Today, we’ll continue with our tour of counter-gambits. In the previous lesson, we looked at responses to the Queen’s Gambit and the King’s Gambit. This time, we’ll look at the sharp responses to the Evan’s Gambit, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and the Latvian Gambit.

Click on the link to read Counter-Gambits Part 1

Counter-Gambits Against Evan’s Gambit

The Evans Gambit is a well-known weapon in high-level chess. While many players respond defensively, those seeking a more aggressive approach may consider using counter-gambits. Though some of these counter-gambits are dubious, they still present interesting challenges.

Hein Counter-Gambit

The Hein Counter-Gambit arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 d5. Instead of retreating or capturing, Black counters White’s b4 pawn push with an immediate strike at the center, offering the d5 pawn. This move aims to disrupt White’s plans and create an immediate counterplay. However, this gambit is considered dubious with a low win rate for Black.

Leonhardt Counter-Gambit 

The Leonhardt Counter-Gambit is a more reliable response to the Evans Gambit. After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4, Black would like to capture the  pawn on d4 with the Knight immediately but the Bishop on c4 allows White a tactical shot on the f7 pawn. So, Black plays 6…b5, counterattacking White’s center from the flank and diverting the Bishop. 

Just for the heck of it, the example we’ll use would reach move 12 where a a defender has been removed to execute a pin.

Fontaine Counter-Gambit

The Fontaine Counter-Gambit is a direct and aggressive response to the Evans Gambit. After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4, Black challenges White’s gambit by pushing 4…b5. This move could lead to an exchange of bishops with many complications. 

Counter-Gambits Against Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is an aggressive opening that has gained popularity, especially among players who enjoy setting traps for their opponents. It can even almost be a countergambit itself, as it could be transposed from the Scandinavian Gambit. 

This opening can lead to highly tactical positions, particularly when transposed into lines like the Ryder Gambit. In response, several counter-gambits have been developed to challenge the attacking potential of this gambit.

Learn the power of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in this video.

Elbert Counter-Gambit

The Elbert Counter-Gambit arises after 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3 e5. After White sacrifices the pawn with 4. f3, Black immediately counters with 4…e5, striking at the center. This move challenges White’s central control and prepares to open the e-file for active piece play.

The idea behind this gambit is to take advantage of White’s aggressive setup by creating immediate threats and keeping White’s king in the center for as long as possible. In the example, White falls into a fork by trying seemingly normal moves.

Brombacher Counter-Gambit

The Brombacher Counter-Gambit follows a similar path, with the moves 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3 c5. Instead of immediately contesting the center with e5, Black strikes at White’s center with the c5 pawn. This gambit aims to open the c-file and the diagonal for the Queen. By creating immediate pressure on the d4 pawn, Black forces White into a defensive posture, often leading to sharp and tactical play.

Lemberger Counter-Gambit

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e4 e5

The Lemberger Counter-Gambit occurs after 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e4 e5. Instead of accepting the gambit pawn, Black counters White’s setup with an immediate 3…e5, offering a pawn to gain space and open lines. This move challenges White’s center directly and aims to create an unbalanced and dynamic position. This leads to open games where both sides must be prepared for rapid development and tactical opportunities.

Counter-Gambits Against Latvian Gambit

While counter-gambits for White are uncommon due to White’s first-move advantage, there are situations where White can turn the tables with an aggressive response. When facing the Latvian Gambit, White has several options to initiate a counter-gambit, challenging Black’s ambitious pawn sacrifice.

Diepstraten Counter-Gambit 

The Diepstraten Counter-Gambit is a surprising response to the Latvian Gambit. After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5, White plays 3. c4. This does not offer up new material but just leaves the pawn hanging. This move aims to control the center by attacking the d5 square and opening lines for White’s pieces. The idea is to create immediate pressure on Black’s center while keeping development flexible, often leading to dynamic and open positions.

Corkscrew Counter-Gambit 

The Corkscrew Counter-Gambit arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5. Here, White ignores the pawn on f5 and develops the bishop to c4, focusing on rapid piece activity. After Black captures the pawn, the game transitions into a sharp and tactical battle.

White’s strategy is to use the active knight and bishop to create immediate threats, particularly aiming at the f7 square, often leading to highly complex positions where precise calculation is essential.

Mason Counter-Gambit 

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. d4

The Mason Counter-Gambit is a straightforward and aggressive response to the Latvian Gambit. After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5, White plays 3. d4, immediately challenging Black’s center and offering the e4 pawn as bait.

This move aims to open the center quickly, allowing White to develop pieces with tempo and prepare for an early assault on Black’s king. By sacrificing the pawn, White seeks to exploit the weaknesses in Black’s position, particularly focusing on the potential vulnerability of Black’s king in the center and the open diagonal left by Black’s f-pawn.

The example below shows just how risky the Latvian Gambit can be as it voluntarily opens up the diagonal to the Black king. If Black tries to hold on to the rook, a king hunt will begin.