Blumenfeld Gambit

Blumenfeld Gambit
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nf3 b5
ECO E10
Named after Benjamin Blumenfeld
Parent Benoni Defense
Chessgames.com opening explorer

The Blumenfeld Gambit is a chess opening characterised by the moves 3...e6 4.Nf3 b5 in the Benoni Defence arising after

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 c5
3. d5 e6
4. Nf3 b5

or alternatively

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nf3 c5
4. d5 b5

Contents
This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

General considerations

Black sacrifices a wing pawn to establish an imposing centre with pawns on c5, d5 and e6. The natural development of the bishops to b7 and d6, combined with the open f-file for a rook, tend to facilitate Black's play on the kingside. White, on the other hand, will typically look to counter in the centre by playing e4 at some point, while his additional queenside pawn also offers him some initiative on that side of the board.

Origin

The opening is named after the Russian master Benjamin Blumenfeld, and was later played by World Chess Champion Alexander Alekhine.

The opening position can also be reached via the Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 e6). Possible continuations are 5.dxe6 (Kan-Goldenov, 1946), 5.Bg5 (Vaganian-K. Grigorian, 1971), 5.e4, or 5.a4 (Rubinstein-Spielmann, 1922)[1], with 5.Bg5 being most frequently seen when this gambit is employed.

Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings sorts the Blumenfeld Gambit under:

See also

References

  1. ^ Kasparov, Gary; Raymond Keene (1982). Batsford Chess Openings. B. T. Batsford, London. ISBN 0 7134 2114 2. 

Further reading

External links