A chess gambit is a strategic opening move where a player sacrifices material, typically a pawn, in order to achieve a more favorable position.
The primary goal of a gambit is to gain a positional advantage, such as better development of pieces or control of the center of the board.
While the player who initiates a gambit offers material early on, they often aim to capitalize on the dynamic elements of the position, like creating open lines for their pieces or setting up tactical opportunities.
Gambits can lead to highly tactical and dynamic play, and they require both players to be alert to the shifting possibilities on the board.
The use of gambits is more common in aggressive, attacking styles of play and less frequent in conservative, positional strategies.
Chess Gambits
- King’s Gambit
- Queen’s Gambit
- Evans Gambit
- Benko Gambit
- Smith-Morra Gambit
- Danish Gambit
- Latvian Gambit
- Budapest Gambit
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
- Stafford Gambit
- Göring Gambit
- Scotch Gambit
- Englund Gambit
- Halloween Gambit
- Elephant Gambit
- Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack (also known as Traxler Gambit)
- Vienna Gambit
- Albin Countergambit
- King’s Indian Defense, Sämisch Variation (also can lead to a gambit)
- Ponziani Opening, Jaenisch Gambit
- From’s Gambit
- Falkbeer Countergambit
- Grünfeld Defense, Nadanian Variation (gambit line)
- Schliemann Defense (in Ruy Lopez)
- Wing Gambit (against the Sicilian Defense)
- Keres Defense (against the Sicilian)
- Orangutan (Sokolsky) Opening (can lead to gambit lines)
- Blumenfeld Countergambit
- Center Game (leading to a gambit)
- Marshall Gambit (in Semi-Slav Defense)
- Englund Gambit, Reversed Alekhine
- Tennison Gambit
- Bird’s Opening, From Gambit
- Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, Classical Variation (gambit line)
- Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit
- King’s Gambit, Muzio Gambit
- Sicilian, Wing Gambit
- Catalan Opening, Open Defense (gambit line)
- Benoni Defense, Benko Gambit
Longer List of Chess Gambits (and Variations) with Explanations
1. King’s Gambit
The King’s Gambit arises after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.f4. White offers a pawn to divert the e5 pawn and open lines for an aggressive play, targeting Black’s kingside.
2. Queen’s Gambit
Initiated with 1.d4 d5 2.c4, the Queen’s Gambit sees White offering the c-pawn to control the center. It’s not a true gambit as White can regain the pawn with careful play.
3. Evans Gambit
The Evans Gambit starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4. White sacrifices a pawn on the b-file to rapidly develop pieces and mount pressure on Black’s position.
4. Benko Gambit
Played with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5, the Benko Gambit involves sacrificing a pawn on the queenside to open lines and gain long-term positional pressure.
5. Smith-Morra Gambit
After 1.e4 c5 2.d4, the Smith-Morra Gambit offers a pawn to speed up development and open central lines against the Sicilian Defense.
6. Danish Gambit
This gambit begins with 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3. White sacrifices one or two pawns for rapid development and a strong center.
7. Latvian Gambit
The Latvian Gambit is a risky choice for Black, starting with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5. Black offers a pawn to destabilize White’s center and create attacking chances.
8. Budapest Gambit
The Budapest Gambit is characterized by 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5, where Black immediately challenges White’s central pawn structure.
9. Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Initiated with 1.d4 d5 2.e4, this aggressive gambit aims to open the e-file and create a dynamic, open position.
10. Stafford Gambit
This gambit starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6, where Black sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances.
11. Göring Gambit
The Göring Gambit begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3. It’s similar to the Danish Gambit, offering a pawn for rapid development and a central initiative.
12. Scotch Gambit
Played with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4, the Scotch Gambit aims to sacrifice a pawn for quick development and central control.
13. Englund Gambit
The Englund Gambit starts with 1.d4 e5, a rare choice for Black aiming to immediately challenge White’s center.
14. Halloween Gambit
In the Halloween Gambit, White plays 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5, sacrificing a knight early for a central pawn push and attack opportunities.
15. Elephant Gambit
Starting with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5, the Elephant Gambit is an aggressive response from Black, immediately challenging White’s control of the center.
16. Fried Liver Attack
Though not a gambit in the traditional sense, it involves aggressive play by White with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5, targeting the f7-square.
17. Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack
A variation of the Two Knights Defense, starting with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5. Black counterattacks instead of defending the f7-pawn.
18. Vienna Gambit
The Vienna Gambit begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4, where White aims to destabilize Black’s center and develop rapidly, often leading to sharp positions.
19. Albin Countergambit
Played after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5, the Albin Countergambit offers a pawn for central activity and potential tactics against White’s king.
20. King’s Indian Defense, Sämisch Variation
In this variation, starting with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3, White prepares a kingside attack while Black counters on the queenside.
21. Ponziani Opening, Jaenisch Gambit
The Jaenisch Gambit in the Ponziani Opening starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5, where Black immediately challenges White’s center with a pawn sacrifice.
22. From’s Gambit
This gambit arises after 1.f4 e5, where Black immediately challenges White’s kingside pawn structure and aims for rapid development.
23. Falkbeer Countergambit
Played in response to the King’s Gambit, the Falkbeer Countergambit starts with 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5, offering a pawn to disrupt White’s central control.
24. Grünfeld Defense, Nadanian Variation
The Nadanian Variation of the Grünfeld Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4, where White aggressively pushes the h-pawn to undermine Black’s kingside.
25. Schliemann Defense
In the Ruy Lopez, the Schliemann Defense starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5. Black immediately counters with a pawn sacrifice for quick development and attacking chances.
26. Wing Gambit
The Wing Gambit, often against the Sicilian Defense, begins with 1.e4 c5 2.b4, sacrificing a pawn on the queenside to disrupt Black’s pawn structure and gain rapid development.
27. Keres Defense (against the Sicilian)
In response to the Sicilian Defense, the Keres Defense starts with 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3, where White sacrifices a pawn to open central lines and accelerate development.
28. Orangutan (Sokolsky) Opening
Initiated with 1.b4, this opening aims to control the queenside and can lead to gambit lines where White offers a pawn for rapid development and spatial advantage.
29. Blumenfeld Countergambit
Played after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5, the Blumenfeld Countergambit offers a pawn to open lines on the queenside and challenge White’s center.
30. Center Game
The Center Game begins with 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4, where White opens the center quickly but risks exposing the queen early in the game.
31. Marshall Gambit
In the Marshall Gambit, part of the Semi-Slav Defense, Black plays 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e6 4.e4, sacrificing a pawn to open the e-file and activate pieces.
32. Englund Gambit, Reversed Alekhine
A variant of the Englund Gambit, this line starts with 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6, where Black aims for rapid piece activity and kingside pressure.
33. Tennison Gambit
Initiated with 1.Nf3 d5 2.e4, the Tennison Gambit offers a pawn to disrupt Black’s pawn structure and create imbalance in the center.
34. Bird’s Opening, From Gambit
In response to Bird’s Opening, the From Gambit starts with 1.f4 e5, aggressively challenging White’s plan and aiming for rapid development and kingside attack.
35. Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, Classical Variation
Starting with 1.b3 e5, White aims for a flexible pawn structure and control of the long diagonal, often leading to gambit situations for rapid development.
36. Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit
The Staunton Gambit against the Dutch Defense begins with 1.d4 f5 2.e4, where White sacrifices a pawn to disrupt Black’s pawn structure and seek open lines.
37. King’s Gambit, Muzio Gambit
A bold line in the King’s Gambit, the Muzio Gambit starts with 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.Bc4 g4 5.O-O, where White sacrifices a knight for rapid development and kingside attack.
38. Sicilian, Wing Gambit
In the Sicilian Defense, the Wing Gambit starts with 1.e4 c5 2.b4 cxb4, aiming to disrupt Black’s pawn structure and gain a time advantage in development.
39. Catalan Opening, Open Defense
The Catalan Opening’s Open Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4, where Black accepts the pawn sacrifice to challenge White’s long-term positional pressure.
40. Benoni Defense, Benko Gambit
In the Benoni Defense, the Benko Gambit is characterized by 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5, where Black sacrifices a queenside pawn for open lines and long-term pressure.
41. Sicilian, Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind
The Maróczy Bind, in the Accelerated Dragon variant of the Sicilian, occurs after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4, where White aims to control the center and limit Black’s counterplay.
42. Ruy Lopez, Open Defense
In the Ruy Lopez, the Open Defense starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4, where Black challenges White’s center immediately.
43. Philidor Defense, Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation of the Philidor Defense begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4, offering a pawn to exchange in the center and develop easily.
44. Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack
In the Caro-Kann Defense, the Panov-Botvinnik Attack starts with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4, aiming to challenge Black’s central structure and create dynamic play.
45. French Defense, Tarrasch Variation
The Tarrasch Variation of the French Defense begins with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2, aiming to maintain a strong pawn center and prepare c3 for a solid, flexible structure.
46. Nimzo-Indian Defense, Samisch Variation
In the Nimzo-Indian, the Samisch Variation starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3, where White accepts doubled pawns for a strong pawn center and open lines.
47. Alekhine’s Defense, Four Pawns Attack
Against Alekhine’s Defense, the Four Pawns Attack starts with 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4, where White builds a massive center at the cost of overextension.
48. Queen’s Gambit Accepted, Central Variation
In the Queen’s Gambit Accepted, the Central Variation begins with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4, where White sacrifices a pawn to gain a strong center and rapid development.
49. King’s Indian Defense, Four Pawns Attack
In the King’s Indian Defense, the Four Pawns Attack is characterized by 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4, aiming for a massive pawn center and aggressive kingside play.
50. Scandinavian Defense, Portuguese Variation
The Portuguese Variation of the Scandinavian Defense starts with 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Bg4, where Black quickly develops the bishop to pin the knight and challenge White’s center.
51. Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack
The Austrian Attack in the Pirc Defense begins with 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4, where White opts for a central pawn push and aggressive kingside setup.
52. Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation
The Alapin Variation of the Sicilian Defense starts with 1.e4 c5 2.c3, intending to establish a strong pawn center and avoid the main lines of the Sicilian.
53. Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defense
The Schliemann Defense in the Ruy Lopez occurs after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5, where Black challenges White’s setup with an early pawn thrust.
54. Caro-Kann Defense, Fantasy Variation
In the Caro-Kann, the Fantasy Variation starts with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3, aiming to support the center with pawns and create a complex, tactical game.
55. Sicilian Defense, Kan Variation
The Kan Variation of the Sicilian Defense begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6, focusing on a flexible pawn structure and quick development.
56. King’s Indian Defense, Saemisch Variation
In the Saemisch Variation of the King’s Indian Defense, White plays 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3, aiming for a solid center and potential kingside attack.
57. Queen’s Gambit Declined, Albin Countergambit
The Albin Countergambit in the Queen’s Gambit Declined starts with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5, offering a pawn to disrupt White’s center and create dynamic play.
58. Sicilian Defense, Scheveningen Variation
The Scheveningen Variation of the Sicilian begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6, aiming for a flexible setup and counterattacking opportunities.
59. Grunfeld Defense, Russian System
In the Grunfeld Defense’s Russian System, White plays 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Qb3, targeting Black’s central pawn and aiming for an early queenside initiative.
60. Benoni Defense, Four Pawns Attack
The Four Pawns Attack against the Benoni Defense starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4, where White builds a massive center but risks overextension.
61. English Opening, Botvinnik System
In the Botvinnik System of the English Opening, White plays 1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.e4, aiming for a strong pawn center and flexible development.
62. Ruy Lopez, Cozio Defense
The Cozio Defense in the Ruy Lopez occurs with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7, where Black opts for a less common knight development to maintain flexibility.
63. Queen’s Gambit Declined, Ragozin Defense
In the Ragozin Defense of the Queen’s Gambit Declined, Black plays 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4, combining the ideas of the Nimzo-Indian and Queen’s Gambit Declined.
64. Nimzo-Indian Defense, Classical Variation
The Classical Variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2, aiming to avoid doubling pawns and retain a strong pawn center.
65. French Defense, Winawer Variation
In the Winawer Variation of the French Defense, Black plays 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4, pinning the knight and creating imbalances in pawn structure and piece activity.
66. Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation
The Dragon Variation of the Sicilian Defense begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6, featuring fianchettoed kingside bishop and thematic pawn breaks.
67. Caro-Kann Defense, Classical Variation
In the Classical Variation of the Caro-Kann Defense, Black plays 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5, aiming for solid development and control of key squares.
68. Pirc Defense, Classical System
The Classical System in the Pirc Defense starts with 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7, where Black aims for a flexible pawn structure and counterattacks against White’s center.
69. King’s Indian Attack
The King’s Indian Attack is a system where White plays 1.Nf3 followed by g3, Bg2, and d3, aiming for a strong kingside attack and control of the center from the flanks.
70. Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation
In the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense, Black plays 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6, aiming for a flexible setup and potential for counterattacks.
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