!? The Schliemann defence is quite a sharp opening, similar to the Latvian, in which Black typically sacrifices pawns to attack the Kingside

The best reply is regarded as developing with Nc3, covering the e-pawn, but this was my first time facing the gambit, so I felt it was prudent to accept and see what happens.

Breaks the pin, and the Knight doesn't have any forward squares to advance to, so..

The first knight-bishop exchange is made, freeing up the d4 square

This also protects f5, for now

Trying to hold the pawn will only cause trouble for White i.e. Qe3 could be met with Bc5 or Ng4

I favoured this square over Nf3 mainly as it stops Black from having Bc5

Hits the Queen, opens a diagonal for the Bishop, and there is no en-passant

And there's the second exchange... I guess I just wanted to remove a defender of e4 (if Qxf6, White gains a pawn)

Flexible move, covering d4, stopping Bh3 ideas, potentially eyeing a7