Thoughts ?

I don't get the point of Ng4, but this reminds me of a gambit in the exchange variation that practically leads to forced mate if accepted.

i agree KillaBeez comment,what use the black move to Ng4,i think that move is waste

Ng4, seems to go nowhere alright

I've actually had people play the Ng4 move against me a couple times. I typically just ignore it and continue developing. I do not believe that I've ever played 5. h3. Not so much because I saw that continuation (I didn't) but as was said before, I never saw the point of the Ng4, so I went on about my buisness. Now that I've seen this, there is no way I'll play 5. h3.

This variation is called "The Fishing Pole," I think with the idea that the Ng4 is bait for a nasty trap. After 6 hxg4? hxg4, white's Nf3 is under serious threat; but more importantly, moving the Nf3 allows ...Qh4 followed by a quick mate.

     I think this line may work well for black in a blitz situation against players who haven't seen it before, but the consensus is that declining the "bait" leads to a good game for white. See http://www.cec-services.com/050323.fishing.hook.pdf. As a general chess rule, if you can't figure out why your opponent is handing you material (as opposed to simply hanging a piece), you should probably say "no." In other words, don't get into a car with a stranger who's offering you a piece of candy.

PS: If you're looking for a gambit in the Ruy Lopez, try the Schliemann/Jaenisch Variation-- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5. I know a couple of expert-level players that use it regularly; and while black can find himself giving up a good amount of material, it's often possible for black to whip up a strong attack before white can get himself together.

Ok, so accepting the bait would be bad for white.  One person says it "practically leads to a forced mate," and another says, "if white takes the bait, white loses rapidly."  Since I am currently in a game as black where my opponent is using the Ruy Lopez opening, can anyone spell out for me just how this could possibly lead to an early mate for me?  I will probably still go with another option ("if the bait is declined, then black loses, only less rapidly"), but I just wanted to see the intended conclusion of this line.  Thanx.

I think black can force mate like so :

why 7.Nh2?

7.Bxc6 gxf3

8.Qxf3 dxc6

 and white wins a pawn.

 i think ... forgive me if I'm wrong it's late and I'm tired

8...Qh4 9. Qh3 (stopping the mate) Qxh3 10. gxh3 dxc6 and black has a double attack on white's h-pawn. So not only will black be a pawn up, but he will have ripped white's k-side protection to shreds.

     And I think Nh2?? was only an illustration of the badness that can happen in this line if you're not careful.