FoxyChess › Gambits › Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.e4. White offers the e-pawn, then plays Nc3 and f3 to open the f-file. The aim is quick development and an early attack on Black's kingside.
The idea
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 offers the e-pawn to open the f-file. After 4…exf3 5.Nxf3 White has both knights out, the f-file half open against f7, and will follow with Bd3, O-O and Qe1–h4. It is one of the most popular attacking openings at club level.
What happens next
White castles kingside and brings the queen to e1 and h4, with Bg5 pinning the f6 knight and Ne5 aiming at f7. The rook on f1 and a bishop on d3 complete the picture. If Black defends well White has nothing for the pawn, so speed is everything.
How to play against it
The safest answers are to decline: 3…e5 (the Lemberger) or to return the pawn with 4…e3 5.Bxe3, when White's f-file is closed. If you accept, 5…Bf5 or 5…g6 with …Bg7 and quick castling are the main defences, and …c6 keeps the d5 and b5 squares covered.
A key line
More lines
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted
Blackmar-Diemer, Ryder Gambit
Blackmar-Diemer, 4...exf3 5.Nxf3
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All 11 lines in this gambit
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted
- Blackmar-Diemer, Ryder Gambit
- Blackmar-Diemer, 4...exf3 5.Nxf3
- Blackmar-Diemer, Euwe Defense
- Blackmar-Diemer, Bogoljubow Defense
- Blackmar-Diemer, Teichmann Defense
- Blackmar-Diemer, Gunderam Defense
- Blackmar-Diemer, Lemberger
- Blackmar-Diemer Declined, 4...e3
- Blackmar-Diemer, Vienna Defense