Queens gambit 2... Nf6

Marshall Defense:

Taking on d5, Nd5 and either 4. d4 and 4. e4 should be a clear plus for White.

Marshall played it in 1925 against Alekhine, success as expected: lichess.org/study/9gg1ZDC2/16p8pu8m
The game is a model game showing how to use the e- and f-pawn in order to get an attack.

Alexander Koblencs (the once famous coach of Tal) writes in "Der Weg zum Erfolg", book 1, that 4.e4 was not so good, because it allowed Black to play the nice e5 idea of the game, and White should rather play 4. Nf3, or even g3 followed by Bg2. Stockfish has its own ideas, of course.
In the 11th move Black should have played Nxe5 with equal chances instead of the provocative Qxe5.

11. ..... N.e5 is much better than Q.d5, but i really doubt that this is an equal position. It's not a drama but i would still see an edge for white. The f pawn is free to move and so white gets the pawn on its way after saving the bishop and castleling. Not sure what square for the bishop is best, c2 would nice to get an attck later, but Be2 to avoid any Bg4-stuff from black could be the better choice

By the way, I meant the related 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 Nf6?! and now taking followed by e4/d4 should be fine.

(Edited, sure)

#14 You mean 2...Nf6?

#1 'everybody and his dog'

It's a while since I heard that expression, thank you for reminding me of it.

I used to hear 'the world and his wife' instead but I guess it *could be argued* (not by me) that that's sexist/transphobic/just not woke nowadays.

Oh wait...politics! Aaargh, I'll get timed out!

@Marlonc I never heard "The world and his wife" before, that's a new one for me.

But yes, there is a little "I think they doth protest too much" in certain crowds these days.

Black has still chances to gain equality with 3. ... g6.

I tinkered with the gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 c6 a few years back but it's still pretty sketch