The Budapest Gambit
Overview
The Budapest Gambit is a chess opening that happens on the chessboard after the following moves:
- d4 Nf6
- c4 e5
In this aggressive opening, Black challenges White’s centre from the very beginning of the game. This move (2… e5) might seem weird at first, but it offers Black some good counterplay. It could also be used as a surprise weapon since many amateur players are not aware of the theory in this variation.
After Black plays 2… e5, White will almost always take this pawn. If he doesn’t, he is allowing Black to keep a central e5-pawn, with a good position.
Once White accepts the gambit, Black has to move the attacked f6-Knight. He has two main possibilities: moving this Knight to e4 or g4.
The move 3… Ne4 is not the most common answer for Black. However, White players must be ready to face this line.
Black doesn’t try to recapture his pawn straight away, and instead focus on quick development.
The move 3… Ng4 is far more played in the Budapest Gambit. Black threatens to get his gambit pawn back. White has three main options here, which will be explored later in this article.
Why Play The Budapest Gambit?
The Budapest Gambit is an aggressive variation that you can use to catch your opponent unprepared. It can also be an option if you don’t feel comfortable with the endless variations against the Queen’s Gambit.
This gambit is quite playable for Black. However, White shouldn’t have a problem with getting a small advantage in the Opening if he knows how to face it.
Since the Budapest Gambit is quite unknown, it can be a great weapon to surprise your opponents, especially in rapid and blitz games!
Every move explained
3… Ne4
How To Reach It
This line happens after the following moves:
- d4 Nf6
- c4 e5
- dxe5 Ne4
You can see these moves below:
Why play the Alekhine Variation?
The move 3… Ne4 is not the most common answer for Black. However, White players must be ready to face this line.
Black doesn’t try to recapture his pawn straight away and instead focus on quick development.
White's Moves
Go a3
Black is threatening an annoying check on b4. Because of this, White often goes a3 soon in the game so that he doesn’t have to worry about this anymore.
Go Nf3 and Nd2
White should bring his knight to the natural f3-square, where it defends the e5-pawn. Then, going Nd2 will threaten to exchange Black’s active e4-knight.
Black's Moves
Go Bb4+
This check is often concerning for White, because in order to defend it might be necessary to exchange some pieces, which could make it harder to defend the e5-pawn.
Go Nc6 and Qe7
Playing Nc6 is a great development move and puts pressure on the e5-pawn. Black can also go Qe7 and try to recapture this pawn.
Alekhine Variation
How To Reach It
This line happens after the following moves:
- d4 Nf6
- c4 e5
- dxe5 Ng4
- e4
You can see these moves below:
Why play the move 4. e4?
In this variation White doesn’t try to keep the extra pawn, and instead focus on getting a central advantage
White's Moves
Go f4
White usually goes f4, occupying the centre and threatening the e5-Knight
Develop with Be3 and Nc3
White should bring his knight to the natural f3-square, and the Bishop to e3. This moves will help White to control the centre.
Black's moves
Go Bb4+
This check is often concerning for White, because to defend, it might be necessary to exchange some pieces or get a worse pawn structure.
Maneuver the b8-Knight to c5
The c6-square is often occupied by the other knight, so it is a good idea to bring the b8-Knight to c5 via a6.
Rubinstein Variation
How To Reach It
This line happens after the following moves:
- d4 Nf6
- c4 e5
- dxe5 Ng4
- Bf4
You can see these moves below:
Why play the move 4.Bf4?
This move defends the e5-pawn and develops the c1-Bishop. The idea behind playing this early Bf4 is that White is now able to go e3 without blocking the bishop, opposed to what appears in the Adler variation.
White's Moves
Go e3
White can now go e3 without locking a bishop on the c1-square.
Develop pieces and castle on the Kingside
Instead of trying to hold on to the extra pawn, White should develop his pieces and get the king safe on the Kingside.
Black's moves
Go Bb4+ and recapture on e5
This check is often concerning for White because to defend, it might be necessary to exchange some pieces or get a worse pawn structure. It also allows Black to go Qe7 without locking the dark-squared bishop on f8, attacking the e5-pawn.
Castle on the Kingside
Black’s King is safe on this side on the Board.
Adler Variation
How To Reach It
This line happens after the following moves:
- d4 Nf6
- c4 e5
- dxe5 Ng4
- Nf3
You can see these moves below:
Why play the move 4.Nf3?
In this variation White doesn’t try to keep the extra pawn, and instead focus on piece-development.
White's Moves
Place a Knight on d5 and develop the f1-Bishop
White tries to develop his pieces in the best squares possible. This includes trying to bring the b1-knight to the d5-outpost and bringing the light-squared bishop to e2.
Castle on the Kingside
White should bring his king to the Kingside, where it is safe.
Black's moves
Recapture the pawn
Black can attack the e5-pawn until it can no longer be defended, with moves such as bringing the knight to the c6-square.
Castle on the Kingside
The Kingside is a safe place for Black’s king.
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