In a recent OTB game, I thought I would be very clever as white and catch my opponent off guard by opening with 1. f4, Bird's opening, whose main line I am familiar with, but that's about it. Anyway, my opponent seemed to know a bit more about it when he responded with From's gambit, 1. ... e5. I accepted the gambit with 2. fxe5, to which he offered another gambit pawn, 2. ... d6. Not really knowing what to do at this point, I figured that it would not be worthwhile supporting my pawn at e5 with Nf3, so i accepted the second gambit. He responded with Bxd6, and a quick look at the board showed what amounted to a ruined position for me, with a loss in development, and only a single pawn to show for it. Needless to say, I got trounced in the game. 🙂
I was wondering if anyone had had any luck experimenting with this opening. I like the idea mainly because, like I said, you have a fairly good chance of catching black off their guard and letting them make a bad move. The main line results in a position which I find very attractive, with the queenside castle with a fianchetto bishop. However, this particular variation was abysmal, for me.
Any takers?
-mike
I used to play From's gambit but there are some very murky lines which the white player tends to know better than the black player so its easy to come unstuck. I like 1 .. c5 against 1 f4. Its normally transposes to some variation of the Sicilian that at least I'm a bit more at home in.
Having said all that, From's gambit is more likely to be exciting.
Who was it that said "Below Master level, all openings are sound."? I think maybe you psyched yourself out a little.
Without checking my stats I'd say I do ok with Bird's opening. Of course, no one has tried From's Gambit on me yet. 😉 I usually play it when I'm looking for a change of pace or in somewhat casual games.
According to my copy of the "Joy of Chess", Bird's opening is one of the weakest for white (one of the reasons I don't feel comfortable relying on it) BUT... From's Gambit is also one of Black's worst replies!
The gambit does change the whole complexion of the opening and you must be prepared for it because it *is* sharp. For example, the line you played will be mate in 3 if you don't do something about ... Qh4. However, the odds show that if you keep your cool things should work out better for white in the long run. Just don't let them catch you off guard while you're trying to catch them off guard! 😀
Here's a few quotes from Soltis' book "Bird-Larsen Attack" concerning From's Gambit:
"Of course, Black can still meet 1. f4 with ... e5. But this, From's Gambit, costs him a pawn and recent experience indicates that this sacrifice lies under a big cloud". pg. 7
"This is the sharpest line in our system." pg. 19
"Unlike more or less closed 1. f4 lines, there is immediate pawn tension after Black's response here, and lines are opened instantly. White's dominance of the e5 square, a common theme in other Bird positions, is not a factor in this gambit. But since ... e5 is the move White is trying most to stop, that advance has to be at the cost of a pawn here. In return, Black gets rapid development and tactical chances based partly on the checking diagonal h4-e1." pg. 20
"Yes, White can sieze, rather than yield the initiative with 2. e4!?, making it a King's Gambit. But defending for the next half dozen or so moves seems to be worth a pawn." pg. 20
Maybe you could switch to the King's Gambit? Those games can get pretty wild too, though!
If it's any consolation, the line you played is the recommended main line from Soltis' book. 4. Nf3 should have been next for white.
Hope some of this helps...