Losing In 7 Moves

If you take the gambited pawn, don't play Nxf7. Take a look. . .

Much better than 6...Nc6 is 6...Ne6, which makes ...Qxe4 viable because there would no longer be a pin along the e-file. Black's structure is sound, and I think White is losing against accurate play.

It looks like the Blackburne-Schilling Gambit to me. I have played it here at least once, but that was almost 20 years ago. I was surprised that I managed to pull it off. I really had not expected anyone to fall for it. It's a nice gambit when it works.

Hi mwmiller

It has been tried on here 12000+ times. I know an OTB league player who
has won with it 3 times over the years. There are a few happy chappies here
who play 1.a3 trying to get it in reverse, sometimes succeeding.


HI FMDavidHLevin

I think that line allowing White to open the e-file gives White the game they are after.
(and 'best play' and RHP do not always go together 😀 ) A more tricky reply is 6...Bd6.


Some players here have actually taken the d4 Knight in this position.

If 'the obvious 7.f4 then 7...Qc5. Which I had once as White (I missed Qc5)

I shut my eyes and played 8.Na3 hoping the discovered check did not too much
damage. It went 8...Ne2++ and Nxc1 and I eventually won but it needed, as always
some slack play by opponent.

White's game is easier to play than Black's.
Natural attacking moves v accurate defensive moves, not to mention the
psychological value of Black thinking they had a win in 7 moves and now
find themselves involved in tempo v material struggle.
Black should be looking for ways to give the piece back with a plus.

@greenpawn34
"There are a few happy chappies here who play 1.a3 trying to get it in reverse, sometimes succeeding. "

Hey GP, can you put up a successful example of 1.a3 ? I'm not sure I follow that one. Are you saying that white opens with that move?

@greenpawn34 said
HI FMDavidHLevin

I think that line allowing White to open the e-file gives White the game they are after.
(and 'best play' and RHP do not always go together 😀 )

Hi greenpawn34,
I agree, but I thought that readers who are considering playing this line as White might wish to factor the possibility of 6...Ne6 into their decision instead of encountering the move unexpectedly at the board.

Hi mwmiller

you can get it with 1.a3 or the Vienna Game 6462899 went.



Hi David,
White's best is not to take on e5 with the Knight, but they can if up for some fun
which is why we are here. OTB I'd still sac the piece, I have in the past.

@greenpawn34
Thanks GP! Interesting and informative. I will have to run through that game a few times and study it. From what I saw it looked like White took the ball and ran with it all the way through and about all Black could do was try and find a break, which did not happen!