Blumenfeld Countergambit
The Blumenfeld Countergambit is a chess opening characterised by the moves 3...e6 4.Nf3 b5 in the Benoni Defense arising after:
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| Moves | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nf3 b5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | E10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Named after | Benjamin Blumenfeld | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Benoni Defense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
or alternatively:
In fact, as many as 30 different move orders are possible.[1] The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings sorts the Blumenfeld Countergambit under code E10 (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3).
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 half-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 their additional queenside pawn also offers them 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 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),[2] with 5.Bg5 being most frequently seen when this gambit is employed.
References
- Opening Report: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5 (1914 games)
- Kasparov, Gary; Raymond Keene (1982). Batsford Chess Openings. B. T. Batsford, London. ISBN 0-7134-2114-2.
Further reading
- Alterman, Boris (2011). The Alterman Gambit Guide: Black Gambits 1. Quality Chess. ISBN 978-1906552541.
- Landa, Konstantin (2007). "A Simple and Effective Variation against the Terrible Blumenfeld?". New in Chess Yearbook (84): 227–230.
- Przewoznik, Jan; Pein, Malcolm (1991). The Blumenfeld Gambit. Pergamon Chess. ISBN 0-08-037132-9.
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