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The use of the English word ‘gambit’ has increased since the success of the Netflix series, Queen’s Gambit. If you have watched the series [You really should], then you may still not be entirely sure what it is, so here is a complete explanation of what a Gambit is in chess, how to use them, play them, and include them in your chess strategy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gambit in chess is a strategy<\/a> that sacrifices material, usually a central pawn, with the hope of achieving or holding an advantageous position. This risky but potentially rewarding move has been used by chess grandmasters<\/a> for centuries. The gambit can be used in any stage of the game, but is most often seen in the opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So let’s take a complete look at the very handy Gambit in chess games, why it is important to be aware of them, the different types of gambits including some popular versions like the king’s gambit and queens gambit, how to defend against them and not be taken by surprise when your opponent plays one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many gambits in chess will have a specific name<\/a>, based on which pawn or piece is being offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a list of 6 common gambits in chess and how to play them. There are some more in-depth explanations of these in dedicated articles which can be found in the Openings section of the site, although I shall provide links directly to them where applicable below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Made famous by the Netflix series of the same name and Beth Harmon, although I expect that even after watching the entire series, you may not have any better idea of what the Queen’s Gambit opening is or how to achieve it, so let’s dig in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Queens Gambit is white putting up the Queen’s pawn for free capture. A gambit no less, but this move is actually not a true gambit at all as Black can not retain the pawn without putting themselves as a disadvantage<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Queen’s gambit can therefore be accepted or declined by black with the lines reading<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is when black takes the pawn<\/p>\n\n\n\n where black is not tempted by the free pawn and then the task of trying to fruitlessly maintain an advantaged perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many traps in the Queen’s Gambit<\/a> to be aware of too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Evans Gambit is born from the Giuoco Piano opening with is a variation of the Italian game<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That sentence alone is almost enough to confuse the bejeezers out of anyone, but in fact here are some simple instructions as to how the Evans Gambit is arrived at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here white puts up a pawn to draw the black bishop, if accepted, white has c3 and d4 options grabbing the center and ensuring a quiet game is out of the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Vienna Gambit is an excellent line for beginners to practice and perfect a gambit opening. After 1. e4 e5 2.Nc3 if 2…Nf6 is played by black, the Vienna gambit comes into play by white 3. f4 – Here black has options to accept the gambit at which point e4 is pushed e5 attack the knight and forcing it back, and white has a distinct development advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nExamples of Gambits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Queen’s Gambit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Accepted:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Declined:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Evans Gambit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Vienna Gambit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n