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Falkbeer Counter-gambit - is it sound?

Falkbeer Counter-gambit - is it sound?

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I mean, I've always thought that it looked nice. But does black really get anything for the pawn?

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In my opinion it is one of the best replies to the King's Gambit and the reason I don't play the King's Gambit myself.

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can you show the line?

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1.e4 e5
2.f4 d5
3.exd5 e4

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I regularly play the KG as white & 1...e5 as black.
If white goes 2.f4 I always reply with the Falkbeer & can't recommend it enough.

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I play the KG regularly but if facing it as black 2. ... d5 is the only answer.

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Originally posted by Dragon Fire
I play the KG regularly but if facing it as black 2. ... d5 is the only answer.
I like accepting the gambit and then playing d5.

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Originally posted by Dragon Fire
I play the KG regularly but if facing it as black 2. ... d5 is the only answer.
Game 2246770

Have you faced 3...d5 more then twices as white?

I only see 2 of your game for that variation.

1 win and 1 lost.

I like playing that variation as black. Had some decent OTB as black using that.

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Originally posted by Kunsoo
I mean, I've always thought that it looked nice. But does black really get anything for the pawn?
Black gets open lines, preserves the crucial f-file & the pawn on e4 can be a bone in the throat.
In the line below which shows some basic Falkbeer themes, black actually claims a tempo & it is white who has the K safety issue:

1.e4...e5
2.f4...d5
3.exd5...e4
4.Nc3...Nf6
5.Bb5+...c6
6.dxc6...Nxc6
7.d3...exd3
8.cxd3...Bc5

white to play

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Originally posted by Squelchbelch
Black gets open lines, preserves the crucial f-file & the pawn on e4 can be a bone in the throat.
In the line below which shows some basic Falkbeer themes, black actually claims a tempo & it is white who has the K safety issue:

1.e4...e5
2.f4...d5
3.exd5...e4
4.Nc3...Nf6
5.Bb5+...c6
6.dxc6...Nxc6
7.d3...exd3
8.cxd3...Bc5

white to play
[fen]r1bqk2r/pp3ppp/2n2n2/1Bb5/5P2/2NP4/PP4PP/R1BQK1NR w KQkq - 0 9[/fen]
What about 4.d3 right away?

I see lots of White players play this right away.

3 edits
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Originally posted by RahimK
Game 2246770

Have you faced 3...d5 more then twices as white?

I only see 2 of your game for that variation.

1 win and 1 lost.

I like playing that variation as black. Had some decent OTB as black using that.
That was dire!

I was over confident, blitzing the game and paid the pricewith a thorough thrashing.

The win Game 2324575 is better but still not great.

Heres a more recent win against better opposition Game 3172949, as is this Game 3172947 and this Game 3172945.

I learn from my mistakes.

1 edit
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Originally posted by RahimK
What about 4.d3 right away?

I see lots of White players play this right away.
Ok, after
4.d3...exd3
5.Bxd3...Nf6
6.Nc3...c6 looks likely & ok for black.

white to play


I take your point about white removing the e4 pawn early though.
As a KG player, not being able to play an early Nc3, Bc4, 0-0 etc feels like the rug's been pulled out from under you & the black position just looks like granite.

Psychologically, the Falkbeer takes the wind out of white's sails & also gives black scope for tactics of their own in the quickest time possible.

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Originally posted by Dragon Fire
That was dire!

I was over confident, blitzing the game and paid the pricewith a thorough thrashing.

The win Game 2324575 is better but still not great.

Heres a more recent win against better opposition Game 3172949, as is this Game 3172947 and this Game 3172945.

I learn from my mistakes.
You have any other games with a bit higher rated opponents in that opening?

Say 1800+?

I think it's a good variation.

Nice games.

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Originally posted by Squelchbelch
Ok, after
4.d3...exd3
5.Bxd3...Nf6
6.Nc3...c6 looks likely & ok for black.

white to play
[fen]rnbqkb1r/pp3ppp/2p2n2/3P4/5P2/2NB4/PPP3PP/R1BQK1NR w KQkq - 0 7[/fen]

I take your point about white removing the e4 pawn early though.
As a KG player, not being able to play an early Nc3, Bc4, 0-0 etc feels like the rug's been pulled out from unde ...[text shortened]... white's sails & also gives black scope for tactics of their own in the quickest time possible.
Looks pretty decent for black.

I'll have to look into that for the future. I looked at it maybe 3 years ago and decided not to play the gambit. Not sure why though.

I think it has something to do with the e4-e3 pawn push and then trading it off later on.

Thanks.

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When it comes to the Kings Gambit, ask Korch. He plays the KG a lot and is probably the best at it at RHP. Believe me, he is your man.