Opening Repertoire: Gambits for speed chess

Hi!

Are you a gambit player? I wasn´t much of one before, but now I might be, at least for speed chess. In this post, I will delve into my experience with gambits.

I never played Gambits in the past with perhaps the exception of the highly respected  Catalan Opening (QG) and the positional Benko Gambit. Classical gambits of old, like the King's Gambit seemed to me always tricky and full of theory so I always steered away from them.

But since I like to experiment new openings -especially in on-line games-  I decided that I would play classical gambits for a try. Then I selected some gambits, studied their general idea and a few tricks. And more importantly, I tried to switch my mind to be comfortable with the risk of sacrificing material for quick attacks.

Here below follows the list of gambits I tested in speed chess, mainly during the last couple of months, with mixed results. I classify them as "sound enough" (you get some dynamic compensation against correct play) and "speculative" (you get almost lost if your opponent plays the correct replies):

Sound enough Gambits

In this type of gambit you get an engine evaluation slightly worse than in mainstream openings. I found them quite playable, with some nice initiative and attacking chances. But you do better when you know their theory. 

White

• • • Goring Gambit
    • Danish Gambit
    • Belgrade  Gambit
    • Morra Gambit 
    • Wing Gambit - French Defense
      
      
    • Blackmar - Diemer Gambit

Black

• • • Albin countergambit

Speculative  Gambits

With these gambits the engine evaluation drops to franckly disadvantageous values. You only rely on some tactical tricks, but against a prepared opponent you are almost losing. Not worth against advanced level opponents because they normally will find the refutation even in speed chess games.

White

• • • Tennison Gambit 1.e4, d5 2. Nf3, de4 3. Ng5, (-0.84)
    • Cochrane Gambit - Petrov´s Defense  1.e4, e5 2. Nf3, Nf6 3. Ne5, d6,4 Nf7 Kf7 5. d4 (-0.72)

Black

• • • Stafford Gambit 1.e4, e5 2. Nf3, Nf6 3. Ne5, Nc6,4 Nc6 dc6 5. d3 (+1.4)
    • Busch- Gass  Gambit 1.e4, e5 2. Nf3, Bc5 3. Ne5, Nc6,4 Nf3 Qe7 5. d4 (+1.4)

I haven´t study my stats in detail but my feeling is that in speed chess it was worth for me playing "sound enough" gambits as you get some compensation and attacking chances.  On the other hand, I didn't feel quite the same when playing "speculative" gambits because while you can have the ocassional fast win, against the correct replies you fall in a desperate position.

I´m happy that this experience helped me change my perspective on gambits and expand my speed chess opening repertoire.

Do you play gambits? If not already, you could give them a try! Just make sure you choose a "sound enough" one, study its basics, and just play and have some fun!

Good luck!

maafernan - chess coach 

PS: Would you like to learn more about gambits, openings in general, or other aspects of the game?  I would be happy to help! Contact me anytime.