How to play Cordel gambit

Sort:
Philipper

An opening which has been fascinating me for a while is the Cordel gambit, played in the Ruy Lopez or Spanish opening. Playing directly for the initiative by opening the f-file and attacking the kingside. It can also be used as a surprise weapon against your unknowing opponent! I will illustrate the opening in the following game: 

Among grandmasters Ivan Sokolov, Jonny Hector and Ian Rogers have played this opening. Some notable games I found:

K Grigoran vs Dzindzichashvili, 1969

Nezhmetdinov - Myagmarsuren, 1965

Gufeld - Kavalek, 1962

Besides 5.d4 White also has 5.Bxc6 but this likely transposes. Other moves like 5.exf5 or 5.d3 aren't really dangerous for Black. Let's take a look at some other games I played with this opening.  

 

Please let me know what you think of this interesting opening and your good/bad experiences with it! 

TheGreatOogieBoogie

I'm a ...Bc5 player against the Ruy, but that gambit line doesn't look that great.  What if 6.dxc5 and I lose my bishop for a knight? 

Philipper

Good point. I guess it's a risk you have to take when playing this gambit line. 6.dxc5 does create a weak c-pawn for White and if Black castles he has some serious pressure on the f-file. Especially when the Queen comes to f3. If you don't like all this there is an interesting sideline with 5.exd4. Although I don't think this is as challenging as 5.fxe4, opening the f-file. Black is almost obliged to do so!