*this may be apt in the openings forum, but I like this forum more

In the chess.com opening database there is one particular gambit that has created quite a bit of buzz around here, even though there are no master games listed in the database. The opening is the Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit (or the Goblin; I've seen it listed as the Chicago Irish Gambit in one database, but Halloween Gambit is my favorite name for it). It is as follows:

1. e4 .. e5 2. Nf3 .. Nc6 3. Nc3 .. Nf6 4. Nf3xe5 ?? (!)

My questions are: why aren't there any games in the database? Why haven't any Grandmasters tested this for the chess public? If white can all but zugzwang black in just 6 moves, shouldn't the Knight be worth it? Finally, will a Grandmaster ever try this?

Super GM Milov is a fan of the Halloween Gambit.  He participated in one of the email tournaments hosted by FM Maurits Wind a few years ago.   Wind is the Godfather for all Halloween enthusiasts.  To the best of my knowledge, he's never lost a game with the white pieces, even against the likes of Milov, Minchev and several other strong players.

It's not suitable for use in non-thematic tournaments against other titled players because black can simply return the material, completely side-stepping the complications that make it dangerous, and end up with at least an equal position or maybe even a slight advantage.  GM's are a practical lot and returning the material is the perfectly sensible thing to do under the circumstances.

This is why there aren't many examples in the commercial databases.  If it's not played in tournaments the games aren't made public.  I've acquired most of the Halloween games in my collection from other fans of the gambit.

Thanks

This reminds me of a game played in a simultaneous exhibition given by Harry Nelson Pillsbury on 27 boards of Chess and 10 of Checkers in Chicago,IL 1/7/1899.

One D.T.Phillips played the White pieces and dared to essay the "Razzle Dazzle" gambit against H.N.P.

The game started with  1.e4,e5 2.Nf3,Nc6 3.Nxe5,Nxe5 4.d4,Nc6 5.d5,Nb8 and Phillips went on to win in 45 moves.

Haloween gambit is only strong if black is too greedy to accept the gambit. He soon find himself against tremendous pressure from whites attack.

By simply declining the gambit Black is already assured of equality without the vaunted complications.  No wonder we dont see the Halloween gambit in high level chess because White players doesnt want to give Black that easy equality.

Equality is fine and good but attempting to refute the gambit with violence is much more entertaining/interesting/rewarding as long as you don't have to win to eat and pay the rent.