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Gambit in the grunfeld

Gambit in the grunfeld

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Originally posted by Macpo
By the way, if anyone wants to blitz on this opening, I would be glad to do so...

16. Ne4
16... Qc7

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17. Nxg5

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Originally posted by Macpo
17. Nxg5
which knight?

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Sorry I am getting tired: Nf3g5.

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Originally posted by Macpo
Sorry I am getting tired: Nf3g5.
17... Qe5

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It’s an interesting gambit option for white.
I just had a quick look in my database and found 10 games.
White scored 4,5/10
It was even played by Nakamura (actually no surprise) and Lautier with white, but only in blitz games.
In all the games their is no "clear plan” how to handle this gambit.

Fricker (2166) – McShane (2592) tried after 4...dxe4 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Bg7 a true gambit. This was a blitz game as well so the GM won in the end quite comfortably.

Lautier (2676) tried 5.Bg5 in a blitz game against Dronavalli (2329) and dispite he won the game I didn’t think he had the upper hand for most of the game.

Nakamura (2651) tried Lautier plan with 5.Bg5 against Abbasov (2444) and had to fight for the draw in the end.

It looks like in blitz it’s an interesting weapon but in a normal game or even CC-game it’s perhaps not a good choice!!!

1 edit
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Thanks a lot for this comment! this confirms that the opening is not perfect; but still, I was pretty happy to see it was played at the greatest level then 1. there are many possible variations, apparently 2. its efficiency all depends on the level you play it I guess... !
If people have any suggestion on specific lines, or anything else...

I don't get so much the idea of 5. Bg5 by Lautier; f3 seems much more natural to me... no?

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18. Rxf8

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Originally posted by tomtom232
If faced with this I would play 4... dxe4 5.f3 c5!? and counter gambit.
5. f3 does not seem to be White's strongest move. 5. Bg5 may be a stronger move.

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Can you explain me please?

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Originally posted by Macpo
Can you explain me please?
If you are asking about what I said about 5. f3 the answer is no. all I can say is that with a quick look at a database I might have played 5. Bg5.

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Originally posted by Macpo
Wouldn't Bf5 be a problem for White?
Not really...Id just play Ne2 and Ng3