gambit repertoires

[Aris Marghetis]

[QUOTE=Yves Trottier;n208453]

There are no bad openings only bad players...
I like to play 1.e4 e5 2.d4!? the only problem is my bad playing...

I hear ya ;))

[Patrick Kirby]

[QUOTE=Yves Trottier;n208443]

I don't play many gambits myself, but one that I have been seeing more often in online Blitz games is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5. I think it's actually an okay opening for Black, White is slightly better with correct play, but not crushing.,

I thought this gambit had been solved with this variant:
1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Nxe4 (+-)

That's probably one of the best lines. White is a pawn up but with a passive position. White is better, but +- is overstating things. I wouldn't recommend it against a GM, but in 3 minute Internet Blitz I think Black has a playable position.

Also, 4...Qe7, instead of Nf6 deserves consideration for Black.

[Stephen Wright]

In 2017 New In Chess published My First Opening Repertoire for Black by Vincent Moret. Designed for ambitious beginners, the repertoire recommends aggressive systems for black. Against e4 Moret gives the Scandinavian, including the Icelandic Gambit and the Portuguese Variation (see also David Smerdon), against d4 the Albin Countergambit, or when that is avoided the Stonewall. Not for me, but playing such openings has more to do with style and being comfortable with the resultant positions rather than objective soundness.

Here in the Pacific Northwest there are a couple of players who have achieved legendary status for their use of gambits, Ernst Rasmussen with the Blackmar-Diemer and Viktors Pupols with the Latvian.

[Yves Trottier]

[QUOTE=Aris Marghetis;n208445]

yeah, I found that in an article on the Elephant Gambit, but not much else ... thanks Yves

There are no bad openings only bad players...
I like to play 1.e4 e5 2.d4!? the only problem is my bad playing...

[Aris Marghetis]

The line mentioned in several posts above -- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d5 6.cxd5 Bc5 -- is something of an anti-Benko line from White, but it is sharp and interesting in its own right! It is most certainly not a quiet variation! It is generally known as the Kevitz Gambit, after Alexander Kevitz (1903-81), a New York Master who was close to IM strength at his peak.

Oh, maybe I'm confused, I thought the Kevitz was:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.c3 f5

[Frank Dixon]

The line mentioned in several posts above -- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d5 6.cxd5 Bc5 -- is something of an anti-Benko line from White, but it is sharp and interesting in its own right! It is most certainly not a quiet variation! It is generally known as the Kevitz Gambit, after Alexander Kevitz (1903-81), a New York Master who was close to IM strength at his peak.

[Aris Marghetis]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d5 6. cxd5 Bc5 (Kasparov) is one way for Black to get a sharp position anyway.

Thanks Stephen. During this gambit research, I'm finding out just how much there is to learn when the opponent doesn't even let you get there, or declines when offered. Having fun with this.

[Stephen Wright]

I myself play 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 when I am not in the mood for a tactical fight ...

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d5 6. cxd5 Bc5 (Kasparov) is one way for Black to get a sharp position anyway.

[Aris Marghetis]

[QUOTE=Yves Trottier;n208443]

I don't play many gambits myself, but one that I have been seeing more often in online Blitz games is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5. I think it's actually an okay opening for Black, White is slightly better with correct play, but not crushing.,

I thought this gambit had been solved with this variant:
1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Nxe4 (+-)

yeah, I found that in an article on the Elephant Gambit, but not much else ... thanks Yves

[Aris Marghetis]

The Benko Gambit is pretty good though you will often be playing the black side of an English opening when white declines it so you will be advised to study up on the hedgehog. I myself play 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 when I am not in the mood for a tactical fight (about one third of the time) or I just want to take my opponent out of their comfort zone. Online I often get 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.b3 which is very close to a resignation by white I also have a pretty good record against the Benko as white but it is often with a feeling of riding on the back of a tiger with disaster often one bad move away. My last tournament game was a Benko Gambit as black where I beat a FIDE master in a Michigan tournament in a game which both of us needed to win in order to share second place in the tournament.

"which is very close to a resignation by white" --- that's really funny!

Regarding your tiger analogy, yeah, I agree, but for some reason, lately, I don't mind that feeling as much, maybe because what have I got to lose except some online slow rating points, lol

[Yves Trottier]

[QUOTE=Patrick Kirby;n208424]I don't play many gambits myself, but one that I have been seeing more often in online Blitz games is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5. I think it's actually an okay opening for Black, White is slightly better with correct play, but not crushing.,

I thought this gambit had been solved with this variant:
1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Nxe4 (+-)

[Aris Marghetis]

I used to love gambits when below 1600. Have to memorize the sharpest lines. Today, computers don't like them. Are kids today prepared to meet them? The King's Gambit is good for a change.

Yes, I agree about the allure of the King's Gambit. At faster speed games, if I try a Vienna that's not properly replied to, i.e. I love transposing into a King's Gambit after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4

Regarding opponents being prepared, does that even happen at my level (~1800), like even if I know you like the Evan's for example, wouldn't I just steer away from it, get you to "neutral turf"?

Keep the comments coming, I really like them!

[Aris Marghetis]

The Benko is a good addition to any player's repertoire. It has been heavily played now for 50 years (and was played even in the 1920s and 1930s by adventurous souls), so some preparation is a must. I have had success with it.
One line I have had success with, and which is not heavily booked, is in the Russian. It can be a dry system, and requires a lot of knowledge in the main lines. For a livelier game, try this: CF: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4!? This was played now and then in the mid-1800s, but seems to be almost extinct today. My new idea is 3...Nxe4 4.O-O!? d5 5.Bb3. White has sacked his e-pawn, but he will have some play coming. It is not in the books! Have fun!

Thanks Frank.

[Vlad Drkulec]

Thanks Ken. I don't think I would have considered that before your post.
If you've also played it at regular slow speed, I would welcome thoughts.

The Benko Gambit is pretty good though you will often be playing the black side of an English opening when white declines it so you will be advised to study up on the hedgehog. I myself play 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 when I am not in the mood for a tactical fight (about one third of the time) or I just want to take my opponent out of their comfort zone. Online I often get 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.b3 which is very close to a resignation by white I also have a pretty good record against the Benko as white but it is often with a feeling of riding on the back of a tiger with disaster often one bad move away. My last tournament game was a Benko Gambit as black where I beat a FIDE master in a Michigan tournament in a game which both of us needed to win in order to share second place in the tournament.

[Erik Malmsten]

I used to love gambits when below 1600. Have to memorize the sharpest lines. Today, computers don't like them. Are kids today prepared to meet them? The King's Gambit is good for a change.