Danish Gambit

"it is simpler to play according to the text"

• That is advice to beginners, the target readers of A Primer of Chess.

https[colon]//lichess[period]org/Julr5iVD
@enpassant32 said in #1:

... 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 { C21 Danish Gambit Accepted } 4. Bc4 Qe7? ...

@tpr said in #3:

It starts with a mistake on move 4.

@kindaspongey said in #4:

"... [After 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 c3] Black has a very simple and solid defence in 3...d5. ..." - Fundamental Chess Openings (2009) by GM Paul van der Sterren

@tpr said in #5:

"The best way to refute a gambit is to accept it." - Steinitz
Hence 4...cxb2.

@kindaspongey said in #10:

"... [1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 c3 d5] Black could have taken the pawn and played one of the several gambits arising from that move, but it is simpler to play according to the text. ..." - A Primer of Chess by Capablanca

@tpr said in #11:

... That is advice to beginners, the target readers of A Primer of Chess.

Perhaps worth noting that tpr perceives Capablanca as giving fairly specific opening advice to beginners. Anyway:
"...
! A strong move
...
1.e4 e5 2.d4
...
2...exd4 3.c3!?
...
3...d5!
The safest answer. Instead of accepting the sacrifice, Black immediately undermines White's centre. ... 3...dxc3 would lead to the so-called Centre Gambit, while after 4.Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 we would reach the Danish Gambit. ... Black has no reason to allow White to obtain such wonderful development. ..." - Beating the Open Games, second edition (2008) by GM Mihail Marin
"... [After 1 e4 e5 2 d4 exd4 3 c3,] Black has a number of well-established ways to decline the pawn and reach comfortable equality, but can also keep the extra material and seek to defuse White's initiative. In addition to the moves 3...dxc3, 3...d5 and 3...Nf6, there is the interesting possibility 3...Qe7!? ..." - Practical Chess Openings (2025) by GM Martyn Kravtsiv