Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
Elephant Gambit
A big bite with nothing behind it
- Gambits
- Sharp play
- Open centre
After 2.Nf3 Black plays 2…d5, hoping for a full pawn centre on d5 and e5. White has only to take: 3.exd5 wins a pawn. To be plain, the opening is considered unsound: Black is behind in development and a pawn down, with open lines and the hope of an opponent's slip in return. It turns up more in fast games than in serious ones.
4…Nf6
Moves
(8 plies • 4 moves)- 1–4moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
Defining move
2…d5?! — striking at e4 before a piece is out
The move that makes it a countergambit, and a doubtful one
The d5 pawn strikes at e4 before Black has developed a single piece. White may simply take: 3.exd5. If Black recaptures with the queen, 4.Nc3 hits it with tempo, and after 3…e4 comes 4.Qe2.
Tabiya
3.exd5 e4 4.Qe2: the standard answer
White is a pawn up. The queen on e2 pins the e4 pawn to the king, so it cannot take the knight on f3, and the knight moves away with tempo. Black has gained space but must win the d5 pawn back quickly with …Nf6 and …Nxd5 and hope for tricks on the e-file. White needs to keep the pawn and finish development.
White’s plan
- Take the pawn with 3.exd5 and keep it.
- Pin the e4 pawn with Qe2 and move the knight away with tempo.
- Develop, castle and play a pawn up.
Black’s plan
- Win the d5 pawn back with …Nf6 and …Nxd5.
- Develop fast and castle before the e-file turns dangerous.
- Look for traps: the opening is built for a careless opponent.
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