Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...d5/2. exd5/2...Qxd5/3. Nc3/3...Qa5/4. b4
| Leonhardt gambit | |
|---|---|
|
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
|
|
|
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
|
|
| Moves: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. b4 | |
| ECO code: B01 | |
| Parent: Scandinavian defence → Mieses-Kotrč variation → 3...Qa5 | |
4. b4!? · Leonhardt gambit
[edit | edit source]White gambits a pawn for tempo. The gambit is nearly sound (with best play Black is equal or slightly better) but there are several sharp lines.
After 4...Qxb4, there are two tries for White. 5. Rb1 Qd6 6. Nf3 and White has developed three pieces and has control of the half-open b-file, and its up to White to prove they can capitalise on this in the middle game.
The other try is 5. Nb5, threatening Nxf7. 5...Qa5 6. Bc4 sets a trap, where the natural move 6...c6?? loses the queen for two minors: 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Nd6+ exd6 10. Qxa5+-.
Declining the gambit with 4...Qb6 avoids complications, but by letting White off the hook they don't have to prove their sacrifice was worth it.
Theory table
[edit | edit source]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. b4
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonhardt gambit accepted | ... Qxb4 |
Rb1 Qd6 |
Nf3 Nf6 |
d4 g6 |
Bc4 Bg7 |
O-O O-O |
⩱ | |||
| (illustrative line) | ... ... |
... ... |
... Bg4? |
Rxb7 Nc6? |
Nb5 Qd7 |
Nxc7+ Kd8 |
h3 Rb8 |
Rxb8+ Nxb8 |
hxg4 Qxc7 |
+- |
| ... ... |
Nb5 Qa5 |
Bc4 Nf6 |
Bb2 c6 |
Nd4 Bg4 |
∓ | |||||
| (illustrative line) | ... ... |
... ... |
... c6?? |
Bxf7+ Kxf7 |
Qh5+ g6 |
Nd6+ exd6 |
Qxa5 | +- | ||
| Leonhardt gambit declined | ... Qb6 |
Rb1 Nf6 |
Nf3 Bf5 |
± |
References
[edit | edit source]See also
[edit | edit source]
With 2...g6:
With other 2nd moves for Black:
Dutch defence