Fajarowicz Gambit

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ne4

1. Introduction 
This opening is also known as the Budapest, Fajarowicz-Richter Variation (A51). Normally in the Budapest Gambit the black Knight goes to the g4-square, attacking the white pawn on e5, but in the Fajarowicz Gambit black plays 3...Ne4 and leaves the e5-pawn alone. A real gambit.

But is the position of the black Knight (on e4) a good one? In general a piece has a good position when:
[1] it controls many important squares and
[2] if it's difficult to attack the piece.

In this case, the black Knight is standing in the centre of the board; it's hindering the natural development of the white Knight on b1 and in some variations threatens the f2-square, so it complies with [1]. But can it meet requirement [2], as 4.f3 will force the Knight to move away. But does it? After 4.f3 Qh4+ 5.g3 Nxg3 the Knight has left the e4-square, but won material in the proces. And if white play first 4.Bf4 then 4...Nc6 5.f3 (the threat of 5.Qh4+ is now neutralized) Bb4+ 6.Nd2 Bxd2+ 7.Bxd2 Qh4+ and again black wins material. So to requirement [2] is also met.

We conclude with the words of Max Euwe: "The Fajarowicz-Knight creates latent threats along the a5-e1 diagonal and, in conjunction with the consequent gambit continuation d7-d6 or d7-d5, may well make white's development more difficult".

2. Game analysis

Date: 2013.05.10
White: corph
Black: BigGStikman
WhiteElo: 1926
BlackElo: 2000
TimeControl: 1 in 3 days

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5

The Budapest Gambit.

3.dxe5 Ne4

The Fajarowicz Gambit.

4.a3

Other continuations that you often see are 4.Qc2, 4.Nd2 and 4.Nf3. With 4.a3 prevents 4...Bb4+ and avoiding exchanges and threatening 5.Qc2.

4...b6

Objectively is 4...Nc6 probably most solid and is 4...d6 more gambit-style, but I like 4...b6 as white made a non-developing 4th move. And as blacks light squared bishop can be a problem for black, black 4th move aims to get is working early.

5.Qd5

This tempting move doesn't win material, and in fact gives black a the opportunity to play the totally wild 5...Bb7.

5...Bb7

An alternative is the more solid 5...Nc5. If 6.Qxa8 then 6...Bb7 7.Qxa7 Nc6 8.Qxb7 Nxb7 9.Nf3 Nc5 and we've trade a Queen for a Rook, Bishop and 2 pawns. The game at this point is about equal.

6.Qxb7 Nc6

Trapping the white Queen.

7.Qa6

Not good. Better is 7.Nc3 Nc5 8.Bg5 f6 9.exf6 exf6 10.Lxf6 Qxf6 11.Qxa8 Kf7 12.g3 Bg7 13.Qxh8 Bxh8 14.Bg2 Na5 15.Rc1 Qg6 16.Bd5+ Kf8 17.Nh3 c6 18.Nf4 Bxc3+ 19.bxc3 Qf6 20 Bf3 Nxc4 21.0-0 a5 and white is perhaps slightly better.

7...Nc5

There's simply no escape for the white Queen.

8.Qb5 a6

It's now exit for the white Queen.

9.Qxc6 dxc6

2 pieces and a pawn for a Queen (game over).

10.Nd2

Keeping the black Knight away from b3.

10...g6

An alternative is 10...Qd7 and 11...0-0-0.

11.b4 Na4

To frustrate white's development more.

12.Ngf3 Bg7 13.e4 0-0 14.Be2 Bxe5

15.Rb1

Perhaps better is 15.Nxe5 Qd4 16.Rb1 Qxe5 17.Bf3.

15...Bg7 16.Rb3 Re8

An alternative is 16...Nc3 17.Bb2 Nxe2 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Kxe2 a5.

17.0-0 Nc3 18.Re1 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Rxe4 20.Be3 Qe8 21.Ng5 Re5 22.Bf3

Not good. Better is 22.Nf3, 22.Kf1 or 22.c5.

22...h6

Better is 22...Rxg5 23.Bxc6 Qxc6 24.Bxg5.

23.Nh3 Rd8 24.Nf4 g5 25.Nd3 Re6 26.c5 f5 27.Bd2

The final mistake.

27...Rxe1+ 28.Bxe1 Rxd3

White resigned.

0-1

3. Summery

In the Fajarowicz Gambit black makes no immediate effort to regain the gambit pawn, preferring to concentrate on active piece play and tactical tricks. This can be your attacking weapon against 1.d4 if you want.

Danish Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3

1. Introduction

The game starts as a Centre Game (1.e4 e5 2.d4). Normally after 2...exd4 white takes the pawn back with 3.Qxd4, but not now. With 3.c3 we're entering the Danish Gambit (also known as the Nordic Gambit). White waives the right to recover the pawn and instead white offers another pawn for the take. That's the fun part of this gambit. In this gambit white sacrifices one or two pawns for a rapid development and attack. After black decides to play 3...dxc3, white plays 4.Bc4 after which the game can continue with 4...cxb2 5.Bxb2.

2. Game analysis

Date: 2012.02.13

White: BigGStikman

Black: DreamingVoid

WhiteElo: 1968

BlackElo: 1903

TimeControl: 1 in 7 days

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3

The Danish Gambit (C21).

3...dxc3 4.Bc4 Qf6

I was hoping that black would take on b2, but unfortunately my opponent didn't. I don't think blacks Queenmove was the best continuation; the Queen is hindering the development of blacks Knight on g8. Moves as 4...d5, 4...Bb4 or 4...Nf6 are looking better in my opinion.

5.Nxc3 Bb4

Black is pinning and attacking the white Knight on c3.

6.Nge2

I don't know if 6.Bd2 is better, but I like Nge2 better; preparing the castle and getting my king safe.

6...Nc6

An alternative is 6.Ne7.

7.0-0 Nge7

8.Be3

I wanted to prevent that black's Bishop could go to the square c5 and taking control over the diagonal a7-g2; that could be inconvenient as I was planning to play f4 in one of my next moves. But perhaps white could do better by playing 8.Nb5 Ba5 9.Bd2 a6 10.Bxa5 axb5 11.Bc3 Qg5.

8...a6

An alternative is: 8...0-0.

9.f4

Better is first 9.Qb3 and then 10.f4. Or perhaps 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Nxc3 0-0 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Ne5 13.Bd4.

9...d6

Better was 9...0-0 10.e5 Qh6 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 d6 or 10.a3 Bxc3 11.Nxc3 d6 12.Qh5 Be6 13.Bd3.

10.a3

At this point white had to play 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 b5 12.dxc6 bxc5 13.a3 Ba5 14.Bd4. Now black gets the chance to trade his dark squared Bishop with the white knight on c3. And after black castles he is relatively safe.

10...Ba5

Not a good move! After 11.b4 Bb6 12.Bxb6 cxb6 13.e5 Qg6 (Not 13...dxe5 14.fxe5 Qxe5 15.Bxf7+ Kf8 16.Bg6+ Bf5 17.Bxf5 Nxf5 18.Qd7! and white is clearly better) 14.exd6 Nf5 15.Re1 0-0 16.Bd3 (Not 16.d7 Ne3!) Qxd6 17.Bxf5 Qxd1 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Raxd1 and white is slighly better.

11.Nd5

Not good; whites had to play 11.b4 as pointed out earlier.

11...Nxd5 12.exd5 Ne7

Not good! Black had to play 12...b5. Now white gets the advantage in the game.

13.Qa4+ b5 14.Qxa5 bxc4 15.Bd4

Better is 15.Nc3 0-0 16.Qxc7 Bf5 17.Qxc4 Qg6 18.Rfe1.

15...Qg6

Not good. Better is 15...Qf5 16.Rad1 Qxd5 17.Qxd5 Nxd5 18.Bxg7 Rg8 19.Rxd5 Rxg8.

16.Qxc7 Bg4

Not good. Better is 16...Qf5 17.Qxd6 Qxd5 18.Qxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxg7 Rg8 20.Bd4.

17.Qxc4

Not good! Is releases the pressure on the black Knight on e7; now black can castle. After 17.Ng3 has black problems to connect his pieces to work together: 17...Rc8 18.Qb7 f6 19.f5 Qf7 20.Rae1 Rd8 21.Bb6 or 17...Rd8 18.f5 Qh6 19.Rae1 and black is in big trouble! Another possiblity is 17.f5 Qg5 18.f6 gxf6 19.Nc3 Bh3 20.Rf2 Rc8 21.Qxd6 Rd8 22.Qxa6 0-0 23.Bxf6. And again black has big problems!

17...O-O 18.f5

One move too late!

18...Bxf5

Probably 18...Nxf5 is slightly better.

19.Nf4

The point of 18.f5, making square f4 free for the Knight.

19...Qg4

19...Qg5 is probably somewhat better.

20.Rf3

Bringing the Rook in the attack and the hunt for the black Queen.

20...Ng6

An alternative is 20.Rac8.

21.Bxg7

The start of a nice combination!

21...Kxg7

Not good! White can bring now a nice combination on the board. Better was 21...Rfe8 or 21...Rfc8.

22.Rg3 Qh4 23.Rxg6+ hxg6 24.Ne6+ fxe6 25.Qxh4 Rf7

Better is 25...exd5.

26.dxe6

Better is 26.g4 Be4 27.dxe6.

26...Bxe6 27.Qd4+ Kh7 28.Qxd6

At this point is white better.

28...Bf5 29.Rf1 Rd7 30.Qc5 Rad8 31.Qc4

Attacking the pawn on a6 and provoking black to play Bd3, attacking whites Queen and Rook at the same time. But white has a trick up his sleeve.

31...Bd3

Black took the bait. Better is Rd6.

32.Rf7+ Rxf7

Better is 32...Kg8 (Not 32...Kh8 33.Qh4+ Kg8 34.Qh7# or 32...Kh6 33.Qh4#) 33.Rxd7+ Bxc4 34.Rxd8+.

33.Qxf7+ Kh6 34.Qf4+ Kh5 35.g4+ Kh4 36.Qf6+

Game over!

36...Kxg4 37.Qxd8 Bf5 38.Qd4+ Kg5 39.Qe3+ Kf6 40.Qb6+ Kg5 41.Qxa6 Kh4 42.b4 Kg4 43.Qd6 Kg5 44.Qe5 Kg4 45.Qg3+ Kh5 46.h4 Kh6 47.Qg5+ Kh7 48.h5 Kg7 49.b5 Kh7 50.Qe7+ Kh6 51.hxg6 Kxg6 52.b6 Bg4 53.b7 Kf5 54.b8=Q Kg6 55.Qbf8

Finally black resigned.

1-0

3 Summery

A nice victory after 448 days (the game went on too long, but that was black's choice)! A nice success for the Danish Gambit. One of my first attemps with this gambit.

Englund Gambit Complex, Blackburne-Hartlaub Gambit

1.d4 e5 (2.dxe5 d6)

         >>

Position after 1...e5                                                                           Position after 2...d6

1. Introduction

This gambit is also known as the Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit from the Englund Gambit Complex (1.d4 e5) or short Hartlaub Gambit. This Gambit was Charlick's original idea to avoid the closed openings, aiming for compensation for a pawn after 3.exd6 Bxd6. At the cost of a pawn, black wants to develop quickly and start an attack on the white King. This game I played on another site.

2 Game analysis

Date: 2013.03.18

White: pietercremer

Black: Gerrit de Leeuw

WhiteRating: 1842

BlackRating: 1926

TimeControl: 1 in 7 days

1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 d6

Blackburne-Hartlaub Gambit (A40).

3.exd6

White accepts the gambit; an alternative is 3.Nf3.

3...Bxd6 4. e4

Alternatives are 4.Nf3 or 4.Nc3; taking control of the squares in the center.

4...Nc6

But also 4...Nf6 and 4...Qe7 are known continuations in this gambit.

5.Nc3 Qe7 6.Bd3 Be6

Preventing the white Knight to go to d5 and attack my Queen. Probably 6...Nf6 7.Nf3 Bg4 is better, but I wanted to castle queenside quickly to make use of the open d-file with my Rook on d8.

7.Nf3 h6

Not consequently played, as 7...0-0-0 was the idea of black's last move. But I didn't like white's Knight on g5, just aiming at my light squared Bishop on e6.

8.0-0 0-0-0 9.Qe2 Bg4 10.Nd5 Qd7 11.Qe3

To get out of the pin and avoid an attack from the black Knight on d4.

11...Re8

To consider is 11...f5 12.exf5 Bxf5 (with the threat of 13...Bxh2+ and 14...Qxd5) 13.c4 Nge7 14.Bd2 Rhe8 15.Bxf5 Qxf5 16.Qb3 g5 and black has equalized. But if white plays 12...Nd2 Be5 13.Nb3 g5 14.f3 exf4 15.Bxe4 Bf5 16.Nc5 Qh7 and black doesn't have any compensation for his pawn.

12. c4

Better is: 12.Bb5 a6 13.Bxc6 Qxc6 14.Nd4 Qd7 15.Qc3 (threatening 16.Nb6+) Kb8 16.f3 and white is better.

12...Nge7

Perhaps black had to play 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 first, before playing his Knight on g8 to e7!?

13.Nxe7+

After for example 13.Re1 Nf5 14.Qd2 Bxf3 15.exf5 Bxd5 16.cxd5 Rxe1+ 17.Qxe1 Nb4 and it's an equal game.

13...Qxe7 14.Re1

Perhaps 14.Bd2 was to consider, developing the DSB en getting the Rooks connected.

14...g5

Threatening 15...Bf4 and 16.Nd4 attacking the white Queen. At this point I believe black has full compensation for his pawn.

15.Bc2 Bc5 16.Qb3 Bxf3

Not good. Better is 16...Nb4 17.Be3 Bxf3 18.Bxc5 Qxc5 19.gxf3 Rhg8 and it's about equal.

17.gxf3

Not good. White is ruining his pawnstructure and his pieces aren't doing much; better was 17.Qxf3. This is probably the turning point of the game.

17...Nd4 18.Qd3

18...Qe5

With the idea of putting the dark squared bishop on d6 and attacking square h2, threatening mate. But black had perhaps a better plan: 18...g4 19.fxg4 Qf6 20.Be3 Nf3+ 21.Kg2 Reg8 22.h3 Nxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Bxe3 24.Rxe3 and black is better.

19.Kg2 Nf5

Perhaps playing first 19...Rd8 is to consider, building up more pressure on the white pieces.

20.Rh1 Nh4 21.Kf1 f5

All black's pieces are joining in the attack. At this point black is clearly better.

22.Bd2

It's too late to bring up the reserves. Better is 22.f4.

22...Rd8

An alternative is: 22...fxe4 23.Qxe4 Nxf3 24.Qxe5 Nxe5 25.b4 Nxc4 26.bxc5 Nxd2+ 27.Kg2 and black is clearly better.

23.Bc3

Better is: 23.Qc3.

23...Qf4 24.Qe2 Nxf3 25.Rd1 Rxd1+ 26.Bxd1 Rd8

White resigned.

A possible continuation is 27.exf5 Qxf5 (threatening mate on h3) 28.h3 Qb1 29.Qe6+ Kb8 30.Kg2 Nh4+ 31.Kg3 Qd3+ and black is winning.

0-1

3. Summery

This was a fun game. Not many big errors and still black found a way to win the game after his pawn sacrifice in the opening.

Latvian Gambit, Fraser Defence

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (3.Nxe5 Nc6)

         >>

Position after 2...f5 (Latvian Gambit)                                                Position after 3...Nc6 (Fraser Defence)

1. Introduction

I play the Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5) for some years now with black. It's a playing style I very much like. And after white takes on e5 with 3.Nxe5 I normally would play 3...Qf6 (probably the best move). But I also like to experiment with openings. This time I choose for 3.Nc6 (Fraser Defence, also known as the Moller-Fraser Defence). It's probably not fully sound, but can be very tactical.

2. Game analysis

Date: 2013.12.22

White: JLL03

Black: BigGStikman

WhiteElo: 2019

BlackElo: 2038

TimeControl: 1 in 14 days

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5

Latvian Gambit (C40).

3.Nxe5 Nc6

Fraser Defence.

4.Qh5+

This is the more tactical approach; an alternative is 4.Nxc6 as the more positional approach. White also can play 4.d4 to create a strong centre.

4...g6

Only move, objectively. As 4...Ke7 5.Qf7+ Kd6 6.Nc4+ Kc5 7.Qd5+ Kb4 8.a3+ Ka4 9.Nc3# will end the game very quick.

5.Nxg6

The only move that keeps the chances for white alive. The alternative 5.Nxc6 equals the game and other moves lose for white.

5...Nf6 6.Qh3

An alternative is: 6.Qh4 Rg8

(6...hxg6 will return to the main game) 7.e5

Some other possible continuations:

[A] 7.Nxf8 Rg4 8.Qh6 Rxe4+ 9.Be2 Qe7 10.Nc3 Rxe2+ 11.Nxe2 Nd4 12.0-0 Nxe2+ 13.Kh1 d5.

[B] 7.Nxf8 Rg4 8.Qh3 Rxe4+ 9.Kd1 Kxf8 10.Nc3 Re6 11.Qxf5 d5.

Both times has black some compensation, IMO. But I don't know if it will be enough.

7...Rxg6 8.exf6 Qxf6 9.Qxf6 Rxf6 10.c3 Bh6 11.Be2 Re6 12.Kd1 and black has some compensation for his pawn.

6...hxg6

Some other possible continuations:

[A] 6...Rg8 7.Nxf8 Kxf8 8.d3 Kf7 9.Qxf5 d5 10.Qf3 Bg4 11.Qf4 dxe4.

[B] 6...fxe4 7.Nxh8 d5 8.Qb3 Bd7 9.Bb5 Nd4 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.Qxb7 Rd8.

Both times has black some compensation, IMO. But I don't know if it will be enough.

7.Qxh8 Qe7 8.Bd3

Not good. I think 8.d3, 8.Nc3 or even 8.Qh4 are better moves.

8...fxe4

And the white Bishop has to move again.

9.Be2 Nd4 10.Bd1 d5

At this point black has compensation for the lost material.

11.Nc3 c5

Not good! A move driven by fear is often not a good move. I was affraid to lose my Knight on d4 because of the threat of 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Qxd4, but there was no need to. Better is: 11...Kf7 12.Nxd5 Nf3+ 13.Bxf3 (other moves lose fast) Nxd5 14.Be2 Bg7 15.Qh7 Be6 and black threatens Rh8 and capturing the white Queen. White can only prevent it by giving back material with 16.Bh5, after that black has a good game. For example: 16...Nf4 17.Bxg6+ Nxg6 18.Qh5 Rh8.

12.Qh4

Not good. Better is: 12.0-0 Bf5 13.d3 0-0-0 14.dxe4 Bg7 15.Qh4 dxe4 16.Bg5 and black doesn't have (enough) compensation for his material deficit.

12...Nf5 13.Qg5

To consider is: 13:Qh3.

13...Qf7

To consider is: 13...Kf7.

14.d3

Not good! Needed was 14.Nb5 to stay into the game. For example: 14...Kd8 15.g4 Bh6 16.Nd6 Qf8 17.Qxg6 Nxd6 18.g5 Bg7 19.gxf6 Bxf6 and black has some compensation, but I don't know if it's enough.

14...Bh6 15.Nb5

One move too late. Furthermore 15.Qxh6 would be better.

15...Bxg5 16.Bxg5 a6

White resigns.

0-1

3. Summery

Playing the Latvian Gambit sometimes results in short games; this is an example of such a game. In a tactical struggle white's Queen is lured in the corner of the board, while black is developing his pieces. But in the end white has no squares for his Queen and loses the game.

Latvian Gambit, Svedenborg Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (3.Bc4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 d5)

         >>

Position after 2...f5 (Latvian Gambit)                                               Position after 4...d5 (Svedenborg Variation)

1. Introduction

I like playing the Latvian Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (with black). Mostly white plays 3.Nxe5 or 3.exf5, but sometimes you get an opponent who will try something else. The move 3.Bc4 is a perfect example. A good move! I play it myself when I'm white. And after 3...fxe4 4.Nxe5 black plays 4...d5 (Svedenborg Variation, C40). IMO a very reliable answer for black. In this game I had the oppertunity to test this variation.

2. Game analysis

Date: 2014.04.18

White: archerclass

Black: BigGStikman

WhiteElo: 2094

BlackElo: 2052

TimeControl: 1 in 10 days

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5

Welcome to the Latvian Gambit (C40)! A Reversed King's Gambit and an aggressive choice for black, which often leads to wild and tricky positions.

3.Bc4

Probably 3.Nxe5 or 3.exf5 are more common, but 3.Bc4 is good move. Aiming at the f7-square with a developing move, can't be bad.

3...fxe4

Another variation that looks appealing to me is 3...b5, the Strautin Defence. But 3...fxe4 is probably the best.

4.Nxe5 d5

Now we've the Svedenborg Variation. With 4...d5, black puts a pawn between the white Bishop and the f7-square.

Before I go further with the game, just a short intermezzo:

For those who like an ultimate agressive battle, there's always 4...Qg5 and go for the "poisened pawn". For example: 5.d4 Qxg2 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Bf7+ Kd8 8.Bxg6 Qxh1+ 9.Ke2 Qxc1 and black has a long-lasting material advance, but is positional underdeveloped.

5.Qh5+ g6

Only move, because 5...Ke7 is a forced mate (in 9 moves).

6.Nxg6 hxg6

Perhaps a more solid approach would perhaps be 6...Nf6 7.Qe5+ Be7 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Nxe7 Qxe7 10.Qxe7+ Kxe7 11.Be2 and we've game where black is a pawn down but has considerable positional compensation. But I like my sharper move 6...hxg6 better, as it leads to sharp and perhaps unclear play.

7.Qxh8

I think this is the best move. As 7.Qxg6 Kd7 8.Bxd5 (threatening 9.Qe6#) Nf6 9.Nc3 Qe7 gives about an equal game.

7...Kf7

8.Bb3

An alternative is: 8.Qd4 Be6 9.Bb3 (or 9.Be2) c5 10.Qe3 Nf6 11.0-0 c4 12.Ba4 Qa5 13.b3 b5 and black has a good game IMO.

8...Bg7 9.Qh7

The black Queen hasn't many squares to go to. Perhaps 9.Bxd5+ Qxd5 10.Qh4 is an option!?

9...Be6

It's always good to have a piece between your King and the attacker on b3. Furthermore it develops and defends the d5-pawn.

10.0-0

Probably not the best continuation. White's intention is to play 11.f3 and create an open file to the black King. But instead of castling first, maybe a direct 10.f3 was better. For example: 10...e3 11.dxe3 Nd7 (threatening 12...Nf8 capturing the white Queen.) 12.Bxd5 (The only way to save the white Queen) Bxd5 13.Qh3 Be6 14.Qg3 Ne7 15.e4 c6 and it's about even, where black has a better development and the initiative, but his King is not that safe.

Another idea in this position is: 10.d3 Nd7 11.g3 (making it possible to retreat the white Queen to h4 after 11...Nf8.) Ne5 (hindering the white Queen to go to h4, due Nf3+ and Nxh4) 12.Nd2 Nh6 (locking the white Queen up) 13.dxe4 Qd7 followed by 14.Rh8.

10...Nd7

An innocent looking developing move with the treat of 11...Nf8 capturing the white Queen.

11.f3

To free his Queen, black has to capture on d5 with his Bishop.

11...e3

I don't intend to open a file for white's Rook towards my King.

12.dxe3

Only 12.Bxd5 could have saved the white Queen.

12...Nf8 13.Qh4

Playing 13.Qxg7+ would have gained a piece, but it doesn't matter. The game is over.

13...Qxh4

White resigned.

0-1

3. Summery

A short game where black sacrificed material for development. In the process white's Queen was trapped in the corner of the board. White underestimated the position and forgot to give back material to free his Queen. A nice win for the Svedenborg Variation!