FoxyChess › Gambits › Wing Gambit
Wing Gambit
1.e4 c5 2.b4, and similar ideas against the French. White gives the b-pawn to deflect Black's c-pawn, then takes control of the centre with d4. It also opens lines on the queenside for White's pieces.
The idea
1.e4 c5 2.b4 gives up the b-pawn to drag Black's c-pawn away from the centre. After 2…cxb4 3.a3 White plays d4 next and has a big centre, the open a-file and a lead in development, while Black's queenside is a little loose. The same idea works against the French with 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4.
What happens next
White should not rush to win the pawn back: 3.a3 bxa3 4.Nxa3 or 3.d4 followed by Bd3 and Nf3 is the usual approach, with Bb2 on the long diagonal and the a-file rook joining in. The centre pawns on d4 and e4 and the bishops do the work.
How to play against it
Take the pawn, then give it back at the right moment: 2…cxb4 3.a3 d5! (striking at the centre) or 3…e6 followed by …d5 are the sound answers, and 3…bxa3 is fine if you then play …d5 and …Nf6 quickly. Don't try to hold the b4 pawn with …a5.
A key line
Wing Gambit (Sicilian)
More lines
Wing Gambit Accepted
Wing Gambit, 3.a3
Wing Gambit, Marshall
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All 8 lines in this gambit
- Wing Gambit (Sicilian)
- Wing Gambit Accepted
- Wing Gambit, 3.a3
- Wing Gambit, Marshall
- Wing Gambit, 3.d4
- French Wing Gambit
- Center Wing Gambit (vs French)
- Bishop's Opening: Wing Gambit