Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined
1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 · D00
Part of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 12
A transposition replaces the gambit
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The idea
Black declines with 2...e6, transposing directly into a French Defence move order. The representative line becomes a Steinitz French, with no extra tempo for either side.
Main line: 1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6
What White wants
- Treat the position as a Steinitz French with e5 and f4
- Support d4 with Nf3 and Be3 before attacking the kingside
- Respond to ...c5 and ...Nc6 pressure on the pawn chain
What Black wants
- Attack d4 with ...c5 and ...Nc6 and ...Qb6
- Trade pieces and free the position
- Reach a normal French structure on reasonable terms
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
A transposition replaces the gambit
Declining with ...e6 avoids the accepted gambit's half-open f-file and gives a normal French pawn chain. The order d4 d5 e4 e6 reaches exactly the same position as e4 e6 d4 d5. White should use French plans, not count on a development advantage from a sacrifice that never happened.
Common mistake
Continuing to play as though Black accepted the gambit. There is no missing white pawn and no automatic f-file attack; develop behind d4–e5 and answer Black's pressure on d4 before choosing a kingside expansion.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r1bqkb1r/pp1n1ppp/2n1p3/2ppP3/3P1P2/2N2N2/PPP3PP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 2 7
Analyze this position