The Staunton Gambit is a chess opening characterised by the moves: White sacrifices a pawn for quick development, with the idea of launching an attack against Black's kingside, which has been somewhat weakened by 1...f5.

Black can decline the gambit with 2...d6, transposing to the Balogh Defence, but accepting the pawn with 2...fxe4 is considered stronger.

The main line runs 4.Bg5, first played by Howard Staunton against Bernhard Horwitz in London, 1846.

Black can also try 4...e3, returning the pawn in order to hinder White's development.

(the Bayonet Attack or Tartakower Variation) fails to provide enough compensation after 4...h6!