Which gambits are the most sound? Out of all the gambits that I know of, the ones that I can think of as being the most sound are the Queen's Gambit, the King's Gambit, the Damiano's Defense Gambit and the Italian Game; Evan's Gambit, as well as the gambits found within the Fried Liver attack.
The Marshall Attack/Gambit within the Ruy Lopez should probably make this list, too.
The Benko Gambit is solid and respected.
Which gambits are the most sound? Out of all the gambits that I know of, the ones that I can think of as being the most sound are the Queen's Gambit, the King's Gambit, the Damiano's Defense Gambit and the Italian Game; Evan's Gambit, as well as the gambits found within the Fried Liver attack.
The Marshall Attack/Gambit within the Ruy Lopez should probably make this list, too.
The Benko Gambit is solid and respected.
I've looked it up on Wikipedia and the impression I get of it is that although it seems to have some well known theory behind it, the Benko Gambit appears to have mostly been used as a surprise weapon, as far as I can tell I don't think it has ever been a popular choice amongst world class Grandmasters.
It doesn't give off any impression of having any positionally attractive elements to it in the same way that the Vienna Game, the Scandinavian Defense and the Petrov Defense does.
The Benko Gambit is solid and respected.
I've looked it up on Wikipedia and the impression I get of it is that although it seems to have some well known theory behind it, the Benko Gambit appears to have mostly been used as a surprise weapon, as far as I can tell I don't think it has ever been a popular choice amongst world class Grandmasters.
It doesn't give off any impression of having any positionally attractive elements to it in the same way that the Vienna Game, the Scandinavian Defense and the Petrov Defense does.
I also was not given the most favorable impression from my initial research. However, some higher rated players convinced me that it is a perfectly viable opening. Some considerations:
The Benko Gambit is solid and respected.
I've looked it up on Wikipedia and the impression I get of it is that although it seems to have some well known theory behind it, the Benko Gambit appears to have mostly been used as a surprise weapon, as far as I can tell I don't think it has ever been a popular choice amongst world class Grandmasters.
It doesn't give off any impression of having any positionally attractive elements to it in the same way that the Vienna Game, the Scandinavian Defense and the Petrov Defense does.
I also was not given the most favorable impression from my initial research. However, some higher rated players convinced me that it is a perfectly viable opening. Some considerations:
Joseph Blackburne, Mieses and Zukertort all used to employ the Scandinavian Defense with great success regularly.
Where is your proof that the engine gives the Scandinavian Defense a poor evaluation?
Joseph Blackburne, Mieses and Zukertort all used to employ the Scandinavian Defense with great success regularly.
Where is your proof that the engine gives the Scandinavian Defense a poor evaluation?
If we are using the quality of theory and play from 100+ years ago as examples, almost every opening is "good" haha. A proper example would be the King's Gambit. Highly respected in its hay day, but it is borderline dubious at the high levels in modern times.
My point with all of this is that the Scandi is a kind of opening that is not seen often at the very highest level of play, but it is still played at some high level (John Bartholomew being the most obvious example). The Benko Gambit also is not seen often at the very highest level of play, but it is still played at some high level. Therefore, I am drawing the conclusion that it is a solid and respectable gambit.
As for engine evaluation, you can let engines churn to a high depth in different openings to see what the engine thinks. I don't know if there is a resource out there that lists specific deep evaluations because hardware and engines are always changing. Though you have perked my curiosity for solid figures so I may reinstall Chessbase to see what their cloud engines arrived at.
Joseph Blackburne, Mieses and Zukertort all used to employ the Scandinavian Defense with great success regularly.
Where is your proof that the engine gives the Scandinavian Defense a poor evaluation?
If we are using the quality of theory and play from 100+ years ago as examples, almost every opening is "good" haha. A proper example would be the King's Gambit. Highly respected in its hay day, but it is borderline dubious at the high levels in modern times.
My point with all of this is that the Scandi is a kind of opening that is not seen often at the very highest level of play, but it is still played at some high level (John Bartholomew being the most obvious example). The Benko Gambit also is not seen often at the very highest level of play, but it is still played at some high level. Therefore, I am drawing the conclusion that it is a solid and respectable gambit.
As for engine evaluation, you can let engines churn to a high depth in different openings to see what the engine thinks. I don't know if there is a resource out there that lists specific deep evaluations because hardware and engines are always changing. Though you have perked my curiosity for solid figures so I may reinstall Chessbase to see what their cloud engines arrived at.
During the days of Capablanca and Lasker chess theory was just as good then as it is today.
What is the evaluation of the Scandinavian Defense?
During the days of Capablanca and Lasker chess theory was just as good then as it is today.
What is the evaluation of the Scandinavian Defense?
Unfortunately, that is not true. Overall, opening theory today is distinctively improved compared to the times of those players.
During the days of Capablanca and Lasker chess theory was just as good then as it is today.
What is the evaluation of the Scandinavian Defense?
Unfortunately, that is not true. Overall, opening theory today is distinctively improved compared to the times of those players.
In order to back up your claim you must provide evidence, which you have not yet done.
search 'gambit'...
Chess Openings Resources for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/openings-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond
The only sound ones you listed were the Queen’s Gambit and the Fried Liver (debatable perhaps, but the engine never gives advantage to black, so I doubt it’s a true gambit)
The gambits that are most sound are the ones that aren’t really gambits. As in, if the opponent takes, you are no worse then you were before if best moves get played. The Queens Gambit, the Benko, the Vienna, and the Marshall.
The Damiano defense is not good, because at worse you lose a central pawn for nothing, and that quickly leads to a rook or mate if you aren’t careful.
The king’s gambit is borderline refuted, and not sound. Not “bad” by any means, but not good, either, compared to what you could have with the first move advantage.
The evan’s gambit is a king’s gambit situation. Not “bad” but with best play, white is losing.
The only sound ones you listed were the Queen’s Gambit and the Fried Liver (debatable perhaps, but the engine never gives advantage to black, so I doubt it’s a true gambit)
The gambits that are most sound are the ones that aren’t really gambits. As in, if the opponent takes, you are no worse then you were before if best moves get played. The Queens Gambit, the Benko, the Vienna, and the Marshall.
The Damiano defense is not good, because at worse you lose a central pawn for nothing, and that quickly leads to a rook or mate if you aren’t careful.
The king’s gambit is borderline refuted, and not sound. Not “bad” by any means, but not good, either, compared to what you could have with the first move advantage.
The evan’s gambit is a king’s gambit situation. Not “bad” but with best play, white is losing.
I haven't heard of the Vienna Gambit, which one is that?
The King's Gambit hasn't been refuted, it's just not considered to be quite as strong as the Evans Gambit, the Marshall Attack of the Ruy Lopez and the Fried Liver gambit, although I would say all these gambits are still stronger than the Benko Gambit.
What is wrong with 3... exf4? It doesn't look that bad.
after e5 and nf3 white is winning
See the articles on the Italian Game & Evans Gambit, King's Gambit, Vienna Game & Gambit here....
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
The evan’s gambit is a king’s gambit situation. Not “bad” but with best play, white is losing.
Nah, Evans gambit is sound, far from losing for white.
King's gambit is borderline, but still probably ok. I think Nepo's conclusion was that if black plays ~25 perfect moves then he winds up in a slightly better endgame that is holdable for white.
Also, you are correct that black shouldn't take the pawn in the Vienna gambit, but I doubt that white is winning already. Jonathan Tait has said that 3...exf4 is actually better than it's reputation. white should have a considerable advantage in all lines but black cannot be considered lost already.
By the way I should clarify that when the OP says "damiano's gambit" it is reffering to 3.Nxe5, which is almost winning for white, not 2...f6?!.
Damiano defense is a weak move by black (2...f6)
Damiano gambit is a strong gambit by white which punishes the Damiano defense (3.Nxe5).
With that in mind there are 3 gambits which come to mind where white can play for advantage. Queens gambit, Marshall gambit (in the triangle system, not the Ruy) and Damiano Gambit. Any more?
If you extend this to include gambits where the side playing them is no worse, it becomes much larger.
Not sure what the current theoretical status is, but maybe
Geller-Tolush-Gambit
BDG
Morra Gambit
Staunton Gamibt
Cochrane Gamit
Sizilian Wing Gambit
Almost all gambits except Queen's Gambit are unsound.
However, in the last World Championship Match Carlsen played 2 gambits:
Catalan Opening and Two Knights Defence
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2136417
White can win a pawn with 4 Ng5, but he preferred not to.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2122755
White nearly lost.
Which gambits are the most sound? Out of all the gambits that I know of, the ones that I can think of as being the most sound are the Queen's Gambit, the King's Gambit, the Damiano's Defense Gambit and the Italian Game; Evan's Gambit, as well as the gambits found within the Fried Liver attack.
The Marshall Attack/Gambit within the Ruy Lopez should probably make this list, too.