Was sent here from the General. Did a search but didn't find it….

Searched previous breads, but didn't see…sorry if hogging a slice -

I'm sure that the D5 chess analysis has been thorough, but I haven't seen this yet:

An opener of D4, D5 is called a Queen's (HRC) Gambit. ( a gambit is not just a gamble. Strictly speaking, its something done with the aim of gaining an advantage, especially at the outset of a discussion or disagreement. It originally referred to a chess move in which a player deliberately sacrifices a piece for the great good of winning the game.)

Ironically enough, it is also known as the Aleppo (Syria) Gambit.

Syria was going to be the pawn sacrificed to "win" the game.