King Pawn Game: Damiano Defense

Why has this opening made such a resurgence by black opponents? It favors white for the most part. I have not understood its use to be particularly appealling. I believe i have beaten all that have used it against me. Any answers would be greatly appreciated!

I'm guessing this "resurgence" is caused by weak players not understanding the problems it poses for black.

I would guess that most players use it due to deficiencies in their opening experience in strength, though some may use it for shock value to antagonize an opponent.

Note Thomas Wilson Barnes beat the legendary Paul Morphy with 1.e4, f6, so one cannot fully discount the potential of obscure openings.

For me, I would gladly accept the white pieces against the Damiano Defense.

So far nobody is defending this minor atrocity of a defense. Wonder how long that will last?

 I would like very much to find that game. To see HOW? he could have possibly done it

[Event "London m1"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "1858.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Morphy, Paul"]
[Black "Barnes, Thomas Wilson"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B00"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "1858.??.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.10"]

1. e4 f6 2. d4 e6 3. Bd3 Ne7 4. Be3 d5 5. Nc3 dxe4 6. Nxe4 Nd5 7. Nh3 Be7 8.
Qh5+ g6 9. Qh6 Bf8 10. Qh4 Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. c4 Nxe3 13. fxe3 f5 14. Neg5 h6
15. Nf3 e5 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Bc2 exd4 18. exd4 Bxd4+ 19. Nxd4 Rxd4 20. Rfe1 Kf7
21. c5 Be6 22. Rad1 Nc6 23. Rxd4 Nxd4 24. Ba4 g5 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. a3 f4 27. Nf2
Ne2+ 28. Kf1 Rxd1+ 29. Bxd1 Nd4 30. Ke1 Kf6 31. Kd2 Nb3+ 32. Bxb3 Bxb3 33. Ng4+
Kg6 34. g3 h5 35. Nf2 Kf5 36. Kc3 Bd5 37. Kd4 c6 38. b4 Bg2 39. gxf4 Kxf4 40.
a4 Bf1 41. Ne4 h4 42. Nd2 Be2 43. Ne4 g4 44. Nf2 Kf3 45. Ne4 Bf1 46. Ke5 Bd3
47. Ng5+ Kg2 48. Kd6 Kxh2 49. Kc7 Kg3 50. Kxb7 h3 0-1

Damiano I think is very weak here are a few sample lines all of which white wins

Damiano is a bust would be glad to play anyone against it.