Rook Lifts in the Budapest

The Budapest gambit is one of the less dubious gambits one may try against d4 (As opposed to, for example, the Colorado gambit, the Englund gambit, and the Medusa gambit). Like most other openings, it does give an advantage to the white player, however, there are many traps and pitfalls waiting for him:

Of course, this trap is very well known, but it highlights the dangers a white player faces in this line. In this article, I will be discussing a more specific idea that can be used in the Budapest, namely the Rook Lift.

There is an unfathomable amount of theory here, so instead I will illustrate this idea with a very sharp game between two international masters.

This game was an onslaught of tactical melee, attacks, counterattacks, and sacrifices. Playing this line requires astute calculation, tactical wizardry, and extensive opening knowledge from both sides. Catching a d4 player off guard with this right off the bat will certainly make their positionally-minded lives very difficult! If blitzkrieg attacks or heavy opening analysis is your thing, the Budapest is for you!