CHAPTER 16:
SOME MORE GAMBITS
In the last chapter of this book we're looking at some more gambits, particularly the King's Gambit and the Evans Gambit.
Openings like these are excellent choices for you at this stage of your chess career. Gambits lead to open lines and rapid development, giving you many opportunities for tactics and combinations.
These openings were very popular in the 19th century, and many famous and brilliant games were played with them. Nowadays they are not played so much as defensive techniques have improved, but the opponents you're likely to meet will not be very good at defending. Even so, the King's Gambit has been played by such megastars as Fischer, Spassky, Judit Polgar and Nigel Short, and Kasparov has started a revival of the Evans Gambit.
The King's Gambit Accepted starts with the moves:
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
What does White have for his pawn? He has lured a Black pawn away from the centre, and will play to control it completely with d4. He's also opened the f-file for a possible attack with Queen and Rook.
First, a quick game to show what might happen if Black really has no idea what he's doing.
This game was played by someone called WE Rudolph in 1912.
3. Bc4
The most popular move here is Nf3, but this is also good, and is the choice of both Judit Polgár and Short. White's not afraid of Qh4+ because he'll play Kf1 and be able to gain time by driving the Queen back.
3... Bc5?
A weak move, but one often played by beginners. White will seize the centre and attack the Bishop at the same time.
4. d4 Qh4+
5. Kf1 Bb6
6. Nf3 Qd8
7. Bxf4 Ne7
8. Ng5 0-0?
Castling into trouble! The only move was d5.
9. Qh5
A familiar attacking idea when Black's played Ne7 instead of Nf6. Remember it!
9... h6
10. Bxf7+ Kh8? (Diagram 244)
b) Kriegspiel
Masters of the Universe 16