How well do you know the Stafford Gambit in Chess?

Study Notes

The Stafford Gambit derives from the Petrov Defense in chess.
The most common reply from black is to play d6.
In the Stafford Gambit, black plays knight to c6 instead of recapturing on e4.
White has three variations to respond to the Stafford Gambit: e5, d3, and knight c3.
If white plays d4, black can play queen to h4 to put pressure on their opponent.
If white plays g3 to stop the threat of queen to f2 checkmate, black can trap their knight with knight to g3.
If white plays d3, black can play bishop to c5 to threaten bishop to f2 checkmate.
If white plays g3 and takes black's queen, black can take back with their pawn and threaten the rook and king side.
If white plays queen to f3 to defend the f2 pawn, black can either take on c3 or play knight to c5 to get other pieces involved.
Black is down a pawn in material but has an active board state and can easily get momentum back in the game.
The Stafford Gambit involves giving up material early on for Black.
The gambit is often played in response to the Petrov Defense.
If White plays knight to c3, Black can play knight to g4 and threaten f2.
If White plays bishop to e3, Black can take on e3 and threaten f2.
Black can also take on e4 and threaten f2 if White plays bishop to g5.
Taking the queen on d8 is a mistake for White as it leads to a mate threat.
If White plays bishop to e3 to prevent the mate threat, Black can play queen to h4 and threaten checkmate.
If White plays knight to c3 to defend e4, Black can still play bishop to c5.
If White plays bishop to e2 and castle kingside, Black can take on e4 and have an aggressive board state.
Black has many options and traps to play in the Stafford Gambit.