qd4 Ng6</p>

<p>Now White can consider Qxe4, h2-h4, f3... White has many aggressive options.</p>

<p>The safe 6.Qxe4 Nf6 7.Qa4+ Bd7 8.Qb3 continues to give Black problems.
The pawn sac offer of f2-f3 seems to have clear compensation based on the development advantage it gives.  But the problem with non-queen moves is that they allow Black to play e7-e5 which is close to equal.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Alternatively 2.Nf3</p>
</blockquote>

<p>a common line is 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 offering Black to return to a standard opening with 2...e5.  If 2...d5 you get an odd Scandinvian/Center-counter.  Black usually plays 2...d6 and after 3.d4 Bg4 4.Bb5 a6 5.Bxc6 White scores better.</p>
