Opinions on the Danish Gambit

One opening I like so far is the Danish Gambit:

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3
4. Nxc3 (or 4. Nf3 cxb2 5. Bxb2)

Does anyone else use this and have any luck? My current success rate is about 60%...

Also, from the microscopic amount I know about openings, who knows of another successful opening gambit that sacrifices a few pawns for development/positioning/tempo? I would be grateful for any posts...

This is actually not the Danish Gambit. The Danish is:

1. e4 e5 2. d4 ed 3. c3 dc 4. Bc4 cb 5. Bb2

I think with best play Black is probably ok/better, but White has immense practical chances. 😀

after dxc3 play bc4!!! cxb2 bxb2!!!! be killin.

Originally posted by wittywonka
One opening I like so far is the Danish Gambit:

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3
4. Nxc3 (or 4. Nf3 cxb2 5. Bxb2)

Does anyone else use this and have any luck? My current success rate is about 60%...

Also, from the microscopic amount I know about openings, who knows of another successful opening gambit that sacrifices a few pawns for development/positioning/tempo? I would be grateful for any posts...

dude you beat me too it but we posted in the same minute

Originally posted by !~TONY~!
This is actually not the Danish Gambit. The Danish is:

1. e4 e5 2. d4 ed 3. c3 dc 4. Bc4 cb 5. Bb2

I think with best play Black is probably ok/better, but White has immense practical chances. 😀

You're right...forgot to mention that...but I overall like my variation...

I've used the Danish for surprise value in Blitz games with pretty good results. I don't recommend it for Correspondence, though, because opponents can use known theory to easily equalize or end up with a better endgame.

i'd suggest something that is a little bit more sound. the danish gambit kan be stopped easily.

Originally posted by kmac27
i'd suggest something that is a little bit more sound. the danish gambit kan be stopped easily.

How? One thing I run into is instead of cb, they develop and I am left deciding to take back with NxC3 or not. When that happens, there doesn't seem to be any instant attacks.

Originally posted by sonhouse
How? One thing I run into is instead of cb, they develop and I am left deciding to take back with NxC3 or not. When that happens, there doesn't seem to be any instant attacks.

My favourite line as Black against the Danish Gambit goes:

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3
4. Bc4 cxb2
5. Bxb2 d5
6.Bxd5 Nf6 when Black I'd say is equal.

Originally posted by Positional Player
My favourite line as Black against the Danish Gambit goes:

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3 dxc3
4. Bc4 cxb2
5. Bxb2 d5
6.Bxd5 Nf6 when Black I'd say is equal.

to continue your line,

7. Bxf7+! Kxf7
8. Qxd8 Bb4+!
9. Qd2 Bxd2+

after 5. ...d5! that's the best white's going to get, which is why the danish fails. (note that 6. exd5 instead of Bxd5 is no better as it overextends the pawn and blocks the light squared bishop)

an even faster way to make the danish look stupid is 3. ...d5!

Originally posted by YUG0slav


an even faster way to make the danish look stupid is 3. ...d5!

Nice, but what would be the best continuation for Black after Qxd4?

...is there one?

...3 d5 puts black in a defensive position..d takes e ..e takes d and di takes d8 and black has to play carefully to keep the king safe

I play the danish all the time and all black has to do is to play very patiantly and watch out for f7 square

Originally posted by Amaurote
Nice, but what would be the best continuation for Black after Qxd4?

4... Qe7 peradventure ?