Originally posted by Anakin SkywalkerI disagree completely. Also remember, that while Silman and his site gets quoted quite a bit around here he is far from the final authority on anything. Keep in mind that the column you posted is from Andrew Martin who also authored a DVD touting the BDG.
As soon as you read something about it on http://jeremysilman.com/chess_bits_pieces/110103_blackmar_dmr_gmbt.html you won't like it anymore. I have experience with that.
Don't play it against a >1400 opponent.
Originally posted by SquelchbelchJust because some IMs or GMs play the BDG does not make it sound or good. IMs and GMs do not play as many poor openings as we do, but they are not perfect either. Moreover, some IMs and GMs simply want to "mix things up" and surprise their opponents; that is not to be confused with confidence in the opening they are playing. The BDG is not good at any level and having a few IMs or GMs try it once in a while does not change the objective evaluation of the opening. Given that one can play a sound and strong gambit, c4, it is strange to play BDG. The BDG scores significantly better for Black at all levels.
Obviously, because a gambit has been taken up & won by IM's & not GM's it'll be no good against a sub-2000 player on this site🙄
Originally posted by exigentskyThings are always so simple.
Just because some IMs or GMs play the BDG does not make it sound or good. IMs and GMs do not play as many poor openings as we do, but they are not perfect either. Moreover, some IMs and GMs simply want to "mix things up" and surprise their opponents; that is not to be confused with confidence in the opening they are playing. The BDG is not good at any lev ...[text shortened]... t, c4, it is strange to play BDG. The BDG scores significantly better for Black at all levels.
Originally posted by exigentskyI agree. BDG is useful only as surprise - it can make sucess only if black does not know how to defend.
Just because some IMs or GMs play the BDG does not make it sound or good. IMs and GMs do not play as many poor openings as we do, but they are not perfect either. Moreover, some IMs and GMs simply want to "mix things up" and surprise their opponents; that is not to be confused with confidence in the opening they are playing. The BDG is not good at any lev ...[text shortened]... t, c4, it is strange to play BDG. The BDG scores significantly better for Black at all levels.
I have personally tried the BDG, but wait I'm a 1. e4 player right?
Well I was getting sick of the Scandinavian (can't meet it with a KIA), so decided to test out 1. e4 d5 2. d4 (this was back when I only used the KG vs e5)
Half the time I would get declined by 2. ...e6 (c6 is also possible of course, I just never ran into it) and this pissed me off as I don't play mainline French after 1. e4 e6.
When it did get accepted, it wasn't successful enough for me compared to results in the Scandinavian so I gave it up.
Personally, I don't think the BDG is that bad (it's almost a flipped half-danish gambit) but if you're going to play a gambit after d4, 2. c4 makes so much more sense. Furthermore, 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 should be exciting enough for any e4 player.