The Hen Gambit

Has anyone ever tried this. I was thinking of giving it a go but wanted to know a little more before stepping into the unknown.

Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschex
Has anyone ever tried this. I was thinking of giving it a go but wanted to know a little more before stepping into the unknown.

Yeah, I know, it is quite mysterious but somebody told me about it while playing a game and so I felt compelled to investigate further.

Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschex
Yeah, I know, it is quite mysterious but somebody told me about it while playing a game and so I felt compelled to investigate further.

Yeah it is something like e4 Nc6 Nf3 f5

Hennig Schara or something like that?

Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschex
Yeah it is something like e4 Nc6 Nf3 f5

Hen? Fred? It looks like a turkey to me 🙂

It's often known as the Colorado counter. I played it in an email game a few years ago and got murdered.

After 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5 3.exf5 d5 4.d4 Bxf5 5.Bb5 e6 (or Qd6) white simply plays 6.Ne5

Originally posted by heinzkat
Hennig Schara or something like that?

Nice one sylvander. I have always tried to hold the pawn and black seems to get all sorts of freak tactics becoming available - this system looks much more solid and secure for white.

Actually, this move is the Lean variation, and it has been played by the Finnish Master Olli Salmensuu. And here is how to play it:

1. P-K4Kt-QB3
2. Kt-KB3P-KB4!?
This will derail the opponent from what they probably hoped for: a Ruy Lopez
3. PxP
Any other attempt other than accepting the material is insipid.
3. ...P-Q4!
Attacking the pawn
4. Kt-R4
The only defence.
4. ...P-K4!?
Attacking the knight, but leaving the kingside exposed...
5. Q-R5 ch. P-KKt3
6. PxPKt-KB3!!
This move is the only correct way for Black to continue
7. P-Kt7 ch. KtxQ
8. PxR=Q QxKt
9. QxP
(Otherwise ...B-K3! will box the queen in)
9. ...Kt-Q5!!
With compensation for the exchange...

Greco