Elephant Gambit

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Elephant Gambit

Moves

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5

ECO

C40

Parent

Open Game

Synonym(s)

Englund Counterattack, Queen's Pawn Counter Gambit

Chessgames.com opening explorer

The Elephant Gambit (also called the Queen's Pawn Counter Gambit or Englund Counterattack) is a rarely played chess opening beginning with the moves:

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 d5!?

In this gambit, Black ignores the attack on his e-pawn and immediately tries to wrest the initiative from White. The main idea is that Black has sacrificed a pawn to gain a move and must obtain compensation for it. The resulting position can be sharp for White, and thus may be a good surprise opening for Black. It is generally considered unsound, because if White plays accurately Black does not get sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

A typical line might continue

a) 3.exd5 e4 (3...Qxd5 saves the pawn, but leaves White with a big lead in development after 4.Nc3) 4.Qe2 Nf6 5.d3 Qxd5 6.Nbd2 Be7 7.dxe4 Qe6 and White remains a pawn ahead, though Black's development is somewhat smoother.

Alternatives are: b) 3...Bd6 (the Elephant Gambit proper) with 4. d4 e4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Nc3 0-0 7. Bc4 ..., but here White enjoys a distinct superiority, but no immediate attack, according to de Firmian.

c) 3. Nxe5, Black plays 3...Bd6 4. d4 dxe4 5. Bc4 Bxe5 6. Qh5 Qf6 7. dxe5, which is thought to be slightly better for White.

d) After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2, Black plays 4...f5 5. d3 Nf6 6. dxe4 fxe4 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Qb5+ c6 9. Qxb4 exf3 with 10. Bg5 cxd5 11. 0-0-0 Nc6 as in Tal-Lutikov, Tallinn 1964 (see de Firmian) with advantage for White. The continuation of the game can be found here: [1]. (de Firmian suggests 12. Qe5, which is not possible given the position.

e) After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6

e1) 5. d3 Be7 6. dxe4 0-0 7. Nc3 Re8 8. Bd2 Bb4 9. 0-0-0, with advantage for White (de Firmian).

e2) 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Nxe4

e2a) 6...Nxd5 7. d3 0-0 8. Qd1 Bg4 9. Be2 f5 10. Ng3 Nc6 11. c3 with slight advantage for White, as in Salomonsson-H. Sorenson, Malmo 1982 (de Firmian).

e2b) 6...0-0 7. Nxf6+ Bxf6 8. d4 Re8 9. Be3, with distinct superiority for White (de Firmian).

f) 3. d4 can be used to enter some uncommon territory.

It is generally used as a surprise to unseat White. If it has been encountered before, it generally results in a crushing defeat for Black.

[edit] References

Hooper, David and Kenneth Whyld. "Queen's Pawn Counter Gambit." Oxford Companion to Chess. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. 329.
Burgess, Graham. "The Mammoth Book of Chess" London: Constable and Robinson, 2000.
de Firmian, Nick. "Modern Chess Openings, 14th Edition." New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1999. Pp. 150 - 151.