The danish gambit accepted

I like to play this opening from time to time, but I'm not fully familiar with all off it's possibilities. I was wondring iff anyone else on this site plays it, and what their success-rates are.

[edit] For those who don't know the danish gambit, it's a variation of the center game (ECO C21) namely:

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3

DGA is:

3. ... dxc3
4. Bc4 dxb2
5. Bxb2

[/edit]

Originally posted by iluphade
I like to play this opening from time to time, but I'm not fully familiar with all off it's possibilities. I was wondring iff anyone else on this site plays it, and what their success-rates are.

[edit] For those who don't know the danish gambit, it's a variation of the center game (ECO C21) namely:

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3

DGA is:

3. ... dxc3
4. Bc4 dxb2
5. Bxb2

[/edit]

The following line leads to a slight edge for Black, according to Reuben Fine in "Chess the Easy Way":

1 e4 e5 2 d4 ed 3 c3 dc 4 Bc4 cb 5 Bb2 d5 6 Bd5 Nf6 7 Bf7 Kf7 8 Qd8 Bb4 9 Qd2 Bd2 10 Nd2 c5

Also probably equal is 1 e4 e5 2 d4 ed 3 c3 Qe7

Its great for OTB or blitz, but not so great in CC... I love the thrill of gambits, and this one is definitly exciting!

I agree that it isn't ideal for correspondence games. Another fun gambit I've been getting very good results with is the unexpected Müller-Schulze-gambit in the four-knights-game. It's painfully surprising, and to my astonishment it is quite playable, even in correspondence games.

Originally posted by iluphade
I agree that it isn't ideal for correspondence games. Another fun gambit I've been getting very good results with is the unexpected Müller-Schulze-gambit in the four-knights-game. It's painfully surprising, and to my astonishment it is quite playable, even in correspondence games.

I'd be up to defending (playing it as white) the danish gambit in CC against anybody who thinks it is a bad opening!!

Looks like we are going to play a game here with the Müller-Schulze-gambit... so if anyone wants to follow along, here is the link: Game 3557261 I am going to attempt a refutation! (no comments on in-progress games please)

I like this opening but I usually play it in OTB blitz. CC is really too slow for it. Though it's quite nice, except the variation where black gives a pawn back -> 1.e4 e5 2.d4 dc 3.c3 d5! I think that this seems to be the most sound variation for black.

Originally posted by kbaumen
I like this opening but I usually play it in OTB blitz. CC is really too slow for it. Though it's quite nice, except the variation where black gives a pawn back -> 1.e4 e5 2.d4 dc 3.c3 d5! I think that this seems to be the most sound variation for black.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_Gambit

Originally posted by iluphade
I like to play this opening from time to time, but I'm not fully familiar with all off it's possibilities. I was wondring iff anyone else on this site plays it, and what their success-rates are.

[edit] For those who don't know the danish gambit, it's a variation of the center game (ECO C21) namely:

1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. c3

DGA is:

3. ... dxc3
4. Bc4 dxb2
5. Bxb2

[/edit]

Originally posted by cludi
There are indeed players playing it. A very fresh example is Game 2983502, where I was beaten thoroughly by Gatecrasher.

Theory tells us this is not a sound opening for White. I disagree. It just might not be the best use of the White's opening advantage, especially when the gambit is turned down.

If accepted, however, best play by Black (5 .. d5), careful defence, and patient counter development may be able to achieve slightly better than equality, but on balance, I think it is far better for Black to pass up on that second pawn.

If you accept this Gambit as Black and are unfamiliar with the opening, just know that you have entered a veritable minefield. Those two pawns will soon seem like very small recompense for White's multitude of attacking threats. Just try hanging onto those pawns, and you will soon be beaten. You have to give them back to slow White down.

It is a pity that we don't see enough DGA at master level. Database representation and stats are very thin indeed. As for engine analysis of this opening... well, at the best of times, engines are rather poor at assessing the relative merits of material versus development. And this is especially true in the DGA where there is so much to weigh up.

DGA often turns into a violent blood-letting, but these games are always fascinating to watch and very enjoyable to play.

I've played it a few times with limited success. Only one win with it and surprisingly against one of the higher rated players that I have played.

GV