Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 · D00
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 14
A half-open f-file and developing tempi
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The idea
White offers the e-pawn, then plays f3 to open the f-file after ...exf3 and Nxf3. The gambit exchanges material for rapid development and attacking chances against Black's king.
Main line: 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.O-O O-O
What White wants
- Recapture on f3 and develop with Bc4, O-O and Qe1
- Attack down the f-file and aim at f7 and h7
- Play fast — a pawn down in an endgame is simply lost
What Black wants
- Return the pawn to complete development
- Defend accurately and trade queens as soon as possible
- Reach an endgame with the extra pawn intact
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
A half-open f-file and developing tempi
After f3 exf3 Nxf3, White's f-pawn has gone and the f-file is half-open toward f7. Black's knight developed to f6; the d-pawn, not that knight, captured on e4. White must use the development lead before Black castles and consolidates the extra pawn.
Common mistake
Sacrificing the pawn and then playing slowly. White needs active development and concrete threats, whereas Black can keep the pawn if the defence is accurate; no rule forces Black to return material merely because the position began as a gambit.
Mistake example: c5.
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.
rnbq1rk1/ppp1ppbp/5np1/8/2BP4/2N2N2/PPP3PP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 4 8
Analyze this positionVariations
1 line branching from here.