Take the initiative as Black

Hi again!

Honestly, I'm a white player, I like to have the initiative, as black I'm lost, in my last topic I asked for sharp, combinational (does this word exist?) and tactic openings as white, now I do as black, how can I get the initiative versus the most common white openings? For the record, I like gambits very much, and I'm a tactical player. Can you suggest me any gambits for black?

I've read about Steintz Defence, Latvian Gambit and some more, but Wikipedia refered to the others as: "dubious chess openings", "is considered weak", "is rarely played at top-level"... (although the last one doesn't bother me)

Thanks in advice, I've been here for four days and I've impoved a lot!

its a little outdated, but "Counter Gambits:black to play and win" its packed with tons of ideas of how to take the initiative with black.

Thanks westcoastchess!

I'll try to get it, but finding chess books arround my town is an arduous task. Yesterday I went to a shopping center and in the little and hidden chess section I could only find initiation books. Only looking very hard I could find Karpov's "Chess: Learn and Progress", and It's a very good book, altough it was not what I was looking for. Maybe online...

Thanks anyway!

I have a book called BLACK IS STILL OK!

Ill have a look and post it.

Against 1.d4 you could try:

very true harry, theres so many fun lines that theres still a lot of nice ideas, and many which arnt considered anywhere else so theres no building theory.

the only book I have which talks about Froms gambit so that alone is worth it for me

I play the Froms gambit. :)

So what you basicly want is a sharp, combative and fighting repertoire as black?

How about The Sicillian and Kings indian defence?

Thanks, I'll try all the suggested openings, I find interesting RainbowRising's initiative theory, and I agree what I want is the whole point as soon al possible.

Thanks to everyone!

Oops, some posted while I was writing.

@Tricklev
Yap, thats what I'm looking for. I'll try them both! Thanks!

@rich
I liked that when I searched for black gambits but Wikipedia said that: "The gambit is considered weak, and thus is almost never seen in top-level play. The gambit is occasionally seen in amateur games." and that made me retreat. Thanks to you I'll try it!

benko and marshall are probably most sound gambits you can play for black

The best try for the Initiative as Black v d4 is the Benko Gambit, it is a pig of a thing to play against.

Against e4 The Sicilian is a pain in the neck

If u don't frequently play opponents of top lvl strength I think it's not this important.

And if by some luck tomorrow a GM revives it everybody starts playing it.

There really is no reason to retreat to unsound gambits and cheapotraps in the opening to take the initiative, there are openings/defence that fights a combative game without that. And usually, these openings are full of ideas, which will greatly improve your positionall understanding of the game aswell. Something the "If he falls for this I win his queen in 3"-cheapos doesn't.

Thanks alot! I'll try them despite of what wikipedia says :P

That was not my idea, I don't want a trick, but a decent gambit that leads to a fast and tactical game. As white I play a plenty of them and  I enjoy a lot. Aren't there gambits for black like the Smith Morra, Danish, Göring, Evans...?

I'm gonna try them anyways, I won't feel good if I discard an opening without even try it. Also I'm gona try the Sicilian, Dragon Variation and KID, as you pointed.

Thanks!

You gonna try the Nimzo Indian gambit?

Of course, it's just Wikipedia. If it makes you feel better, perhaps one of us can edit it to say "but it appears to be underestimated" or something...

How sarcastic ¬¬
Although you're right.

Indeed, it's already in my opening list, I'm going to learn its variations and practice it. I liked it a lot.

Thanks for the feedback!

The Englund (1. d4 e5) is definitely less sound than the Evans or Smith-Morra. Can't vouch for the Danish or Goring, as I've never played them. The Englund worked well for me against opponents below 1600 USCF, but when I improved to where I was trying to beat 1800+ players, it just didn't work any more.

The Latvian (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5) has probably seen more GM level use than any other gambit against 1. e4 for black. The Elephant Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5) is ok, possibly up to master level, but I don't think any GM's have ever used it.

Against the Queen's Gambit, there's the Albin CounterGambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5), but I'm not sure where that would leave you if white plays 1. d4 without c4. The Dutch (1. d4 f5), especially the Leningrad variation with g6 instead of e6, is incredibly sharp, though not a gambit. I play the Classical Dutch (f5 with e6 and d6), which is less sharp, but still unbalanced and interesting. The Dutch has the added advantage of working against 1. c4.

--Fromper

Try Gambiteer II by Nigel Davies.

Hey again!

@Fromper

Another professional answer courtesy of Fromper. Thanks!

@malibumike

I'll try, at least the title is very suggestive since a like gambits a lot.

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I'm sorry my answers can't have more content, but I want you to know that I'm taking seriously every suggestion, and I'm working hard to make a black tactical repertoire that fits my needs.

It's time to go to bed for me. You are helping me a lot. See you tomorrow.