Blackmar-Diemer Series Books 1-4 Chess BDG - Tim Sawyer PDF

Blackmar-Diemer Series
Books 1-4
By Tim Sawyer
Blackmar-Diemer Series: Books 1-4
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Table of Contents
Forward to Blackmar-Diemer Series

Blackmar-Diemer Games 1
Accepted 4.f3 exf3
By Tim Sawyer
Book 1: Introduction to Games 1
Book 1: Chapter 1 – BDG Accepted
1.0 – 5.Qxf3
1.1 – 5.Qxf3 c6
1.2 – 5.Qxf3 e6
1.3 – 5.Qxf3 Nc6
1.4 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4
1.5 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4
1.6 – 5.Nxf3
1.7 – 5.Nxf3 Nc6
1.8 – 5.Nxf3 c6
1.9 – 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4
Book 1: Chapter 2 – BDG Euwe
2.0 – 5.Nxf3 e6
2.1 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3
2.2 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 c5
2.3 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5
2.4 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Bb4
2.5 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7
2.6 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3
2.7 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0
2.8 – Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7
2.9 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6
Book 1: Chapter 3 – BDG Bogoljubow
3.0 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bd3
3.1 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4
3.2 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bg5
3.3 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4
3.4 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Ne5
3.5 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.h3
3.6 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1
3.7 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bf5
3.8 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nc6
3.9 – 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4
Book 1: Chapter 4 – BDG Gunderam
4.0 – 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bd3
4.1 – 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4
4.2 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 8…Bxc2
4.3 – 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bg6
4.4 – 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Bg6
4.5 – 6.Ne5
4.6 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4
4.7 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Be4
4.8 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6
4.9 – 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3
Book 1: Chapter 5 – BDG Teichmann
5.0 – 5.Nxf3 Bg4
5.1 – 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3
5.2 – 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7
5.3 -.7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6
5.4 -.8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3
5.5 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3
5.6 – 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4
5.7 – 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6
5.8 – 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3
5.9 – 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7
Book 1: Index of Players to Games
Book 2: Blackmar-Diemer Games 2
Declined 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 and 1.d4 Nf6
By Tim Sawyer
Book 2: Chapter 1 – BDG Avoided
1.0 – 3.f3
1.1 – 3.Nc3
1.2 – 3.Nc3 c5
1.3 – 3.Nc3 Nc6
1.4 – 3.Nc3 c6
1.5 – 3.Nc3 Bf5
1.6 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bf4
1.7 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bg5
1.8 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3
1.9 – 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5
Book 2: Chapter 2 – Lemberger
2.0 – 3.Nc3 e5
2.1 – 4.dxe5
2.2 – 4.Be3
2.3 – 4.Qh5
2.4 – 4.Nxe4
2.5 – 4.Nxe4 Qxd4
2.6 –4.Nxe4 exd4
2.7 – 4.Nge2
2.8 – 4.Nge2 Nc6
2.9 – 4.Nge2 exd4
Book 2: Chapter 3 – Declined
3.0 – 4.f3
3.1 – 4.f3 Nc6
3.2 – 4.f3 c5
3.3 – 4.f3 c6
3.4 – 4.f3 c6 5.fxe4
3.5 – 4.f3 e6
3.6 – 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3
3.7 – 4.f3 e3
3.8 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6
3.9 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5
Book 2: Chapter 4 – 4.f3 Bf5
4.0 – 4.f3 Bf5
4.1 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4
4.2 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5
4.3 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Bxe4
4.4 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
4.5 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3
4.6 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8
4.7 – 6.Qf3 Nd6
4.8 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2
4.9 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6
Book 2: Chapter 5 – 1.d4 Nf6
5.0 – 2.f3 d5 3.e4
5.1 – 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4
5.2 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4
5.3 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 e6
5.4 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3
5.5 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 e6
5.6 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Bf5
5.7 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4
5.8 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Bf5
5.9 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Nc6
Book 2: Index of Names to Games
Book 3: Blackmar-Diemer Theory 3
How to Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted
By Tim Sawyer
Book 3: Introduction to Theory 3
Book 3: Explanation of Symbols
1.0 – 5.Qxf3
1.1 – 5.Qxf3 c6
1.2 – 5.Qxf3 e6
1.3 – 5.Qxf3 Nc6
1.4 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4
1.5 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4
1.6 – 5.Nxf3
1.7 – 5.Nxf3 Nc6
1.8 – 5.Nxf3 c6
1.9 – 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4
Summary
2.0 – 6.Bc4
2.1 – 6.Bd3
2.2 – 6.Bd3 c5
2.3 – 6.Bg5
2.4 – 6.Bg5 Bb4
2.5 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2
2.6 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3
2.7 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0
2.8 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7
2.9 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6
Summary
3.0 – 6.Bd3
3.1 – 6.Bf4
3.2 – 6.Bg5 Bg7 7.Qd2
3.3 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Bg5
3.4 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Ne5 0-0
3.5 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.h3
3.6 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1
3.7 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bf5
3.8 – 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Ng4
3.9 – 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4
Summary
4.0 – 6.Bd3
4.1 – 6.Bc4
4.2 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bxc2
4.3 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bg6
4.4 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Bg6
4.5 – 6.Ne5
4.6 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4
4.7 – 6. Ne5 e6 7.g4 Be4
4.8 – 6. Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg2
4.9 – 6. Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3
Summary
5.0 – 6.Bc4
5.1 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 c6
5.2 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7
5.3 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Bg2
5.4 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3
5.5 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Qf2
5.6 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 Qxd4
5.7 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6
5.8 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3
5.9 –8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7
Summary
How to Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined
By Tim Sawyer
1.0 – 3.f3
1.1 – 3.Nc3
1.2 – 3.Nc3 c5
1.3 – 3.Nc3 Nc6
1.4 – 3.Nc3 c6
1.5 – 3.Nc3 Bf5
1.6 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bf4
1.7 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bg5
1.8 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3
1.9 – 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5
Summary
2.0 – 3.Nc3 e5
2.1 – 4.dxe5
2.2 – 4.Be3
2.3 – 4.Qh5
2.4 – 4.Nxe4
2.5 – 4.Nxe4 Qxd4
2.6 – 4.Nxe4 exd4
2.7 – 4.Nge2
2.8 – 4.Nge2 Nc6
2.9 – 4.Nge2 exd4
Summary
3.0 – 4.f3
3.1 – 4.f3 Nc6
3.2 – 4.f3 c5
3.3 – 4.f3 c6
3.4 – 4.f3 c6 5.fxe4
3.5 – 4.f3 e6
3.6 – 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3
3.7 – 4.f3 e3
3.8 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6
3.9 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5
Summary
4.0 – 4.f3 Bf5
4.1 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4
4.2 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5
4.3 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Bxe4
4.4 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
4.5 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3
4.6 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8
4.7 – 6.Qf3 Nd6
4.8 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2
4.9 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6
Summary
5.0 – 2.f3 d5 3.e4
5.1 – 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4
5.2 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4
5.3 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 e6
5.4 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3
5.5 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 e6
5.6 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Bf5
5.7 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4
5.8 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Bf5
5.9 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Nc6
Summary
Before you go
Forward to Blackmar-Diemer Series
This “Blackmar Diemer Series: Books 1-4” is a box set bundle of four
books in one. Those four books are:
“Blackmar-Diemer Games 1: Accepted” is a collection of 412 games on the

gambit accepted with anecdotes and commentary.
“Blackmar-Diemer Games 2: Declined” is a collection of 225 games on the

gambit declined with anecdotes and commentary.
“Blackmar-Diemer Theory 3: Accepted” is a detailed analysis of BDG theory

with evaluations on the gambit accepted.
“Blackmar-Diemer Theory 4: Declined” is a detailed analysis of BDG theory

with evaluations on the gambit declined.
These books build from the less popular weaker lines up front to the more
popular stronger lines near the back of each volume.
BDGers Tom Purser and Lev Zilbermints have provided me with

encouragement for more than 20 years. While they did not write these books,
they have influenced all my BDG thinking.
The published the games in Books 1 & 2 come from many types of
competition: from blitz to correspondence to tournament play.
When I first tried to write Books 3 & 4 on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

theory, I started and stopped many times. Then Daniel Quinones provided me
with his detailed BDG analysis. Daniel inspired me even though I wrote this
book totally from scratch.
Jack Clauser proofread the first drafts of Books 3 & 4. He offered many
helpful suggestions. Any mistakes in the book are mine.
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit gave me 30 years of fun games!

Blackmar-Diemer Games 1
Accepted 4.f3 exf3
By Tim Sawyer
Welcome to the exciting world of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit! This book
demonstrates how to win in bold chess attacks with energy and success. Tim
Sawyer gives analysis to 412 games.
Amazon lists the original 2015 publication date, but this Kindle edition has
been expanded to match the 2016 paperback edition of Blackmar-Diemer
Games 1. It includes a new BDG classification structure, revised updated
commentary, an Index of Players and more games.
The games are organized to build toward stronger lines. At the beginning we
see many quick White wins and some quick Black wins due to a variety of
mistakes. Short victories are common in the Blackmar-Diemer. More popular
lines come later.
You reach the BDG Accepted variations by 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3, or by transposition after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4, or by 1.e4 d5
2.d4, or with many other move orders.
This book contains all Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted lines: Ryder
Variation 5.Qxf3, miscellaneous 5.Nxf3 lines; the Euwe 5.Nxf3 e6; the
Bogoljubow 5.Nxf3 g6; the Gunderam 5.Nxf3 Bf5 and the always popular
Teichmann 5.Nxf3 Bg4. This book has exactly 100 games with 5.Qxf3 and
312 games with 5.Nxf3.
The games of Diemer, Tartakower, Sawyer, Purser, Zilbermints, Quinones,
Penullar, Bond, and Bill Wall provide creative ideas. Know what it feels like
to win. Have fun playing chess. Try it!
This is the first of four volumes planned on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit for
2016. Taken as a whole, they are intended to replace the old BDG Keybook.
Blackmar-Diemer Games 1 covers games on the gambit accepted in five
chapters each with 10 sections.
I quote: “The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is not a boxing jab; it is a knockout
punch. White gets to throw the first punch! Stop playing for the endgame;
start playing to end the game! Be a winner. Play the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit!” [BDG Keybook from 1992]
1.0 – 5.Qxf3
Here we examine a smattering of lesser played lines that you are only likely
to encounter in blitz play.
1 - Bogoljubow 5…g6 Ryder Gambit

Efim Bogoljubow was an exciting and fascinating player who tried a wide
variety of offbeat openings and little known variations.
Bogo loved tactics. His success gave him a chance for the World
Championship, playing two matches vs Alexander Alekhine.
It is true that playing against Bogoljubow gave Alekhine an excuse to avoid

Capablanca. But if you are not going to play Capa, Bogoljubow made sense.
Bogo won some of the strongest tournaments of his day. In the 1970s I spent
a lot of time studying games by these players.
The Ryder Gambit game Bill Wall vs Robertb touches on a line Bogoljubow
played.
Wall - Robertb, Internet .03), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 g6 6.Be3 [6.Bf4 is more common. A humorous possibility could
follow with 6...Qxd4? 7.Bxc7 Bg7 8.Rd1 Qc5 9.Rd8#] 6...Bg7 7.0-0-0 0-0
8.Bc4 Bg4 9.Qxb7 Bxd1 10.Qxa8 Bg4 11.Qxa7 Nc6 12.Qc5 Qd6 13.Qxd6
cxd6 14.h3 Bd7 15.Nf3 Rc8 16.Ng5 e6 17.Bb5 Rc7 18.Rf1 Nb8 19.Bxd7
Nbxd7 20.d5 e5+- [This gives White a passed d-pawn. Better was 20...exd5
21.Rd1+/-] 21.Nb5 Rc8 22.Nxd6 1-0
2 - How to Crush Rare 5...h6
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 game of the renown chess
game collector Bill Wall vs the online personality "Jin", Black played the rare
and dubious 5...h6.
Of course there are always players who will push rook pawns in the opening,
but usually not in this position. After that move, Black goes pawn hunting
with 6...Qxd4.
Grabbing the d4 pawn would have been a good idea on move 5, but on move
6 it wastes too much time. Bill Wall does a good job in putting Black away
swiftly.
Chess allows me to learn about many topics. In February 2014 I saw a blue
truck from HANJIN, a shipping company from Japan. At first I thought it
might be Chinese, but I see it is Japanese. I don't know anything about what
they ship. In my mind, their name split into two parts, maybe two words: han
& jin. It looks like han-jin means "domain person". I wonder if this implies
they are champion shippers. I ponder.
Wall - Jin, Internet .05), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Qxf3 h6 [5...Qxd4] 6.Bf4 Qxd4? [6...c6] 7.Nb5! Qxb2 8.Nxc7+ Kd8
9.Rd1+ Bd7 10.Nxa8 Qxc2 [10...e5 11.Bd2+/-] 11.Bxb8 [11.Qxb7!+-]
11...Qxa2 [11...e6 12.Bd3+-] 12.Qxb7 a5 13.Bc7+ 1-0
3 - Instant Poisoned Pawn
In a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3, White has a lot of tactical
threats. Some lines lead to very fast wins.
While there are good defensive possibilities, it is common for Black to

blunder and suddenly lose with a catastrophic finish.
In the game Bill Wall vs Nombar, Black falls for a poisoned pawn tactical
trap that is handy-to-know. It can be found in many openings.
Wall-Nombar, Internet .18), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 h6 6.Be3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Qd6? [The queen becomes a target. Black
does best to just break the pin. 7...Bd7=] 8.Bf4 [or 8.d5 Bg4 9.dxc6 Bxf3
10.cxb7+ Nd7 11.Nxf3 Rb8 12.Rd1+-] 8...Qb4? 9.a3! Qxb2 10.Ra2! 1-0
4 - The Problem with 5…Bg4
Jesus said, "The meek will inherit the earth." In this game a “Meak” was
more weak than meek. Black might normally performs better than this, but
online things can quickly fall apart.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 game with Bill Wall vs

"Meak", Black played too boldly with aggressive move such as 5...Bg4 and
6...Qxd4.
Unfortunately for him, his active play was not safe play and Black lost a
rook.
Wall - Meak, Internet .18), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Bg4? [Black should just take a pawn instead of attacking the
queen. 5...Qxd4! 6.Be3 Qg4-/+ favors Black] 6.Qxb7 Qxd4? [For better or
worse, Black should try 6...Nbd7 7.Nb5 Rc8 8.Bf4+/-] 7.Bb5+ Kd8 8.Qxa8
1-0
5 - Good Bishop to Lost Bishop
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3, Black plays the tempting
5...Bg4 leaving b7 unprotected.
This is a very common blitz mistake for Black since the weakness does not
reveal itself until after the move is made.
Bill Wall once again works up a successful attack. Black lets his dark squared
bishop wander away from protecting Nf6 and things get ugly.
White takes aim at the kingside and then wins a piece on the queenside.
Wall - Guest5093, Internet .01), 2006 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Bg4 6.Qxb7 Nbd7 7.Nf3 [7.h3!?] 7...e6 8.Nb5 Bd6
[8...Nd5!?] 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Bd3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Bb4+ 12.c3 Ba5? [12...Be7=]
13.0-0 c6 14.Qxc6 Nb6? 15.b4
1-0
6 - Tactics Trump Principles
Quick like a bunny rabbit. Some Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3
games are very short. In the game Bill Wall vs Bill Strum, in the first few
moves Black pushes a center pawn, captures two pawns, and develops two
knights and a bishop.
That all sounds reasonable. Furthermore, Black directly attacks both of

White's only two developed pieces: a queen and a knight.
These principles sound great. They are strategically sound but tactically fatal.
Instead of running from the attack, White sidesteps and surges forward.
Instantly a pretty smothered check wins the day.
Wall - Strum, Internet .18), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Bg4? [5...Qxd4] 6.Qxb7 Nbd7 7.Nb5 c6 8.Nc7+ 1-0
7 - Can I Win a Rook? Yes!
I am not sure who the "Samuel" below is. Maybe he is named for Samuel of
the Bible or Uncle Sam.
In chess history there was Sam Lloyd and Sammy Reshevsky. Maybe it is
just Sam I Am today a chess player.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 game Bill Wall vs "Samuel",

Black leaves the queenside undefended and falls for a tactic that nets White at
least a rook.
Wall-Samuel, www.chess.com .24), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3

Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Bg4 6.Qxb7 Nbd7 7.Nb5 Nd5? [7...Rc8 8.Bf4 e5
9.dxe5 Nc5 10.Qc6++/-] 8.Qxd5 e6? 9.Qxa8 Qxa8 10.Nxc7+ 1-0
8 - Eddie More Than Luck
When the Olympics were in England, I remembered a ski jumper from
England called Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards. He was not a great superstar, but
he was very inspiring!
Eddie just wanted to compete in the Olympics. Eddie was an average guy
who would not quit. Somehow he qualified and competed in the 1988 winter
Olympics.
Eddie went for it! In many ways he was lucky to be alive, but he was cheered
on as a folk hero. Later the Olympic committee changed the rules so people
like him could not compete unless they placed much higher in some prior
international event. In 2016 I enjoyed watching the inspiring movie “Eddie
the Eagle”.
Here is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 with Bill Wall vs

LuckyEddie. Our Eddie in this game went for it too, but his luck ran out.
Wall - LuckyEddie, Internet .27), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Bg4? 6.Qxb7 Nbd7 7.Nb5 Rb8 8.Qxc7? [Eddie is lucky
White does not play 8.Nxc7+ Qxc7 9.Qxc7+- going up a queen for a knight.]
8...Qxc7 9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Nb5 e6 11.Nxa7 Ke8 12.Bd3 Bd6 13.Nb5 Ke7
14.Nf3 Rhe8 15.Nxd6 Kxd6 16.Bf4+ 1-0
9 - King Caught In Corner
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 game Bill Wall vs Piruleto,
both kings are in trouble.
White has four queenside pawns to none but takes a risky approach of leaving
his king in the center.
Black is slow to exploit this and places his own king in jeopardy.
Wall - Piruleto, Internet .28), 2002 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Bg4 6.Qxb7 Nbd7 7.Nb5 Rc8 8.Qc6 e6 9.Nxa7 Ra8 10.Nb5
Bd6 11.Nxd6+ cxd6 12.Qxd6 Ne4 13.Qf4 Nef6 [13...Qa5+ 14.c3 Bf5
15.Nf3 0-0=] 14.Bc4 [14.Nf3+/=] 14...0-0 15.Nf3 Bxf3 16.gxf3 Nb6 17.Bd3
Nbd5 18.Qd2 Re8 19.Rg1 g6 20.c3 Nh5? [Black has a very promising attack
with 20...e5!=/+] 21.Bb5 Re7 22.Qh6? [22.a4+/=] 22...e5! 23.Qxh5 exd4+
24.Kf1 Kh8? [24...dxc3!=/+] 25.Qh4 dxc3 26.Qd4+ Kg8 27.Bh6 Rb8?
28.Qg7# 1-0
10 - Not the Mama Teichmann
20 years ago there was a classic television show "Dinosaurs" that ran from
1991-1994. In this show, the baby calls his father: "Not The Mama"!
The most popular variation of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3) is the Teichmann Variation (5.Nxf3 Bg4). Below
we have an example of Black trying to play this line vs the Ryder Gambit
(5.Qxf3 Bg4) - Not the Teichmann!
The move shows a gap in the thought process where it appears that Black did
not take into account how his 5th move would change the position.
Specifically, when moving the bishop away from c8, it left b7 unprotected.
Ask yourself before making your move, "How will my intended move change
the position? Is there anything that will NOT be safe?" After 5.Qf3 Bg4, there
are two things that are clearly not safe. First is the queen on f3; second is the
pawn on b7. This practically forces White to play 6.Qxb7 when the Ra8 is
not safe. In the game Bill Wall vs Robert Smith, White takes over the
initiative.
Wall - Smith, Dayton, OH .06), 1984 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Bg4 [5...Qxd4] 6.Qxb7 Nbd7 7.Nb5 Rc8 8.Bf4 c6 9.Nc7+
1-0
1.1 – 5.Qxf3 c6
This line has some characteristics of the Caro-Kann Defence.
11 - Brian Wall Wins Ryder Gambit

Brian Wall is a master who plays many interesting openings well. One of his
favorites is the Fishing Pole in the Ruy Lopez. Here against a retired GM
"CameraObscura" Brian plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder. He wins
both on the board and on time in an ICC three minute game.
Wall's choice of 6.Bg5!? is rare. After both sides made a mistake on move 26,
the advantage in the position leaned toward White.
BrianWall (2076) - CameraObscura (2134), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

17.10.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Bg5!?
[6.Be3; 6.Bd3] 6...Bg4 [6...Qxd4-/+ is critical but dangerous in a 3 minute
game vs an enterprising opponent.] 7.Qf2 Nbd7 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4 Bg6 10.0-0-0
h6 11.Bh4 e6 12.Nf3 Bb4 13.Ne2 Qa5 14.Kb1 Ne4 15.Qe3 Qa4 16.Rc1
Be7 [It is natural for Black to want to exchange pieces, but this gives White
time to complete his development and attack. 16...Nb6! 17.Nf4 Nd5 18.Nxd5
exd5-/+ Black remains a pawn up with active pieces.] 17.Bxe7 Kxe7 18.Nf4
Bh7 19.Bd3 Ndf6 20.Ne5 Rad8 21.c3 g5 22.Nh5 Nd5 23.Qe2 Nd6
[23...Nef6 24.Rhf1+/-] 24.Rhf1 f6 25.Bxh7 Rxh7 [25...fxe5 26.Bc2+-]
26.Rce1? [Winning is 26.Ng6+ Kd7 27.c4!+-] 26...Nb5? [The saving move
was 26...fxe5! 27.Qxe5 Kd7-+ and Black gets away with a knight for a
pawn.] 27.Nxc6+ Kd6 28.Qxe6+ Kc7 29.Nxd8 Rd7 [From here on a time
scramble ensues. If 29...Qc4 30.Ka1 Nbxc3 31.b3 Qxd4 32.Qxf6 Nxf6
33.Ne6+ Kd6 34.Nxd4+-] 30.Nxf6 Nbxc3+ 31.bxc3 Nxc3+ 32.Kc1 Rxd8
33.Qb3 Qxd4 34.Re7+ Kc6 35.Qxb7+ Kc5 36.Rc7+ Kd6 37.Rd7+ Rxd7
38.Qxd7+ Kc5 39.Qxd4+ Kxd4 40.Ng8 Ne2+ 41.Kd2 Nf4 42.Rxf4+ gxf4
43.Nxh6 f3 44.Ke1 Ke3 45.Kf1 f2 46.Nf5+ Kf3 47.Nd4+ Kg3 48.Nb5 a6
49.Na7 a5 50.Nc6 Kxh3 51.a4 Kxg4 52.Nxa5 Black forfeits on time 1-0
12 - Arto Transposes to Ryder Bogo
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6 game Bill Wall vs Arto,
Black plays 6...g6 and the game has the feel of a Bogoljubow. With
19.Bxf7+! White regains the gambit pawn, although Black would still stand
somewhat better in a rook ending with bishops of opposite color. However
with 19...Kxf7? Black blunders and soon loses.
Wall - Arto, Internet .06), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Qd3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 Bf5 10.Qd1 Nbd7
11.Nh4 e6 12.Nxf5 exf5 13.Bf4 Nb6 14.Qd2 Nfd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.c3 Re8
17.Bc4 Nxf4 18.Qxf4 Re4 19.Bxf7+! Kxf7? [Black has a more active
position after 19...Kh8 20.Qg3 Qe7 21.Bb3 Re8-/+] 20.Qxe4 Qe7+- [20...Bf6
21.Qf3+-] 21.Qxe7+ Kxe7 22.Rae1+ Kf7 23.g4 Re8 24.gxf5 Rxe1 25.fxg6+
Kxg6 26.Rxe1 1-0
13 - Pitasakk Uses Alekhine Idea
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6, Bill Wall tries a rare move
in 6.Qf2 which reminds me of 8.Qf2 in the BDG Teichmann 7.Qxf3 line if
Black plays 7...c6. It looks like a good idea here. Black sets up a defense
similar to the Alekhine Defence 4.Nf3 dxe5 line where a combination of
c6/Nc7/Be6 and g6/Bg7 can be played. Below both players kept their
opponents from making progress and a draw was eventually agreed.
Wall - Pitasakk, www.chess.com .24), 2009 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 [5...Qxd4] 6.Qf2!? [6.Bd3 or 6.Be3 are routinely
played.] 6...g6 [This Bogo idea is certainly reasonable. If 6...Ng4 7.Qf4 g6
8.Bc4 White has some good play.] 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bc4 [8.Bf4!?] 8...0-0 9.0-0
Nbd7 10.Qh4 Nb6 11.Bb3 Nbd5 12.Ne5 Be6 13.Bg5 Nc7 [This defensive
set-up is similar to a line in the Alekhine Defence.] 14.Ne2 Bxb3 15.axb3
Ne6 16.Be3 Nd5 17.Bf2 Qd6 18.Nc4 Qc7 19.Bg3 Qd8 20.c3 a5 21.Be5 f6
22.Bg3 b5 23.Nd2 g5 [23...f5 looks more natural. 24.Nf3 Ne3-/+ and after a
little reorganization, say after ...Bf6, Black has a good chance of attacking
with an extra pawn.] 24.Qe4 Qd7 25.Rf2 Rf7 26.Raf1 Nf8 [26...Rd8-/+]
27.c4 bxc4 28.bxc4 Nb6 29.Qd3 e6 30.Ne4 f5 31.Nxg5 Rf6 32.Be5 1/2-1/2
14 - Jagger & the Rolling Stones
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6 game, Bill Wall's internet
opponent used the handle "Jagger". One naturally assumes Black is a fan of
Sir Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. Jagger is 10 years older than I, so I
am amazed at his longevity.
Both sides had chances in the game until Bill Wall played 16.Bc5! winning
material. Black can't get no satisfaction in the middlegame, so he heads into a
losing endgame.
Wall - Jagger, Internet .01), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Qf2 Nbd7 7.Bc4 e5 8.Be3 Bb4 9.Nge2 Bxc3+ 10.Nxc3 0-0
11.0-0 Qe7 12.g3 [12.Qh4=] 12...Nb6 13.Be2 Bh3 14.dxe5 Nfd7 15.Rfd1
Nxe5 [15...Qe6=/+] 16.Bc5! Qf6? [16...Qe6 17.Bxf8 Rxf8 18.Rd4+/=]
17.Qxf6 gxf6 18.Bxf8 Kxf8 19.Rd4 Re8 20.Rad1 Bf5 21.R1d2 Nbd7
22.Ra4 a6 23.Rf4 Bg6 24.Ne4 Re6 25.Kg2 b5 26.a3 Nc4 27.Bxc4 Bxe4+
28.Kf2 Re7 29.Bd3 f5 30.Bxe4 fxe4 31.Rd6 e3+ 32.Ke2 Nc5+- [Or 32...Ne5
33.Rdf6 Rd7 34.Kxe3+-] 33.Rxc6 Ne6 34.Re4 1-0
15 - Honfi: Father and Son in Ryder
Two future international masters met in the 1950 Championship of Hungary
in Budapest and featured a surprise opening, a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6. In 1949 Emil J. Diemer played several games in this 6.Bd3
line that are given in his famous book on the BDG. The players were Karoly
Honfi Jr. vs Geza Fuster. Fuster (1910-1990) played many famous players
from Alekhine to Fischer. Eventually Geza Fuster moved to Toronto, became
famous for his blitz chess and played for two Canadian Olympic teams.
Karoly Honfi Jr. (1930-1996) was a correspondence master rated in the 2400s
and came from a chess playing family. His son Gyorgy Honfi (born 1957) is
a chess teacher.
In Tom Purser's BDG blog we read:

"N. J. Jensen wrote IM Honfi, asking him about his experiences with the
BDG, and received a friendly reply. He wrote that his game against Füster
was the only BDG he ever played in a tournament, but that his father had
played the BDG for several years..."
Honfi Jr (2365) - Fuster (2280), Hungary ch 1950 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5
3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Bd3 Bg4 7.Qf2 e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.Nge2 Nbd7
[Or 9...Bg6 10.Bxg6 hxg6 11.Bf4 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 Be7=] 10.0-0 Be7? [This
allows White tempi to pressure the f7 square. Black still had time for
10...Bg6 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.g4 Qe7 13.Kg2=] 11.g4 Bg6 12.g5! Qa5 13.gxf6
gxf6 14.Nf4 0-0-0 15.Bd2 Qg5+ 16.Kh1 Qh6 17.Qh2 [Another good idea is
17.d5! exd5 18.Qxa7 Bd6 19.Qa8+ Bb8 20.Rf3+-] 17...Qh4 18.Rg1 f5 19.b4
e5? [It is normal for a strong player to aggressively fight back, but opening
the pawn structure helps White's attack much more that Black's. 19...Bd6
20.Raf1+/-] 20.b5 exf4 21.bxc6 Nb6 22.cxb7+ Kxb7 23.Bxf4 Bd6? 24.Bxd6
Rxd6 25.Qxd6 Bh5 26.Qg3 1-0
16 - Torsten Oscarsson: Scandinavian Comet
As I bring highlights from the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit magazine of 50
years ago as published by N. Kampars, we come to an article by Anders
Tejler from the March 1963 issue where Andy writes the following:
"Torsten Oscarsson was born February 25, 1915 in Varmland, Sweden. He

has lived most of his life, however, in the southern province of Skane. In
1929 he became interested in chess and cut his theoretical teeth on the
textbook of Ludvig Collijn. In 1950 Torsten began to play in ICCF
tournaments, starting in the 3rd class. By a series of 6-0 victories he reached
1st class, where he won first place with a score of 5 1/2 out of 6. By his fifth
correspondence tournament, Torsten was already in the Champion Class
(Meisterklasse). In June, 1958, after eight years of ICCF play, he reached the
semi-finals of the 4th Fernschach-Weltmeisterschaft. In the 5th International
Tournament, Torsten won 26 games, drew 3 and lost 1. A remarkable rise to
the pinnacle of the correspondence chess world!”
"For the benefit of the detractors and unjust critics of the BDG, and with
tongue in cheek, it is suggested that Torsten Oscarsson could hardly be
considered a "patzer", and yet he does not hesitate to use the BDG in
correspondence play. These confused critics would have us believe that the
BDG is good only (as a surprise) in over-the-board play and, of course,
against weaker players. The fact is that the BDG is a deadly weapon in the
hands of the player "who has the temperament to use it!" The BDG is not
unsound merely because it is not frequently played in major tournaments.
There is a very natural tendency on the part of tournament contestants to play
conservatively, to remain with the most analyzed lines of play. The bold are
always quite limited in number.”
"In a letter to me [Tejler] in November, 1962 Torsten comments:

"The combination player's sharpest weapon - that is the BDG!"
Anders Tejler concluded with a BDG Ryder game between Torsten

Oscarsson and Axel E. Johansson. "Annotations are by A. Rosqvist as
published in the Swedish "Tidskrift for Schack", March 1960, translated and
edited by A. Tejler."
Oscarsson - Johansson, Halsingborg, Sweden 1959 begins 1.d4 d5 2.f3 Nf6

3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Bd3 Qxd4 7.Nge2 Qg4 8.Qf2 e6 [Diemer
has also shown that Black can go astray even if he plays 8...e5] 9.0-0 Nbd7
10.Be3 Ne5 11.Rad1 Qb4 12.h3 Be7 13.a3 [In the BDG it is the destiny of
pawns to be sacrificed.] 13...Qxb2 14.Bd4 Nxd3 15.Rxd3 Qxc2 [Though the
Queen cannot stay on b2 because of White's threat of Nd5, she might as well
capture another pawn in moving to a safer square.] 16.Rfd1! [White
strengthens his position in the secure knowledge of his advantage in
development.] 16...0-0 17.R1d2 Qb3 18.Nf4 Qc4 19.Rg3 e5 [Too late.]
20.Bxe5 Bc5 21.Rd4 Bxd4 22.Bxd4 Kh8 23.Rxg7 [The second rook must
also go upon the sacrificial altar. There is an annihilating force in White's
play, and the decision is soon reached.] 23...Qxd4 [Black attempts to appease
White, but in vain. If Black takes the rook, 23...Kxg7 he is mated in a few
moves. Elegantly via 24.Bxf6+ (More simply via 24.Qg3+ Kh6 25.Qh4+ Kg7
26.Qg5+ Kh8 27.Bxf6#) 24...Kxf6 25.Nfd5+ Kg6 26.Qf6+ Kh5 27.Ne2!; If
Black tries 23...Rg8 there follows 24.Rxh7+ Kxh7 25.Qh4+ Kg7 26.Qxf6+
and mate on the next move.] 24.Qxd4 Kxg7 25.Ne4 [Another finish was
25.Nh5+ Kg6 26.Qxf6+ Kxh5 27.Ne2] 1-0
17 - Father and Son Early Influence
I learned chess a little by watching others at a city park in the summer when I
was 9. A year later I taught my father how to play. More than 50 years later,
my dad still likes to remind me that he beat me in the first game where I
taught him how to play. Apparently I did not know that much! I do not
remember playing chess at all from ages 10-16. Sometimes my father would
play the more experienced Ken Clark during our visits to Connecticut.
I began playing chess in 1970 or 1971 under the influence of Mr. Phil Tobin.
He did not just teach English. He taught us about life. I loved it. He put
together a music group from students and cut a record entitled "Occasional
Rain", which I heard on the radio. Though not a strong player, Phil Tobin
liked chess and let us play during school at times. His choices changed and
blessed my whole life. By 1972 I was playing in rated tournaments.
Previously I covered the game Karoly Honfi Jr vs Geza Fuster. Presumably,

Honfi Junior learned chess from Honfi Senior. The son Karoly Honfi Jr.
became an International Master.
Again from Tom Purser's blog according to Honfi Jr (via Jensen):

"...his father had played the BDG for several years. Mr. Honfi Sr., who
worked in a post office, achieved the category of a candidate master. His son
did not have that many of his father's games but did enclose several..."
Purser annotated a Honfi Sr. game in his blog. Below I select a different one,
in the very same variation as Honfi Jr. had played 10 years earlier. In the
Karoly Honfi Sr game his opponent Berczy challenged him by grabbing the
d4-pawn.
Honfi Sr - Berczy, Hungary 1960 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3
exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Bd3 Qxd4 7.Be3 [Another idea is 7.Nge2 Qh4+ 8.g3 Qh5!-
+ when Black is eager to swap off queens being up two pawns.] 7...Qh4+
8.g3 [8.Bf2 Qg5-/+] 8...Qh5 9.Qf2 b6 10.Nge2 Ba6 11.0-0-0 Bxd3 12.Rxd3
Nbd7 13.Rhd1 e6 14.Nf4 Qf5 15.Qg2 Nd5? [This loses material and the
game. Better is 15...Ne5 16.R3d2 Rc8-/+ and Black maintains a two pawn
advantage.] 16.Ncxd5 exd5 17.Nxd5 cxd5 18.Rxd5 1-0
18 - Terraz Wins in BDG Ryder
This Blackmar-Diemer game comes from Mark Crowther's TWIC (The Week
In Chess). The game is between C. Terraz (2098) and F. Cesareo (2152) in a
BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6 variation. White chose to gambit a second pawn with
6.Bd3 Qxd4.
By the 13th move, White had an impressive lead in development. After Black
missed a chance to equalize on move 17, White mounted a crushing attack.
Terraz (2098) - Cesareo (2152), 29th Geneva Open Geneva SUI (4.13),
28.12.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6
[5...Qxd4! 6.Be3 Qg4-/+ is the recommended defense. White would have
compensation for one pawn, but Black is up two pawns. The position is
dynamically complicated, but I would prefer Black.] 6.Bd3 [The alternative
6.Be3 holds on to d4.] 6...Qxd4 7.Be3 Qg4 8.Qf2 Qe6 9.h3 Nd5 10.Nxd5
cxd5 11.Nf3 Nc6 12.0-0 f6 13.Rae1 Qd6 14.Bc5 Qc7 15.c4 d4 16.Nxd4
Nxd4 17.Qxd4 e6 [Black has a great shot here with 17...Bxh3! 18.Bxa7 e5=]
18.Bxf8 Kxf8 [Somewhat better is 18...Rxf8 19.c5+/-] 19.Rxf6+ Ke7 [If
19...Ke8 20.Rf4+-] 20.Rfxe6+ Bxe6 21.Qxg7+ Kd6 22.Rxe6+ Kxe6
23.Qxc7 1-0
19 - Focus on the Weak f7 Square
Bill Wall found many creative ways to win Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games
quickly. Sometimes it is due to a major blunder by Black, but more often
White plays tactics based on principles. One is to focus on the important f7
square before Black castles.
In a BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6, Black takes two gambit pawns on f3/d4 and he
falls behind in development. White lines up a queen on f2, and rook on f1 and
eventually a knight on g5: all attacking f7 at one point directly or indirectly.
When Black's knight wastes a tempo with 11...Ne4?, White's attack is
unstoppable topped off by 15.Rxf7 and 16.Qd6.
Wall - Pablo393, Internet .02), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Bd3 [The other popular continuation is 6.Be3 Bg4
7.Qf2 e6 8.h3] 6...Qxd4 [It might be a good time for 6...g6!?] 7.Be3 Qg4
8.Qf2 e6 9.Nf3 Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Ne4?[11...Nbd7] 12.Bxe4 Qxe4
13.Ng5 Qf5 14.Qg3 Qg6 15.Rxf7 h6 16.Qd6 1-0
20 - Playing Online Guest
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6 game Bill Wall played vs
Guest1408. Black hung a piece by voluntarily removing an important Nf6
defender.
It is always an unknown quantity when playing a "Guest" online. Are they

strong or weak? This one was a typical club player who is sharp enough to
develop his pieces rapidly, but alas he misses a tactic.
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Be3 [6.Bd3] 6...g6 [6...Bg4 7.Qf2 e6 8.h3=] 7.Bc4
[7.h3=] 7...Bg7 8.Nge2?! 0-0 [8...Bg4!=/+] 9.0-0 Bg4 10.Qf4 Nbd7 11.Ng3
Nb6 12.Bb3 Nbd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5? [13...cxd5=/+] 14.Bxd5 cxd5 15.Qxg4
1-0
21 - Faff2 Misses a Mate
In a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6, Bill Wall catches Faff2
napping for a quick checkmate. Once again we have an example of "f7" being
the weakest square on the board for Black. The weakest square for White is
"f2".
Wall - Faff2, Internet .21), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Be3 [6.Bd3!?] 6...Nbd7 [6...Bg4 7.Qf2 e6 8.h3] 7.Bc4 Nb6
8.Bb3 Bg4 9.Qf2 Nfd5 10.Nge2 e6 11.0-0 Nxe3? 12.Qxf7# 1-0
22 - Tuna Fish Opening to Ending
When I was in high school I took a tuna fish sandwich and root beer soda to
school for lunch almost every day. I did not mind doing things the same way
all the time. As I got older, however, I wanted variety. When I go out to eat
lunch nowadays, I try a different restaurant or different menu item. I like
variety in my chess openings too. Although I admit that sometimes I go to
Subway and get... well, a tuna fish sandwich. Yummy!
Bill Wall was pretty good playing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, but I know
from his books that he played many openings. Below is a game: Wall-
Tunafish in the BDG Ryder 5.Qf3 c6. In the end Wall reaches an ending that
has an easy winning pattern due to his outside passed pawn. This endgame
position could come from almost any opening.
Wall - Tunafish, Internet .30), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Be3!? Bg4 7.Qg3 Qb6 8.Rb1 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.Nf3
c5 11.0-0 Bd6 12.Qh4 0-0-0 13.Nb5 Bxf3 14.Rxf3 Nd5 15.Bf2 g5 16.Qh6
Bf8 17.Qxg5 f6 18.Qg3 h5 [18...a6=] 19.c4 Nb4 20.Be4 [Better is 20.Re1!+-
] 20...f5! 21.a3 fxe4 [21...h4! 22.Qg5 fxe4 23.Rxf8 Rdxf8 24.axb4 cxb4=/+]
22.Rxf8 Rdxf8 23.dxc5 h4 24.Qe3 Qxc5 25.Qxc5+ Nxc5 26.Bxc5 Nd3
27.Bxf8 Rxf8 28.Nd6+ Kc7 29.Nxe4 e5 30.b3 Rf4 31.Rd1 Rxe4 32.Rxd3
Rd4? [32...Re2 33.Rh3+/-] 33.Rxd4 exd4 34.Kf2 Kd6 35.g3 hxg3+ 36.hxg3
Ke5 37.Ke2 Ke4 38.g4 a6? 39.b4 b6 40.g5 1-0
23 - Drawing vs Expert Dale Burk
Playing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6 vs an Expert can be a
challenge, especially if Black also plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit as
White! Here Bill Wall managed to convince Dale Burk (rated 2058) to repeat
moves for a draw.
Black's doubled pawn was a backward doubled f-pawn. White had an extra
queenside pawn and a passed h-pawn. Still, I think Black stood a little better
in the final position.
Wall - Burk, Gambit Tourney Dayton, OH (4), 11.01.1980 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Be3 Bg4 7.Qg3 [7.Qf2] 7...e6
8.h3 [8.Bf4] 8...Bh5 9.Bd3N [9.Nf3] 9...Bg6 [9...Bd6] 10.0-0-0 [10.Bxg6]
10...Bd6 11.Qf2 [11.Qf3] 11...Qa5 [11...Bxd3 12.Rxd3 0-0] 12.Nge2
[12.Bxg6] 12...Nbd7 [12...Bxd3 13.Rxd3 Na6] 13.Rhf1 [13.Bxg6 hxg6]
13...0-0-0 14.Kb1 [14.Bf4] 14...Rhe8 15.g4 Bxd3 16.Rxd3 h6 17.Bd2
[17.Bf4] 17...Qc7 18.g5 [18.Rf3] 18...hxg5 19.Bxg5 e5 20.d5 [20.dxe5]
20...Nc5 21.Rdd1 [21.Re3] 21...Be7 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.dxc6 [23.Qf5+]
23...Qxc6 24.Qf5+ Kb8 25.Ng3 [25.Rxd8+] 25...Ne6 26.h4 [26.Qg4]
26...Nd4 27.Qf2 Ne6 28.Qf5 Nd4 29.Qf2 1/2-1/2 [Game Notes by Wall]
24 - Don't Hide Your Chess Pieces
Jesus said no one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Lights are meant to
shine! Hiding chess pieces behind pawns in the corner of the board keeps
them from shining. Chess pieces are meant to be not only safe, but also
active. This is especially true in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3
c6.
In the Bill Wall - Tammy Smith game below, after 13 moves, most of Black's
pieces (including 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops and 1 knight) form an "L" form
d6-d8-a8 hidden behind pawns on the queenside. On the kingside are Black's
king and one knight.
As you might imagine, White's 14th move eliminates the only piece
defending Black's kingside. White's attack crashes through. Don't hide your
chess pieces.
Wall - Smith, Stony Point, NC .29), 1983 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Be3 Bg4 7.Qf2 Qc7 [7...e6] 8.h3 Bd7 [8...Bh5]
9.0-0-0 e6 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.Nge2 0-0 12.Rdf1 Rc8 13.Qh4 Qd8 14.Rxf6
Qxf6 15.Qxh7+ Kf8 16.Ne4 Qg6 17.Qxg6 fxg6 18.Nxd6 1-0 [Game Notes
by Wall]
25 - Camping Behind Wall of Pawns
How does Black beat a gambit? One good idea is to swap off most of the
pieces and camp behind a wall of pawns until safe. Then Black's counter-
attack will be very difficult to meet, since White is loath to rush toward an
ending down a pawn.
In the Bill Wall – Don Camper game below, Black accepts only one of the
gambit pawns offered with a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6.
Both sides develop pieces rapidly, but White fails to make strong threats.
Without them, there is no initiative. Black is free to offered piece swaps and
tip-toe toward the endgame. White gets nothing.
Wall - Camper, Dayton, OH .11), 1983 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Be3 Bg4 7.Qf2 e6 8.Bd3 Bh5 [8...Bb4] 9.h3 [9.Nf3]
9...Bd6 [9...Nd5] 10.Nge2 Qc7 11.0-0-0 11.Nf4 11...Nbd7 12.Rdf1 [12.Bg5]
12...Rf8 13.Nf4 Bg6 14.Bxg6 [14.Nxg6] 14...hxg6 15.Kb1 [15.Nd3]
15...Nb6 16.Qe2 Nbd5 17.Nfxd5 Nxd5 18.Ne4 Nxe3 19.Nxd6+ [19.Qxe3]
19...Qxd6 20.Qxe3 0-0-0 21.d5 [21.c3] 21...cxd5 22.Qxa7 Kc7 [22...Qc6]
23.Rf3 d4 24.Rhf1 [24.Qa5+] 24...f6 25.Rb3 Qa6 26.Qc5+ Qc6 27.Qe7+
Qd7 28.Rxb7+ [28.Qb4] 28...Kxb7 0-1 [Game Notes by Wall]
26 - When Your Knight is a Mustang
Joseph W. Nixon High School in Laredo, Texas calls its team the Mustangs.
Where I went to high school, our team was called the Knights. Back then I
sometimes rode horses. It seems like I am still horsing around.
The picture of a mustang is of a wild horse running free. In chess the knight
is a mighty stead who wants to run! Sometimes you do best to just go with it
and ride it on to victory. Other times you need to reign in its frisky
tendencies. Remember: you are the Rider.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6 game of Bill Wall vs

"Nixonmustang", the players were jousting back and forth. Nixonmusting's
knight missed a good chance for advantage with 20...Ng4! Later his horse got
a great idea for a checkmate beginning with ...Ng3+! Alas the knight ran wild
and jumped one move too quick... to its death.
Wall - Nixonmustang, Internet .01), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6 6.Be3 Bg4 7.Qf2 e6 8.Bd3 Bb4 9.Nge2 0-0 10.0-0
Bxe2 11.Nxe2 Ng4 12.Qf4 Nxe3 13.Qxe3 Be7 14.Rad1 Nd7 15.Qe4 g6
16.Qf4 c5 17.c3 Bg5 18.Qf2 cxd4 19.Nxd4 Ne5 20.Bc2 Qb6 [20...Ng4!-/+]
21.Bb3 [21.Qg3=] 21...Ng4 22.Qg3 Be3+ 23.Kh1 Bxd4 24.Rxd4 Nh6
25.Qf3 Nf5 26.Rb4 Qa6 27.Re1 Rad8 28.Rxb7 Qd6 29.Rxa7 Qd2 30.Qe2
Qh6 31.Qe5 Rd2 32.c4 Qg5 33.Rg1? [33.Qe4 Rxb2-/+] 33...Ng3+?
[33...Re2! 34.Qxe2 Ng3+!-+ with mate to follow.] 34.Qxg3 1-0
1.2 – 5.Qxf3 e6
The line looks somewhat like a BDG Euwe, but after 5.Qxf3 e6 White must
decide whether or not to protect d4.
27 - Stutter Stepping Development

In the Bill Wall vs Bill Geer, Black begins his piece development on move 1.
However he did not move a second piece until move 9. By that time Black
was lost.
Both sides come out fighting in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6.
Then they play slower pawn moves: 6.a3 c6. Black pauses with his e-pawn
on 5...e6 and two moves later pushes 7...e5.
Even then Black is still in the game if he plays 8...Bg4. Bill Wall points out
below where both sides could have improved much earlier.
Wall - Geer, San Antonio, TX, 1992 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 [5...Qxd4] 6.a3 [6.Be3] 6...c6 7.Be3 e5 8.0-0-0 Nd5
9.dxe5 Be6 10.Nxd5 Bxd5 11.Qg3 Na6 [11...Nd7] 12.c4 1-0 [Game Notes
by Wall]
28 - I Was Winning Until…
Bill Wall played a short internet game vs "Merk1" in a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 variation. Sometimes Bill Wall also wins with
5.Nxf3.
Early in this game Black did okay, developing rapidly and playing
aggressively. When Merk1 opened up the center with his king still there, we
can assume that he hoped to castle queenside. Alas, one whoops move and
White's pieces come crashing through for victory.
When White wins a BDG, frequently we hear in a post-mortem a comment

from Black such as, "I was winning until..." Very true.
Wall - Merk1, Internet .30), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Bd3 [6.Be3 is most common] 6...Nc6 7.Be3 [7.Nge2 is
interesting] 7...e5 8.Bb5 Bd7 9.0-0-0 Qe7 10.dxe5 Bg4? [10...Qxe5
11.Bf4+/=] 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 12.Qxc6+ 1-0
29 - Cheryl Misses Bill's Retreat
One of the most difficult tactical moves to see in chess is a diagonal retreat.
In blitz chess it is even more difficult move to see the purpose of your
opponent's last move. Combine these with possible time pressure and we
have a likely explanation of the blunder that costs Black the game below.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs Cheryl,

White missed the powerful rook sacrifice 17.Rxd7! After that, Black
consolidated her position. She had an extra pawn, began attacking the White
king and built up an overwhelming position. Sadly, Black blundered her
queen and resigned.
Wall - Cheryl, Internet .06), 2000 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Nge2 [6.Be3] 6...c6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.0-0-0 Qa5 9.h4 0-0 10.g4
e5 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.g5 Be7 13.Ng3 exd4 14.Rxd4 Be6 15.Bd3 Nd7? [Both
players miss the problem with this move. Better was 15...g6=] 16.Qe4 g6
17.Bc4? [17.Rxd7!+-] 17...Nc5 18.Qf3 Bxc4 19.Rxc4 Rad8 20.Nge4 Nxe4
21.Qxe4 Rde8 22.Qd4 f6 23.Qd7 fxg5 24.h5 Bf6 25.hxg6 Re7 26.gxh7+
Kh8 27.Qh3 Rfe8 28.Qh6 [28.Qf3 Bg7=/+] 28...Qf5 29.b3? Bg7 30.Qh5
Re3 [30...b5-+] 31.Nd1 Re2 32.a4? Qe5 33.Nc3 Qe3+ 34.Kb2 Qd2 [34...b5-
+] 35.Qg6 Qxc2+?+- [The weak point is c3, not c2. 35...R2e3-+] 36.Qxc2 1-
0
30 - Bond Wins Along f-file in Ryder
Jocelyn Bond shows us a win with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder
5.Qxf3 e6. His opponent "michaelshahade" played solid. Black took the first
gambit pawn (f3) and not the second (d4).
Black's light squared bishop was stuck in a passive position compared to

White. Bond keeps attacking weak points. He demonstrates the value of Nh3
in the Ryder (where the queen is on f3). Moves 11-13, Black swaps two
minor pieces heading toward an endgame up a pawn. It turns out those pieces
were potential kingside defenders. Thus Bond was able to make serious
threats. White made a couple Good Knight sacs (21.Nxg7 and 22.Nxe6), and
it was Good Night for Black.
Bond wrote: "Here’s one of my best Ryder’s gambit achievements. Could

you publish that game in your blog please? I translated Deep Fritz moves and
I added my own commentaries. There is a double check with mate at the end
of the game. Hurray and long live the Rider Gambit!!!
21.Nxg7! gave me much pleasure and I played it!!!"
Bond - michaelshahade, Live Chess Chess.com, 20.06.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Bf4 Bd6 7.Bg5 Nbd7 [7...Be7
is more usual.] 8.Bd3 c6 9.Nh3N [I like to play Nh3 in the BDG with
possibilities of Nf4 or sometimes Ng5] 9...Qb6 [Seems good. Attacking b2
and d4] 10.0-0-0 h6 [10...Qxd4? 11.Bf1 loses the bishop on d6.] 11.Bf4
[Uneasy to tell what is the best move between 11.Bf4 and 11.Be3 Each one
has his + and -. 11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5=] 11...Bxf4+ [11...Qxd4 12.Rhe1
Bxf4+ 13.Nxf4-/+ would be an interesting gambit situation] 12.Qxf4
[12.Nxf4 0-0 13.Rhe1 Qa5=/+ (13...Qxd4?? 14.Bh7+ and 15.Rxd4+-)]
12...Nd5?! [Suspect. After the exchange, only black queen is in the game.
12...0-0!?=/+] 13.Nxd5 cxd5 [13...exd5 opens the e file to rooks] 14.Rhf1
Nf6 [14...0-0 15.Rf3=] 15.Qg3+/= Kf8 [A must] 16.Qe5 [A blockade of e5
square and threatens eventually Rxf6] 16...Qd8 17.Nf4 Bd7 18.Rf3 [Ideas:
Rdf1 or Rg3] 18...Qb8 19.Rdf1+/- Qd8?? [A deception for black...
19...Qxe5 is unappetizing 20.dxe5 N play 21.Ng6xh8; better is 19...Kg8+/-]
20.Nh5 Be8 [20...Nxh5? 21.Rxf7+] 21.Nxg7! [Deviation: f6] 21...Rg8
[21...Kxg7 22.Rxf6+-] 22.Nxe6+! fxe6 23.Rxf6+ Kg7 [or 23...Ke7
24.Qxe6#] 24.Rf7# 1-0 [Game Notes by Bond]
31 - Diemer Goes to Amsterdam
Emil Joseph Diemer went to Amsterdam for a little chess. On January 17,
1956 he played this well-known Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6
6.Bf4 gem vs J. ten Have.
Four months later on May 15, 1956 in the introduction of his book on page
10 Diemer gave his own name as: "EMIL JOSEF DIEMER". At other times,
our hero also spelled his middle name "Joseph". Our chess friend Mr. G.
Brunold prefers "Joseph".
Diemer was a master of inconsistencies, but it served him well. He intended

to write two books on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. The book cited above
covered the gambit declined and accepted 5.Qxf3 lines. The second book
(never published) was going to cover lines with 5.Nxf3 which Emil Josef
Diemer played four times as much in known recorded games as he played
5.Qxf3.
Diemer - Ten Have, Amsterdam 1956 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Bf4 Bd6 7.Bg5 [White wants to keep his bishop for
later tactics.] 7...Nbd7 [7...h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Qxf6 gxf6 10.Nf3 a6-/+] 8.0-0-0
0-0 9.Bd3 c6 [9...e5!=/+] 10.Ne4 Be7 11.h4!? b6 [11...Nd5=/+] 12.Nh3 Bb7
13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 14.Qe4 g6 15.Rdf1 Rb8 [15...Be7! 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.h5=]
16.Rxf6 Nxf6 17.Qf3 Kg7? [This loses a piece and the game. 17...c5
18.Qxf6+/=] 18.Rf1 Kg8 19.Bxf6 Qd5 20.Qf4 Qh5 21.g4 1-0
32 - Easy Ryder into 2012
In 2012 my wife suggested I add to my blog games sent to me by readers.
Jocelyn Bond sent me a game played vs xorigueres. They reach the BDG by
transposition after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3. This is
known as the Ryder Gambit, so named for the player of the earliest known
game in the BDG.
Diemer considered only the Ryder Gambit (5.Qxf3) in his 1957 book entitled
(in German) “From the First Move Until Mate!” In his book Diemer analyzed
75 Ryder Gambit games played from the 1930s-1950s. Some players still
prefer the Ryder today.
Capturing with the queen allows tactical threats up the f-file and along the
long diagonal, as well as leading to rapid queenside castling. The Ryder
contains many traps offering quick wins, and is a strong temptation for any
gambit player.
There are three chief drawbacks to the BDG Ryder (5.Qxf3):

1. Black can win an additional gambit pawn (5...Qxd4).
2. The queen on f3 hinders her own kingside development.
3. Black easily harasses the queen on f3.
None of that happens in the game below. The French Canadian player
Jocelyn Bond wins a crisp 3 minute game. The opponents castle opposite
sides. Black thinks his king is safe. Bond shows an eagle tactical eye for the
thematic sacrifice 14.Bxh7+! Suddenly Black's king is the victim of a
successful king hunt.
The notes below are by Bond and his faithful companion Fritz.
Bond - xorigueres (1947), Chess.com, 29.12.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5

3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 [5...a6!? 6.Nge2 Nc6-/+] 6.Bf4 Bb4
[6...Qxd4 7.Nb5 Qxb2 8.Nxc7+ Kd8 9.Rd1+ Bd7 10.Nxa8+/=] 7.Be5 [7.0-0-
0 0-0=/+] 7...0-0 8.0-0-0 Nc6 9.Nh3 Bxc3 10.Qxc3 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd5
12.Qg3 Qe7 13.Bd3 c5?? [13...h6=/+ better resistance.] 14.Bxh7+! Kxh7
15.Ng5+ Kh6 [15...Kg8 16.Qh4 Qxg5+ 17.Qxg5 Bd7+-] 16.Qh4+ Kg6
17.Qh7+ Kxg5 18.Qxg7+ Kf5 19.Rhf1+ Ke4 [19...Nf4 20.g3 Qh4 21.gxh4
Rg8 22.Qxf7+ Kg4 23.Rxf4+ Kh3 24.Qxg8 Kxh2 25.h5 Bd7 26.Rh4#]
20.Qg4+ Kxe5 21.Qg3+ Ke4 22.Rde1+ [22.Rfe1+ Kf5 23.Re5+ Kf6
24.Qg5#] 22...Kd4 [22...Ne3 23.c4 Qg5 24.Qxg5 Kd3 25.Qf4 Nxf1 26.Qe4#]
23.Qd3# 1-0
33 - Why I Love This Ryder Gambit
Jocelyn Bond sent me another game. Jocelyn writes:
"The next game shows why I love this Ryder Gambit."
It is a good example of White keeping his focus on the kingside attack. This
approach pays off completely.
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 lines split into two branches.
Bill Wall has frequently played the BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 while
Jocelyn Bond tends to prefer the BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Bf4. Other 6th
moves (such as 6.a3, 6.Bd3 or 6.Nge2) are less popular.
Bond - Pedrorojas (1775), Live Chess.com, 01.03.2013 begins 1.Nc3 d5

2.d4 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Bf4 Bb4 [6...Bd6 and 7.Bg5 is
more usual] 7.Bd3N c6 [solid but passive; Deep Fritz gives 7...Nc6!? 8.Nge2
0-0=/+] 8.Nge2 [I love white; 4 black pieces are still at a8,b8,c8 & d8] 8...0-0
9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Bg5 Qb6 11.Kh1 [prophylactic] 11...Be7 12.Rad1 Qxb2 [he
takes it] 13.Qh3 [threatens 14.Bxh7+] 13...g6? [Better is 13...Re8!?] 14.Qh4
[14.Ne4!? Deep Fritz] 14...Qb4 [14...Qa3 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Rxf6 Bxf6
17.Qxf6+-] 15.Rf3 [Better again 15.Bxf6 etc. but my desire was to keep my
pieces for a king attack] 15...Nd5? [kingside is more in danger. Better is
15...b6+-] 16.Rh3+- h5 [or 16...N7f6 Now Bond gives 17.Ne4 however
(17.Nxd5!+- wins a piece - Sawyer)17...Nh5! 18.c4 e5+/= Sawyer] 17.Nxd5
Bxg5 [or 17...exd5 18.Bxe7+-] 18.Qxg5 exd5 19.Bxg6! Qd6 [or 19...fxg6
20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Rxh5#] 20.Bf5+! [Notes by Bond, except on move 16] 1-0
34 - When It Rains, It Pours in Williamsport
New Year's Day 2012 I remembered a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder I
played vs Roy Swazey in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This city lies across
the Susquehanna River from smaller South Williamsport, the site of the Little
League Baseball World Series.
This game was played in 1996. That year a big flood hit the west side of
Williamsport along Lycoming Creek. They had received many feet of snow
throughout December and January. The snow banks were way over my head.
Then came two days, January 19 and 20, of warmer weather and pouring
rain. Suddenly a wall of water came rushing down the Lycoming Creek
valley, picking up cars and wiping out everything in its way. Six people died.
That night the temperature fell rapidly and all the water froze. Roads were
closed. The National Guard was brought in for safety. 1996 had a record
amount of snow in the winter and rain in the summer. Some years are like
that.
Sawyer - Swazey, Williamsport, PA 1996 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4

dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 "The Ryder Gambit is a fun opening, one which gives
rise to spectacular combinational possibilities... The fans of this opening are
true lovers of the Royal Game, and even if their enthusiasm is unjustified by
objective analysis, it is nevertheless one of the joys of chess." [Schiller &
Crayton - The Ryder Gambit Accepted, 1995] 5...e6 6.Be3 [Protecting d4 and
preparing to castle queenside. After 6.Bf4 Junior 12 likes 6...Bd6 7.0-0-0 0-0
8.Bd3] 6...Nd5 Here is the downside to Be3. 7.Bd3 Nxe3 8.Qxe3 Nc6
[Bringing the knight to the kingside is slower but more natural. 8...Nd7 9.0-0-
0 Nf6 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.Ne5 0-0 12.g4 Nd5 (Not here 12...Bxe5? 13.dxe5
Nxg4? 14.Bxh7+ Kxh7 15.Qe4+ Kg8 16.Rxd8 Rxd8 17.Qxg4+- and Black
has lost a queen for a rook.)] 9.Nf3 Be7 10.0-0 [Targeting f7. 10.0-0-0 is also
playable.] 10...Nb4 11.Ne5 Bf6 12.Ne4 Qe7 [12...Bxe5 13.dxe5 Nxd3
14.Rad1 Qd5 15.Rxd3 Qxe5 16.Qd2! 0-0 17.Nf6+ gxf6 18.Qh6 f5 19.Rg3+
wins the Black queen and the attack continues.] 13.Qf3 [13.Nxf6+ gxf6
14.Ng4 f5 15.Qe5 Rf8 16.Nf6+ Kd8 17.Rad1+/-] 13...Nxd3 [13...Bxe5!
14.dxe5 0-0 15.Rad1 with compensation] 14.cxd3 [14.Nxf6+ gxf6
15.Nxd3+/-] 14...Rf8 [Last chance for 14...Bxe5] 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Qxf6
Qxf6 17.Rxf6 Bd7 18.Raf1 [Roy gives up here. The f7 pawn and h7 pawn
(or Bd7) are lost.] 1-0
35 - Getting Carried Away
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs
Jamesrbmw, Black gets carried away pushing his h-pawn.
After developing the minor pieces, Black leaves his king in the center and
starts pushing his h-pawn toward the White king with 9...h5!? All the rest of
the moves for Black were with the h-pawn or g-pawn.
Wall - Jamesrbmw, Internet .29), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Bb4?! [The key issue for Black is the
pin on Nc6. Black should break that pin immediately. 7...Bd7 8.0-0-0 a6=/+]
8.Nge2 Bd7 9.0-0 h5!? [Is Black leaving his king in the center? That does
not usually work out well. Normal would be 9...0-0] 10.Bg5 h4 11.Ne4 h3?
[Black got carried away. 11...Be7! is the only move.] 12.Nxf6+ gxf6 13.Bxf6
hxg2 14.Rf2 1-0
36 - Wall vs Tornike Tabukashvili
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs Tornike
Tabukashvili, Black starts well. He sends his knight to trade off the White’s
bishop on d3.
All is well until Black plays his bishop to a disastrous square. Then he gets
quickly mated.
Wall - Tabukashvili, www.chess.com .11), 2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6

3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nge2 Nb4 9.Nf4
Nxd3+ 10.Nxd3 0-0 11.0-0 c6 12.Ne5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.Qg3 Bf6?
[14...Bd6=] 15.Rxf6 Kh8? 16.Nxf7+ Kg8 17.Nh6+ Kh8 18.Rxf8# 1-0
37 - KSRX and Ryder Gambit
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs KSRX,
White works up a winning kingside attack before Black completes his
development.
Wall - KSRX, FICS .29), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 Bb4 [6...Be7 7.Bd3] 7.Bb5+ c6 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.Nge2
Nbd7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rae1 e5 12.Ne4 Qc7? [12...Bc7? 13.Bg5 exd4 14.Qf5
Re8 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qg4+ Kh8 17.Qh5+-; 12...exd4! 13.Nxd4=] 13.N2g3
exd4 14.Bxd4 Bxg3 15.hxg3 Ne5? [15...Qd8 16.Qf5+/-] 16.Nxf6+ gxf6
17.Qxf6 1-0
38 - Table Tennis or Ping Pawn?
When I was in high school, my favorite game was ping pong, also called
table tennis. My height and hand-eye coordination were ideal for the game. I
read a book or two on it and learned some skills that served me well.
Eventually I became the top ping pong player in my school. One thing I liked
about ping pong compared to chess was that I did not lose a ping pong game
unless I made 21 mistakes. Alas in chess I could lose a game with just one
mistake.
In the year 1971 I won over 1600 ping pong games and lost only 16. The
competition was not world class, but it was enthusiastic. Many of my
opponents were good players.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs

PingPawn, the advantage bounced back and forth. Alas it was Black who
made the fatal error.
Wall - PingPawn, Internet .06), 2001 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 Bb4 7.0-0-0 c6 8.Bd3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Qg3
g6 11.Kb2 Nbd7 12.Nf3? [12.Ne2=] 12...Nd5 13.Bd2 Qb6+? [13...N7b6!-
/+] 14.Ka1 a5? 15.c4! Nb4 16.Rb1 [16.c5] 16...Qc7? [16...Qd8 17.Bh6+-]
17.Qxc7 1-0
39 - Gambit in Opening - Not Ending
The business world shows clearly the connection between Risk and Reward.
The entrepreneur with passion follows takes a promising risk to reap a
precious reward. In YEKs, Jack DeBoer teaches kids from his experience
how to manage risk in business. See Young Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEKs).
Chess brings out the risk taking Young Entrepreneur in players.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs "Yeks",

both sides take risks. White sacrifices a pawn in the opening. Both sides have
threats.
By the 11th move, Bill Wall had regained his gambit pawn with equal
chances. Then in the endgame Black sacrificed a pawn leading to a losing
position and a feeling of resignation.
Wall - Yeks, Internet .26), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 Bb4 [6...Be7 7.Bd3] 7.0-0-0 [7.Bd3] 7...Bxc3 8.bxc3
Qd5 9.c4?! [9.Kb2 Qxf3 10.Nxf3 Nc6=/+] 9...Qa5 10.Kb1 Bd7 [10...Nc6!-
/+] 11.Qxb7 Qb6+ 12.Qxb6 cxb6 [12...axb6=] 13.Bd3 Bc6 14.Nf3 0-0
15.Bg5 Nbd7 16.Rhe1 Rae8 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Rd2 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Nh5
20.Rg2 Nf4 21.Rg4 Nxd3 22.cxd3 e5? [This sacrifices a pawn in a way-to-
risky manner. Black has equal chances after 22...Rc8 23.Kb2 Rfd8=] 23.dxe5
f6 24.e6 f5 25.Rg2 Rf6 26.Rge2 g6 27.d4 Kf8 28.d5 1-0
40 - Can Big Brother Watch Big Sister?
Your chess army can be seen as a large family with siblings who watch out
for each other. Sometimes it works well.
However every person in a family is his or her own individual. At any

moment he or she may run off and do something foolish that hurts the whole
family before anyone can stop them. Look at what happens in this chess
quickie.
Big Brother is watching, but what is he seeing? There are so many things to
watch out for during a chess game. Watch out for traps. Watch out for
stalemate. Watch out for tactics.
In Bill Wall vs BigBrother, Black opens up the queenside and attacks the
White king. When Bill Wall fights back, Big Brother misses the danger to
Big Sister.
This game is another Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6.
Wall - BigBrother, Internet .23), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 Bb4 7.0-0-0 [7.Bd3] 7...Bxc3 8.bxc3 Qd6 9.Bg5
Nd5 [9...Qa3+ 10.Kb1 Nbd7=/+] 10.c4 Qa3+? [10...h6=] 11.Qxa3 1-0
41 - Which King Is Safer?
Our friends to the north as Team Canada do well in the Olympics considering
the population of their country. Sometimes the USA has 10 times the
population but maybe only 5 times the medals as Team Canada.
Bill Wall vs TeamCanada sees a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6.

Stats show that this is one of Black's worse lines, but there is nothing
inherently wrong with 5...e6.
Rapid solid safe development should work. However White has open lines
and threatens to make the Black squares and pieces unsafe. White has
practical compensation.
In this game after move 8, both sides have castled. One can ask, "Which king
is safer?" The four pawns in front of the White king have been busted open,
while the four pawns in front of the Black king are intact. However, White
has faster development, piece mobility and direct threats for a kingside
attack. Black only plays four more moves.
Wall - TeamCanada, Internet .12), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be3 [6.Bf4 Bd6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.0-0-0] 6...Bb4 7.0-0-
0 Bxc3 8.bxc3 0-0 [Both sides have casted. Which king is safer?] 9.Bd3 Nc6
10.Qg3 g6 [10...Qd6!=/+] 11.Bg5 Kg7?+- [This just loses by Black was in
trouble no matter what. 11...Nh5 12.Qh4 Qd6 13.Bh6 Qa3+ 14.Kd2 Rd8
15.g4 Ng7 16.Nf3 Ne8 17.Ng5+-] 12.Rf1 h6? 13.Bxf6+ 1-0
1.3 – 5.Qxf3 Nc6
Black aims both his queen and knight at White’s d4 pawn.
42 - Knight Fork on Brave King

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 game Bill Wall vs
BraveKing, White quickly regains the gambit pawn. Black then leaves his
brave king less defended with 11...Bb4? On this move Black missed
equalizing options.
After a few inaccuracies, White wins a bishop with the knight fork to Black's
castled king with Nxf6+ and NxB on d7.
Wall - BraveKing, Internet .20), 2002 begins with 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bg4 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Qxc6+ Bd7 9.Qb7
[9.Qc4!?] 9...Qc8 10.Qf3 e6 11.Nge2 Bb4? [11...c5 12.Bg5 Bc6=; or
11...Be7 12.Bg5 Rb8=] 12.0-0 Bxc3 13.Nxc3 0-0 14.Bg5 Qd8? 15.Bxf6
[White wins a piece with 15.Ne4! Bc6 16.Bxf6 Qd5 17.Qg3+-] 15...Qxf6?
[15...gxf6 16.Qxf6 Qxf6 17.Rxf6+/-] 16.Qxf6 gxf6 17.Ne4 f5? 18.Nf6+ Kg7
19.Nxd7 1-0
43 - First BDG Steps Pascal Eyssette
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit players have written many kind words both to me
and about me. This is an email from Pascal Eyssette.
"Hi! Stumbled upon your blog, and I absolutely love it. You introduced me to
the BDG gambit which is tons of fun to play and very effective."
"Just wanted to say thanks and send you a 5min blitz I did on chess.com.
Bear with the blunders, we are both 1100-1200 players on that game. I feel
Black has misplayed a few critical points, but as you mentioned, the tension
created by attacking moves is somewhat overwhelming for some opponents."
"Best Regards from a reader. Pascal"
Pascal, thanks for your e-mail. The BDG is a lot of fun. To move up from the
1100-1200 ratings to the 1400-1700 ratings range, you have to do develop
two important skills:
1. First is to be able to hold on to your material unless you intentionally
sacrifice.
2. Second is to be able to threaten your opponent's king and pieces by
attacking.
The BDG gives you good ways to make real threats that frequently win
material or checkmate. It does not win against everything everybody every
time, but it does win enough to get your rating significantly higher. Most
lower rated players can raise their rating at least 100 points with the BDG.
Why? Because the BDG gives a clear plan to develop all the pieces in a
manner that threatens checkmate.
Pascal (as "psg7777) gives a BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 example. The play is
not perfect but it is reasonable. Pascal plays for checkmate.
Both sides put a piece in danger near the end. Lower rated players can lose a
bishop and keep playing since the opponent might return the favor, but no
one can lose a king and keep playing.
The only thing that saves Black from being mated was his resignation. I love
the feeling of a BDG win!
psg7777 (1090) - fivethousandguilders (1124), chess.com, 30.01.2013

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bg4?! [It is
good that Black is counter-attacking. However, he overlooks the capture for
check that follows. Now White will regain the gambit pawn. Instead, 6...Bd7
protects the critical c6 square.] 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Qxc6+ Bd7 9.Qb7 e6
10.Nb5?! [10.Nf3 is a natural move, developing another piece and preparing
to castle at a moment's notice.] 10...Bxb5?! [Complicated but promising is
10...Nd5! 11.c4 Bb4+ 12.Kf1 0-0 and all the Black pieces come to life!]
11.Qxb5+ Nd7 12.Bf4 Bd6 13.Bg5 Qc8 14.0-0-0 0-0 15.Nf3 Rb8 16.Qd3
Qb7 17.b3 h6 18.h4 Qb6 19.Bxh6?! [White sacrifices a piece to open up the
Black king. The idea is GOOD, but the timing is risky. It would be more
effective if the White queen were on d2. Then White would get two pawns
for the bishop and his queen would sit on h6 after the taking the second h-
pawn on move 20. There was no need to hurry. White can retreat the bishop
with 19.Be3= and line up the queen with Qd2 later, or play for g2-g4-g5.
Chances are even after 19.Be3.] 19...gxh6 20.Ng5 Qa5? [After 20...Qa5,
Black resigns when he probably sees White's 21.Qh7 checkmate. A better
defense is 20...f5-+ when Black stops the mate and remains up a bishop.] 1-0
44 - Black Has a Blind Spot
Human players at every level are subject to the occasional blind spot. This
usually involves missing a one move threat.
The stronger you are, the clearer you see tactics. But even world champions
have a blind spot episode or two in their careers. Bring on the added issue of
blitz games and blind spots abound for all of us.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 internet game Bill Wall
vs "GCMS", Black played quite well until a blind spot on move 20 suddenly
costs a bishop.
Wall - GCMS, Internet .12), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 a6 8.Be2 Bg4 9.Qf4 Bxe2 10.Ngxe2 e6
11.0-0 Bd6 12.Qf3 0-0 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Rad1 h6 [After 14 moves, both sides
have developed all their pieces.] 15.Bf4 Nd5 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Qb3
[17.Nc3!+/= gangs up on d5.] 17...b5 [17...Bf6!?] 18.Qg3 Bh4 19.Qg4 Qe7
20.Bg3 [20.Ng3=] 20...Qg5? [Black has a blind spot. Better was 20...Qe3+
21.Kh1 Rae8=/+] 21.Qxh4 1-0
45 - Tiptoe Down the a-File
Around 1980, there was a brief period where chess opening analysis was
popular via Audio Chess on cassette tapes.
I purchased 1. The Aggressive Caro-Kann 4...Nf6 / 5...gxf6 by Keene and 2.

Postal Chess by Tim Harding. Another title in the Audio Chess catalog was
on the Bashing the Benko Gambit subtitled “Tiptoe down the a-file” by
David Goodman. I never bought that one, but I can imagine the extra a-pawn
being the key to success in a Benko Gambit.
In Bill Wall vs Rolando Pabon below we have another tiptoe down the a-file
near the end of the game in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6.
Both sides go after their opponent's queen's rook headed toward an ending
where Black's play is on the kingside and White's is on the queenside. White
wins a piece and gives it back to queen a pawn. After 29.a6, Black resigns.
Wall - Pabon, San Antonio, TX, 1994 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 Nb4 8.Bxd7+ Qxd7 9.Qxb7 Nxc2+
[9...Qc6] 10.Kd2 Nxa1 11.Qxa8+ Qd8 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Nf3 e6 14.Rxa1
Bd6 15.Ne5 Bxe5 16.dxe5 Ng4 17.Bxa7 Nxe5 18.Rf1 f6 19.Rd1 Ke7
20.Bc5+ Kf7 21.Kc2 Ra8 22.a4 Kg6 23.b4 h5 24.a5 Ra6 25.Nb5 Rc6
26.Rd8 Ng4 27.Kb3 Nxh2 28.Nxc7 Rxc7 29.a6 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
46 - Nereus Should Walk Away
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6, Bill Wall regains his
pawn. "Nereus" should have just rearranged his pieces and kept on playing
chess.
Being up a gambit pawn can be like a drug addiction. One just cannot let it
go. The Black knight grabs another pawn and goes under water for the final
time when the knight is chopped off.
Wall - Nereus, www.chess.com .05), 2008 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 [5...Qxd4] 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 Nb4 8.Bxd7+ Qxd7
9.0-0-0 0-0-0 10.Nge2 [10.a3] 10...e6 11.a3 Nbd5 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Rhf1 h6
14.Bh4 g5 15.Bg3 Rhe8 16.Nxd5 Qxd5 17.Be5 Qxf3 18.Rxf3 Ng4 19.Rxf7
Nxh2 [19...Bd6] 20.Bxh2 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
47 - Bill Wall vs Cedmaster
Cedmaster, Black plays aggressively with 7...e5 with a wide open position.
However, Black’s move 9...Bb4? blunders away at least a bishop giving Mr.
Wall an easy BDG win.
Wall - Cedmaster, Internet .31), 1999 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Qxb7 [9.Bxd7+
Nfxd7=/+] 9...Bb4? [Black blunders away at least a bishop. A promising
continuation was 9...Rb8! 10.Bxd7+ Nfxd7 11.Qxa7 Qh4+ 12.g3 Qc4 13.0-0-
0 Qb4=/+] 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7? 11.Qxa8+ 1-0
48 - When the Victor Gets Mated
Success in chess openings follows when you develop your pieces making
threats to your opponent with each of your moves. This gives you the
initiative.
In Bill Wall vs Victor Ortiz, Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6

begins with rapid open piece play. The gambit nature allows White to make
more immediate threats. Black fights fire with fire by opening up the position
with threats of his own.
The big difference is that White's king has castled and Black's king is about
to be buried in the center. The move 7...e5? was too much of a good thing.
Here Black should have played 7...e6 8.0-0-0 a6 to shore up his defense, or
7...a6 with the same idea.
By the time White is checking on moves 10, 11 and 12, Black is in deep
trouble. The final checkmate is very pretty.
Wall - Ortiz, Palo Alto, CA, 1989 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 [5...Qxd4] 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 e5 [7...Nb4] 8.0-0-0 exd4
9.Bxd4 Bg4 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Qxc6+ Nd7 [11...Bd7] 12.Re1+ Be7
[12...Be6] 13.Nd5 Rb8 14.Bxg7 Rg8 15.Nf6# 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
49 - Gallant Effort by Both Players
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 game Bill Wall vs J.
Gallant, Black gets too bold with his king and loses instantly. For more on
this exact same line, see my analysis from the Wall-cedmaster game a few
pages back.
Wall - Gallant, Internet .29), 2000 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 [7.Nge2] 7...e6 8.Nge2 [8.0-0-0] 8...Bb4
9.0-0 e5 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Qxb7 [11.Bxd7+] 11...Rb8? [11...c6=] 12.Bxd7+
Kxd7? [12...Nfxd7 13.Qxa7 0-0 14.Rad1+/=] 13.Rad1+ Ke8 14.Rxd8+ 1-0
50 - Black Tinkers with 5.Qxf3 Nc6
When I was a kid, I spent hundreds if not thousands of hours tinkering with
the old wooden "Tinker Toys" (or "tinkertoys"). These were sticks and spools
that comprised a children's construction set.
More than 50 years ago, Tinker Toys came in natural wood, but later the
pieces came in other colors. As an adult, I cannot build anything, but I sure
had fun building things as a kid.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 game between Bill Wall
vs "Tinker", the players castled on opposite sides. Both sides took steps to
open up the opposing king.
Black played the typical tempting move 12...h6. This gave White targets for
attack. When Black wavered a little, the White pieces swarmed in for victory.
Wall - Tinker, Internet .21), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 [More common is 7.Nge2 a6 8.Ba4 b5
9.Bb3 Na5 10.Nd5+/-] 7...e6 8.0-0-0 Bb4 9.Nge2 0-0 10.Rhf1 Re8 11.Bg5
Be7 12.h4 h6 13.Bf4 [13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Ne4+/=] 13...a6 14.Bd3 Bb4
[14...Nb4=/+] 15.Bxh6 Bxc3 [15...gxh6 16.Ne4 Be7 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Qxf6
Qxf6 19.Rxf6+/-] 16.Nxc3 Nxd4? [16...gxh6 17.Ne4 Nxe4 18.Qxf7+ Kh8
19.Qh5 Rf8 20.Qxh6+ Kg8 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Bxe4+/=] 17.Qg3 g6? [17...Nh5
18.Qg4+-] 18.Bxg6 Kh8 19.Bxf7 1-0
51 - Queen Sacrifice for 3 Pieces
In the early 1970s I played a lot of blitz chess vs future master Graham
Cooper of Maine. Cooper loved gambits and the typical banter that takes
place during a blitz game between young whippersnappers. On one occasion
I remember Graham saying, "Anyone can sac a piece. It takes a real man to
sac a queen!"
We see a real man in this game. In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder

5.Qxf3 Nc6 internet game Bill Wall vs Lemchess, White sacrifices his queen
for three minor pieces. Five moves later Black gives up the Exchange. The
difference in armies is 3 Black pawns and a queen vs White rook, bishop and
knight.
Wall keeps his pieces active. He mounts a successful attack vs the Black king
winning material in the ensuing tactics.
Wall - Lemchess, Internet .07), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 e6 8.0-0-0 Be7 9.g4 [9.d5 exd5
10.Nxd5=] 9...a6 10.Bd3 Nb4 11.g5 Bc6 12.gxf6 Bxf3 13.fxe7 Nxd3+
14.Rxd3 Qxe7 15.Nxf3 [White has three minor pieces for the sacrificed
queen.] 15...0-0-0 16.Ne4 h6 17.Ne5 Rhf8 18.h4 Rd5 19.Nc5 Qd6 20.Rc3
Rxe5 21.dxe5 Qxe5 22.Rb3 Qd5 [22...a5=] 23.Rd1 Qc6 24.Rxb7 Qxc5?
[24...f5 25.Ra7+-] 25.Bxc5 Kxb7 26.Bxf8 1-0
52 - Matti Castles Queenside
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 internet game Bill Wall
vs "Matti", Black castles queenside to avoid White's obvious kingside attack.
However Bill Wall demonstrates that White can castle queenside too! This
game reminds me of lines in the Scandinavian Defence or French Defence
Winawer Variation.
Wall - Matti, Internet .11), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Be3 e6 8.0-0-0 Be7 9.d5 Ne5 10.Qg3 Bd6
11.Qxg7 Rg8 12.Qh6 Neg4 13.Qh3 e5 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7 15.Rf1 0-0-0
16.Bxa7 b6 17.Qd3 Kb7 18.Nb5?! [This is risky, but Black is a little better
after 18.h3 e4=/+] 18...Ra8? [Much stronger is 18...Bc5-+] 19.h3 e4 20.Qb3
Rxa7 21.Nxa7 Kxa7 22.hxg4 Nxg4 [22...Qxg4 23.Nh3+/=] 23.Rxh7 Ne5
24.Ne2 Rxg2 [24...Qg4 25.Nd4+/-] 25.Nc3 e3 26.Nb5+ Kb7 27.Qa4 1-0
53 - Bill Wall vs Hyginus Taguinod
Hyginus Taguinod, Black makes a tactical error that costs a knight.
That is the eternal chess truth. Tactical ability is the most important chess
skill. Because most players frequently miss tactics, gambits succeed!
Wall - Taguinod, www.chess.com .31), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 Nb4 8.Bxd7+ Qxd7?
[8...Nxd7 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Qxb7+/=] 9.Qxb7 Nxc2+ 10.Kd2 Qc8 11.Qxc8+
Rxc8 12.Kxc2 1-0
54 - Kings Are People Too
People need to breathe. In chess, kings need to breathe. If it looks like you
are not letting your king breathe, your opponent might try a smothered mate
or some other type of check.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 game below, Bill Wall
notices his internet opponent "Chris" has not provided an opportunity for the
Black king to breathe. With 11.Nxc7+, Black has to give up a queen to
temporarily save the king.
Wall - Chris, Internet .06), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 Bg4 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.Qxc6+ Nd7?
[9...Bd7! 10.Qf3 Bg4= would invite a draw, but the game is materially equal.
White has many playable queen moves to keep the game going.] 10.Nb5
[10.Nd5! Rc8 11.Bf4 e5 12.Bxe5!+-] 10...g6? [10...Rc8 11.Bf4 e5 12.dxe5 a6
13.Nbd4+/-] 11.Nxc7+ 1-0
55 - Rough Ryder over Bubble Rock
Bubble rock formations are common in the Rocky Mountains of the Western
United States. This formation is where a rock bubbles out from an odd spot
such as one at Arcadia National Park just above Jordan Pond near Bar
Harbor, Maine. I spent a lot of time near this bubble rock more than 40 years
ago. It brings back fond memories. A bubble rock represents a precarious
balance of power and danger.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6, both sides are balanced
on the edge. The result is the reverse of what is expected in a typical BDG.
Here Black has the edge and could strike quickly, but over time White slowly
gains the winning advantage.
Wall - Bubblerock, Internet .13), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 e5 [Normally Black puts the
question to the bishop right here with 7...a6!] 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Qxb7?
[9.Bxd7+ Nfxd7 10.Qg3!? and White has some chances to use his open lines
in compensation for the gambit pawn.] 9...Rb8 10.Bxd7+ Nfxd7 11.Qxa7
Bb4? [After 11...Bc5! 12.Qa4 Rb4-+ Black clearly has the better game and
threatens ...Qh4+ and ...0-0 with attacking chances.] 12.Qf2? [12.Be3=]
12...0-0 13.0-0 c5? [13...Bc5!-+] 14.Nd5 Ng4? [After this White has the
advantage and gradually increases it until he wins. Black should have played
14...c4=] 15.Qg3 Ndf6 16.Nxf6+ Nxf6 17.Bh6 Nh5 18.Qg4 Rb6 19.Bg5 Nf6
20.Rxf6 Rxf6 21.Qh4 h6 22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Qxf6 gxf6 24.Rf1 Kg7 25.Ng3
Re8 26.Nh5+ Kg6 27.g4 Re4 28.Rxf6+ Kg5 29.h3 c4 30.c3 Bc5+ 31.Kg2
Re2+ 32.Kf1 Rxb2 33.Rf5+ 1-0
56 - Quentin Mason Riding the Ryder
Quentin Mason writes on what he calls "Riding the Ryder". Our friend enjoys
another game with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted 5.Qxf3 played on
FICS.
He writes: "It's been a while since I played the Ryder. If your opponent
knows it well, you may end up having a much harder game than the knight
capturing the pawn at f3. But, I was in the mood for a little wildness and
played the Ryder. I will be playing more of the Ryder: With games at G/1,
G/45 and G/30 being very popular these days; the Ryder has good surprise
value in my opinion."
This time Mason (as "Knaaky") ends the game with a less common BDG
checkmate.
Knaaky - Zlikovski, FICS, 2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 g6 8.0-0 Bg7 9.Bf4 0-0 10.d5 Nb8
11.Bxd7 Qxd7 12.Rad1 c6 13.d6 e6 14.Be5 Nd5 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Nxd5
[16.Ne4! f5 17.c4+-] 16...exd5 17.Qf6+ Kg8 18.Rf3 Na6 19.Rh3 Nc5
20.Ng3 Ne6? [Black could equalize with 20...Qg4 21.Rf1 Nd7=] 21.Nf5
Qd8? 22.Nh6# 1-0
57 - Makrameba Wins Knight & Draws
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 internet game between
Bill Wall vs Makrameba, Black wins a knight but not the game. As often
happens during an attack, the opponent defends well and survives.
If we sacrifice material, we may be in serious danger of losing. However, in

the BDG frequently we have significantly weakened the opponent’s king
which gives us another option. Often White can and does force a perpetual
check draw.
Earlier Black could have tried for more with the risky 13...e6!? That move
comes with more danger than Black wanted to face.
Wall - Makrameba, Internet .23), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 [5...Qxd4] 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 [7.Be3] 7...a6 8.Bd3
Bg4 9.Qg3 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Qxd4 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qxc7 Rd8 13.Qxb7 Qe5+
14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qc6+ Rd7 16.Qc8+ Rd8 17.Qc6+ Rd7 1/2-1/2 [Game
Notes by Wall]
58 - Bill Wall in BDG vs RDF
Here is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6 game Bill Wall vs
RDF. In the eagerness to attack the White queen, Black misses a checkmate
to the Black king.
Wall-RDF, Internet .05), 2005 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 a6 8.Bc4 Bg4 9.Qf4 h6 [9...e6-/+] 10.0-0
Bxe2 [10...e6=/+] 11.Nxe2 g5?! 12.Qe3 Ng4? [12...Bg7 13.c3=] 13.Bxf7+
Kd7 14.Qe6# 1-0
59 - Bond Knights of the Square Table
Ever since Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere, it has been well known that
knights get along very well with queens. This is especially true in chess. In
combination, the knights and queens can threat many different squares with
multiple double attacks.
Watch now as the knights zig and zag as they approach the Black king.
Jocelyn Bond conducts the attack with creative skill in this Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6.
"Surprise...here I come again master Tim,

"I am very proud of my game here. It’s an interesting blitz game. (5 minutes).
"Look at my two Ne6 moves. Firstly 15.Ne6! move and exactly ten moves
later 25.Ne6."
You have every reason to be proud, Jocelyn. You played a great game!
Below the notes are by Jocelyn Bond, with and without his use of Deep Fritz.
Bond (1829) - viknw (1801), Live Chess Chess.com, 09.02.2013 begins

1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 (my cherished gambit)
5...Nc6 (Very popular against me on the net) 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 a6
[interesting. 7... e6 is normal permits 8.a3 to protect my bishop on d3 after a
future ...b5 and ..Nb4 exchanging my good bishop on d3] 8.Ba4 h6 [8...e6
better] 9.Bf4 (real compensation to white) 9...b5 10.Bb3 e6 11.0-0 Bd6
12.Rad1 Bxf4 [12...Qe7!?] 13.Nxf4+/= (idea: d5) 13...Na5? [13...0-0 14.d5]
14.d5 e5? [14...Nxb3 15.dxe6 0-0 16.cxb3 fxe6 17.Nxe6 Qb8 18.Nxf8 Bg4+-
] 15.Ne6! fxe6 16.dxe6 Nxb3 17.exd7+ Kf7 18.Qd5+ Ke7 19.Qxe5+ Kf7
20.axb3 Rf8 21.Qd5+ Kg6 22.Qd3+ (I did not see the best way to kill the
king quickly) 22...Kf7 23.Ne4 Kg8 24.Nc5 [24.Nxf6+! Rxf6 25.Rxf6 gxf6
26.Qg6+ +-] 24...c6 [24...Qe7 25.b4+-] 25.Ne6 (This time my other knight
sets a trap) 25...Qb6+ 26.Kh1 Ng4 [Yes inside my trap] 27.Qg6 Rxf1+
28.Rxf1 Nf2+ 29.Rxf2 Qxf2 30.Qxg7# [Black is checkmated. Notes by Deep
Fritz and Jocelyn Bond]
1-0
60 - Master Jordy Mont-Reynaud
Two years before achieving a 2200 rating Jordy Mont-Reynaud was on his
path to becoming the youngest master in USA history. Jordy Mont-Reynaud
became a USCF Life Master.
Below we look at a tactical game Mont-Reynaud lost to the dreaded

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6. This game is an excellent
example of how good young players can too easily dismiss the danger of
White's kingside attack.
Jordy Mont-Reynaud plays the first nine moves very well. His 10...Bb4?! is
dubious because it threatens to take on c3 which White usually hopes for.
Better is 10...Be7 with good defensive prospects vs the gambit.
White could have tried 11.Ne4!? or 21.d5! Black had improvements with
19...Ng8! and 21...fxe6. Bill Wall stays on task and is rewarded.
Wall – Mont-Reynaud, Palo Alto, CA, 1991 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 a6 8.Ba4 b5 9.Bb3 e6
10.0-0 Bb4 11.Bg5 0-0 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qxf6 gxf6 14.Rxf6 Bxc3 15.bxc3
Rad8 16.Raf1 Ne7 17.R1f3 Bc6 18.Rg3+ Kh8 19.Nf4 [19.Rh3] 19...Nf5
[19...Ng8] 20.Rh3 a5 [20...Kg7] 21.Bxe6 Rg8 22.Bxf5 1-0
1.4 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4
In this section we begin looking at games where Black grabs the second
gambit pawn.
61 - Latinlover Loses Rook

I was very sick during August and September 2012. By the end of that time,
baseball season was over for my beloved Red Sox. For me, October to March
was my chess season.
As my physical health gradually improved in late 2012, I returned to writing

more and playing more chess.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 game Bill Wall vs

Latinlover, White chose the rare but amazingly successful move 6.Nb5!? The
normal move 6.Be3 seems more promising in general, however the half a
dozen games in my database with 6.Nb5 have all been won by White.
Wall - Latinlover, Internet .29), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Nb5 Qb4+ [Junior 12 likes 6...Qe5+! when after
7.Be2 Na6 8.c3 c6 9.Nd4 Bg4-+ Black is up two pawns, ahead in
development, and is attacking the White queen.] 7.c3 Qa5 8.b4 Qb6 9.Be3
c5 10.Bxc5 Qd8?! [10...Qe6+ 11.Be2 Na6 12.Nh3=] 11.Nxa7 Na6? [11...e5
12.Rd1 Nbd7 13.Bf2+/=] 12.Bxa6 bxa6 13.Qxa8 1-0
62 - Ryder Stotsky Quickie
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 game Bill Wall vs
Stotsky is another example of how Black can lose a chess game very quickly.
Wall - Stotsky, Internet .16), 1999 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Bd2 [Almost everyone plays 6.Be3 almost all the time.]
6...Bg4? [6...c6-/+ is a sensible response.] 7.Qxb7 [Now there is no good
defense. At least Black does not make us wait a long time for the finish.]
7...Qe5+ 8.Be2 Bxe2 9.Qc8# 1-0
63 - Absent Without Protection
I passed a guy at work with a tool bag that had the initials "AWP". I asked
him what his AWP stood for. He said, "American Work Products" available
at Lowe's.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4, Bill Wall varies from
the normal 6.Be3 with 6.Bd3. He is immediately rewarded when "AWP"
removes the Black bishop from its job guarding b7 to attack the White queen.
The "AWP" queenside bishop could stand for "Absent Without Protection".
Wall - AWP, Internet .24), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Bd3 [6.Be3] 6...Bg4? 7.Qxb7 1-0
64 - Bond Experiments in Ryder
Jocelyn Bond writes, "I send you 2 from my own Ryder gambit blitz games.
A win and a loss (including a question mark). In the first one, I tried the
6.Bf4 variation.... I did not know anything about it. My opponent was a tough
one. He won 3 games in a row... and that one is the last one that I lost. What
can we think about 6.Bf4? Is it good comparatively to 6.Be3?"
In the BDG White has to make continual rapid serious threats to Black's
position, pieces and king. White both 6.Bf4 and 6.Be3 activate the dark
squared bishop, the attack on the Qd4 by 6.Be3 is more serious than the
attack on the c7 pawn by 6.Bf4. Jocelyn shows us how 6.Bf4 can go terribly
wrong for the BDG player.
As to punctuation in notation, Emil J. Diemer liked to use "!!" a lot. Here's

my approach:
!! - A powerful move that changes the position in your favor or that is very
hard to see.
! - The best move in an important position where you have more than one
good choice.
!? - An interesting move that is surprising or tricky but probably not the most
powerful.
?! - A risky and tricky move that might work but loses if your opponent plays
perfectly.
? - A blunder that makes your position significantly worse than before you
moved.
?? – A major blunder that changes the evaluation of a position from winning
to losing.
With this in mind, I would not use 7.Nb5?? or 16.Bxf7?? below because
White was not winning when those moves were played. Those blunders are
just "?" in my thinking.
Bond - TheDiddler (1930), Live Chess.com, 28.02.2013 begins 1.Nc3 d5

2.d4 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Bf4 e5 [is it good?] 7.Nb5??
[Better is 7.Nge2 Qd6 8.Rd1-/+] 7...Qb4+ [7...Qxb2!?] 8.c3 Qe7 [8...Qxf4
9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Nxa8-/+] 9.Bg5 a6 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxc7+ [simply 11.Na3-
+ but game is lost anyway] 11...Qxc7 12.Qxf6 Rg8 13.0-0-0 Bg4 [13...Nc6!?
-+] 14.Nf3 Nc6 15.Bc4 Qe7 [where does my queen go now?] 16.Bxf7+??
Qxf7 17.Qh4 Bxf3 18.gxf3 Qf4+ [after the queens exchange and I resigned]
0-1 [Game Notes by Bond]
65 - Dunne Invests in Ryder vs Fidelity
Alex Dunne is a famous correspondence master and columnist for the USCF
Chess Life magazine. Dunne is not known to be a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
player. However in 1983 Alex Dunne chose the BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4
6.Bf4 in a correspondence game vs the Fidelity chess computer. This game is
cited by Eric Schiller (with John Crayton) in "The Ryder Gambit Accepted."
Schiller wrote: "In my first book on the Blackmar Gambit, I stated that as far
as the Ryder Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3) is
concerned, Black could simply eat both pawns and live. Rev. Tim Sawyer, in
his excellent compilation of BDG theory, pointed out that my statement
wasn't backed up by analysis, so this monograph presents a thorough
treatment, and at least one refutation of White's play."
Schiller adds: "The Ryder Gambit is a fun opening, one which gives rise to
spectacular combinational possibilities. Even a player with limited experience
can create a magnificent mating attack which can be shown to friends..."
[Great idea!]
In this well played correspondence game below Alex Dunne demonstrates

how a master handles a position where he has sacrificed two pawns.
Dunne - Fidelity, corr, 1983 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3
5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Bf4?! [6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e5 8.a3 Bd6 was Schiller's
recommendation for Black in 1995.] 6...e5 7.Nge2 Qd6 8.Rd1 Qe6 9.Bg5
Nbd7 [9...Be7-+] 10.Nb5 Bb4+ [10...Qb6! 11.Nec3 c6 12.Nd6+ Bxd6
13.Rxd6 Qxb2-+ and White has some compensation for the three pawns
sacrificed, but not much.] 11.Nec3 Ba5 12.Be2 [Houdini 3 much prefers
12.b4 Bb6 13.Na4 0-0 14.Nxb6 Qxb6-/+] 12...a6 13.Na3 Qxa2?! [Such
creative pawn grabbing is not good. Better is simply 13...0-0!-+] 14.0-0
Qxb2 15.Nd5 Bb6+ [If now 15...e4 16.Qf5 Qxa3 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Nxf6+
gxf6 19.Qxf6 Qc5+ 20.Kh1 0-0 21.Bc4 Be6 22.Rd5! and Black must
sacrifice his queen to avoid the perpetual check after 22...Bxd5 23.Qg5+ Kh8
24.Qf6+] 16.Kh1 0-0? [Too late to castle. Black has to try 16...e4 17.Qf5 0-0
18.Nc4 Qxc2 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.Nxf6+ gxf6 21.Qxf6= and another perpetual
check is likely.] 17.Nc4 Qxc2 18.Bxf6 Nxf6 19.Bd3 Qa4 20.Nxf6+ gxf6
21.Qxf6 Qc6 22.Qg5+ Kh8 23.Nxe5 Qe6 24.Bc4 f6 25.Qh6 1-0
66 - Hoskavich Meets the BDG
Jeff Hoskavich entertains us with a humorous and memorable Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit he played years ago. His experience was typical for many of
us when we first faced this opening.
"Tim, I stumbled across your website about a month ago. I used to play on
Tuesday nights in Williamsport and especially enjoy the games you annotate
from those nights at Lycoming College. It brings back many fond memories.
"I see that you have an interest in the Blackmar Diemer Gambit. I’ve played
just over 200 USCF rated games and have had the BDG played against me
just once – in my very first tournament. It was in round 4 of a 4 round
tornado in DuBois, PA. My opponent was Jan Philipp, who sported a 1700-
1800 rating. When we sat down at the board I introduced myself and asked
“Are you Jan?”, to which he responded in a very Arnold Schwarzenegger
sounding voice, “My name is Yan”. I said, “Good luck” and he replied
“There is no luck in chess”. He then proceeded to “terminate” me with the
BDG. When he announced mate (after just a few minutes of play), I
remember remaining seated at the board until the chuckles from around the
tournament room died down (no point in advertising the face of the person
who just got slaughtered). Anyway, not long afterward, I quit playing 1…d5
as black, which is why I have not met the BDG since."
Thanks Jeff! I assume that White was Jan Philipp from PA with a rating of
1889 when he stopped playing years ago. The critical line in this Ryder
Gambit is 6...Qg4 (saving a tempo over the game continuation) 7.Qf2 e5.
Instead Jeff was in for a surprise!
Philipp - Hoskavich, Dubois, PA 22.11.1986 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 [What?

He's giving me a pawn?] 2...dxe4 [I'll take it.] 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 [He's 1700+
rated? This is going to be easy!] 4...exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 [I'm up two pawns and
his king is exposed...it doesn't get any better (or so I thought).] 6.Be3 Qd7
7.Rd1 Qg4 8.Nb5 [And now, the wheels fall off...] 8...e6?? [There were a lot
of bad moves that could have been made, but I chose the absolute worst one.
Of course, 8...Na6 holds the position.] 9.Nxc7+ [Even now, I didn't see it
coming...] 9...Ke7 10.Bc5# [Ouch.] 1-0 [Notes by Hoskavich]
67 - Emil Josef Diemer Wins Last Game
Eventually we will all play our last chess game. The great gambit player Emil
Josef Diemer died over 25 years ago.
Tom Purser had personally met Diemer and also corresponded with him.
Here is Tom Purser's announcement in his “BDG WORLD”, October 1990
and two quotes from “BDG WORLD”, January 1991:
Emil Josef Diemer 1908-1990
"We deeply regret to report the death of Emil Josef Diemer on October 10,
1990. A remarkable and unique personality is gone, and chess is much the
poorer for it. We received the news just before sending this issue to the
printer, much too late to include more than this brief notice. Our December
issue will be dedicated to the life and chess of E.J. Diemer."
[The next BDG WORLD issue ended up being January 1991]
From Schach Echo
"On 10 October the well-known Baden chess theoretician and tournament

player, Emil Josef Diemer, died in south Baden Fussbach at the age of 82.
...born on 15 May 1908 in Bad Radolfzell ... work best known to many
gambit friends... contributed authoritatively through his exploration of the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit."
From Schach Magazin 64
"In Emil Josef Diemer one of the last 'chess originals' left us. In chess
generally and in gambit play especially, to which he dedicated his entire life,
his ardent, shining life was fulfilled."
Here is the last known game Emil Josef Diemer played: BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3
Qxd4. Most greedy computers in 1990 did not analyze deep enough to
consistently defeat masters.
Diemer - Mephisto, Fussbach, Germany 1990 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qh4+ 7.g3 Qg4 8.Qg2 [Keeping
the queen, aiming at b7 and avoiding a future ...Ng4 fork on Be3 and Qf2.]
8...e5 9.Nf3 Bd6 10.h3 Qf5 11.0-0-0 Nc6 12.Bd3 [12.g4 Qd7 13.Bc4 0-0
14.Ng5= is an alternative.] 12...Qe6 13.Ng5 Qe7 14.Bc4 0-0 15.g4 h6 [A
complicated position. 15...Bc5 16.Bd2 Nd4 17.Nce4 Ne6 18.Bxe6 Bxe6
19.Nxe6 fxe6 20.Nxc5 Qxc5 White has some compensation for the double
sacrificed e-pawns. 21.Qxb7 Rab8=/+] 16.h4 [16.Nge4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Be6
18.Bd3 f5! 19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Qg2 Bxd3 21.Rxd3 Qe6-/+] 16...hxg5? [Taking
this knight is fatal. The modern day Houdini 3 points out that Black has
16...Nxg4! 17.Qe4 Nf6 18.Qg6 Be6 19.Bxe6 fxe6-+ and White does not have
enough compensation for three pawns.] 17.hxg5 Nxg4 [Sharp to the end,
Diemer has a forced mate in seven and finds his way correctly.] 18.Qe4 Nh6
19.Rxh6 Bf5 20.Qxf5 gxh6 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Qg6+ Kh8
24.Rh1# 1-0
68 - Ed Hudson Catches Naked King
Thirty years ago Ed Hudson defeated the computer Nuchess in a famous very
sharp and tactical Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 game.
Hudson's line still holds up today as the best way to play this variation. Back
in 1983, Nuchess finished 4th in the 4th World Computer Chess
Championship, behind #1 Cray Blitz and ahead of #6 Belle, #9 Mephisto and
#10 Fidelity. This made it a reasonable test opponent for the BDG.
The eternal problem with gambits and chess engines has been how the
monsters evaluate compensation if no forced mate is in sight within its
analysis horizon. In the past 10 years, computers have greatly improved the
evaluation functions, but 30 years ago, the little buggers were extremely
greedy.
Let me illustrate: in the game below Ed Hudson boldly sacrificed a pawn on

e4, a pawn on d4, a pawn on b2 and a knight on c7. So after 10 moves Black
is up the equivalent of a rook, but with a naked king the open. Back then
strong computers looked about 5-6 ply deep. It would have taken probably
10-12 ply to play better on move 7. Still, it was a great game by Hudson!
Hudson - Nuchess, Washington DC 1983 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3

Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qd6 [This move gives White a free tempo,
because as the game continuation shows, trying to pick off the b2-pawn loses
badly. White can sacrifice the knight and the Black king is left wide open to
attack.] 7.Nb5 Qb4+? [7...Qd8=/+] 8.c3 Qxb2 9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Rd1+ Kxc7
11.Qf4+! e5 12.Qxe5+ Kc6 13.Be2 Bg4 14.Bxg4 Nxg4 [14...Qxg2 15.Bf3+
wins the queen.] 15.Qd5+ Kc7 16.Qd8+ Kc6 17.Qc8+ Kb5 18.Qxb7+ Ka4
19.Qxb2 1-0
69 - Learning Fast Checkmate
Playing the Ryder Gambit is seductive as it can lead to a very fast checkmate.
Black tries to swap rooks. Instead of taking the Ra8, White plays 9.Qc8 mate!
The Bill Wall vs Cris Campelli game was played in 1983. Bill Wall used to
run the Dayton Chess Club.
Wall - Campelli, Dayton, OH, 1983 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qe5 [6...Qh4+] 7.0-0-0 Bg4 [7...e6; 7...Qa5]
8.Qxb7 Bxd1 [8...Qxe3+] 9.Qc8# 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
70 - Simultaneous Sacrifices
This game of 13 exciting moves has simultaneous attacks. Both sides attack
the opponent's queen. Both leave a rook and minor piece hanging to continue
their attacks. Both players capture the opponent's rook. Black captures a
minor piece with check. White captures a minor piece with a pretty mate! It’s
a fun game!
In the BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 line when White castles 0-0-0, Black can pin
the Qf3 to the Rd1 with ...Bg4. The problem is White's threat on b7, and from
b7 to a8, b8 and c8. In the game Bill Wall vs Mark Greenwalt, we see the
danger of playing 6...Qe5 (although it draws). White should play 9.Rd2
allowing a perpetual check with 9...Qe1+ 10.Rd1 Qe3+. After 9.Kb1?! Black
could play 9...Qb6! protecting the Nb8 and remaining up material.
Correct is 6...Qg4 aiming for a winning endgame instead of a risky attack. Of

course White would duck that 6...Qg4 endgame with 7.Qf2, but that is for
another game.
Wall - Greenwalt, Dayton, OH, 1983 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qe5 [6...Qh4+] 7.0-0-0 Bg4 [7...Qa5] 8.Qxb7
Qxe3+ 9.Kb1 e5 10.Qxa8 Nfd7 11.Nd5 Qc5 12.Bb5 Bxd1 [12...c6]
13.Qxb8# 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
71 - Devastating Discovered Check
Discovered attacks are subtle and sneaky, terribly tricky and downright
difficult to see at times, especially during blitz games on the internet.
Discovered checks are so powerful they almost seem like cheating. This is
very true when you answer a check with a check!
In this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 game between Bill

Wall and MikeQ, our BDG hero pulls off a beautifully devastating
discovered check that nabs a queen.
Wall - MikeQ, Internet .04), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qe5 7.0-0-0 Bg4? 8.Qxb7 Qxe3+ 9.Rd2 e5
10.Qxa8 Nfd7 11.Bb5 Qe1+ 12.Nd1 [White gets a king hunt after 12.Rd1
Bxd1 13.Qxb8+ Ke7 14.Nd5+ Ke6 15.Qe8+ Kxd5 16.Qxd7+ Bd6 17.Qxf7+
Kc5 18.Qc4+ Kb6 19.Qc6+ Ka5 20.Qa6+ Kb4 21.c3+ with a quick mate.]
12...Bb4 13.c3 Bxd1 14.Rxd7 Be2+ [14...0-0 15.Rxd1+-] 15.Rd1+ 1-0
72 - Petre - New Zealand's Missile
Here are more highlights from the “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine” of
50 years ago (Editor: N. Kampars). In this excerpt from September 1962, co-
editor Anders Tejler had been looking for players to face his pet defense: the
BDG Ryder 6.Be3 Qd8.
William B. Petre of New Zealand played two postal chess games vs Tejler.
The games likely progressed slowly, as the opponents were on opposite ends
of the earth. The two Petre-Tejler games are the only ones I knowingly have
of this Petre in my database.
"CO-EDITOR VICTIM OF A NEW ZEALAND MISSILE"

by Anders Tejler
"The following brevity will serve to introduce William B. Petre of Dunedin,
New Zealand to B.D.G. followers. Unfortunately, I am unable to give a more
personal introduction other than to indicate that he seems to have a sense of
humor and certainly knows a good combination when he sees one. Petre
incidentally is pronounced: Peter, an English name dating back to the
Elizabethan period. The game was played by correspondence in 1962. I was
interested in the merits of the Black defensive system of 6...Qd8 followed by
7...c6. I leave it to the reader's judgment as to whether Petre's 7.Nh3 is an
"alternative" or an "improvement" over 7.Rd1."
Petre - Tejler, corr, 1962 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qd8 7.Nh3! [Rather than continue with 7.Rd1 Nbd7
8.Bc4 e6 9.Nh3 (Diemer-Waller, 1948), Petre demonstrates the potential of
an earlier advance of the king's knight.] 7...c6 [Presently unfinished is an
alternative variation in which Black tries 7...Bxh3 {SAWYER's note: That
second game continued: 8.Qxb7 Nbd7 9.gxh3. It ended about 1964 with
Black checkmated on move 30.}] 8.Nf2 e5 9.Bc4 Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 [Hoping
by this exchange to lessen White's pressure on e4.] 11.bxc3 0-0 12.Rad1 Qc7
13.Ne4! [White will not be stopped from advancing in the center.] 13...Nxe4
[Let's see, which alibi shall I use to account for this oversight? Of course
after, 13...Nd5 there might have followed 14.Bc5 Rd8 15.Ng5 Rd7 16.Nxh7
Kxh7 17.Qh5+ Kg8 18.Bd3 etc.] 14.Qxf7+! Rxf7 15.Rxf7 Qd6 [Black has
nothing and could have resigned here, but in a last spasm of stubbornness he
thought he could prevent White from putting the d-file to fatal use.] 16.Rff1+
[Notes by A. Tejler] 1-0
73 - Queen Runs But Cannot Hide
Famous chess author and former master Bill Wall generously provided me
with many Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games that he has personally played
from 1969-2012. Those of you who are BDG fans should really enjoy them.
Bill Wall has been playing the BDG longer than I have been playing
organized chess. Several of his early games I already had, but I did not have
his recent games.
Here is the oldest game he sent me: Bill Wall vs Roger Cole played in
Tacoma, Washington in 1969. The opening is a BDG Ryder 5.Qxf3. I like his
active and creative move 18.Rf5!
Wall - Cole, Tacoma, WA .01), 1969 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 [5.Nxf3] 5...Qxd4 6.Be3 Qd8 [6...Qh4+] 7.Rd1 Nbd7
[7...Bd7] 8.Ba6 [8.Qg3; 8.Bc4] 8...Rb8 [8...c6] 9.Bc4 e6 [9...b6] 10.Bxa7
Ra8 11.Be3 Bb4 [11...Bd6] 12.Nge2 0-0 13.0-0 Bxc3 [13...Qe7] 14.Nxc3
Qe8 [14...Qe7] 15.Qg3 c6 16.Bh6 Nh5 17.Qh4 f6 [17...Ra5] 18.Rf5 Ne5
19.Rxh5 Nxc4 [No good. 19...Qg6; 19...gxh6] 20.Bxg7 Nxb2?? [20...Ne3]
21.Bxf8 Nxd1 [21...Qxf8 22.Rxh7] 22.Rxh7 Qg6 23.Rh8+ Kf7 24.Qb4
Qxg2+ 25.Kxg2 Ne3+ 26.Kg1 e5 27.Qe7+ Kg6 28.Qh7+ Kg5 29.Rg8+ Kf4
30.Qe4# 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
74 - Sugar Pie Jukilop Ryder Retreat
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 game Bill Wall vs
Jukilop, Black captured the second pawn and retreated to his original square.
Later Black prematurely opened the center. Then he forgot about a lost tempo
check in a combination that picked off the dark queen.
Wall - Jukilop, Internet .24), 2004 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qd8 7.Rd1 Bd7 8.Bc4 Nc6 9.Nge2 Ne5 [9...e6]
10.Qf4 Nxc4 [10...Nfg4! 11.0-0 e6-/+] 11.Qxc4 e5 12.0-0 Be6? [12...c6=/+]
13.Rxd8+ Rxd8 14.Qxc7 1-0
75 - Full Retreat Gets Run Over
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Qxd4, it is very possible to
grab the gambit pawn and then just go back to where you started, up two
pawns. However, White has lots of open lines and can quickly develop some
dangerous threats.
In the internet game Bill Wall vs "Pati" below after 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qd8
(retreat) 7.Rd1, we see White has already played Qf3, Be3 and Rd1 (which
attacks the Qd8) compared to Black's lone Nf6. Correct for Black is 7...Nbd7
where I recommend the rarely played 8.g4! giving White compensation for
the two gambit pawns and the battle continues. In this game Black plays the
unfortunate 7...Bd7? and suffers a quick defeat.
Wall - Pati, Internet .08), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qd8 7.Rd1 Bd7? [7...Nbd7! 8.g4! h6 9.h4!=]
8.Qxb7! Nc6 9.Rxd7! Kxd7[9...Nxd7 10.Nb5+-] 10.Bb5 1-0
76 - Winning vs 6.Be3 Qb4
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder Variation 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4
tends to lead to catastrophic disasters. Some of these games are very short.
In the game Bill Wall vs Guest8673, White avoided the main line with 7.0-0-
0! and tried the dubious 7.Rb1?! In the end Black made a couple serious
blunders allowing White to win.
Wall - Guest8673, Internet .28), 2003 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 7.Rb1?! [Correct is 7.0-0-0!=] 7...Bg4
8.Qg3 Na6 [8...Nc6 9.Qxc7?! Nd5-+] 9.Bxa6 bxa6 10.Qxc7 Nd5?
[10...Rc8!-+] 11.Qc6+ Kd8 12.Qxd5+ 1-0
77 - Making Threats Is a Powerful Plan
In Wall,Bill vs Sam Millimaci 1987, White plays the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Ryder Variation. Black grabs the second gambit pawn but then
defends with a common risky line: 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4.
After 7.0-0-0 e5, White continued making threats with 8.Nb5?! (The threat is
9.Nxc7 mate) 8...Na6 9.Bg5 e4? 10.Bxf6 (threatening a new mate). Black
blunders by capturing the White queen and was immediately mated. White
won because he kept making threats.
Computer analysis shows that White chose a risky line when down two
gambit pawns. If Black had defended more accurately with the moves Bill
Wall gives in the notes below, White would have been in trouble.
However, there is a good line for White after 7.0-0-0 e5. White should insert
first 8.a3! Qg4 and now 9.Nb5. After 9...Na6 10.Nxa7! Qxf3 11.Nxf3 e4
12.Nxc8! and White should come out of this mess okay.
Wall - Millimaci, Mt View, CA, 1987 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 7.0-0-0 e5 8.Nb5 Na6 [8...Qa5] 9.Bg5 e4
[9...Be7] 10.Bxf6 exf3 [10...Be6] 11.Rd8# 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
78 - Hey, You're An AllStar!
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qb4 game Bill Wall vs
GameAllStar, Black boldly grabs the second gambit pawn.
Alas he fails to castle and eventually blunders while attacking the White
queenside.
Wall - GameAllStar, Internet .16), 2000 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 [6...Qg4!] 7.0-0-0 c6 8.Qf2 [8.Rd4]
8...Qa5 9.Bc4 e6 10.Nf3 Bb4[10...Nbd7 11.Qg3 b5 12.Bb3 b4 13.Ne2
Bb7=/+] 11.Bd4 Nbd7 12.Rhe1 Nc5? [12...0-0] 13.Qg3 Bxc3 [13...Nh5
14.Qg4 0-0 15.a3 (NOT 15.Qxh5?? Nb3+ 16.Bxb3 Qxh5-+) 15...Bxa3
16.bxa3 Qxa3+ 17.Kd2 g6 18.Qg5+- and White is still up a bishop.] 14.Bxc3
Qb6 15.Qxg7 1-0
79 - Kevin Crisler Ryder on the Swarm
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit first caught my attention when I read columns
in the APCT News Bulletin by Anders Tejler.
Andy showed creative short violent attacks that led to quick checkmates.
These often were the result of natural developing moves by Black. One of
these was the 6...Qb4 move where Black saves his attacked queen and
threatens White's b2-pawn.
It is amazing just how quickly things can fall apart for the defender. One line
of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder allows White's pieces to swarm
around the Black king which is caught in the center.
In the game Bill Wall vs Kevin Crisler, Black answered 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3
with 6...Qb4. I note in later games that 6...Qg4 7.Qf2 e5 is good for Black,
but it is not often found by Black.
When the queen on b4 attacks b2, it encourages White to castle and threaten
an early checkmate after 8.Nb5 (intending 9.Nxc7 mate!). As Bill Wall notes,
Black must play 8...Qa5. Then White has at least a repetition of moves with
9.Bd2 Qb6 10.Be3 Qa5.
Wall - Crisler, Guam, 1974 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3
5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.Nb5 e5 [8...Qa5] 9.Nxc7+ Ke7
10.Nxa8 Bg4 11.Qf2 Ne4 12.Qh4+ Nf6 13.Nc7 Qa5 14.Nd5+ Ke6 15.Nxf6
Bxd1 16.Bc4+ Kd6 17.Kxd1 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
80 - Mate in Middle with Yoush
Don't tell anyone. I cannot resist borrowing this post title from another site. In
the game Bill Wall vs Yoush we see White make constant threats that
ultimately lead to checkmate.
The opening is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qb4. Almost every

move White plays contains some type of threat. In the end he catches the
Black king of his opponent "Yoush" stuck in the middle for mate.
In addition to the 8...Bxf3? blunder, in a famous BDG Ryder mating

combination from the game Bartsch-Jennen, Germany 1948 we see 8...e5
9.Nxc7+ Ke7 and now White sacrifices the queen with 10.Qxb7! Qxb7
11.Bc5#! 1-0.
Wall - Yoush, Internet .30), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 7.0-0-0 Bg4 8.Nb5 Bxf3? [The move 8.Nb5
has been played 54 times scoring 90%. Most players defend with 8...Na6
allowing 9.Qxb7 and White is winning. Only this one game have I seen
someone miss the mate and take the queen right here.] 9.Nxc7# 1-0
81 - Tim Just vs Kevin Bachler in Ryder
Tim Just boldly meets Kevin Bachler in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
variation known as the 5.Qxf3 Ryder Gambit. Black walks into a horrible line
where White is winning big. Emil J. Diemer himself played this 5.Qxf3 line
from his youth until his death, although it seems by that he played 5.Nxf3
more often.
The strongest way to counter attack the 5.Qxf3 Ryder Gambit is to take the
second gambit pawn. Play might continue 5...Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e5
where White scores a typical 53%. Instead Black plays 6...Qb4 where White
scores 77%.
Black is able to hang around which is a credit to Kevin Bachler. He is

rewarded when White makes a very unfortunate blunder. We have all been
there. Done that. Life goes on. It leads me to wax poetic:
Oh how slippery. Oh how sly.

When Black does win and White does die.
Just - Bachler, Grayslake, 1986 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 [6...Qg4 7.Qf2 e5=/+] 7.0-0-0 Bg4? [7...e5!?]
8.Nb5 Nbd7? [8...Na6 9.Qxb7+/-] 9.Qxb7 Qe4 10.Nxc7+ [This is good, but
Stockfish at 30 ply prefers 10.Qxe4! Nxe4 11.Rd4+-] 10...Kd8 11.Qxa8+
[11.Qxe4 Nxe4 12.Nxa8 Bxd1 13.Kxd1+-] 11...Qxa8 12.Nxa8 Bxd1
13.Kxd1 Kc8 14.Bxa7 [14.g3!+-] 14...Kb7 15.Be3 Ng4 16.Ke2 [Or 16.Bd4
e5 17.Be2+/-] 16...Nxe3 17.Kxe3 Kxa8 18.Bb5 Ne5 19.h3 [19.Nf3 Nxf3
20.Kxf3+/-] 19...e6 20.Nf3 Bc5+ 21.Ke2 Nxf3 22.Kxf3 Rd8 23.Ke2 Kb7
24.Rd1 Rxd1 25.Kxd1 Kc7 26.Ke2 Kd6 27.Be8 f5 28.a4 e5 29.a5 Bb4
30.a6 Kc7 31.Bc6? [Whoops. White is still fine after 31.c3 Bc5 32.g4+/=]
31...Kxc6 0-1
82 - Discovered Check Wins Queen
Once again the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder catches another victim after
5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4. This time in Bill Wall vs Dave Corrie, Black
answered the standard 7.0-0-0 with 7...Bg4. This pin of the queen on f3 to the
rook on d1 would normally win material. However Black has some
undefended pieces of his own. White plays 8.Nb5! and if 8...Bxf3, then
9.Nxc7 mate!
Black defends better than that with 8...Na6 but then comes 9.Qxb7 attacking
Ra8 and Na6. While Black is dealing with those issues, White pulls off a
sneak attack on the Black queen. Picking off the Black queen is like a home
run to the White pieces. To paraphrase Chicago White Sox announcer Ken
Harrelson, "She gone!" [The "Hawk", as Ken Harrelson is called, says "He
gone!" when a Sox player hits a home run.]
In the baseball trivia department, I actually saw Ken Harrelson play in

September 1968 for the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park, which ended up
also being the final major league game of New York Yankee great Mickey
Mantle. Now back to chess...
Wall-Corrie, Thailand, 1974 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 7.0-0-0 Bg4 8.Nb5 Na6 9.Qxb7 Rc8 [9...Qe4]
10.Nxc7+ Nxc7 11.Qxb4 1-0
83 - Snappy Constant Mate Threats
The term "Snappy" according to thefreedictionary.com means "Lively or
energetic; brisk." The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qb4 games by
Bill Wall below are all of that, and short. In fact the lines 6...Qb4 leads to
many very short White victories.
After seven moves Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qb4, White has
constant mate threats. In 10 moves, Black wins material, develops his
kingside knight and his entire queenside. Alas, he never gets to play an 11th
move.
In the game below, see the threats:
8.Nb5 - Threatens mate in one

9.Qxb7 - Threatens mate in two with 10.Qxa8
10.Qxb8 - Threatens mate in one
11.Nxc7# - Checkmate
The more critical line is 6...Qg4 7.Qf2 e5.
Wall-Johnson, Dayton, OH, 1983 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 7.0-0-0 Bg4 [7...e5] 8.Nb5 Na6 [8...Qxb5]
9.Qxb7 Rb8 [9...Qe4] 10.Qxb8+ Nxb8 11.Nxc7# 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
Wall - Snappy, Internet .18), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 [6...Qg4!] 7.0-0-0 Bg4 8.Nb5 Na6 9.Qxb7
Rb8 [Black falls for a mate in 2. The only move is 9...Qe4! 10.Qxa6!? Qxe3+
11.Kb1 Qc5 12.Nf3+/-] 10.Qxb8+ Nxb8 11.Nxc7# 1-0
84 - Alan Glasscoe Brave Berkeley Bash
I put together a small collection, a handful of interesting games, in the
Blackmar-Diemer Ryder Gambit. Here is a BDG Ryder 6.Be3 Qb4 game
played by Alan Glasscoe. This tactical variation produces many short White
wins. The notes below show some improvements for both sides.
I present the game below with the normal BDG move order, but Alan
Glasscoe usually began his BDG games with 1.e4 or 1.Nc3. Frequently he
reached the BDG via 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5; 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5; 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5
3.d4; probably 1.e4 d5 2.d4; and maybe even 1.Nc3 Nf6 2.e4. However, I
cannot put my finger on the actual move order at this time. So with apologies
to the players, below is a 1.d4 game.
I did find in "BDG WORLD", July-September 1985 that Tom Purser wrote:
"Alan Glasscoe is a particularly brazen e4 opener (he even has the audacity to
put a (!) after the move). Nevertheless, he seems to play more than his share
of f2-f3 games."
Glasscoe - Kasprik, Berkeley CA 1979 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qb4 7.0-0-0 Bg4 8.Nb5 Na6 9.Qxb7 Qe4!
10.Qxa6! [Stronger than 10.Qxe4 Nxe4 11.Nf3+/-] 10...Qxe3+ 11.Kb1 Qc5
12.Qb7! [12.Nf3+/-] 12...Bxd1 13.Qxa8+ Kd7 14.Bd3? [14.Nc3!+-] 14...g6
15.Nxa7 Bg7 16.Qb7 Qb6 17.Bb5+ Kd6 18.Qxb6+ cxb6 19.Nh3 Bg4
20.Nf2 Ra8 [20...Be6=] 21.Nc6 [White might do better with 21.Nxg4 Nxg4
22.Rd1+ Kc5 23.c4+/=] 21...Bd7 22.Rd1+ Kc7 23.Nd4 Bxb5 24.Nxb5+
Kb7 25.c3 Rc8 26.Re1 Kc6? [Throwing the draw away at once. 26...Nd5=]
27.Na7+ 1-0
1.5 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4
This 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 is the most critical line in the Ryder Gambit.
White has development with open lines and Black two extra pawns.
85 - Nolte Wins BDG Ryder Gambit

Reviewing a chess game that was won by Nolte, questions ran through my
head as to whether the famous actor Nick Nolte had ever starred in a movie
involving chess. A search popped up the 1996 World War II movie "Mother
Night" where Nolte plays a patriotic American spy working for the Third
Reich. The Nick Nolte character makes his own set and plays chess with the
Alan Arkin character several minutes in the middle of the movie.
But enough of movie chess. In real life there is another Nolte chess player,
the Filipino IM Ronaldo Nolte.
Forty years ago Jerome Nolte and Hermann Frings were two well-known
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit players. Below the Nolte Knights leap across the
fringe and threaten to fork the Frings King. Although this attack worked quite
well, I recommend some improvements for both sides. Thus began a thematic
postal game in the BDG Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4 variation.
Nolte - Frings, corr I.BDG Weltt (3), 1974 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Nb5 Qxf3 8.Nxf3 Na6 9.0-0-0 Bd7
[9...Bf5!?=/+] 10.Ne5 e6 11.Bg5 Bc8 12.Nd4 Bd6 13.Bb5+ Ke7 14.Rhe1
h6? [This allows White to make use of the pinned e6-pawn. Better is
14...Kf8!=/+] 15.Nf5+ Kf8 16.Nxd6 cxd6 17.Rxd6 Ke7 18.Bh4 Nc7 19.Ba4
Ncd5? [Black had to try 19...Kxd6 20.Nxf7+ Ke7 21.Nxh8 b5 22.Ng6+ Kf7
23.Ne5+ Kg8 24.Bb3 Bb7+/=] 20.Rxd5 g5 21.Rc5 gxh4 22.Rc7+ Kd6
23.Rxf7 Nd5 24.Bd7 [After 24.c4!+- White has a much better winning
position.] 24...Rg8 25.Re2 b6 [25...Nb6 26.Bxc8 Raxc8 27.Rxb7+- picks off
a pawn.] 26.Bxc8 Raxc8 27.Rd7+ Kc5 28.Nd3+ Kc6 29.Rxa7 Nc7 30.Ra4
h3 31.g3 Rgf8 32.Rh4 1-0
86 - Jocelyn Bond Wins Another Ryder
It is great to hear from our Blackmar-Diemer friend from Canada, Jocelyn
Bond:
"Hi Tim, Have a good day from Saguenay.

"It’s been a long long time since I sent you a BDG game. Too much time ago
(tears). Now here’s my last Ryder gambit. I'd like you check for me the
variation 6..Qg4 and now 7.Nb5 it is very important for me. In my game I've
got big compensation... but is it better than 6...Qg4 7.Qf2? Oh excuse me...
my game was a 3 minutes blitz... Jocelyn Bond"
Jocelyn Bond provided notes to the first 24 moves. I present the entire game.
The Ryder (5.Qxf3) is a series of traps that players rated below 2000 often
miss, but White must be a good attacker (as Jocelyn Bond is known to be) to
play the BDG well. As for the theory on 7.Nb5!? I had the program Stockfish
analyze it.
The critical line seems to favor Black: 7...Na6! (7...Qxf3!? 8.Nxf3 Nd5=+)
8.0-0-0 c6! 9.Nc3 (9.Nxa7 Bd7 10.Bxa6 bxa6 -+) 9...Qxf3 (9...Nb4 10.h3
Qxf3 11.Nxf3 e6-+) 10.Nxf3 Nb4 11.Bc4 Bf5-+. Below Black missed 8...c6
and got into trouble.
Bond - Mustafagalal (2020), Live Chess Chess.com, 08.02.2013 begins

1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Nb5 Na6
8.0-0-0 Qxf3 9.Nxf3 Bg4 10.Be2 [Better seems to be 10.Nxa7!? Nb4 11.Nb5
(hoping for Nc7 mate) 11...Rc8=/+]10...e6 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 [12.Bxa7!]
12...Bg6 13.Ne5 Be4 [13...Nd5 14.Bf2-/+ (14.Bxa7 is no good now 14...c6-
+)] 14.Rhf1 h6 [Again 14...Nd5-/+] 15.Rf4 Be7 16.Nc3 g5?? [Deep Fritz
likes 16...Bg2] 17.Rxe4 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 0-0 [18...Nb4+/-] 19.Rd7+- Rfe8
20.Bxa6 bxa6 21.Rxc7 [21.Bc5] 21...f5 22.Ng6? [22.Nc6+-] 22...Bd8
23.Rd7 fxe4 24.h4? [24.Bd4 is better. 24...e5 25.Bxe5 Rxe5 26.Nxe5+/-]
24...e5 25.hxg5 Bxg5 26.Bxg5 hxg5 27.Ne7+ Kf8 28.Ng6+ Kg8 29.Ne7+
Kf8 30.Ng6+ Kg8 31.Ne7+ Kf8 32.Ng6+ Kg8 33.Ne7+ Kf8 34.Ng6+ Kg8
35.Ne7+ Kf8 36.Ng6+ Kg8 37.Ne7+ Kf8 38.Nd5 Rad8 39.Rxd8 Rxd8
40.Ne3 Ke7 41.Nf5+ Ke6 42.Ng7+ Kd5 43.Kd2 Kd4 44.c3+ Kd5 45.Ke3
Rd7 46.Nf5 Rf7 47.Nh6 Rg7 48.Nf5 Rf7 49.Nh6 Rf3+ 50.Ke2 Rh3 51.Nf7
e3 52.Nd8 Ke4 53.Nc6 Rh2+ 54.Kf1 Kf3 55.Nxe5+ 1-0 Black forfeits on
time. [Notes by J. Bond up through move 24.] 1-0
87 - Wall on Critical Ryder Defence
Here we have the final selection from the 129 BDG games that Bill Wall sent
me. This is an example of Black playing the critical Ryder line – the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4. It is a difficult line for White to
handle, and Black wins this game.
The moves 6...Qg4 and 7...e5 are considered to be Black's best. This line is
one reason most BDGers prefer 5.Nxf3. Let these games by Bill Wall be
instructive. Black rarely finds the critical lines after 5.Qxf3 and often gets
into deep trouble.
THANK YOU BILL WALL FOR 129 GAMES OF

ENTERTAINMENT!!
Wall - Guest1091398, www.playchess.com, 01.01.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.0-0-0 e5N
[7...Qxf3] 8.Nb5 [8.Be2; 8.h3] 8...Na6 9.Nxa7 e4 10.Bb5+ c6 11.Nxc6 bxc6
12.Bxc6+ [12.Qxg4] 12...Ke7 13.Qxg4 Nxg4 14.Bxa8 Nxe3 15.Re1 g6
16.Bxe4 [16.Kb1] 16...Bh6 17.Kb1 Rd8 18.h4 [18.Nf3] 18...Nc5 19.h5
Nxe4 20.hxg6 Bb7 21.Rxh6 Nxg2 22.Rc1 hxg6 23.a4 g5 24.a5 Rd6 25.Rh2
Nd2+ 26.Ka2 Nc4 27.Rh5 Rg6 28.b4 Bd5 29.Kb1 f5 30.Ne2 f4 31.Rd1 f3
32.Nc3 Bf7 33.Rh7 Nge3 34.Rd4 f2 35.Rd7+ Kxd7 36.Rxf7+ Kc6 37.Rxf2
g4 38.Ne2 g3 39.Rf8 g2 40.Ka2 g1Q 41.Nxg1 Rxg1 42.Kb3 Rb1+ 43.Kc3
Nd6 44.Kd2 Nd5 0-1 [Game Notes by Bill Wall]
88 - Never Play Chess in Solitude
A lot of chess is played alone using an electronic device. Your opponent is
unseen on the other end, receiving and responding to your moves at whatever
pace is chosen. Internet players use a "handle". Sometimes we actually know
who uses a certain handle and sometimes we do not.
On the Internet Chess Club, I use the handle "SawyerTE". This is just me
playing, for better or worse. From 1999-2004, I used a computer handle
"SuperSolid" as a second handle. There I could and did use computer
assistance. SuperSolid was rated 200 points higher than my human only
handle. Now I am older and weaker. Chess engines are stronger. SuperSolid
came in handy for downloading twice as many ICC games. I no longer use it.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4 game with Bill Wall vs
"Solitude", Black is so alone that he does not pay attention to what White is
doing. Black threatens the queen; White threatens the king. Black takes the
queen; White mates the king. Never be so alone that you ignore your
opponent!
Wall - Solitude, Internet .29), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.0-0-0 Qxf3 8.Nxf3 Bg4 [8...c6!-/+] 9.Nb5
Bxf3 10.Nxc7# 1-0
89 - Who Is BobbyJim?
When I see an online handle like "BobbyJim", I wonder if it is a handle for
two people, such as a father & son combination or two roommates. Then
again it could be the nicknames for one guy's first and second names. Or,
maybe it was "Robert James" Fischer playing in secret. Okay, I doubt that
one.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4 game Bill Wall vs

BobbyJim, White manages to pick off all Black's queenside pawns one by
one. This leads to resignation.
Wall - BobbyJim, Internet .05), 2000 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.0-0-0 [Keeping the queens on the board
with 7.Qf2 e5=/+ is the main line.] 7...Qxf3 8.Nxf3 Bg4 [Black is wise to
play 8...c6!-/+ cutting down on White's attacking moves.] 9.Nb5 Na6
10.Nxa7 Bxf3 11.gxf3 c6 12.Bxa6 bxa6 13.Nxc6 e6 14.Bb6 Nd5 15.Bf2
Be7? [Chances are about even after 15...Rc8 16.Ne5 Bd6=] 16.Rxd5 exd5
17.Re1 Kd7 18.Nxe7 Rae8 19.Nxd5 Rxe1+ 20.Bxe1 Re8 21.Bg3 f6 22.Nc7
Rd8 23.Nxa6 1-0
90 - Real Dr. A.W. Ryder Story
The books are wrong! Our chess friend Gunter Brunold provided
documentation that the historical Dr. Ryder game is presented wrong in many
books. Brunold updates us on the corrected date (1898), full game score and
full name of Dr. Ryder.
Regarding Ryder, Emil Josef Diemer did not give the full game in the "Das
moderne Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Band 1". E.J.D. focused more on how
White wins than on the Ryder game itself.
In Issue 1, page 1, of Tom Purser's "BDG World" magazine (1983), Dr.

Charles Szasz gave a 15 move version of the Dr. Ryder game dated 1889
ending with 15.Nc7# 1-0 (see Diemer's note in the game below). Diemer did
not give an actual date.
I followed suit in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook (1992). The BDG

books by Ken Smith & John Hall (1993), Eric Schiller & John Crayton
(1995), and Bill Wall (1999) all gave the same 1889 date and the same 15-
move game. I continued the same way again in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Keybook II (1999).
In 1996, Brunold provided information that the 1889 game as given was
incorrect. Tom Purser mentioned that information in his “BDG World”
magazine issue 74. So I knew about it twenty years ago, but then I forgot.
Gunter Brunold reminded me.
Brunold sent me the correction in German. This was actually a 20 move

game "Dr. Ryder" vs "N.N." published in Deutsche Schachzeitung,
Sechsundfeunfzigster Jahrgang, Nr. 8 August 1901, and pages 236-237 as
Game 6763 with comments by Walther Freiherr von Holzhausen (who won
the 1898-1899 winter tournament in Leipzig).
Arthur William Ryder was born in Oberlin, Ohio in March 8, 1877. He was
educated at Harvard and Leipzig. He was probably age 21 and working on his
doctorate at the time of this 1898 game.
In 1902 he returned to the America. Dr. A.W. Ryder became a professor of

Sanskrit at the University of California at Berkeley. Ryder died March 21,
1938.
Armand Edward Blackmar invented 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 in the 1880s.
Emil Josef Diemer played 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 (BDG) in the 1930s and
promoted both 5.Nxf3 and 5.Qxf3 for 50 years. A.W. Ryder played 5.Qxf3 in
his only known game in this line.
So we see a Pre-Diemer was played by the Pre-Doctor, Arthur W. Ryder.

Below is the full corrected historical game with my new notes.
Ryder - N.N., Leipzig, 1898 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 [3.f3 is the
Blackmar Gambit. 3...e5!=/+] 3...Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 [5.Nxf3 is the more
natural development.] 5...Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 Qb4 [7...e5!-/+] 8.0-0-0
Ng4 [8...c6 9.Nf3 Nbd7=] 9.Nd5 [9.Qh4 Qa5 10.Rd5 c5 11.Rxc5+/=]
9...Qa5? [This should lose quickly. 9...Qd6 10.Qe1! Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Nd7
12.Nf3=] 10.Bb5+?! [Correct is 10.Qe1! Qxd5 (10...Qxe1? 11.Nxc7#)
11.Rxd5 Nxe3 12.Qxe3+-] 10...c6 [10...Nd7 11.Qg3+/-] 11.Bb6?! [Again
11.Qe1!+-] 11...Na6? [The best defense is 11...Bd7! 12.Nc7+! (12.Qf4? axb6
13.Qc7 e6! (Diemer missed this 13…e6! move. Diemer continued the game
as 13...cxb5 14.Qc8+ Bxc8 15.Nc7# 1-0) 14.Nxb6 Qxa2 15.Nxa8 Qxa8-+)
12...Kd8 13.Qxf7 Qxb6 14.Ne6+ Kc8 15.Rxd7 Kxd7 16.Nf3 Qe3+ 17.Kb1
Qxe6 18.Rd1+ Qd6 19.Rxd6+ Kxd6 20.Qf4+ e5 21.Qxg4=] 12.Qc5?! [White
wins with 12.Qd4! axb6 (or 12...Bf5 13.Bxa5+-) 13.Nc7+ Nxc7 14.Qd8#]
12...Qxb6 13.Bxa6 e5 14.Qxb6 axb6 15.Nc7+ Ke7 16.Nxa8 Nf2?
[16...bxa6! 17.Nxb6 Be6 18.Nf3 g6=] 17.Nxb6 Bg4? 18.Be2 Nxh1 19.Bxg4
Nf2 20.Rd7+ 1-0
91 - Purser Draws Max Euwe
When looking for some good Tom Purser games in the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit, I came across one from over 30 years ago. Purser was playing in a
simultaneous exhibition against the former World Champion and FIDE
President Max Euwe in Ramstein, Germany.
At the site chessgames.com we find commentary on this game from

whiteshark:
"Dr. Euwe played a 20 board simul at Ramstein Air Base rec center on 16
Feb 1978; he won 18, lost one, drew this one. He allowed all opponents
choice of color."
Tom V. Purser went on to publish "BDG World" magazine for 15 years

starting about 1983. Around 1984 this magazine caught MY attention. I am
forever grateful for Tom Purser. For those interested in more from him, Tom
Purser's blog is a great read.
This opening is a BDG Accepted (5.Qxf3) Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4.
Purser - Euwe, simul Ramstein, Germany 1978 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4
dxe4 4.Nc3 [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by transposition] 4...exf3 5.Qxf3
[Ryder Variation] 5...Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 a6 [The normal continuation is
7...e5! 8.a3 Bd6 9.Nf3 Nc6=/+] 8.h3 Qb4 9.0-0-0 e6 [9...Nc6 10.Nf3 with
compensation] 10.Rd4 Qa5 11.Ra4 Qf5 12.Rf4!? [If White wanted to play
for more, his position is very promising after 12.Nf3! when Junior 12 gives
the critical line as 12...e5 13.g4 Qe6 14.Bc4 Qe7 15.g5!+-] 12...Qa5 13.Ra4
Qf5 14.Rf4!? [One can hardly blame Purser for taking a draw two pawns
down against a world champion.] 14...Qa5 15.Ra4 1/2-1/2
92 - Andrew Martin Wins Ryder
When I was looking for a good Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game, I found was
an entertaining and successful BDG Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 in a five minute
game played by author and International Master Andrew Martin against
Women's International Master Olga Vasiliev. She is the current Israeli
women's champion.
The moves 7-10 have interesting alternatives. I recently lost against a BDG
Ryder in a blitz test game myself, so I know how easy things can totally fall
apart for Black.
AndrewMartinIM (2437) - ol4ik (2237), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

28.06.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4
6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 c6 [7...e5-/+] 8.Be2 Qb4 [8...Qf5-/+] 9.0-0-0 g6 10.Bc5!?
[10.Nf3! Ng4 11.Qh4! (Playable because of the unprotected Qb4.) 11...Bg7
12.Bd4+/=] 10...Qa5 11.Nf3 Nbd7 [11...Bf5-/+] 12.Ba3 Bg7 13.Rhe1 c5
[13...0-0=/+] 14.Bc4 [Or 14.Bb5=] 14...0-0 15.Rxe7 a6 [15...Nb6 16.Bxf7+
(16.Be2=) 16...Rxf7 17.Rxf7 Bh6+ 18.Kb1 Kxf7 19.Ne5+ Kg7 20.Ne4 Bf5
21.Nxf6 Rf8 22.g4 Rxf6 23.gxf5 Rxf5 24.Qe2=] 16.Ng5 Bh6 17.h4 b5
[17...Ng4 18.Bxf7+ Kh8 19.Qf4+-] 18.Bxf7+ Rxf7 19.Rxf7 Bxg5+ 20.hxg5
Kxf7 21.Bxc5 Qc7 22.Bd4 [Faster is 22.Rxd7+! Bxd7 23.Qxf6+ Kg8
24.Bd4+-] 22...Bb7 23.Bxf6 Nxf6 24.Qxf6+ Kg8 25.Qe6+ Kh8? [25...Kf8
26.Kb1+/-] 26.Rf1?! [26.Rd7!+-] 26...Qc6? [26...Kg7 27.Rd1+/-] 27.Qe7
Qc4 28.Rf7 Qd4 29.Rxh7+ Kg8 30.Qf7# Black checkmated 1-0
93 - Ed Herm Plays 7...e6!?
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2, Black chooses a
slower idea of 7...e6!? in Bill Wall vs Ed Herm (instead of the popular
7...e5!).
In this line White has boldly gambited away two pawns when both sides go
wrong on move 8. The position is mostly equal until Black blunders on move
12.
Wall - Herm, Internet .25), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e6 [This is a conservative version of the
more assertive 7...e5!-/+] 8.Be2? [Wrong square for the bishop. Correct is
8.h3 Qf5 9.Nf3 Bb4 10.Bd3=] 8...Qb4 [Black misses the good move 8...Qf5!
9.Bf3 Nc6 10.0-0-0 Bd6=/+] 9.0-0-0 Be7 10.Rd4 Qa5 11.Qg3 Nc6 12.Bb5
Bd7? [12...a6 13.Bxc6+!= but not 13.Ra4?! axb5 14.Rxa5 Rxa5=/+)] 13.Ra4
1-0
94 - Degli Eredi vs Willstock in Ryder
Here's a well-played game from the 1980s in a BDG Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4. There
are other options, but the most critical line seventh move is 7.Qf2.
The ICCF correspondence game between Gilsberto Degli Eredi and

Willstock show how things can go right for White. Black develops all his
minor pieces by move 10 and aims at the White king. However, the White
army starts to make things happen and the Black king gets caught in the
center.
Degli Eredi - Willstock, corr ICCF 1987 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 Nc6 8.Nf3 e6 9.0-0-0 Qb4
[9...Bd6! 10.Be2 0-0-/+] 10.Nb5 Bd6 [10...Qe7 11.Qg3 e5 12.Bc4=] 11.a3
Qa5 12.Rxd6 cxd6 13.Nxd6+ Kf8 14.Bc5?! [14.Qg3!=; 14.h3!?=] 14...Kg8
15.Bb5 Nd8 [Black should try 15...Bd7!=/+] 16.Rd1 [16.Bd4!+-] 16...Qc7
[16...Bd7 17.Bxd7 Nxd7 18.Bb4+/=] 17.Ne8 Nxe8 18.Bxe8 f6? [This creates
a serious weakness and still does not prevent White's next move. 18...h6+/-]
19.Ne5! h6 20.Bg6 b6 21.Bd6 Qb7 22.Bb8 [Or 22.Qe2!+-] 22...Bd7
23.Nxd7 Rxb8 24.Nxb8 Qxb8 25.Qg3 Qc8 26.Qd6 Nf7 27.Qe7 Qf8
28.Qxe6 h5 29.Rd8 1-0
95 - San Antonio Quick Strike
There are nine cities in the United States of America that have a population of
one million or more according to the 2010 census. In order they are: 1. New
York, 2. Los Angeles, 3. Chicago, 4. Houston, 5. Philadelphia, 6. Phoenix, 7.
San Antonio, 8. San Diego, and 9. Dallas.
San Antonio, Texas is home to the San Antonio Spurs basketball team.
However San Antonio is the only city with such a large population that has
not had a Major League Baseball team nor a National Football League team
in the immediate area.
30 years ago I took a quick trip to San Antonio which has five large military
installations. I drove past the Alamo. I ate lunch at McDonalds, and I visited
Lackland Air Force Base. 20 years ago there was much discussion about
whether the Air Force could win a war, or whether ground forces would be
needed.
For those who hate war, the ideal would be a quick one day strike. The game
Bill Wall vs Brian Soltz below which was played in San Antonio reminds me
of a quick strike. The opening is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 6.Be3
Qg4. Black defends very well for six moves, but never gets another six
moves in. It was a very fast war.
Wall - Soltz, San Antonio, TX, 1994 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 Ne4 8.Nxe4 Qxe4 9.0-0-0 Bf5
[9...Nc6] 10.Bd3 Qa4 [10...Qe6] 11.Qxf5 e6 12.Bb5+ 1-0 [Game Notes by
Wall]
96 - Your Most Famous Game
What is your most famous chess game? That would be a hard question for me
to answer. That is a different question than asking for your favorite game or
your best game.
My own most famous game would likely be one that has been published in
books or magazines. One of my games was in a newspaper in 1972. Some
games are posted on the internet, in a video or in databases. Some losses
made it into books as great games by my opponents. I collected books with
my games, but that got expensive after a while. Bill Wall put one of my 1980
games into his first collection of “500 French Miniatures”.
The Bill Wall game that I know the best was a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
which I included in my original 1992 “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook”
(as Game 227). This Bill Wall vs Cliff Aker postal chess game was started in
1986 and finished in 1987. The variation is from the critical BDG Ryder
6.Be3 Qg4 line. Bill's final combination picks off a queen.
Wall - Aker, Postal .01), 1986 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 Ne4 8.Nxe4 Qxe4 9.Bd3 Qa4 10.Nf3 Nc6
11.0-0 f6 12.b3 Qg4 13.Rad1 e5 14.Ng5 Bd7 [14...Be7] 15.Be2 Qf5 16.Qh4
[16.Qxf5] 16...Qxc2 [16...fxg5] 17.Bh5+ g6 18.Rxf6 0-0-0 [18...Bf5]
19.Rxd7 [19.Bg4] 19...gxh5 [19...Rxd7] 20.Rf2 [20.Rxc6 bxc6 21.Rxd8+
Kxd8 22.Nf7+] 20...Qc3 [20...Qxf2+ 21.Bxf2 Rxd7] 21.Rxd8+ Nxd8
22.Qh3+ Kb8 23.Bxa7+ 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
97 - Ryder Gambit: "Refuted?"
Jocelyn Bond asks whether the Ryder Gambit 5.Qxf3 has been refuted by
5...Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e5?
"This e5 variation is a refutation of the Ryder? 2 pawns up, it is big material
advantage.”
Yes, Jocelyn, two pawns up is big. Let's consider just how big. "Refuted" in
chess openings applies to theory and evidence.
A variation is refuted for you, if, when you play it, you lose.
There are three types of "refuted" variations: Let's look at them.
1. When computer analysis overwhelmingly favors your opponent's side.

Computer analysis favors Black, but not quite by two pawns. White usually
has compensation for only one of the two pawns sacrificed. If chess is only
math and if all players always score 100% in math tests, then this is bad for
White.
2. When the performance ratings are significantly below expectations.

Performance for the Ryder is above expectations, but below after 7...e5. In
one of every five games Black follows up 5.Qxf3 with all three of the key
moves 5…Qxd4, 6…Qg4, and 7…e5. Those who play this way score well
with Black. In the four out of five games where Black varies, White scores
well.
3. When you lose regularly with this variation against your opponents. Are
your opponents likely to regularly find very good moves for Black? The
higher they are rated, the more likely they are to know this stuff. Diemer was
still winning with the Ryder Gambit in his 80s, so there is practical value,
along with real risk.
IM James Rizzitano recommends 7...e5! for Black in his book "How to Beat
1 d4" ("A sound and ambitious repertoire based on the Queen's Gambit
Accepted"). The first game Rizzitano sites is Alex Lane - Tim Sawyer. Black
stands better in theory. I quote IM James Rizzitano: "The Ryder Gambit is
unsound and the reader should be extremely skeptical of any claims to the
contrary."
Lane - Sawyer, corr BDG thematic (2), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e5 8.Be2 Qf5 9.Qg3
Bb4 10.0-0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 0-0 12.Bd3 e4 13.Bc4 Qa5 14.Ne2 Be6 15.Bb3
Bg4 16.Bd4 Nbd7 17.Rhe1 c5 18.Bxf6 Nxf6 19.Rd6 c4 20.Bxc4 Bxe2
21.Bxe2 Qxa2 0-1
98 - Gegner vs Weber: White Wins
As I studied my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder games, I found a few extra
games. This helps round out my coverage more completely in the critical
line.
Here is a contest with the BDG Ryder 6.Be3 Qg4 between Jurgen Gegner and
G. Weber. In this line White meets 7...e5 with 8.a3. He obtains a good game
and wins in postal chess.
Gegner - Weber, corr, 1980 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3
Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e5 8.a3 Nc6 9.Nf3 Bd7 [More common is 9...Bd6
10.0-0-0 e4-/+] 10.h3 Qh5 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.g4 [12.Bb5+/=] 12...Bxg4
13.hxg4 Qxh1 14.Nxe5 0-0 15.Bg2 Nxg4? [15...Qxd1+! 16.Nxd1 Nxe5-/+]
16.Nxg4 Qh5 17.Bf3 Qh4 18.Qg2 Bg5 19.Rh1 Bxe3+ 20.Nxe3 Qf6 21.Be4
h6 22.Ncd5 [22.Nf5! Kh8 23.Qd2 Rfd8 24.Qe3+-] 22...Qg5 23.Bh7+ Kh8
24.Qxg5 hxg5 25.Nf5 Rae8 26.b4 a6 27.a4 b5 28.Nxc7 Re5 29.Nxa6 bxa4
30.b5 Ne7 [30...Rxb5 31.Bg6+ Kg8 32.Ne7+ Nxe7 33.Bh7+ Kh8 34.Bd3+
Kg8 35.Bxb5+/=] 31.Nd4 Rd8 32.c3?! [32.Nf3! Rxb5 33.Bd3+ Kg8
34.Bxb5+- wins] 32...g6 33.Bxg6+ Kg7 34.Bc2 a3 35.b6 Rxd4 [35...a2!
36.Kb2 Ra5 37.Nc7 Rh8 38.Re1 a1Q+ 39.Rxa1 Rxa1 40.Kxa1 Rb8=]
36.cxd4 Ra5 37.b7 Nc6 38.b8Q [38.d5! a2 39.Kb2 Rb5+ 40.Bb3+-]
38...Nxb8 39.Nxb8 a2 40.Kb2 Rb5+ 41.Kxa2 Rxb8 42.d5 Kf6 43.Re1 1-0
99 - Lagland vs Roos in Critical Ryder
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder games in this book show that White can
be very successful. However, some critical lines are a serious challenge to its
opening theory.
This game is between the well-known BDGers Goran M. Lagland and Beppo
Roos. Black holds off the attack and wins.
Lagland - Roos, corr BDG/E11, 1965 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e5 8.a3 Bd6 9.Nf3 [Another idea is
9.h3 Qf5 10.Qd2 Nc6 11.g4 Qe6 12.0-0-0 0-0 13.Nf3 Qe7-/+] 9...Qf5!
10.Bd3? [This just loses a piece with no compensation. White might try
10.h3 e4 11.Nd2 Qxf2+ 12.Kxf2 Be5-/+; or 10.0-0-0!? e4 11.Bb5+ Nbd7-/+]
10...e4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Qh4 Qa5+ 13.b4 [If 13.Kf1 Nf6 14.Bd4 Be7-+]
13...Bxb4+ 14.Kf1 Nd2+ 15.Nxd2 Bxd2 16.Qe4+ Be6 17.Bxd2 Qxd2
18.Qxb7 Qf4+ 19.Ke1 0-0 20.Qxa8 Re8 0-1
100 - Avrukh "Beating 1.d4 Sidelines"
When Grandmaster Boris Avrukh spends a lot of time studying the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and writes extensively on the results of his
investigation, it makes me sit up and take notice. I happily bought the book!
"Beating 1.d4 Sidelines" is 504 pages published by Quality Chess and
released November 2012.
Avrukh mentions a lot of stuff, but his major focus is on providing a good
repertoire for Black after either 1.d4 d5 or 1.d4 Nf6. His analysis on the
London System, which I have often played, looks excellent. Others like
Veresov, Trompowsky, Colle, Torre and Barry are also covered. I highly
recommend this book.
The book is divided into four roughly equal parts: 1) 1.d4 d5 lines; 2) 1.d4
Nf6 without 2.c4 or 2.Nf3; 3) 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 lines; and 4) 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3
g6 lines
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is covered on pages 19-42. As Black, Avrukh

recommends the BDG Ziegler 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5. In summary, I quote his
"Conclusion" on the BDG:
"Sacrificing an important central pawn as early as the second move is an

audacious concept, and technically the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit cannot be
considered a fully correct opening. Nevertheless, I would be lying if I said
Black's task is trivial, and during my investigation I had to work hard to find
the correct antidote to White's numerous attacking tries. Of the many
variations covered, I would like to highlight the modern C221) 7.Bg5!?
(intending 8.Nh4) and the aggressive C2232 8.Ng5!? as options which
require especially close attention. But ultimately, if Black knows what he is
doing then he should have excellent chances to neutralize the opponent's
initiative and exploit his extra pawn."
Tim Sawyer's Interpretation: If you are a grandmaster who memorizes 23

pages of analysis vs the BDG, then you should be able to prevent White from
winning! In my own practice, it is easy to screw up as Black if you slip from
solid to passive. Typically Black has an extra doubled g-pawn. I have played
against 5.Nxf3 over 800 hundreds of times trying all the major defences. I
have scored better with 5...Bg4, 5...Bf5, 5...e6, 5...g6, and 5...Nc6 than with
5…c6. I struggle to play well using Avrukh's excellent lines.
GM Avrukh gives one of my games, Harald Klett vs Tim Sawyer. Here I won
in a critical line with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
The author uses my game to help illustrate how Black can meet the Ryder
Gambit after the 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 variation. The notes below are
mine. Later I won with the White pieces vs the same opponent.
Klett - Sawyer, corr BDG thematic, 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 e5 8.a3 Bd6 9.Nf3 Qf5 10.0-0-
0 [10.h3 e4 11.Nd4 Qxf2+ 12.Kxf2 Be5-+] 10...Ng4 11.Qd2 Nxe3 12.Qxe3
0-0 13.Kb1 [A possible improvement for White: 13.Bd3! Qf4 14.Qxf4 exf4
15.Nb5 Nc6 16.Nxd6 cxd6 17.Be4 Rd8 18.Rd2 Be6 19.Rhd1 d5 20.Bxd5
Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Rxd5 22.Rxd5 Re8=/+] 13...Nc6 14.Bd3 Qg4 15.Rhg1 Be6
16.h3 Qf4 17.Qf2 [If 17.Qxf4 exf4-/+] 17...f5 18.Ne2 Qh6 19.Nd2 e4 0-1
1.6 – 5.Nxf3
We begin with the Blackmar-Diemer Accepted when Black plays some less
popular fifth moves.
101 - Bob Muir Counter Attack

I thought I had seen it all in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. My first BDG
Keybook was published in 1992 which contained 700 BDG games. But two
years later in 1994, Bob Muir uncorked a move he invented at the board that
totally surprised me: 5...e5!?
Even though I had covered many 5th moves for Black in my first Keybook, I
never considered this move. Bob Muir simply gives the gambit pawn back
here in hopes of obtaining near equality.
By Houdini standards today, the move is not all that bad. In what we call the
"critical" line below, White stands somewhat better in an opening; the queens
come off the board and neither king can castle. As things turn out, however,
Bob was not happy with his chances. Black resigned after my 13th move.
Sawyer (2011) - Muir (1800), Williamsport, PA 1994 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e5!? 6.dxe5 [Taking with the knight looks
good, but Black should still equalize. 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bc4 0-0 8.0-0 Nbd7
9.Bf4 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Ng4 11.Bf4=] 6...Qxd1+ 7.Nxd1 [White might do
better to try 7.Kxd1 Ng4 8.Nd5! Kd7 9.Ke1+/=] 7...Ne4!? [7...Nd5!=] 8.Bd3
f5?! [8...Nc5!=] 9.exf6 Nxf6 10.0-0 Bc5+ 11.Be3 Nbd7 12.Bxc5?! Nxc5
13.Bc4+/= 1-0
102 - Atari vs Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted game below sees Black move his
knight a second and third time to exchange off his only developed piece. My
database has 21 games with 5...Nd5 and the performance rating favors White
by +20 rating points.
Personally I faced this variation only five times in the last 30 years. The first
time I saw this was my own win vs the Atari chess program I played in 1988.
My score as White is three wins and two losses. Those last couple were vs
chess engines. My games in this line tend to be very short. This one is
typical.
Sawyer - charger2153 (1422), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 20.10.2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nd5 6.Bd3 Nxc3
7.bxc3 c6 8.0-0 e6 9.Qe1 Bd6 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Qg3 Bf6 [12...Nd7
13.Bh6+/-] 13.Rae1 Nd7 14.Qh3 h6? [14...g6 15.Bd6 Re8 16.Ne5+-]
15.Bxh6 Bxd4+ [If 15...g6 White has the happy choice between 16.Qg3+- or
16.Bxf8+-] 16.cxd4 [Also good is 16.Nxd4 f5 17.Nxe6 Qb6+ 18.Be3+-]
16...Qf6 [16...f5 17.Qg3+-] 17.Bg5 Black resigns 1-0
103 - Review: Eric Jégo's book
Our BDG friend Eric Jego has completed his Blackmar-Diemer Gambit book,
which is the 2011 English edition of his 2010 book Gambit Blackmar-Diemer
(French edition). Below are some comments about this new edition. For my
review of his original French edition, see my posting on Tom Purser's blog.
The things I do like are major and many. Here are 14 of them.
1. The book is 164 pages written in English, which I read much better than
French.
2. Jégo did an excellent job selecting interesting examples from recent BDG
play.
3. Over 50 times the players have been noted with FIDE titles (GM, IM, FM,
WFM).
4. The 287 games have the right amount of verbal annotations.
5. While English is not Jégo's first language, game notes are very
understandable.
6. The games are divided into chapters by variation.
7. A rectangle box is drawn around the key move when games are in a
different line.
8. Jégo has provided statistical analysis for each variation as to wins, draws,
losses.
9. Jégo weaves in his 14 Elementary Principles to every game.
10. The type of play is noted: Classical, Correspondence or Blitz.
11. Most of the games come from tournament play (“Classical”).
12. At the bottom of each page there is help to locate which lines are found
above.
13. Actual ratings are given for each player when known.
14. There is an index to the players at the back of the book.
The things I don't like are very minor and very few.
1. The font is slightly smaller in the English edition, but that allows the book
to save a dozen pages keeping costs down. It is still quite readable for me.
2. The philosophical waxing of Dany Sénéchaud regarding gambit play does
not flow well in English, but I think I understand what he is saying. It only
takes up three pages. No problem.
3. The first initials of the players have been omitted. Instead of “Purser T”,
for example, it is just “Purser”.
I highly recommend this book. I love it. Buy it!
This book has three of my own games; these are not well known. Two were
draws vs BDG experts. Below is an unrated club game vs Eugene
Schrecongost played at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in
1998. The game starts out as a BDG Accepted Ritter Variation (5.Nxf3 b6)
but transposes to a Bogoljubow Variation 5.Nxf3 g6. White's set-up is not the
best for the Bogo. "Schreck" played this game very well, except for missing
my mate at the end. The notes below are mine.
Sawyer - Schrecongost, Williamsport PA 1998 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5

3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 b6 [The Ritter Variation.] 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Bd3 g6
[Giving the position a Bogoljubow flavor. This line is unusual. 7...Bb7]
8.Qd2 Bg7 9.0-0-0 Bb7 10.h3 Bxf3 11.gxf3 0-0 12.Bh6 c5 13.d5 Ne5
14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Qg5?! [15.Be2 with compensation] 15...Nxd3+ [15...Nxf3
16.Qf4 Nd4=/+] 16.Rxd3 h6 17.Qf4?! Qd6 18.Qe3 Nh5 19.Kb1 Rad8=/+
[Black has a good position and the extra pawn. The game is not over, but his
position is certainly better.] 20.h4 Qf4? 21.Qe1? [21.Qxe7=] 21...Rd7
22.Rg1 Rfd8 23.Ne4? f6!? [23...Rxd5!-+] 24.Rg4 Qf5? [24...Qe5!-+]
25.f4?? Nxf4!? [25...Qxg4-+] 26.Ng5?? Rxd5?? 27.Qxe7+with mate to
follow. I got away with one here. 1-0 Black resigns. 1-0
104 - Dream Turns to Nightmare
The basic Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Kaulich 5.Nxf3 c5 6.d5 position can be
reached by several move orders. It is an important position to know. In
addition to 1.d4 this same position can be reached multiple ways after either
1.Nc3 or 1.e4 (after 1...d5 or 1...Nf6).
Here are five common 1.d4 move orders to reach the basic Kaulich position:
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c5 6.d5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c5 5.d5 exf3 6.Nxf3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3
1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 c5 5.d5 exf3 6.Nxf3
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 c5 5.d5 exf3 6.Nxf3
I reached this position from 4...c5 vs Chess-Dream (rated 1939) in an ICC

blitz game. When I got to the 9th move, I missed opportunities to gain the
advantage. Scheerer gives 9.Qe2. I played decent moves in the wrong order
which let Black complete his development. Then I blundered a pawn with
15.Bxe6? which did cost me the game.
Sawyer - Chess-Dream, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.05.2012 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 c5 5.d5 exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 [An alternative is
6...g6 after which White has selected a wide variety of bishop moves. 7.Bf4
Bg7 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 is a typical Bogoljubow position after 5...g6 6.Bf4]
7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.dxe6 fxe6 [I start playing natural moves that are not the most
powerful.] 9.0-0?! [White has tried three good moves: 9.Bf4+/=; 9.Bc4+/=;
or 9.Qe2+/=] 9...Nc6 [9...Bxb5!=] 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Bc4 0-0 12.Qe2?! Qc8
13.Rae1 Nd4 14.Nxd4 cxd4 15.Bxe6+? [15.Ne4!+/=] 15...Bxe6 16.Qxe6+
Qxe6 17.Rxe6 dxc3 18.Rxe7 cxb2 19.Bxf6 Rxf6 20.Ree1? [20.Rb1 Rb6-/+]
20...Rb6 21.Rb1 Rc8 22.Rf2 Rc3 23.Kf1 a5 24.Ke1 a4 25.Kd2 Ra3 26.Rf3
Rxa2 27.Rc3 h6 28.Rc7 Ra1 0-1
105 - Franchini vs Cavicchi
Francesco Cavicchi sent a game and wrote:
"Hi Tim, after our Facebook conversation on the Lemberger variation I got
excited about the BDG all over again. So, I did some personal researches in
the Long Bogo variation with Bg5 and found a possible antidote for the black
side. I've tested it with good results in my club blitz games, here's an
example, a miniature I won against my BDG friend Stefano Franchini, a
strong club player."
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit has many lines that can transpose to each
other, depending on how Black defends. A BDG Kaulich becomes also a
BDG Bogoljubow variation when Francesco Cavicchi includes both the
Kaulich move 5...c5 and the Bogo move ...g6. For those of us who play the
BDG, it can be fun from either side. Cavicchi comments on the game with his
friend Franchini.
Franchini - Cavicchi, Ferrara, ITA 5min, 14.05.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c5 6.d5 g6 7.Bg5 Bg7 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0
Nbd7 10.h4 b5 [the idea for this counterattack came to me from the Albin
counter gambit, where white plays b4 to get an open b file and a strong
initiative against black's queenside castle] 11.Bxb5 [If 11.Nxb5 Ne4 12.Qe1
Ndf6= with even chances] 11...Rb8 12.h5 Qa5 13.hxg6 Ne4 14.Nxe4 [Panic.
After a long thinking in the previous moves white was already in zeitnot, this
costs him the game. If 14.gxh7+ Kh8 15.Qd3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Rxb5 17.Kd2 c4
18.Qxc4 Rxd5+-/+] 14...Bxb2+ 15.Kxb2 Qxb5+ 0-1 [Game Notes by
Francesco Cavicchi]
106 - Salahelden with 5...a6
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted 5...a6 Gedult Variation,
Salahelden falls for the 6...Bg4? tactical combination. White is left with two
choices for a Ne5 fork.
One choice is the capture 7.Bxf7+. This immediately regains the gambit
pawn while leaving Black with an uncastled king.
Instead Wall chose to threaten mate and leave Black with an extra double e-
pawn. This effectively divides the defending army. Soon White was able to
win a bishop.
Wall - Salahelden, www.chess.com .03), 2009 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 a6 6.Bc4 [The other three moves often tried vs
5...a6 are 6.Bd3; 6.Ne5; or 6.Bg5] 6...Bg4? 7.Ne5 [Or 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Ne5+
and White has regained his gambit pawn with a better position.] 7...Be6
8.Bxe6 fxe6 9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.Qf3 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Nd5 12.0-0 Qd7 13.Qf7+
Kd8 14.Qxf8+ 1-0
107 - Gedult Theory with Iriarte
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit thematic events often test the popular lines of
theory in a deeper than usual manner. Sometimes one side of the other tries
an offbeat line. Such is the Gedult Variation 5...a6, one of the general BDG
Accepted Variations.
The move 5...a6 is named after the French coffee house gambit player David
Gedult. Many of his games were published. I do not recall ever seeing a game
he lost.
When you publish your own games, you usually get to pick which ones
people see. Some players only show their wins, while other players show any
game they think is interesting or otherwise helpful. David Gedult naturally
preferred to entertain us with his creative tactical wins.
When facing an offbeat line, unlike the popular BDG Euwe Variation
(5...e6), White needs to take stock of what is going on. The move 5...a6 does
little to promote Black's goal of rapid piece development. The possible
exception is that after Bc4, Black can gain a tempo with ...b5 and then follow
with ...Bb7
On the other hand, 5...a6 may just be a tempo wasting move because it does
not develop a piece. Speed is critical to White's ability to make serious
threats.
My opponent is Enrique Iriarte. We castle opposite sides. Iriarte demonstrates

bold energy in sacrificing the Exchange to obtain passed kingside pawns.
I misplayed the situation, and Iriarte played a very nice game. This is the only
game I lost in the 2005 eight game BDG thematic e-mail event.
Sawyer - Iriarte, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.5), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 a6 [The Gedult Variation waits for
White to commit to a particular attacking formation before determining the
Black kingside pawn structure.] 6.Ne5! [White grabs the central outpost and
waits for one more move to commit a bishop. Three popular alternatives
include developing a bishop: 6.Bd3, 6.Bc4 or 6.Bg5] 6...Nbd7 [Black attacks
the Ne5 with a move that does not commit his Bf8.] 7.Bf4 e6 [Against the
5...e6 Euwe Variation, White does best to play 6.Bg5. Black tries to take
advantage of the fact that the bishop is "only" on f4.] 8.Qf3 Be7 [8...c5 9.0-0-
0 cxd4 10.Rxd4 Bc5 11.Rd1 0-0=] 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0-0 Bb4 11.Ne4 Nxe4
12.Bxe4 Nf6 13.Bg5 [13.Bxb7 seems risky. It sidetracks White's attack on
the Black King and opens a file toward the White King just to get the pawn
back. Play might continue 13...Bxb7 14.Qxb7 Nd5 15.Nc6. This knight keeps
the Black rooks from causing too many problems too quickly. However, it
seems Black can unravel himself after moves like 15...Qh4 16.g3 Qg4
17.Bd2 Bd6 when there is still a lot of play left.] 13...Be7 14.Bxf6!? Bxf6
15.Kb1 c6 16.Rhf1 Qe7 17.Bd3 a5 [Both sides begin advancing pawns at the
opponent's king in classic "castle opposites wings" strategy.] 18.h4 a4 19.c3
a3 20.b4 Bxe5 21.dxe5 c5 22.b5 [White could throw in 22.Qe4 g6 23.b5 Rd8
24.h5 keeping the pressure on.] 22...Ra4 23.g4!? [23.g3 c4 24.Qe4 g6 25.Bc2
Ra5 26.Qxc4=] 23...b6 24.Be4 Bd7 25.Bc2 [25.Bc6=] 25...Bxb5! [Black
sacrifices the Exchange for a couple pawns.] 26.Bxa4 Bxa4 27.Rd6 Bb5
28.Rfd1 Qxh4 [Including the original gambit pawn, Black has three pawns
for the Exchange - a good deal if he has active play.] 29.Rh1 Qg5 30.Qe4
Qg6 [30...h6 31.Rxb6 Be8 32.Ka1 Qd2 33.Rb3 f5 34.exf6 Rxf6 unclear]
31.Qxg6 fxg6 32.Rxe6 Bd7 33.Rxb6 Bxg4 34.Re1 Re8 35.Ra6 Be6
36.Rxa3 h5 37.Ra5 h4 38.a4? [38.Kc2 g5 39.Kd3 g4 40.Ke3 g3-/+] 38...g5
39.Rxc5 0-1
108 - In the BDG Keep Busy!
Can you teach an older dog new tricks? I was reading about the 1992 chess
rematch between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. The old coots came back
to play each other again after a 20 year break.
Then something occurred to me: I am more than 10 years older than the old
Bobby Fischer was in that second match.
I do well to remember the tricks that I used to know. But I want more. I want
to improve and win more! I keep busy by playing Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
every once in a while in blitz games to remind me of those lines.
The 5.Nxf3 Nbd7 line is rather slippery. White wants to play Bd3 vs ...e6
(BDG Euwe) and Bc4 vs ...g6 (BDG Bogoljubow). After 5...Nbd7, White
often plays the waiting move 6.Bg5.
In the game below, I tried 6.Bd3 and got crossed up when Black played
8...g6. Fortunately Black was too slow castling and then got into trouble.
Sawyer - GiorgosY, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.11.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 [More common is 6.Bg5
e6 7.Bd3] 6...b6 7.0-0 Bb7 8.Bg5 [8.Bf4!?] 8...g6 9.Qd2 Bg7 10.Rae1 Nf8
[10...0-0= makes more sense.] 11.Bh6 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Qd7 13.Qf4?!
[13.d5!+- is tactically winning.] 13...0-0-0 14.Ne5 Qe8 15.Bc4 e6?
[Dropping a knight when I expected Black to play 15...Ne6 16.Qf2+/=]
16.Qxf6 Nd7 17.Nxd7 [17.Qxf7!+-] 17...Rxd7 18.Bb5 c6 19.Bd3 h5 20.Ne4
Qd8 21.Qxd8+ Rhxd8 22.c3 c5 23.Bb5 Rd5 24.Rxf7 cxd4 25.Bc4 Ra5
26.Bxe6+ Kb8 27.cxd4 Rxd4 28.Nc3 Rg5 29.g3 h4 30.Nb5? [Hanging a
knight in a time scramble. 30.Rf8+ Kc7 31.Bh3+-] 30...Bc6? [30...Rxb5
31.Bb3+/=] 31.Rf8+ Kb7 32.Nxd4 [White has a mate in four beginning with
32.Bc8+ Ka8 33.Ba6+ Be8 34.Rfxe8+ Rd8 35.Rxd8#] 32...hxg3 33.Nxc6
gxh2+ 34.Kxh2 Kxc6 35.Rf2 Black resigns 1-0
109 - BDG, Shocron, Fischer
Bobby Fischer was born 10 years before I was. We never met. We never
played in the same events. When I began playing organized chess, Boris
Spassky was the world champion but Bobby Fischer was the world's highest
rated player.
Their 1972 match got a generation of us excited about chess. I did not like his
politics, nor his religion, nor his social behavior, but I loved Bobby Fischer's
chess. I studied all of his games.
In the final round of the Hershey Action Chess Tournament I get paired with
a master who had also played Bobby Fischer in a famous 1959 game. There
were only a few players that I played whom Fischer also played. This is the
only one I played in a live tournament. I played some others in blitz,
simultaneous exhibitions, and postal chess. Ruben Shocron played Black in a
Ruy Lopez that is Game 6 of Bobby Fischer's "My 60 Memorable Games."
It was an honor to play such a notable opponent as Ruben Shocron. I think he

lived a long life; maybe he is still alive. It took Bobby Fischer 40 moves to
beat Shocron in 1959. I could brag that I mated Shocron in only 25 moves,
but obviously Bobby faced him in Shocron's prime of life. The 1992 Shocron
was even older than I am today. At that point he was rated 2280.
The opening is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted. The observant reader

will notice that I had White in rounds 1 and 3. The fact that I got a third
White in the 4th round meant two things.
First, probably there was at least one player rated above me who failed to win
all his games. Second, Shocron was also due Black in the final round.
Someone was going to get White three times. By the luck of the draw, and I
like to think it was a God thing, the extra White fell to me.
This game had a profound effect on the rest of my chess life. What a
wonderful game to play just before my first book was published on this
opening!
Sawyer – Shocron, Hershey, PA 1992 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nbd7 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bf4 c6 8.Bc4 [8.Bd3 may save a tempo,
but 8.Bc4 encourages Black to castle kingside quickly.] 8...e6 9.0-0 Be7
10.Qe2 [Please castle.] 10...0-0 11.Qd2 [Ready.] 11...Nb6 12.Bd3 [Aim.]
12...Ne8 13.Bxh6 [Fire!] 13...gxh6 14.Qxh6 f5 15.Ne4! [Charge! Go! Go!
Go!] 15...fxe4 16.Qg6+ [To prevent 16.Be4 Rf7!?] 16...Ng7 17.Bxe4 Bf6?
[Tricky but losing. After the game Shocron said he thought "anything wins."
He was angry that he didn't play 17...Rf5! 18.g4 Nd7 19.gxf5 Nf8 20.Qh6
exf5 21.Bd3 Be6!?= White is down two pieces for a rook, but the position is
still fairly complicated. White might develop some significant threats after c3
and Kf2, especially in view of the fact that Black had only about ten minutes
left on the clock.] 18.c3 ["After the quiet move 18.c3, Black is lost in all
lines." Shocron] 18...Qc7 19.Ne5 Rf7 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Ng6+ Ke8 22.Qg8+
Kd7 23.Qxf7+ Kd6 24.Qxf6 Nd7 25.Qe7# [Black is checkmated. "That's
just coffeehouse chess," remarked the USCF Life Master. "Yes, it is." I
replied as I collected the $80 for first place in this small event. Nowadays
such a win might be worth $200.] 1-0
1.7 – 5.Nxf3 Nc6
This defense is called the BDG Pietrowsky Variation. On the face of it,
developing a piece is excellent. However, the Nc6 is as vulnerable as it is
helpful.
110 - Bill Wall vs Charvando

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Pietrowsky 5.Nxf3 Nc6 game Bill Wall vs
Charvando, White plays the dubious 6.d5? Instead White should play the
much stronger 6.Bb5.
Black blunders away a slight edge when he makes the wrong knight retreat.
Wall - Charvando, www.chess.com .07), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.d5? [6.Bb5] 6...Nb4 7.Bg5 [7.Bb5+ c6!
8.dxc6 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Nxc6=/+] 7...Nfxd5 8.a3 Nxc3 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8
10.axb4 Nd5? [10...Ne4=/+] 11.Rd1 c6 12.c4 Be6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Be3 g6
15.Be2 Bg7 16.0-0 Bxb2 17.Ng5 Be5? [17...Kd7 18.Bb5+ Kc7 19.Nxf7+-]
18.Rxf7 Bxf7 19.Nxf7+ Kc7 20.Rc1+ Kd7 21.Bg4+ Ke8 22.Nxe5 Rf8
23.Rc7 Rd8 24.Bc5 Rd6 25.Rc8+ Rd8 26.Bd7#
1-0
111 - Just Fast and Furious
The Midwest produced many Blackmar-Diemer Gambit players like Nikolajs
Kampars and Peter Webster of Wisconsin, Charles Diebert of Ohio, Tim
McGrew of Michigan, and Tim Just of Illinois. In an Illinois Chess
Association post Tim Just notes:
"I have been lucky to see some of my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (BDG)

games published as variations to the main line in Reverend Tim Sawyer's
BDG books; however, those were mostly postal games. I have come to like
postal a lot more than over-the-board play. Why? Well, in OTB play I come
up with an idea that is just bad and play it anyway thinking it is good. In
postal I can take my time to "see" that my idea was way off base and I am
then forced to make a good move instead."
One might logically assume that having a first name of "Tim" improves the
chances of loving the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. However, "Tom" is also a
good one, as in Tom Purser.
Tim Just is a thoughtful and successful expert postal player. I found this
game in my database played in Rosemont, Illinois. I do not know the
circumstances, but apparently it was played live. David Koons fights back
when our friend Tim Just plays a furious gambit 2.e4!? Black accepts and
returns a fast attack by 5...Nc6. Normally White plays 6.Bb5, but Tim
chooses the furious 6.d5!? kicking the knight. The Black steed gallops off
with a fast attack on the queenside rook by 8...Nxc2. White's knight leaps
ahead with a furious central counter. Black moves on with the fast attack of
14...Qh4 threatening a sneaky back rank mate. White's finishing move is a
furious checkmate on move 17. Fabulous!
Just - Koons, Rosemont, IL (4), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.d5?! [This is a natural reaction when both players are
facing a ticking clock. The main line is 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.0-0 e6 8.Bg5 Be7 and
then 9.d5! leading to equal chances in a wide open position.] 6...Nb4 7.Bc4
Bf5 [7...c6!-/+] 8.0-0 Nxc2? [8...e6 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.Qe2 Nxc2 11.Bxe6 Bxe6
12.Qxc2 Bc5+ 13.Kh1 0-0 14.Bg5 Bb6 15.Rfe1=] 9.Ne5! Nxa1 10.Rxf5 e6
11.Qa4+ [This is good, and the risky looking 11.Nxf7!+- turns out to be very
strong too.] 11...Nd7 12.Rxf7 exd5 13.Rxd7 Bc5+ 14.Kh1 Qh4 15.Rxc7+
Kf8 16.Nd7+ Kg8 17.Bxd5# 1-0
112 - Misunderstood Pepper
In the 1960s I was with my friend Peter when we saw one of the new soda
machines with cups instead of bottles. Peter puts in his nickel and the cup
falls down. Then the soda fills up his cup. I decided I would try it with my
last nickel. I put my coin into the machine. All my soda poured down the
drain. After that an empty cup came down.
In the 1980s I was in Texas. Seemed like all the Coke machines were Dr.
Pepper machines. There were be a big button on the top for a regular Dr.
Pepper, and little buttons along the side for Diet Dr. Pepper, Coke, and Diet
Coke.
A few years ago I was at a sub shop and purchased a cup for soda. We have
more freedom in Florida than New York, so I got a really big cup. I tried to
buy a Dr. Pepper, but I could not understand how the fancy new machine
worked. There were mind boggling options with many ways to mix flavors. It
was the first time I had seen such a thing. Finally I just got a Diet Coke. The
Dr. Pepper option was so misunderstood by me.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game Bill Wall vs DrPepper, Black mixes

the flavors. This Pietrowsky blends with the Euwe. The mix did not work
well. Black lost to a kingside attack.
Wall - DrPepper, Internet .07), 2000 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Bd3 [6.Bb5] 6...e6 7.Be3 Bd6 8.0-0 b6 9.Qd2 0-0
10.Ng5 h6 11.Nge4 Nd5 [11...Ng4!=/+] 12.Bxh6 Bxh2+? [12...Bb4]
13.Kxh2 Qh4+ 14.Kg1 Qxh6 15.Qxh6 gxh6 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Nf6+ Kg7
18.Nxd5 Nxd4 19.Nxc7 Rb8 20.Rae1 Rb7+- [20...Be6 21.Re3+/-] 21.Ne8+
Kh8? 22.Rf6 Be6? 23.Rxh6+ Kg8 24.Bh7+ Kh8 25.Be4+ [25.Re5!+-]
25...Kg8 26.Bxb7 Rxe8 27.c3 Nf5 28.Rf6 Kg7? 29.Rxf5 Rb8 30.Be4 Bxf5
31.Bxf5 Rd8 32.Re2 Rd6 33.g4 Rd1+ 34.Kg2 1-0
113 - Are 2 e-Pawns Better?
In this Blackmar Diemer Gambit Pietrowsky, White aims his attack directly
at the middle. There sits an uncastled Black king behind a lone e-pawn. If one
e-pawn is good, then maybe two e-pawns are better!?
Thus in Bill Wall vs Merk1, Black answered 6.Bc4 with 6...Be6. Wall
naturally chopped off the bishop. This doubled the e-pawns and left more
holes in Black's position. White's knights, rook and queen all angle for the
holes. Soon a rook sacrifice leaves White with a winning advantage.
exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Bc4 [6.Bb5] 6...Be6?! [6...Bf5!?=/+] 7.Bxe6 fxe6 8.0-0
Nd5 9.Ne4 h6? [This leaves bigger holes on the light squares, but Black was
also in trouble after 9...Nf6 10.Neg5 e5 11.dxe5 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Nd7 13.e6+-]
10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.Qh5+ [11.dxe5!+- also wins] 11...g6 12.Qxe5 Nf6 13.c3
Qd7 14.Rxf6! 1-0
114 - Failure to Find Forks
Shortly after players learn basic strategy and a few tactics, most are tempted
to fall in love with the Knight Fork on c7 / c2, f7 / f2. They aim for forks on
these squares and wherever else they show up.
Below Bill Wall provides us with an internet example of what happens in a

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Pietrowsky when a player keeps trying to find
forks but forgets to develop and defend his own king. When Black finally
succeeds in taking a bishop and forking a rook and queen, White plays mate
in 2.
Mr. Wall has been so very generous as to give me over 100 of his own games
when he played the BDG. Thank you Bill Wall!
I collect and annotate BDG games, and other openings. Sometimes I add my
own short story.
exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Be3 [6.Bb5 is considered the best move.] 6...Bf5 7.Bc4
Nb4 8.Rc1 [8.Bb3 is an alternative.] 8...h6?! [Black prevents Ng5 but does
nothing about Ne5. 8...e6] 9.0-0 Ng4? 10.Bxf7+ Kxf7 11.Ne5+ Ke8
[11...Kg8 12.Nxg4 e6] 12.Rxf5 Nxe3 13.Qh5+ 1-0
115 - Wall Pattern Tracer
Jeremy Silman wrote in his book review of “Secrets of Chess Intuition."
Personally, I feel that 99.9% of chess is based on some form of pattern
recognition." I agree completely.
A person who traces something repeats a pattern the same as the one before
it. Pattern recognition allows you to notice a characteristic in the position that
leads to tactics or strategy you have seen before. You recognize something
and visualize tactics to follow. I regularly train on tactics with Chessimo.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Pietrowsky 5.Nxf3 Nc6, we consider the

characteristic of a knight on c6 in the BDG. The two strongest tactics are Bb5
pinning the Nc6 to the Black king, and pushing the White d-pawn to d5. That
pawn directly attacks the Nc6 (whether pinned or not). This gains space or
forces open the position for favorable tactics.
After the exchange on f3 in this game, 8.Qxf3 has an additional factor which
Black forgot in Bill Wall vs Tracer. That is, the Qf3 directing attacks the
Nc6.
Wall - Tracer, Internet .02), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Be3 [6.Bb5] 6...Bg4 [6...e6] 7.Bc4 Bxf3 [7...e6=] 8.Qxf3
e6 9.0-0-0 a6 10.Rhf1 [10.d5! Ne5 11.dxe6 Nxf3 12.exf7+ Ke7 13.Bc5+ Qd6
14.Bxd6+ cxd6 15.gxf3+-] 10...b5? [10...Bd6 11.g4+/-] 11.Qxc6+ 1-0
116 - Feeding Time at Zoo
I once visited the same Philadelphia Zoo where the boxer Rocky Balboa once
hung out. It was feeding time for the tigers. Full grown tigers are huge! As
slabs of raw meat were thrown their way, I had a sudden realization. If the
eye of the wild tiger ever noticed me, it would only take a few moments for
the tiger to finish me off. Fortunately there were bars between us.
In this game Bill Wall faces a "Wildtiger" on the Internet. White has good
pressure in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Pietrowsky.
Then all of a sudden White had a momentary lapse (7.Ba4). There was a
point where if the eye of the tiger noticed, it could have pounced. Black
missed the opportunity and soon White had his hoped for victory.
Wall - Wildtiger, Internet .01), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 a6 7.Ba4? [If you are going to pin the knight,
you better be ready to take it. 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Ne5 with compensation.] 7...g6
[7...b5! 8.Bb3 e6=/+] 8.Ne5 [8.d5! b5 9.Nxb5 axb5 10.Bxb5+/-] 8...Bg7
[8...Bd7=/+] 9.Nxc6 Qd6? 10.Ne5+ 1-0
117 - Old Memory New Idea
My great aunt was born in 1895. This fine lady encouraged me to play chess.
Yes, she was tremendous. She bought me the book "Bobby Fischer's My 60
Memorable Games" for Christmas 1971.
One time after a chess match I got stranded due to a snowstorm. My aunt
came to pick me up until my parents could come get me. What does an old
lady do with a long haired pimple faced 18-year old kid wearing bell
bottoms?
Well, she made me some hot chocolate. She had me watch the James Stewart
movie "Harvey" with her about a tall invisible rabbit. I loved it. It remains
one of the great memories of my life.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Pietrowsky variation, Bill Wall played

HarveyD. Bill's retreat move 8.Be2 looks like a worthwhile idea. It gave me
cause to ponder.
Wall - HarveyD, Internet .09), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.0-0 a6 8.Be2 [This is an interesting
waiting move which keeps d4 protected and awaits further Black
commitments. The most common is 8.Bd3 Bg4 when White usually tries to
hold d4 with 9.Be3 but I recommend 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3] 8...Be6!? 9.Be3
Nb4 [9...g6=] 10.Ng5 Qd6 11.Bf4 [11.Nce4+/=] 11...Qc6 12.Nxe6
[12.Bf3+/=] 12...fxe6? [Everything goes downhill from here. Bf8/Rh8 are out
of play long term. For better or worse, Black should try 12...Qxe6
13.Bxc7+/= White has a big lead in development, but at least material is still
even. Black might catch up.] 13.Bf3 Qb6 14.Na4! Qb5 15.Nc5 0-0-0
16.Bxb7+ Kb8 17.c3 Nbd5 18.Bxa6 Qxb2 19.Rb1 1-0
118 - Pati Plays Pietrowsky
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Pietrowsky, Bill Wall actively develops all
his pieces by move 11. The only change from "normal" Pietrowsky play is
that Bill retreats his light squared bishop to Ba4.
Usually the bishop goes to Bd3 and after ...e6, White is ready for a Euwe type
position. Black used the handle "Pati" and blunders a piece on move 20.
Wall - Pati, Internet .08), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.0-0 a6 8.Ba4 [8.Bd3] 8...e6 9.Bg5 Be7
10.Qd2 0-0 11.Rae1 h6 12.Bh4 b5 13.Bb3 Na5 14.Ne5 Nxb3 15.axb3 b4
16.Nd1 Nd5 17.Bg3 [17.Bxe7 Nxe7 18.Qxb4=] 17...a5 18.Rf3 Ra6 19.Ref1
Bg5? [Better is 19...Nf6=/+] 20.Qd3 Bb5? [20...Bc8 21.Nxf7 Rxf7
22.Rxf7+-] 21.Qxb5 1-0
119 - 1…Nc6 to Pietrowsky
Many mid-level and lower level players like to play ...Nc6 early in the game
when they reach a position they do not know. It is one of those universal
moves that can be played at any point in the first five moves against the
standard Blackmar-Diemer Gambit move order. I myself have played 1...Nc6
over 2000 times.
1.d4 Nc6
The biggest risk of playing this on the first move is that it invites 2.d5 kicking
the knight to 2...Ne5. If necessary the knight will continue to wander towards
the kingside after 3.f4 Ng6. More common is 3.e4 e6. These could transpose
after 4.f4 Ng6.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 Nc6

This is called the Nimzovich Defence after 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5. White has three
reasonable approaches to the attacked pawn on e4. Walk on by with 3.e5;
swap pawns a la Scandinavian with 3.exd5, or the BDG type move 3.Nc3.
After 3.Nc3 Wisnewski recommends Black to go into the French Defence
with 3...e6.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nc6

White does not immediately recapture e4 because d4 is under attack. After
the normal 4.d5 Ne5. White has three good replies: 5.Qd4, 5.Bf4 and 5.f3.
Quite playable is simply 4...Nb8. Not so good is the reply low level club
players try 4...Nb4 when 5.a3 forces 5...Na6 when White's best move might
be 6.Bb5!
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Nc6

The Lamb Variation. Best here is 5.d5! but 5.Bb5 has often been played too.
After 5.d5! Ne5 6.fxe4 White has regained his pawn.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6

The Pietrowsky Variation. It is played 2-3% of the time, often by weaker
players. Computers sometimes like it. The game below follows this line.
Usually it drifts into a Euwe type position.
6.Bb5 (Pinning the knight is best. Now 7.d5 attacking the Nc6 is a threat.)
6...Bd7 7.0-0. As the game continued, I gradually gained an edge. My play
was not sloppy, but I missed some likely improvements with 13.Bxe7, 17.c4,
20.Bg5 and 31.Qf6. We see Pietrowsky variation games from time to time.
Sawyer - Icantlos, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 01.08.2011 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.0-0 a6 8.Bd3 e6
9.Bg5 Be7 10.a3 Bc8 11.Kh1 Nd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Be3+/= [13.Bxe7!
Kxe7 (13...Nxe7 14.Ne5+/-) 14.c4+/-] 13...0-0 14.Qd2 Rd8 15.c3 e5 16.Qc2
g6 17.Rad1? [17.c4+/=] 17...Bf6 18.dxe5 Qe6 19.exf6 Qxf6? [19...Qxe3
20.Bc4+/-] 20.Bd4 [20.Bg5+-] 20...Nxd4 21.Nxd4 Qe6? 22.Nxe6 Bxe6
23.Be4 a5 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Rd1 Re8 26.Qf2 a4 27.Bd5 c6 28.Bxe6 Rxe6
29.Re1 Rd6 30.Qf4 Rd7 31.Qxa4 [31.Qf6+-] 31...b5 32.Qe4 Black resigns
1-0
1.8 – 5.Nxf3 c6
This BDG line is known as the Ziegler Variation. Transpositions from the
Caro-Kann Defence abound.
120 - 6.h3!? vs Ziegler

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ziegler 5.Nxf3 c6, White has many sixth
move options. In the game Bill Wall vs NickR, White tried 6.h3!? This move
prevents 6…Bg4. There is some value to such an approach, but it looks too
slow for White.
Black worked to exchange the wrong minor piece (his knight instead of his
bishop). This gave Bill Wall a very promising attack.
Wall - NickR, Internet .10), 2002 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.h3 Bf5 7.Bf4 Nd5 [7...e6= is the obvious move.] 8.Nxd5
cxd5 9.Bd3 Bd7? [Black allows White to use both bishops in the coming
attack. Better is 9...Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nc6 11.0-0+/= when White has a good
game, but Black still has the extra pawn.] 10.0-0 e6 11.Ng5 f5 12.Qh5+ g6
13.Qe2 Qe7 14.Rae1 Bg7 15.c3 Nc6 16.Nxe6 [or 16.Bxf5!+-] 16...Bxe6
17.Qxe6 Qxe6 18.Rxe6+ Kd7? [Wrong way, but White still has an attack
after 18...Kf7 19.Rd6 Rad8 20.g4+/-] 19.Rd6+ Kc8 20.Rxd5 1-0
121 - Chandler in Boulder
Bill Chandler won a tournament game. It began a Scandinavian, then Caro-
Kann Defence, then Blackmar-Diemer. Bill writes:
"My Round 4 game from the Boulder Open – a Tim Sawyer special. This was
the decisive game of the tournament and gave me a half point lead going into
Round 5, which was a quick draw in a boring Gruenfeld. Final rating
adjustment 1636 to 1689."
The placement of your pieces in the BDG challenges your opponent because
you make real threats. Many players do not handle them well. Bill Chandler's
win is a good example.
Eric Barkemeyer was rated 30 points higher and played well in the first 10
moves. However, Black's king was stuck in the middle and he went wrong
under the pressure of White's threats. With this win, William Chandler won
first place in the 32 player Reserve Section of the Boulder Open in Colorado.
Chandler (1636) - Barkemeyer (1668), Boulder Open 2014, 23.03.2014

begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be3 Nf6 [BDG
Ziegler Variation] 7.Bc4 [Another approach is 7.h3 Bh5 (7...Bxf3 8.Qxf3
transposes to a BDG Teichmann Exchange.) 8.Bd3 e6 9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.0-0-0]
7...e6 8.0-0 Bd6 9.Qe1 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Nbd7 11.d5?! [The strategy to open
lines is good, but maybe White should first play 11.Rd1or 11.h3.] 11...cxd5
[11...Ne5!-+ encourages White to give up more material.] 12.Bxd5 Nxd5
[Looks like Black might be able to snatch the knight with 12...exd5! 13.Bd4+
Kf8-+] 13.Nxd5 0-0 [One can understand Black's desire to escape to the
safety of the kingside, but 13...Ne5!-+ looks good.] 14.Nc3 a6 15.Rd1 Qc7
16.Ne4 Be5 [16...Bxh2+ 17.Kh1 Be5-+] 17.Qh4 f6? [Black weakens his
pawn structure and completely loses his advantage. 17...Rfd8!-/+ gives the
Black king some breathing room.] 18.Rh3! Kf7 19.Qh5+ Ke7 20.Qxh7 Rf7
21.Qg6 [Houdini finds 21.Bd2!+/- aiming to redirect the bishop to b4 or c3.]
21...Bxb2? [Waste of time. Black holds with 21...Rd8 22.c3 Nf8 23.Qh5=]
22.Rxd7+ Qxd7 23.Bc5+ Kd8 24.Rd3 [24.Bb6+! Ke7 25.Rd3+- is
immediately crushing, but White has the right idea. He chases Black until
checkmate.] 24...Kc7 25.Rxd7+ Rxd7 26.Qg3+ Be5 27.Qb3 b5 28.Qxe6
Bd4+ 29.Kf1 Bxc5 30.Nxc5 Rd1+ 31.Ke2 Rad8 32.Nxa6+ Kb7 33.Nc5+
Ka7 34.Qa6+ Kb8 35.Qb7# 1-0
122 - Adventures of Lou
"Lou" is an Internet Chess Club player who has played over 70,000 games,
usually blitz or bullet. "Lou" is also a long time Blackmar-Diemer Gambiteer.
For a while I forgot about him.
This day I won the four games we played in different openings, including an
Alapin-Diemer (3.Be3) in the French Defence. "Lou" did not win here, but he
has won a lot of short crushing BDGs!
Our first game was a BDG Ziegler 5.Nxf3 c6. It continued 6.Bd3 Bg4 7.0-0.
Avrukh recommends the "very solid continuation" 7...e6. When playing
Black in the BDG, I grab everything I can with the attitude: "Show me you
can beat me!" If they fail, I get the joy of victory. If I lose, I get a beautiful
BDG game!
Avrukh writes: "According to Scheerer Black can play 7...Bxf3 8.Qxf3

Qxd4+ 9.Be3 Qg4 10.Qf2 e6, but somehow I am not fully convinced about
this line. White's development advantage is obvious, and I would not be
surprised if some dangerous ideas were lurking in this position."
Lou - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 13.12.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bd3 Bg4 7.0-0 [7.Be3] 7...Bxf3
8.Rxf3?! [8.Qxf3] 8...Qxd4+ 9.Be3 Qd8 [Or 9...Qd6=/+] 10.Qf1 Nbd7
11.Rd1 e6 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Qf2 0-0 [13...Nxe4 14.Bxe4 f5-/+ and Black
attacks with his two extra central pawns.] 14.Qg3 Qb8? [Again, correct is
14...Nxe4 15.Bxe4 f5-/+] 15.Qh3 [15.Bf4] 15...Nxe4? [Right idea but too
late because here it loses a piece. Black might survive with 15...h5!? 16.Bd4
Rd8=/+] 16.Bxe4 f5 17.Rxd7 fxe4 18.Rxe7 [White has a mate in eight with
18.Qxe6+! Kh8 19.Qxe7 Rf7 20.Rxf7 Qe8 21.Qg5 Qg8 22.Rxg7 c5
23.Rxg8+ Rxg8 24.Qe5+ Rg7 25.Rd8#] 18...exf3 19.gxf3? [19.Qxe6+ Kh8
20.Rxg7 f2+ 21.Kf1 Qxh2 22.Rxh7+ Kxh7 23.Qe7+ leads to a draw by
perpetual check.] 19...Qd8 [19...Rf6!-+] 20.Rxb7 [20.Qxe6+ Kh8 21.Rd7
Qh4-/+] 20...Qd1+ 21.Kf2 Qxc2+ 22.Kg3 Qg6+ [Gaining time on the clock,
but here I missed the most powerful move 22...Rf6!-+ when Black wins in
the middlegame. Instead I chose an endgame win which works but takes
longer.] 23.Kf2 Qc2+ 24.Kg3 Qf5 25.Qxf5 Rxf5 26.Kg4 Rf7 27.Rb4 a5
28.Ra4 Rb7 29.b3 Rb4+ 30.Rxb4 axb4 31.Bc5 Rxa2 32.Bxb4 Rb2 33.Bd6
Rxb3 34.Kf4 Kf7 35.Ke4 Rc3 36.Kd4 Rxf3 White resigns 0-1
123 - The BDG Is Wrong
I retired from slow tournament play, but often I feel like playing blitz chess.
On ICC I found one "Vartanovich" seeking to play an unrated game at 3
minutes with a 2 second increment. Knowing how poorly I play 3 0 speed, I
happily accepted his offer.
After the game Vartanovich sent me this message:

"Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is wrong. May be it works at 3 minutes games but
not in chess!"
I replied: "That's a great quote. Thanks! I will use it. I appreciate playing you.
I hope we can again sometime. Best wishes! Tim
How can I ever disagree with such wisdom expressed in the "BDG is wrong"
quote? Vartanovich is right! Many would agree. A glance at his ICC play
shows the slower the time control is, the higher his rating is. Vartanovich
plays well when he plays slowly.
As for the BDG, it only speeds up White's opportunity to throw his entire
army at Black. That is certainly not chess! In fact, until I was 30 years old (30
years ago), I made these same kind of comments myself. You would certainly
not see me play a gambit of any kind back then, except maybe... the Queen's
Gambit. Then, in 1983, life bit me in the tuther end. Big Ouch! After that, I
didn't care about chess or... about anything.
When you have been addicted to chess, played for years and then quit, it's
hard to stay quitted. I began to reconsider. Maybe I'd try a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit. I contacted Tom Purser and got his "BDG World" magazine. What
foolishness! I loved it!
But when you don't care what people think, you play differently. So, in
tournament play, I went from being a Class A player to an Expert. I beat a
master for the first time. In correspondence chess, I went from being an
Expert to a Master. I joined ICC and kept my blitz rating around 2400 for
years. I won thousands of games and made many friends. All this
improvement was with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Hundreds of people
have written me from all over the world during the past 25 years expressing
the sheer joy the BDG has brought to their chess... whoops, I mean, to their
life. Clearly, the BDG is not chess!
Sawyer (2016) - Vartanovich (1700), ICC 3 2 u Internet Chess Club,

13.06.2013 begins1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bd3
[Leisebein played this recently in a game I hope to examine. I usually play
the main line 6.Bc4 which is much more popular.] 6...Bg4 7.Be3 [In his book
"The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" IM Christoph Scheerer recommends the
sharper 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qh4+ 10.g3 Qh5 11.g4] 7...Nbd7 8.0-
0 e6 9.h3 Bh5 10.Qe1 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 Bd6 12.Rd1 0-0 13.Bg5 Qc7 14.Qh4
h6 15.Rxf6 Bg3 [15...Nxf6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Qxh6 f5 and White might have
to take a draw with 18.Qg5+ Kh7 19.Qh5+] 16.Qe4 Nxf6 17.Bxf6 g6 18.Rf1
Rfe8 19.Qg4 Bd6 [If 19...Bh2+ 20.Kh1 Qg3 21.Qe4+-] 20.Ne4 [At first I
was going to sacrifice the bishop, but then I realized that it might require
some accurate analysis, and this was a blitz game. On the other hand,
bringing up the last piece would be very strong. Black is not going anywhere.
20.Bxg6! Kf8 21.Bxf7 Qxf7 22.Bg7+ Ke7 23.Qh4+ Kd7 24.Rxf7+ wins
easily.] 20...Bf8 [20...Bh2+ 21.Kh1+-] 21.Be5 Qd7 22.Nf6+ [Clocks: 2:06-
0:04.9. Black resigns] 1-0
124 - Quinones vs Eckhardt
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is well met by the solid Caro-Kann Defence
type position with the Ziegler Variation 5.Nxf3 c6. This defense was
recommended in a book by Boris Avrukh.
Jorge Victor Quinones Borda gets his BDG tested in a game vs Andreas
Eckhardt. Sometimes Jorge Quinones has played 6.Bc4 which has been the
traditional move.
In recent years, players such as Jorge Quinones often resort to 6.Bd3.

Eckhardt chose 6...Bg4. At this point Jorge could have immediately kicked
the bishop with 7.h3.
On the other hand, Jorge chose 7.Be3. After 7…e6 8.h3 Bxf3 (instead of
8...Bh5) 9.Qxf3 would transpose directly into a well-known BDG Teichmann
Variation.
Quiñones - Eckhardt, RSX5D Blackmar Diemer Gambit-1

www.remoteschach.de, 01.11.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bd3 Bg4 7.Be3 [7.h3] 7...e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.0-0-
0 Bb4 11.g4 Bg6 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.d5 [13.g5!?] 13...Bxc3 14.dxe6 fxe6
15.Bc5!? e5 16.Qd3 e4 17.Qc4 Qc7 18.Bd6 Qa5 19.Qe6+ Kd8 20.Be5
Bxb2+ 21.Bxb2 Kc7 22.Qd6+ Kb6 23.g5 [23.Nd2!?] 23...Rad8 [23...exf3
24.gxf6 Nxf6 25.Rd3+-] 24.gxf6 Nxf6 25.Qe7 Rxd1+ [25...Rhe8 26.Qxg7+-]
26.Rxd1 1-0
125 - Facing My Opening
When a person plays your own favorite opening against you, it places you in
a dilemma. On the one hand, you really want to win. On the other, you want
your opening to do well.
Years ago I played more than a dozen Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Internet

Chess Club blitz games vs "RichardH". As White I won 4, drew 2 and lost 0;
as Black I won 3 and lost 4!
Below we ventured into a BDG Ziegler variation. We touch on a line that IM

Christoph Scheerer would later consider important in his book on this
opening.
What is worse than making a blunder in a blitz game? Making the final
blunder?!! In the heat of battle, probably with both of us low on time, White
blundered on move 27. Then I blundered on move 29. Instantly I went from
the victor to the vanquished.
I cite the starting points for two lines given by Scheerer. See his Everyman
BDG book for more analysis.
RichardH - Sawyer, Internet Chess Club, 25.02.1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3

Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bd3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Qxd4 9.Be3
Qd8 [9...Qh4+ 10.g3 Qh5 11.g4 Scheerer] 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Rhf1 [11.g4
Scheerer] 11...e6 12.g4 Ne5 13.Qf2 Qc7 14.g5 Nd5 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Bb5+
Nc6 17.Bf4 Qb6 18.Bxc6+ bxc6 19.Be3 Qb7 20.h4 Bd6 21.Bc5 Rd8 22.h5
Bxc5 23.Qxc5 Qb6 24.Qc3 d4 25.Qf3 0-0 26.h6 Rb8 27.hxg7? [White
should defend his king by 27.b3=] 27...Qxb2+ 28.Kd2 Qc3+ 29.Kc1 Qxf3?
[Black needs to take the pesky pawn before swapping queens because White
threatens to get a new queen! 29...Kxg7 30.Qxc3 dxc3-+] 30.gxf8Q+! 1-0
1.9 – 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4
The natural development for the White bishop is Bc4 which can be played at
several points.
126 - Curtis in Von Hennig

White can reach three common Blackmar-Diemer Gambit type position vs
the solid Caro-Kann Defence after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5: (I) Fantasy Variation with
3.f3. (II) Milner-Barry with 3.Nc3 dxd4 4.f3. (III) Von Hennig with 3.Nc3
dxe4 4.Bc4 as played below.
Warren Curtis and I played three postal games. One transposed into the Caro-
Kann Defence main line. After 4.Bc4 Nd7, I headed toward a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit with 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Ngf6. It has become a BDG Ziegler as
if Black has played 6...Nbd7. This blocks Black's light squared bishop from
playing 6...Bf5.
After 7.0-0 e6 the game took on the flavor of a Euwe variation. We continued
with the typical moves when White had major threats against the Black king.
Alternatives are discussed in the notes. White broke through in the center for
a winning position. At that point Curtis gave up, and play ceased in all our
games.
Sawyer (2016) - Curtis (1632), corr, 1991 begins 1.d4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.Nc3
dxe4 4.Bc4 Nd7 [More common is 4...Nf6 5.f3 BDG O'Kelly 4...c6 5.Bc4, or
even 5...exf3 6.Nxf3 BDG Ziegler] 5.f3 [5.Nxe4 is a well-known Caro-Kann
Defence.] 5...exf3 [5...e5 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Bb3 exf3 9.Nxf3
Nxf3+ 10.gxf3 Be6 11.Bg5+ Nf6 12.0-0-0+ and White has some
compensation for the pawn.] 6.Nxf3 Ngf6 7.0-0 e6 8.Bg5 [8.Bf4!?= Houdini
4] 8...Be7 9.Qe1 0-0 10.Bd3 h6 [10...c5 11.Qh4 transposes to a popular BDG
Euwe line where both sides have used one more move than normal.] 11.Qh4
Nd5 [If Black grabs the bishop, White gets a very strong attack. 11...hxg5
12.Nxg5 Qb6 13.Rxf6 Nxf6 14.Bh7+ Kh8 15.Bg6+ Kg8 16.Nce4 Qxd4+
17.Kh1+- and Black has to give up the queen to avoid immediate mate.
Correct is 11...Re8! 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Qxe4 f5 15.Qe3 Nf6
16.Ne5=] 12.Qe4? [12.Nxd5! Bxg5 13.Nxg5 Qxg5 14.Qxg5 hxg5 15.Ne7+
Kh8 16.Rae1 g6 17.Bxg6 fxg6 18.Nxg6+ Kg7 19.Nxf8 Nxf8= and White has
a rook and h-pawn for Black's bishop and knight.] 12...f5? [I was fortunate
Black missed 12...N7f6!-/+] 13.Qxe6+ Kh8 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 15.Rae1 Re8
16.Qf7!? 1-0
127 - Ziegler & Chess Stress
Why did I write less frequently in September 2012? Too much stress,
according to the doctor. I got very sick. I was overdoing it at work and
probably with my BDG writing efforts also. If I was 50 years younger, I
would not have had this problem. My doctor said I would get better in about
2 months.
I did get better, but my health improved very slowly. I slowed down and
lived longer. Since my illness, I put in less time at work. Eventually I retired
early. That lack of regular income cost me a lot of money, but I am much
healthier. Now I write.
When I was sick, I had to put things on the back burner. In other words, I had
to hold off on some favorite projects. To break the temptation to work on the
BDG (too much stress at that time), I returned to playing 1.e4 more often
until I got healthier.
Throughout my chess career, I have played 1.e4 a total of 6,000 times and
1.d4 a total of 11,000 times. Playing different openings brings a fresh mindset
to regular openings. Below I played 1.e4 but then I ended up with a 1.d4
opening anyway!
I played a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ziegler Trap that came from a Caro-

Kann Defence. After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4, I have scored well with my
BDG favorite 4.f3!? However, I have scored even better with the main line
4.Nxe4, and for some reason, best with 4.Bc4!? (but only 19 games so stats
here are less reliable). Maybe I will give 4.Bc4 another whirl.
Okay. After 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 we transposed to a BDG Ziegler.
Best is 6...Bf5. My opponent's response with 6...Bg4? is wrong. White has
7.Ne5 or 7.Bxf7+ which I chose. As it turned out, I was rewarded with a
pretty miniature vs "jaber" who was rated 1944. I did not feel too much stress
in this game.
Sawyer - jaber, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 22.09.2012 begins 1.e4 c6 2.d4
d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Bg4? [6...Bf5] 7.Bxf7+ [7.Ne5
Be6 8.Bxe6] 7...Kxf7 8.Ne5+ Kg8 9.Nxg4 Nbd7 10.0-0 [10.Qe2!?]
10...Nxg4? [This new move is a mistake. White stands better, but Black is
still in the game if he move the h-pawn. 10...h5 or 10...h6] 11.Qxg4 Nf6?
12.Qe6# Black is checkmated 1-0
128 - Thematic Diemer Mate
Once in a while for the fun of it, I essay a Blackmar Gambit. Yes, that is
Blackmar (3.f3!?) instead of the Blackmar-Diemer (4.f3). These gambits can
transpose and did after 7.Nc3. My opponent GiorgosY accepts the Blackmar
pawn with 3...exf3. Then we stepped into a type of Caro-Kann Defence 4.f3
after 4.Nxf3 c6.
I avoided the main line 5.Nc3 and opted for 5.Bc4, threatening to answer
5...Bg4? with 6.Bxf7+ or 6.Ne5 Bxd1? 7.Bxf7 mate. Black continued more
sensibly with 5...Nf6 6.0-0 hindering both 6...Bf5 and 6...Bg4 due to tactics
on f7.
This rare position has occurred only three times in my database. GiorgosY
logically played 6...e6. After 7.Nc3, we transpose into a BDG Ziegler with
the Bc8 trapped behind its pawns.
This gives the variation characteristics of the BDG Euwe, but here White
played Bc4 instead of Bd3. When Black commits to 8...0-0, there followed
9.Bd3 h6, creating a target on h6.
Black allows me to sacrifice a bishop leading to a very common Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit knight checkmate when Black defends with...Re8/...Bf8.
Sawyer - GiorgosY, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.06.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 exf3 [3...e5!] 4.Nxf3 c6 5.Bc4 Nf6 6.0-0 e6 7.Nc3 Bd6 8.Qe1
0-0 9.Bd3 h6 10.Be3 Qb6 11.Qd2 Re8 12.Bxh6 gxh6 13.Qxh6 Qd8 14.Ng5
Bf8 15.Bh7+ Kh8 16.Nxf7# Black checkmated 1-0
129 - Flexible BDG Bishops
A huge advantage in playing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit as White is that
you can play the same variations over and over. The best variations lead to
lines that are repeatable. Many times I win a game where all the moves are
exactly the same as what I played in a previous win. Most BDG games are
not identical, however the same ideas come up again and again.
When Black changes his plans. White must reassess and be ready to change
the point or angle of attack. In a gambit like the BDG, rapid development is
important. The bishops need to come out quickly, preferably to a square that
threatens something. Here is my game from the USCF 1988 postal Golden
Knights vs Carmine Esposito. We were both rated in the 2100s at the time.
The game begins as a BDG Accepted.
Sawyer - Esposito, corr USCF 88N12, 1988 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 e6 [Developing the bishop with 6...Bf5 works
better and 7...e6 follows in most cases.] 7.0-0 Be7 8.Ne5 c5 [Black has
transformed the Ziegler variation into a type of BDG Euwe variation. White’s
bishop on c4 instead of d3 gives him more influence on the center.] 9.d5! 0-0
[Black is up a pawn while White is ahead in development. How should White
attack next?] 10.Be3?! [This maintains the development lead and prevents a
possible future check from d4, c5 or b6. White has many interesting options,
but he can only select one. Even with today's computers, it is not immediately
clear which move is best. Of the five alternatives, four look good with forcing
play! 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Qe2 to play against the extra isolated
e6-pawn; 10.Bf4 exd5 11.Nxd5 Be6 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.Qg4
preparing Rad1; 10.Bg5?! h6! 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 but Black might wiggle out of
this; 10.Qf3 exd5 11.Nxd5 Nbd7 12.Nxd7 Bxd7 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.Bg5 with
pressure on f6; 10.Re1 exd5 11.Nxd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Qxd5 13.Bxd5 with
threats on both f7 and b7.] 10...Nxd5? [An outright blunder. Best appears to
be 10...exd5! 11.Nxd5 Be6 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.Bxc5 Qxd1
15.Raxd1 Rc8 16.Bd4 Rxc2=/+] 11.Nxd5 b6 [11...exd5 In my original BDG
Keybook I gave 12.Bxd5 (but even stronger is 12.Nxf7! Rxf7 13.Bxd5+-)
12...Be6 13.Bxb7 Qc7 14.Bxa8+-] 12.Nxe7+ [12.Nxf7!+- might be best, but
many moves win.] 12...Qxe7 13.Qh5 Bb7 14.Rf4! Nd7 15.Nxd7 Qxd7
16.Rh4 h6 17.Bxh6 Qc6 18.Rg4! 1-0
130 - Quinones and Scheerer
The Blackmar-Diemer game in this line between Jorge Victor Quinones
Borda and Claudio Correa De Almeida transposes to what could also be
reached via a BDG Euwe 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 c6. White works up a very powerful
attack. Jorge Quinones writes:
"On a different topic, I have been checking Mr. Scheerer´s book for some
days, and I have found until now at least two or three really bad suggestions
(that lose the game or at least leave you much worst), did you also find some
bad lines suggested there?"
Yes. Christoph Scheerer published improvements to his book in

ChessPublishing.com. It is hard to write perfect commentary. What I
appreciate from Scheerer is that he wrote the book at all! I know from books I
wrote that the whole process is very hard, and one gets paid very little. A job
at McDonalds would make far more money per hour than writing chess
books.
The publisher announced the coming book many times, each with a larger
number of pages. I like that Scheerer's book has clear evaluations. He
expresses definite opinions. Since he is an International Master, Scheerer's
assessments are more accurate than most chess players. The book seems good
to me. It is hard to write perfect commentary.
There are "some bad lines suggested" in every chess book. For me, some of
those lines Scheerer covers have given me many creative and beautiful
victories. I play some "bad" lines because (1) I am more comfortable in them
that in "better" lines, and (2) Black often misplays these "bad for White"
lines.
Quinones (1896) - Correa De Almeida (1660), ZI-2012-0-01430

Lechenicher SchachServer, 24.11.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 e6 [6...Bf5] 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qd2 [9.Qe2!?]
9...Nbd7 10.Qf4 Qb6 11.Bd3 Qxb2 [11...Rd8 12.Qg3=] 12.Ne2!? [12.Ne4!
Nd5 13.Qg3] 12...Qb4 [12...c5 13.Qh4 Re8 14.Rab1 Qa3 15.Rb3+/=]
13.Qh4 Re8 14.Kh1 h6 [14...Bd8=/+] 15.Bxh6 gxh6 16.g4 Bf8 [16...e5
17.g5 e4 18.gxf6+-] 17.g5 hxg5 18.Qxg5+ Bg7 19.Rg1 Qf8 [19...Kf8
20.Qxg7+ Ke7 21.Ng5+-] 20.Qh6 Re7 21.Rxg7+ Qxg7 22.Rg1 Qxg1+
23.Kxg1 Ne4 24.Ng3 f6 25.Bxe4 Rg7 26.Kf2 Rxg3 27.hxg3 Kf7 28.g4 Ke7
29.g5 1-0
131 - Too Late for a Comeback?
What does it take to make a chess comeback later in life? I read:
"The return to form of Alexander Morozevich with a win with 8/11 in the
higher league of the Russian Championship is a relief for those of us who
admire his unique style and thought we might have seen the best of him...
After a period where he hasn't played much and when he has, he has played
poorly Alexander Morozevich returned to top form winning with 8/11."
[TWIC 868]
Phrases used to describe Morozevich could describe me also:

(1) "those of us who admire his unique style";
(2) "we might have seen the best of him.";
(3) "a period where he hasn't played much"; and
(4) "when he has, he has played poorly".
In 2011, I had a dream that someday I would return to good form. Below is a
nice Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ziegler win!
Sawyer - stemli, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 27.06.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 e6 [It is amazing how
common this move is.] 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bg5 [One of the most interesting lines is
8.Qe1.] 8...Nbd7 9.Qe1 h6 10.Bf4 0-0 11.Qd2 [11.Bd3!? c5!=/+] 11...Nb6
12.Bd3 Nh7 13.Bxh6 gxh6 14.Qxh6 f5 15.g4 [In a similar position (N/e8
there vs N/h7 here) vs Shocron, I played 15.Ne4!? but here after 15...Rf7-+
Black has a defensible position and an extra bishop.] 15...Bg5 16.Qg6+ Kh8
17.gxf5 exf5 18.Rae1?! [It would be wise to get my king off the open file
with 18.Kh1 Qf6 19.Ne5] 18...Rg8 19.Qh5 Bd2+ 20.Kh1 Bxe1 21.Rxe1 Qf6
[Okay, I am down a rook for a rook pawn. This is getting ugly.] 22.Re8 Be6
23.Rxa8 Rxa8 24.Ne5 Qg5 25.Qxg5 Nxg5 26.h4 Ne4 27.Nxe4 fxe4 28.Bxe4
Bd5 29.Bxd5 Nxd5 30.c4 Ne3 31.c5 Nd5 [Now two pawns for the rook, but
I am running out of pieces. I was hoping he'd walk into a knight fork after say
31...Rd8?? 32.Nf7+] 32.a3 Rf8? [Glory Hallelujah!] 33.Ng6+ Kg7 34.Nxf8
Kxf8 35.Kg2 Kg7 36.Kf3 Kg6 37.Kg4 Ne3+ 38.Kf4 Nd5+ [38...Nc4!-+
picks off a pawn and looks winning.] 39.Ke5 Kh5 40.Kd6 Kxh4 41.b4 Kg4
42.b5 Kf4 43.bxc6 bxc6 44.Kxc6 Ne3 45.d5 Ke5 46.d6 Nc4 47.a4 [Just
47.d7!+-] 47...Ke6 48.Kc7 Ne5 49.c6 Nc4 [49...Kd5!! 50.d7 Nxc6= draw]
50.d7 1-0
132 - My First Blog Post
Wow! Here is my first blog post from 2011. My original plan was to share
the journey of playing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit opening since the 1980s.
I began with a blitz game from 2011.
My game began 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c6 (Black avoids the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

with a Caro-Kann. The main line BDG is 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 when 5...c6 transposes to the game.) 3.Nc3 (Caro-Kann Main Line)
3...dxe4 (3...g6 Modern Defence.) 4.f3!? (I toward the BDG. 4.Nxe4!= is the
normal move.) 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 (Now we have the BDG Accepted,
Ziegler Variation).
At this point I chose 6.Bc4, which gets played about 80% of the time. The
most common alternative is 6.Bd3. Black’s reply was 6...e6?! This is
questionable, but it is not a major blunder. Black protects the diagonal from
the Bc4 to the vulnerable f7 square.
When Black plays this, he is thinking very passively trying to hide in a shell
like a turtle. Better is to develop first 6...Bf5 and then 7...e6. Now let’s look
at the complete game.
Sawyer - OZDENOZ, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 17.06.2011 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 c6 [Caro-Kann Defence. Or 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 BDG 4...exf3
5.Nxf3 c6 transposing.] 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3!? [4.Nxe4=] 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6
6.Bc4 e6?! 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qe1 [My queen eyes the e-file and h4,
depending on what Black does. Now Black has forced White to play the
bishop to a better diagonal aiming directly at h7.] 9…b5 10.Bd3 b4 11.Ne4
Bb7 12.Qh4 [White's army is bearing down on the Black king.] 12…h6
[12...Nbd7? White wins as follows: 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 (13...Bxf6? falls for
14.Qxh7#) 14.Bxf6 g6 15.Bxe7 Qd5 16.Bxf8 and White is up a knight.]
13.Bxh6! [A thematic sacrifice that rips open the kingside. Black is in a heap
of trouble.] 13…gxh6 14.Qxh6 [More accurate is 14.Nxf6+! Bxf6 15.Qxh6
Bxd4+ 16.Kh1 f5 17.Ng5+-] 14...Nxe4 15.Bxe4 f5 16.Qxe6+ Kh8 [16...Kg7
17.Bxf5 Bf6 18.Qe4 Rf7 19.Ne5+- with a big White advantage.] 17.Qh6+
Kg8 18.Qg6+ Kh8 19.Bxf5 Rxf5 20.Qxf5 Qf8 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Ng5 Qg7
23.Rf7 1-0
133 - Armin Caro-Kann Win
Armin PapavonFelix recently sent me a beautiful short sharp attack. White
plays a winning combination in moves 14-15 to pick off the Black queen.
"Hi Tim, here's a game I've played a few weeks ago:"
A quick glance at the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game shows that Black

transposed from a Caro-Kann Defence to a BDG Ziegler. White chose 6.Bc4.
Then Black avoided the active 6...Bf5 and preferred the solid defence 6...e6.
This is potentially passive. White attacks as if it were a BDG Euwe.
Armin as White uses the handle "Bauernschubser". I do not know subtleties

of German, but it might mean "pawn nudger", "pawn pusher", or more
aggressively, "pawn shover". Black's handle means "World referee" from
football or soccer sports. Whatever they intend by names, Black should rule
that White scores the winning goal.
Bauernschubser (1854) - Weltschiedsrichter (1686), Internet 30.07.2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bc4 e6 [6...Bf5! is
better.] 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qe1 Nbd7 10.Bd3 [10.Qh4!?] 10...h6 11.Qh4
Nd5 [11...Re8 12.Ne4 (12.Bxh6 gxh6 13.Qxh6 Bf8 14.Qh4 Bg7 15.Ng5 Nf8
16.Rae1 Re7=/+) 12...Nxe4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Qxe4 Nf6=] 12.Nxd5! Bxg5
13.Nxg5 exd5? [A mistake that needs to be tactically punished. Correct was
13...Qxg5 14.Qxg5 hxg5 15.Ne7+ Kh8 16.Rae1 g6 17.Bxg6 fxg6 18.Nxg6+
Kg7 19.Nxf8 Nxf8 20.Rf3 Bd7 21.Ref1=] 14.Bh7+! Kh8 15.Nxf7+! Rxf7
16.Qxd8+ Kxh7 17.Rxf7 1-0
2.0 – 5.Nxf3 e6
This first BDG Euwe section covers less popular sixth moves.
134 - BDG Magazine in 1960s

A major part of "Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" history comes from a magazine
with that name published in the United States by BDG enthusiasts from
1962-1967. Original copies of the "Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" magazine
were collected by Charles Szasz.
Charles Szasz passed them on to USCF Master and BDG player Charles
Greene. At the Florida Championship, Charles Greene gave these originals to
me, to be preserved and shared with the next generation of BDG players. I
was humbled by this kind gift.
Many of the originals are the blue mimeograph paper. Now that I have
returned to writing and have many kind readers, I share some of these
treasures with the 21st Century chess world.
"Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" was originally part of the magazine "Chess

World", an official publication of the North American Latvian Chess
Association, printed in the U.S.A. by A. Kalnajs of Chicago, Illinois. The
driving force of the BDG was Nikolajs Kampars of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This game was published in Volume 1, Number 1, page 1, February 1962 as a
BDG Euwe "Postal Game, U.S.A." between Anders Tejler and Dr. I. Freitag.
Tejler - Freitag, corr USA, 1957 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [All very conventional for the Blackmar accepted] 6.Be3
[One of my whimsies; not sure how good it is.] 6...Bb4 7.Bc4 c6 8.Qd3
Nbd7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Ng5! Qe7 11.Nce4 g6? [There should have been
something better.] 12.c3 Bd6 13.Nxd6 Qxd6 14.Rae1 b5 15.Bb3 Nd5 [This
move really facilitates the attack.] 16.Ne4 Qc7 17.Bh6 Re8 18.Rxf7! [And
here is the sacrifice.] 18...Kxf7 19.Qf3+ N7f6 ["The alternative 19...Kg8 is
met by 20.Rf1! " Kampars] 20.Bxd5 exd5 [Alternative: 20...cxd5 is allowed
by 21.Nxf6 and either K or Q must move.] 21.Ng5+ Kg8 22.Rxe8+ [Black
resigns. Notes by Anders Tejler ("The Chess Correspondent")] 1-0
135 - Black Drifts into Loss
Being up a pawn in a gambit is not enough for victory. You have to fight for
the initiative. You have to push back against your opponent's attack. You
have to develop quickly while looking for threats. This is no time to cuddle
up with your extra material and go to sleep!
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe with Bill Wall vs Jamesrbmw, Black

drifts into a losing position by not playing aggressively enough. The move
6.a3!? feels like an anti-Nc6 idea. Consequently Black’s move 6…Nc6
makes less sense.
Black could use the extra time to attack with 6...c5. It is not that he played
big blunders. Black just let White build up a big attack and succumbed to that
attack.
Wall - Jamesrbmw, Internet .29), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.a3!? Nc6 [6...c5] 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.0-0 Be7 9.Bg5 0-0
10.Qd2 a6?! [It looks like this is a great time for 10...h6! because taking on
h6 does not work. 11.Bxh6? (11.Bf4 Bd6=/+) 11...gxh6 12.Qxh6 Ng4 13.Qf4
f5-/+] 11.Bd3 Ng4 12.Qf4 Nf6 13.h3 Bd6? [13...Nh5!?] 14.Ne5 Bxe5?
15.dxe5 Nh5 16.Qg4 [Even more powerful is 16.Qe4! f5 17.exf6 g6 18.f7+
winning the queen.] 16...Nxe5 [Or 16...f5 17.Rxf5 exf5 18.Qc4+ Kh8
19.Bxd8+-] 17.Bxh7+ Kxh7 18.Qxh5+ Kg8 19.Bxd8 1-0
136 - Junior 10 Likes 6.a3!?
Most of the time I use newer chess engines, but sometimes I use Junior 10 for
light analysis. Recently I did some work on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Euwe variation (5.Nxf3 e6) and noticed that Junior 10 liked 6.a3!? as White's
best option.
Experience has shown that there are two strong moves: 6.Bg5 and 6.Bd3.
These are the ideal squares for these two bishops. It is just a matter of which
one you play when. Other moves are playable, but they do not lead to the
rapid development that White needs to make big threats.
In the internet game Bill Wall - Lethgo, White opts for 6.a3 and 7.Bc4. This
has the value of attacking d5 while allowing the retreat Ba2 if desired. Black
ended up playing several time wasting moves. In the end, White won the
Exchange and two pawns in a tactical skirmish.
Wall - Lethgo, Internet .03), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.a3!? [6.Bg5] 6...Be7 7.Bc4 0-0 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Kh1 a6 10.Bg5
b5 11.Bb3 Bb7 12.Qd3 Qd6 [12...h6! looks better than usual.] 13.Bxf6 Bxf6
14.Ne4 Qe7 15.Nc5 Bc8? [15...Na5=/+] 16.c3 e5? 17.Qe4 Qd6 18.dxe5
Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5? 20.Qxa8 Qxc5 21.Rxf7 Rxf7 22.Qxc8+ Qf8 23.Qxa6
Kh8? 24.Bxf7 Qxf7 25.Qxb5 1-0
137 - Wall vs Martik Sinanyan
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe game Bill Wall vs Martik Sinanyan,
White chooses the rare 6.Be2. This allows him to play the bishop later to
9.Bf3. Of course first he has to move his knight with 8.Ne5.
Black plays too passively and gets overrun on the kingside. Usually White
opts to play the light squared bishop to Bd3 or Bc4, but any safe development
can win.
Wall - Sinanyan, www.chess.com .13), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Be2 [Slow but solid development. 6.Bg5]
6...b6 [I like 6...c5!= for Black.] 7.0-0 Bb7 8.Ne5 Bd6 9.Bf3 c6?! [This
cannot be good. Maybe 9...Qc8 10.Bf4=] 10.Qe1 0-0 11.Qg3 Nbd7 12.Bh6
g6 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Qxd6 Bxf3 15.Rxf3 Re8 16.Bg5 Kg7? 17.Bxf6+ Nxf6
18.Qe5 h6 19.Raf1 1-0
138 - BDG Euwe vs Del Campo
This post was scheduled for Christmas Day 2011, a blessed day for faith and
family. Hope you had a wonderful day. I did.
I remember that in 1995 my wife bought me a copy of Gary Lane's

"Blackmar-Diemer Gambit". It got me excited enough to write a second book
myself on that opening.
What should I play as Black against the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit? I have

chosen to become an equal opportunity defender so as to understand and
experience the entire BDG opening.
Almost always I accept the gambit pawn after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3. Generally, this gives Black the best chances for victory. Then I am
ready for either 5.Qxf3 or 5.Nxf3.
For the BDG e-mail thematic event I was playing in 2005, I chose to defend
5.Nxf3 with 5…e6, the Euwe Variation. My opponent in this game is Roberto
Del Campo. He opts for a less popular approach to the gambit, but White still
gets some decent play.
Del Campo - Sawyer, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.1), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Be2 [The normal bishop
placement for White vs the Euwe Variation is Bd3/Bg5 in some order. In this
game the bishops both stop one square short but still come out quickly.]
6...Be7 7.0-0 c5 8.Bf4 a6 9.Kh1 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nc6?! [Black is too eager to
swap off pieces heading for an ending. Black maintains a slight edge after
10...0-0 or 10...Nbd7] 11.Nxc6 Qxd1 12.Raxd1 bxc6 [White is completely
developed, but he is not making many threats. He nudges ahead his bishops
while watching to see where Black will put his king.] 13.Be5 Bb7 14.Bf3
Rg8!? 15.Ne2?! [15.Na4! Nd7 16.Bc7 White has active piece play for the
pawn.] 15...Nd7 16.Bg3?! [16.Bc7 is better.] 16...e5 [The winning Black plan
is an aggressive advance his kingside pawns.] 17.Rfe1?! [17.Bg4! attacks the
support for e5.] 17...f6 [The first wave of pawn pushes is completed. Next
Black moves all the dark squared pawns ahead to the light squares.] 18.Bf2
g6 19.Rd3 f5 20.Rb3 0-0-0 [Now Black's entire position springs to life.]
21.g3 [21.Nd4 Bc5 22.Nxc6 Bxc6 23.Bxc5 e4 24.Be2 Nxc5 25.Rc3 Rd2
26.Rxc5 Kb7 27.Bxa6+ Kb6-+] 21...Nc5 22.Bxc5 Bxc5 23.Nc3 e4 24.Bg2
Rd2 0-1
139 - Battle Between 1700s
Those rated in the 1700s are notoriously poor K+P endgame players.
Countless times my opponents rated in the 1700s have exchanged all the
pieces in an effort to run toward a pawn ending that they will lose by force!
One month spent studying those endings would jump many of their ratings
into the 1800s.
In the game below, it was Black who headed toward an inferior king and
pawn endgame. Unfortunately for White, he threw away the advantage and
made a losing blunder on the very first move of that endgame!
Mark Crowther of TWIC has provided great service to the chess world for 20
years. He deserves all the support he can get. Each week he collects
thousands of games for The Week in Chess.
Of course there are only a few Blackmar-Diemer Gambit played in

tournaments. Sometimes I find a good one.
I selected the game W. Strate (1701) vs Jonas Happel (1758). White's

opening pressure allowed him to reach a playable ending.
Strate - Happel, 24th Schlosspark Open Wiesbaden GER (7.65), 26.08.2012

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bc4 [6.Bg5]
6...Bb4 [6...Be7 supporting Nf6 is recommended.] 7.0-0 0-0 8.Bg5 Bxc3
9.bxc3 h6 [9...Nbd7!?] 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Ne5 Qe7 12.Qf3 Nd7 13.Ng4 [It
makes sense to bring in the other rook with 13.Rae1= ] 13...Nb6 14.Bd3 Rb8
15.Ne5 [15.Qg3!+/-] 15...Nd7 16.Qe4 [16.Rae1!+/=] 16...f5 17.Qe2 Nxe5
18.Qxe5 Qd6 19.Rfe1 Qxe5 20.Rxe5 Bd7 21.Bc4 Rbe8 22.Rae1 a6?!
23.Bxe6+ Bxe6 24.Rxe6 Rxe6 25.Rxe6 Kf7 26.Re5 g6 27.Kf2 c6?! 28.c4
Re8 29.Rxe8 Kxe8 30.d5? [Ouch! The quick d-pawn push gives away
control of the dark squares. Better is to threaten d4-d5 with the protection of
White's backward c-pawn and use the front c-pawn to control d6/b6. 30.c5!
Ke7 31.c4+/=] 30...Kd7 31.Ke3 Kd6 32.Kd4 c5+ 33.Kd3 g5 34.a4 Ke5
35.a5 h5 36.Ke2 [Black also wins after 36.g3 Kd6 37.Ke3 b6!-+] 36...h4
37.Kf2 Kd6 38.Kf3 Ke5 [Two moves later Black will find 38...Kc7!-+]
39.Ke2 Kd6 40.Kd3 Kc7 41.Kc3 b6 42.axb6+ Kxb6 43.g3 hxg3 44.hxg3
Kc7 45.Kb3 Kd6 0-1
140 - Beware Bb7 Pin on g2
Jim Cross again plays a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs Bill Wall. This time
Wall varies from an earlier game by choosing a BDG Euwe (5.Nxf3 e6).
White missed several opportunities to play d4-d5 with good affect. White
played 6.Bc4 and completed his development by move 12 Black fianchettoed
his queenside bishop with 12...Bb7.
The game was fairly even until White blundered with 15.Ne5? leaving the
Bb7 to pin the g2 pawn. Bill Wall pulled off a quick checkmate.
Cross - Wall, Dayton, OH .09), 1981 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bc4 [6.Bg5] 6...Bd6 7.Bg5 0-0 8.0-0 Be7 9.Kh1 Nbd7
10.a4 b6 11.Qe2 a6 12.Rad1 Bb7 13.Rfe1 Ng4 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Ne5
[15.d5] 15...Ndxe5 16.dxe5 Qh4 17.h3 Qxh3+ 18.Kg1 Qh2+ 19.Kf1 Qh1#
0-1 [Game Notes by Wall]
141 - Bc4 and Bf4 vs Euwe
We continue with Bill Wall’s collection of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games.
Here Bill plays 5.Nxf3 e6 (Euwe Variation) 6.Bc4 vs John Garris. The main
line setup for White against the BDG Euwe is 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3, but there are
other options.
More than 40 years ago, Bill Wall won this nice game playing both "B-B4"
moves. That is the old English Descriptive Notation.
For many years companies refused to publish books written in algebraic

notation. I personally changed to algebraic in 1973 when the USCF Chess
Life (& Review) made the switch to algebraic notation. As I recall, Larry
Evans had his articles remain in descriptive notation for many years.
Wall - Garris, Augusta, GA, 1970 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bc4 [6.Bg5; 6.Ne5; 6.Bd3] 6...Be7 [6...Bb4; 6...c5; 6...c6;
6...Nc6; 6...Bd6; 6...g6] 7.0-0 h6 [Perhaps a new move. 7...0-0; 7...a6] 8.Bf4
[8.Ne5] 8...a6 [8...Nd5] 9.Ne5 [9.Qd3] 9...b5 [9...c5; 9...0-0] 10.Bb3
[10.Be2] 10...Bb7 11.Qd3 Nbd7 [11...Nc6] 12.Qg3 Nxe5 [12...c5] 13.Bxe5
Kf8 [13...0-0] 14.Rf2 [14.Rad1; 14.d5] 14...c6 [14...c5] 15.Ne4 a5 16.Nd6
Bxd6 [16...Ba6] 17.Bxd6+ Kg8 18.Be5 Kh7 [18...Ne8] 19.Raf1 [19.c3]
19...a4 [19...Qd7] 20.Rxf6 [20.Bxe6 fxe6 21.Qd3+] 20...gxf6 21.Rxf6 1-0
[Game Notes by Wall]
2.1 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3
This 6.Bd3 is the most natural bishop move on the board, although White
usually plays 6.Bg5 first.
142 - Martin Wins BDG Euwe

Christoph Scheerer has two quotes early in his book "The Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit: a modern guide to a fascinating chess opening". One is by me and
the other by our chess friend International Master Andrew Martin.
"The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is not a boxing jab; it is a knockout punch -

and White gets to throw the first punch! Stop playing for the endgame; play
to end the game! Be a winner. Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit!" (Rev.
Tim Sawyer)
"[...] the infamous and rather generous Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. I must say
that I am delighted to see these moves as Black because I understand that my
opening choice has been successful." (IM Andrew Martin)
We know our chess friend Andrew Martin is not a regular BDG player.
However years ago Martin did a 100 minute FOXY Openings DVD on this
gambit. He recommended it for fun or a surprise weapon.
Below in a five minute blitz game Andrew Martin trots out a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Euwe.
AndrewMartinIM (2301) – Sponz (2124), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

27.01.2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3
Nbd7 7.0-0 c5 8.Bg5 cxd4 9.Ne4 Be7 10.Qe1 Qb6 11.Qh4 h6 12.Rae1
[Black is behind in development with his king stuck in the center.] 12...Rf8
13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Ne5 Nd5 15.Qg3 [Note how all Martin's pieces are aimed at
the center or kingside.] 15...Ne3 16.Qxg7 Nxf1 17.Rxf1 Bd7 18.Rxf7 [Given
more time, White might choose 18.Nxf7!+-] 18...Rxf7 19.Qxf7+ Kd8 20.Nf6
Qxb2 [If 20...Bb5 21.Ng6+/-] 21.Nfxd7 Qc1+ 22.Bf1 Qe3+ 23.Kh1 d3
24.Bxd3 [White should grab the rook which threatens mate after 24.Qg8+!
Kc7 25.Qxa8 dxc2 26.Qb8#] 24...Qe1+ 25.Bf1 Kc7 26.h3 Bd6 27.Nc5+ Kb6
28.Qxb7+ Kxc5 29.Qc6+ Kd4 30.Nf3+ Black resigns 1-0
143 - Penullar Like Zilbermints
Peter Mcgerald Penullar of the Philippines has been consistently playing the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and its related variations. I examined dozens of his
games. They were good.
Penullar played these games at Chess.com. In today's game below Peter plays
an opponent "raminchik" who was rated 45 points above him at that time.
The game is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe Variation (5...e6). Penullar

varies from the norm with 6.Bd3, but in this case it works well for him.
White is able to sacrifice the d-pawn transposing to the Lev Zilbermints (also
spelled Zilbermintz) Gambit. Peter Penullar launches a successful kingside
mating attack.
Penullar -raminchik, Team 54 Open Challenge - Board 7 Chess.com,

10.12.2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 [BDG] 4...exf3
[Accepted] 5.Nxf3 e6 [Euwe Variation] 6.Bd3 [The more common move
order is 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.0-0!? Zilbermints Gambit 8...Nxd4 9.Kh1
Nxf3?! 10.Qxf3 transposing to the game.] 6...Nc6 [Christoph Scheerer gives
6...c5! with a line that favors Black as a reason to prefer 6.Bg5.] 7.0-0 [7.Bg5
sets a little trap. 7...Nxd4? 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 9.Bb5+ and White wins the Black
queen.] 7...Nxd4 8.Kh1 Nxf3 9.Qxf3 Be7 10.Bg5 ["is what White is hoping
for, as he gets his pieces into play quickly." Scheerer] 10...0-0 11.Rad1 [Here
Scheerer suggests 11.Qh3 e5 12.Qh4 and he cites a game Sawyer - Now,
Bellefonte PA 1993. Yes, that was my game.] 11...Qe8? [Fearing the rook on
d1, the Black queen steps off the d-file. However, this leaves the Nf6 and the
kingside under-protected. White has compensation for a pawn, but two
pawns? Black could try an improvement with 11...Nd5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7
13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Qxd5 c6 15.Qd4 Be6=/+ consolidating with an extra pawn.]
12.Qh3 [Or 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Qe4 g6 14.Rxf6+- when White is up a knight.]
12...e5 13.Qh4 h5 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Rxf6 gxf6 16.Ne4 Qe6 17.Nxf6+ Kh8
18.Qxh5+ Kg7 19.Qg5+ and mate next move. 1-0
144 - Herbold vs Bhopal
Many Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games available from The Week in Chess
(TWIC) are one sided affairs. In most cases the players ratings were far apart
and one side or the other made a serious blunder or very risky move in the
opening.
I did find the game M. Herbold (2143) vs Raj Bhopal. I like it because the
game had a serious struggle. Both sides had chances in this BDG Euwe.
Herbold chose to boldly sacrifice the d4 pawn in Lev Zilbermints style. In the
end White found a way to reach a drawn ending.
Herbold-Bhopal, 119th ch-SCO 2012 Glasgow SCO (5), 07.11.2012 begins

1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.0-0 [It takes a
lot of confidence to sacrifice this second pawn.] 7...Nxd4 8.Nxd4 Qxd4+
9.Kh1 Bd7 10.Bf4 Bd6 [10...0-0-0-/+ looks difficult to meet.] 11.Nb5! Qb6
12.a4?! [12.Nxd6+ cxd6 13.Qe1 e5 14.Bg5 and Black is under pressure.]
12...Bxf4 13.Rxf4 Bxb5 14.axb5 Nd5 15.Re4 0-0 16.Rh4 f5 17.Qe2 Nf6
18.h3 Rad8 19.Rha4 Ra8 [Giving up the advantage. 19...Nd5!-/+] 20.R1a3
[20.Rh4!?] 20...Nd7 21.Rh4 g6 22.b4 Qd6 23.Bc4 Ne5 24.Re3 Nxc4
25.Rxe6 Qxb4 26.Re7? [26.Rxc4+/=] 26...Rf7 27.Rxf7 Kxf7 28.Rxc4 Qd6
29.Qd3 Qxd3 30.Rxc7+ Ke6 31.cxd3 Rb8 [31...a5!-/+] 32.Rxh7 a5 33.bxa6
bxa6 34.Rg7 Kf6 35.Ra7 Rb6 36.Kg1 Ke5 37.Kf2 1/2-1/2
145 - Penullar Staggers Black
Peter Mcgerald Penullar shows how Black can Go Staggerly from a Queen
Pawn Game to a French Defence with ...Bb4 to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Euwe Variation. As we have seen before, Penullar prefers 6.Bd3. Peter's
opponent "gostaggerlee" helps White out with ...Bb4 and ...Bxc3,
strengthening d4 and leaving Black's kingside (especially Nf6) significantly
weaker.
In some ways this game has the feel of a French Defence Winawer where
White plays an early a3 and after Bxc3 bxc3, White later plays a3-a4
allowing Ba3. Instead Penullar heeds the call of the wild mating attack with
Bg5.
Peter's 15.Qh4 is instructive, as many players with the White pieces would be
tempted to remove the bishop from g5. He is rewarded for his boldness and
quickly finds a checkmate.
Penullar - gostaggerlee, Live Chess Chess.com, 27.06.2012 begins 1.d4 e6

2.e4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bd3 Bb4 7.0-0 Bxc3 8.bxc3 Qe7
9.a4 Bd7 10.a5 Nc6 11.Qe1 a6 12.c4 [12.Ba3 is good, however I thought
12.c4 was a waiting move hoping for...] 12...0-0? 13.c3 [But White still does
not play to win the Exchange with 13.Ba3 Qd8 14.Bxf8+/-] 13...Nd8?
14.Bg5 [14.Ba3+- is even stronger now.] 14...h6 15.Qh4 hxg5 16.Nxg5 g6
[16...Re8 17.Bh7+! Kf8 18.Rf3 Bc6 19.Bc2 Qd6 20.Rxf6 gxf6 21.Nh7+ Ke7
22.Nxf6+- when Black is up a rook but in deep trouble.] 17.Rxf6 Kg7
18.Qh7+ [Or 18.Rxg6+ fxg6 19.Qh7+ Kf6 20.Qxg6#] 18...Kxf6 19.Ne4+
Kf5 20.Rf1+ Kg4 21.Qh3# 1-0
146 - Penullar French to BDG
Peter Mcgerald Penullar returns with a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe game
which I analyzed with my notes. It starts our as a French Defence Rubinstein.
Peter writes:
"Hello sir Tim Sawyer, I hope you like this game of mine. It’s been a while
since I appreciated my win in a BDG game. I think I played a total aggression
against my higher rated opponent who played passively or should I say
doesn't know what to do against our beloved BDG :)"
Penullar - Jurij_Vojska, The Philippine Chess Olympiad vs TEAM E

Chess.com, 11.11.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3
Nf6 6.Bd3 Bb4 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 a6?! [This pawn move is a waste of time. A
better critical line might be 8...Nc6 9.Qh4 Ne7 10.Bg5 Ng6 11.Bxg6 fxg6
12.Ne5 Be7 13.Rad1 Bd7 14.Rf3 Qe8 15.Rh3 h5 16.Rf3 Bc6 17.Rf2 Rd8
18.Rdf1 Rd6 19.Ne2+/=] 9.Bg5 [9.Qh4!+/=] 9...h6 10.Qh4 Be7? [Peter
shows us the punishment for this move. Black could put up more of a fight
with 10...Nc6 11.Bxh6 Ne7 12.Bg5 Nf5 13.Qh3! g6 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.Bxf6
Qxf6 16.Nd5+- and White will win a bishop.] 11.Bxh6 Nh7 12.Bxh7+ Kxh7
13.Bg5+ Kg8 14.Bxe7 Qe8 15.Ng5 1-0
147 - Penullar Winning Attack
Peter Mcgerald Penullar won a hotly contest game that transposed from the
French Defence Rubinstein to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe Variation.
Both sides had improvements available as noted below. The flow of the
attack favored White, but there were Black counter punches possible.
Penullar kept going until he achieved victory.
The French Defence Rubinstein 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 is similar to the French
Burn where Black captures on e4 one move later after 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4.
Then the obvious recapture 5.Nxe4 is good, but White sometimes does well
with the BDG-type move 5.f3. It is also possible to reach the BDG from the
French Burn.
Penullar - siljan_strkot, Team 8 Open Challenge Chess.com, 05.03.2012

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 [4.Nxe4!] 4...exf3 [4...Nf6 5.Bg5]
5.Nxf3 Nf6 [Transposing to the BDG Euwe] 6.Bd3 [6.Bg5] 6...Be7 [6...c5!
Scheerer] 7.0-0 c5 8.Qe1 [I would normally play 8.dxc5 Bxc5+ 9.Kh1 0-0
10.Bg5] 8...cxd4 9.Ne2 Nc6 10.Bg5 0-0 [10...h6!-/+ without an immediate
...0-0 looks promising for Black.] 11.Qh4 g6 12.Rf2 [12.Nexd4=] 12...Nh5
13.g4 Ng7? [13...Bxg5! 14.Nxg5 h6 15.gxh5 Qxg5+ 16.Qxg5 hxg5 17.hxg6
f5-+] 14.Raf1!? [14.Bxe7! Qxe7 15.Ng5!+/- with a very promising attack.]
14...f6 15.Bh6 Rf7 [15...e5!?-/+] 16.Nf4 e5 17.Nxg6 hxg6 18.Bxg6 f5 19.g5?
[19.Ng5!+/-] 19...e4? [Missing 19...Qd6! 20.Bxf7+ Kxf7-+] 20.Bxf7+ Kxf7
21.g6+ Ke8 22.Ng5 Bxg5?+- [22...e3-/+] 23.Bxg5 Qd6 24.Bf6!? Qf8
25.Bxg7 Qxg7 26.Qh7 Kf8? 27.Rxf5+ Bxf5 28.Rxf5+ 1-0
148 - Manzo in 6.Bd3 Be7
I finished up the year 2011 looking at Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Theory from
a 2005 BDG e-mail thematic tournament. For this final game, my opponent is
Carlos Manzo.
Against my BDG Euwe, he sets up as White with 6.Bd3, 7.0-0, 8.Be3. The
good thing for White is that he is developing his pieces rapidly.
The bad thing is that Manzo is unable to mount serious threats with this piece
arrangement. Therefore Black takes over the initiative with an early
...c5/...Ng4.
Thanks for the many chess friends who have encouraged me in 2011. God
Bless, Good Chess and Happy New Year for 2012!
Manzo - Sawyer, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.8), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 [Normal is to play 6.Bg5
first and later Bg5.] 6...Be7 [Scheerer recommends 6...c5 at once. Of course
his book would not be published for another six years.] 7.0-0 c5! 8.Be3
[8.dxc5 is the alternative. 8...Nbd7=/+] 8...Ng4! [Not only does this threaten
to capture the bishop and fork the queen and rook. It also puts tactical
pressure on the diagonal a7-g1.] 9.Bf2 [9.Bf4!? cxd4 10.Nb5 0-0 11.Nc7 Ne3
12.Bxe3 Qxc7=/+] 9...0-0 10.Qe2 Nxf2 11.Rxf2 Nc6 12.Rd1 cxd4 [Black is
two pawns up with some pressure in the center.] 13.Ne4 e5 14.Ned2 Qc7
15.Re1 Bg4 16.h3 [White might try to win back a pawn with 16.Qe4 f5
17.Qd5+ Kh8 and Black's pieces spring to life.] 16...Bxf3!? 17.Rxf3 Rae8
18.Qe4 [White threatens mate in one.] 18...g6 [Black is awake.] 19.Bb5 Bg5
20.Nc4 Re6 21.Ba4?! [21.h4 Be7 22.h5 looks threatening, but after 22...a6
multiple exchanges are likely to follow: 23.Bxc6 Qxc6 24.Qxc6 Rxc6
25.Nxe5 Rxc2 26.hxg6 fxg6 27.Nxg6 hxg6 28.Rxe7 Rxf3 29.gxf3 Rxb2-+]
21...f5 22.Qd5 Rfe8 23.c3 e4 24.cxd4?! Nb4 25.Qd7 Qxc4 [Black "gives
up" a rook for two pieces to get the queens off the board.] 26.Bb3 Qc6
27.Qxc6 bxc6 28.Bxe6+ Rxe6 29.Re2 Nd3 30.Rf1 Bf6 31.Rd1 Bxd4+
32.Kf1 Kf7 [If the rook was not protected, White had 33.Rxd3.] 33.b4 Bb6
34.a3 c5 0-1
2.2 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 c5
Here Black responds 6.Bd3 c5 with a sharp counter attack. This is the way I
play Black when I am in the mood for 5…e6.
149 - BDG on Darkside vs 6.Bd3

This second BDG as Black came instantly after the previous game. I switched
to 5...e6 on the spur of the moment. The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe
6.Bd3 is quite popular.
The key to a Black advantage is a quick challenge to the center with 6...c5!
This is one reason why many recommend 6.Bg5 for White. That is what I
play myself.
White presses on for an attack but then 12.Nxf7? overdoes it. This reminded
me of the King's Gambit Allgaier 6.Nxf7.
In theory, all Black has to do is avoid getting mated or losing a lot of

material, and it is a relatively simple win. But it is not always easy.
In this BDG game, things were made easier for me. White forgot his queen
was hanging once I broke the pin with 13...Ke7.
Erkepoet - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 31.10.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 [6.Bg5 is the normally
recommended move.] 6...c5! 7.0-0 cxd4 8.Ne4 [8.Nb5 Nc6 9.Bf4 Nd5-/+]
8...Nxe4 9.Bxe4 Nd7 10.Ng5 Nf6 11.Bd3 h6 12.Nxf7? [White is being too
aggressive, however he is still stands worse after 12.Ne4 Be7-/+] 12...Kxf7
13.Qh5+ Ke7 14.Bd2? [Forgetting the queen. White should at least make
Black complete his development with 14.Qg6 Bd7-+] 14...Nxh5 15.Bb4+
Kd7 16.Bb5+ Kc7 17.Rf7+ Kb6 18.a4 Bxb4 19.c3 dxc3 20.bxc3 Bc5+
21.Kh1 Rf8 0-1
150 - Snuverink in BDG Euwe
Here is a BDG game played by Jochem Snuverink, a master from the
Netherlands rated 2354. Snuverink demonstrates a great fighting spirit
keeping the initiative in an unbalanced game. Black is Valerij Korduban of
the Ukraine rated 2127.
Our highlighted Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game today is a BDG Euwe 6.Bd3

c5 7.Be3. Christoph Scheerer says this line favors Black. Analyzing this
game with a computer makes me question that evaluation some. White gets a
lead in development, space and activity; White seems to have practically full
compensation.
In the middlegame, bishops of opposite color were exchanged and White won
a knight for several pawns. The goal is to win those extra Black pawns with
the coordination of White's bishop, knight and king. White must keep at least
one safe pawn on the board to queen in the endgame. Snuverink's dual threats
with the b-pawn and h-pawn wore down Korduban and won the day.
Snuverink - Korduban, 1st Grand Europe Open Golden Sands BUL (5.59),
08.06.2012 begins 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bd3
c5 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bd7 9.Qf3 Nc6 10.0-0-0 Qc8 [Junior 12 suggests
10...a6 11.Nxc6 (or 11.Be4!?=) 11...Bxc6 12.Be4 Qc8=] 11.Rhf1 Ne5 [After
11...Be7 White could try 12.Qg3 0-0 13.Bg5! Nxd4 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Rxf6
Nf5 16.Bxf5 exf5 17.Nd5+/=] 12.Qg3 Nxd3+ 13.Rxd3 Be7 14.Qxg7 Rg8
15.Qh6 Rg6 16.Qf4 Rxg2 17.Ne4 Rg6 18.Nd6+ [18.h4!?+/-] 18...Bxd6
19.Qxd6 Qb8 20.Qa3 b5 21.Qc5 Qb6 22.Qe5 Qb8 23.Nf3 b4 24.Rdd1
[24.Rd6! Qb5 25.Rfd1+/=] 24...Qb5? [Junior 12 provides 24...Qxe5!
25.Nxe5 Ng4 26.Nxg6 Nxe3 27.Rxd7 Kxd7 28.Rxf7+ Kd6 29.Rxh7 Rc8=]
25.Qd4 Rc8 26.Ne5?! Rg2 27.Rf2 Rxf2 28.Bxf2 Qd5 29.Qf4 Qxa2?
[29...Qe4! 30.Qxe4 Nxe4=] 30.Qxf6 Rxc2+ 31.Kxc2 Ba4+ 32.Kd2 Qd5+
33.Nd3 Bxd1 34.Qh8+ [34.Bh4! Kd7 35.Qd8+ Kc6 36.Kxd1 leaves White
up two pieces for three pawns.] 34...Kd7 35.Qd4 Qxd4 36.Bxd4 Bh5
37.Bxa7 Kd6 38.Bb8+ Ke7 39.Nxb4 f6 40.Ke3 e5 41.Nd3 Ke6 42.b4 Be8
43.Bc7 Bb5 44.Nf2 f5 45.Bb6 f4+ 46.Kd2 Kf5 47.Nd1 e4 48.Nc3 Bc4 49.b5
h5 50.Bc5 e3+ 51.Bxe3?! [51.Ke1 Ke5 52.b6+-] 51...fxe3+ 52.Kxe3 Kg4+-
[It is much more difficult to win after 52...Ke5 53.b6 Ba6 54.Na2 Bc8
55.Nb4 Bb7 56.Nd3+ Kd6] 53.b6 Ba6 54.Kf2 Kf4 55.Na4 Bb7 56.Nc5 Bc6
57.b7 Bxb7 58.Nxb7 1-0
151 - Faydi Defeats Kuzmin
It is fun to beat a grandmaster in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in blitz. I
annotate the exciting contest between Jonathan Faydi vs GM Alexey Kuzmin
of Russia from the Internet Chess Club. Jonathan is from the Netherlands,
home of the Dutch people. Jonathan sent this game to me as I was leaving for
a cruise on the Holland America ship line. Jonathan writes more about this
game on his blog site "From Patzer to Master".
"Hello Tim, I thought you might be interested in having a look at the

following game (a win against GM Alexey Kuzmin using the BDG):
http://patzer2master.blogspot.nl/2014/07/win-against-gm-alexey-kuzmin-
using.html
Kind regards, Jonathan"
The line is a BDG Euwe where Jonathan as "Littlewave" takes on Kuzmin

"Dynamo63". This gambit makes Black burn thinking time to avoid losing
quickly. The opening is played well by both sides. White gets good chances
for the advantage in the middlegame. By the endgame, the grandmaster gets
the better of a materially even position. However, Jonathan outplays him on
the clock in a wild time scrabble. Black played 16 moves in his final 10
seconds. White wins on time with 5.1 seconds left.
Littlewave (1913) - Dynamo63 (2222), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

04.07.2014 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3
[6.Bg5 is more common.] 6...c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Qa5 [9...h6
is playable since Black has not castled kingside.] 10.a3 [10.0-0-0=] 10...a6
11.Bd2 Qc7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.Ng5 Nb6 [13...Bb7=/+] 14.Rhf1 Bd7? [Here this
bishop is poorly placed. Try 14...Bb7=] 15.Nce4 [15.Bf4+/-] 15...Nbd5
16.Nxf6+ Nxf6 17.Ne4 Be7 18.Bc3 Nd5 19.Bxg7 Rg8 20.Nf6+ Nxf6
21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.Rxf6 Qxh2 23.Be4 [23.Qf3!+-] 23...Rd8 [23...Rc8
24.Kb1+/-] 24.Rdf1 Rg7 25.Kb1 Qg3 26.Qf2? [26.Qh5+/-] 26...Qxf2
27.R1xf2 Ke7 28.Rh6 Rh8 29.Bd3 f5 30.Re2 Rhg8 [30...Rg6-/+] 31.Bxf5
Rxg2 32.Rxg2 Rxg2 33.Rxh7+ Kd6 34.Bd3 Rg1+ 35.Ka2 a5 36.Rh4 a4
37.Rh2 Bc6 38.Rh4 Bd5+ 39.c4 bxc4 40.Bxc4 Bc6 41.Rh6 Bd7 42.Rh4
Rg2 43.Kb1 Rf2 44.Ka2 Bc6 45.Rh3 e5 46.Re3 Kc5 47.Ba6 e4 [Black has a
better shot with 47...Bd5+! 48.Kb1 e4-+] 48.Bc8 [48.Rc3+ Kd6-/+] 48...Kd4-
+ 49.Bf5 Black forfeits on time 1-0
2.3 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5
Usually Black answers 6.Bg5 with 6…Be7. This section looks at other
options without 6…Bb4.
152 - BDG Euwe with 6...h6

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Euwe Variation is one of the most played
BDG Accepted lines. It normally begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 e6.
Several analysts who do not play the BDG have recommended this line, and
furthermore Diemer himself played the line a few times on rare occasions
where he was Black in the BDG.
In theory it is a good line for Black. In practice there is no line in the BDG
Accepted that gives White easier wins.
After my 6.Bg5, my opponent chose the pesky 6...h6. This move is common
in the Euwe Variation, but it usually comes on moves 7-9. When it is played
on move 6, White should just take the knight. I tried to wiggle away in the
hope to sacrifice my bishop for the h6 pawn after Black plays ...0-0.
Sawyer - excologne, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 31.08.2011 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bg5 h6 [White's critical
variations 7.Bxf6 gxf6! (if 7...Qxf6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.0-0 with a definite edge to
White.) 8.Qe2!? (A rare line that Junior 12 likes.) 8...c6 9.0-0-0 and White
has play up the middle in various ways leading to a slight advantage. Instead
of these lines I wander off with my bishop.] 7.Bf4 Bd6 [Wanting to swap off
my bishop. Here I realize I should have played 7.Bxf6. One thing about
playing and blogging is that it helps me remember the lines better, but I
forget things with age.] 8.Be3 a6 9.Bd3 0-0 10.Qd2 [Taking aim at the h-
pawn and hoping Black will play anything on the queenside.] 10…Ng4
[Black really wants my bishop.] 11.Bg1 Nc6 12.0-0-0 [I did not like 12.h3
Bg3+] 12…Bb4 13.h3 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Nf6 15.Be3 [Back in business on my
kingside attack.] 15…e5 [Threat 16...e4] 16.dxe5 Nd5 17.Bxh6 [Finally!]
17…gxh6 [17...Qe7! seems to hold for equality with perfect defense.]
18.Qxh6 Nxc3 [Black misses the mate threat on h7, but White is winning in
any case.] 19.Qh7# Black checkmated 1-0
153 - Martin Wins vs 6...c5
International Master Andrew Martin whips out another Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit. Here White is challenged with a rare variation. Most of the time in
the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit we face the same few lines. This began as a
Euwe after 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 c5!?
I know from personal experience that this line can be difficult to deal with.
One of the methods White can employ is to take on f6. If 7...Qxf6, when
White castles kingside, then the rook on f1 is lined up on the Black queen.
The danger flipped around when both queens participate in mating attacks
against their opponent's king. Black got into trouble when he failed to castle
by move 13.
White was winning for most of this game and did win in the end. But Black
had chances to survive. I assume that for the last 10 moves of this blitz game
both sides were very short on time. Then Black dropped a queen and lost on
time.
AndrewMartinIM (2373) - Nakajo (2126), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

17.07.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5
c5 7.Bxf6 [7.d5 a6=] 7...Qxf6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.0-0 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Qe5
11.Qf3?! [11.Kh1=] 11...Qxd4+ 12.Kh1 Bd6 13.Qxb7 [13.Bxd7+ Nxd7
14.Nb5 Qe5 15.Nxd6+ Qxd6 16.Qxf7+ Kd8 17.Rad1 Qe7-/+] 13...Qh4?
[Leaving the Black king in the center is very dangerous. Better was 13...0-0!
14.Rad1 Qe5 15.g3 Qc5-/+] 14.g3 Bxg3 15.Bxd7+ Nxd7 16.Qxa8+ Ke7
17.Qg2 Be5 18.Rae1 Rb8 19.Re4 Qh5 20.Nd1 Nf6 21.Ra4 Rd8 22.Ne3
Qh6 [22...Bd4=] 23.Ng4 [23.Rxa7+!+/-] 23...Nxg4 24.Rxg4 [24.Qb7+!
Rd7=] 24...Rd2 [24...f5!-/+] 25.Qb7+ Kd8 26.Rg2?! Rd7 27.Qe4 Bxb2
28.Qb4 Bf6? 29.Rb1? [29.Qf8+! Kc7 30.Rg4!+-] 29...Qh5 [29...Ke8!=]
30.Qf8+ Kc7 31.Qb8+ Kc6 32.Qc8+ Rc7 33.Qa6+ Kd7 34.Qe2?
[34.Rd2+!+- wins easily.] 34...Ke8? [Black hung the queen, but there was
34...Qxe2 35.Rxe2 Bc3=/+] 35.Qxh5+- Black forfeits on time 1-0
2.4 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Bb4
Usually Black answers 6.Bg5 with 6…Be7. This section looks at 6…Bb4
other options.
154 - Love of Bishop Pins

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe it is rather common for Black to pin
the Nc3 with 6.Bg4 Bb4. In the game below play continues 7.Qd2 Nc6
8.Bb5.
All of a sudden three knights are pinned. Bill Wall vs A103 (a handle that
sounds like a route number somewhere) sees White chopping off two knights
in trades.
Play is fairly even until Black missed a slight chance in the position which
leaves a White rook exposed to cover the f-file.
Wall - A103, Internet .01), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.Qd2 [7.Bd3] 7...Nc6 8.Bb5 0-0 9.Bxc6 bxc6
10.0-0 c5 [10...Ne4 11.Nxe4 Bxd2 12.Bxd8 Be3+ 13.Kh1 Rxd8=/+] 11.Bxf6
gxf6 12.d5 c6 13.dxe6 Qxd2 14.exf7+ Rxf7 [14...Kxf7 15.Nxd2=] 15.Nxd2
Bf5? [Black missed the rook on f1 which was blocked by Nf3 until White's
15th move. 15...f5 16.a3] 16.Rxf5 1-0
155 - Mom’s Chess Wisdom
Why do we love the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit? One reason is because the
gambit player often enjoys short crushing checkmate attacks. The game
below illustrates how easy the BDG Euwe Variation can give victory for
White.
I think all of the players in my 2005 BDG e-mail thematic event were from
different countries. My opponent for two games was Carlos Manzo. As Black
here, he lost badly. However, Manzo fought on the White side of the gambit
very well.
My mother is not a chess player. She has always been a great encouragement
through difficult times. When we were young, she walked into the room to
find us playing chess. I had captured all my little brother's pieces. Trying to
encourage, she reminded him hopefully, "But you still have your king!" Love
you mom!
Sawyer - Manzo, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.7), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [So not only did I play the BDG
Euwe Variation four times as Black; my opponents played it twice!] 6.Bg5
Bb4?! [The bishop move here threatens to capture the knight bringing a pawn
to c3 which in turn protects d4. All that is good for White. Correct is 6...Be7
to protect the Nf6.] 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.0-0 c6 [This is passive.] 9.Qe1 [Angling
for h4.] 9...Bd6 [Black decides to redeploy the bishop.] 10.Ne4 Be7 [Finally
the bishop gets to where it belongs, having wasted two moves.] 11.c3 [Since
White wants Black to castle into the attack, he takes a moment to solidify the
d-pawn.] 11...0-0 [King in the corner pocket.] 12.Qh4 h6 13.Bxh6 Nxe4
14.Qxe4 Nf6 [14...g6 15.Qf4 f5 16.Rae1+-] 15.Qh4 gxh6 16.Qxh6 [After
16.Qxh6 the only way to avoid immediate mate is to give up a piece with
16...Ne4 at which point I was pondering whether 17.Rae1 was stronger than
17.Bxe4 when Black resigned.] 1-0
156 - FOXY OPENINGS DVD
When Andrew Martin finished analyzing my king hunt victory against David
Gallagher for the FOXY OPENINGS videos and DVD series (#14), the
International Master added this comment in summary: "I guess that is
precisely the type of reason, precisely the type of game which attracts most
people to play the Blackmar-Diemer in the first place."
My game is between minutes 15 and 20. I purchased FOXY 14 in both the

old VHS video tape and the DVD format.
This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe vs David Gallagher has Black wasting

time with 7...Bb4 which gives him two choices after 8.0-0. One is to double
White's pawns with Bxc3 bxc3 leaving d4 stronger. Two is to retreat with
10...Be7 as below, which gave me time to attack f6 and f7 in a spectacular
manner.
Martin did not include my repetition on moves 16 and 17. Why repeat moves
in a postal game? I was playing about 50 games at a time. Repeating moves
once probably gave me two extra weeks. Over that period there would most
likely be a break in the action of work, family time and chess to look into this
position.
This was Game 326 in my original “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook”

(1992). Here I added a few of IM Andrew Martin's many comments to my
own.
Sawyer - Gallagher, corr USCF 1990 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nbd7 6.Bg5 e6 7.Bd3 Bb4 8.0-0 c5 9.Ne5 ["You can see
that the rook on f1 comes straight into the game..." Martin] 9...cxd4 10.Ne4
Be7 [10...Nxe5 11.Nxf6+ gxf6 12.Bxf6+-] 11.Bxf6 gxf6 [Martin gives the
following two alternatives: 11...Bxf6 12.Nd6+; 11...Nxf6 12.Ng5] 12.Nxf7
["You've just got to capitalize quickly on your lead in development..."
Martin] 12...Kxf7 13.Ng5+ Kg8 14.Nxe6 Qa5 15.Qg4+ Kf7 16.Ng5+
[Gaining time on the calendar. - Sawyer] 16...Kf8 17.Ne6+ Kf7 ["I expected
Qg7+ when I first saw this game. Sawyer finds something much nicer."
Martin] 18.Bf5! Bf8 19.Ng5+ Ke7 20.Rae1+ Kd6 21.Qf4+ Kc6 22.Re6+
Kc5 23.Ne4+ Kb5 24.Nc3+ Qxc3 [All other moves mate very quickly. -
Sawyer] 25.bxc3 1-0
157 - Development Not Enough
It is well known that in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe 6.Bg5 Bb4 line,
Black's kingside suffers whenever Black swaps off his dark squared bishop
on c3. Much better is to play 6...Be7 to protect the Nf6.
Even though my ICC blitz opponent "erickbr" developed three minor pieces
and castled quickly, he was in deep trouble vs the BDG. I missed two of the
more accurate wins (as noted below), but I still won very quickly.
Sawyer - erickbr, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 03.12.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 c6 [6...Be7] 7.Bd3 Bb4 8.0-0
Bxc3?! 9.bxc3 0-0 10.Qd2 [10.Ne5! Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Bxd7 12.Bxf6 gxf6
13.Bxh7+ with a winning attack.] 10...Nbd7 11.Qf4 Re8 12.Qh4 Nf8 13.Ne5
Qe7 14.Rae1 [14.Bxf6! gxf6 15.Rxf6 Qc7 16.Nxf7 Qxf7 17.Rxf7 Kxf7
18.Rf1+ with a forced mate in six moves or less.] 14...Rd8 15.Re3 Ng6
16.Bxg6 fxg6 17.Rh3 [17.Rxf6!+- is much stronger, although White is still
winning.] 1-0 [Black disconnected and forfeits]
158 - Happy Birthday BDG Win
I had the privilege of playing Ray Robson three times on his way to
becoming a grandmaster. Ray was very friendly and polite to me. The first
time I played him he was even wearing a Boston Red Sox hat. Ray was born
on my birthday.
Ray Robson is very talented in every aspect of chess. That includes openings,
tactics and his ability to calculate deeply. Ray Robson plays complex main
line openings.
I also enjoy main line openings, but I also have been known to frequently
resort to the tricks and traps of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Here I provide
a simple BDG win.
Sawyer - mscp, ICC 2011 begins 1.Nc3 [After 1.d4 and 1.e4, this is my
favorite first move. In fact I played it vs Ray Robson in the tournament where
he became a master.] 1...d5 2.d4 [2.e4 is the most common move, but one has
to pick just one choice each game. This seemed a good day for a BDG!]
2...Nf6 3.e4 [I play the 3.Bg5 Veresov also, but my lifetime performance
rating with 3.e4 is slightly higher.] 3...dxe4 [In the next blog I may focus on
the BDG Avoided Huebsch Gambit.] 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [BDG Euwe] 6.Bg5
Bb4 [The favorite move for "mscp" which sees ahead 4-ply. In addition to
7.Bd3, 7.a3 is also theoretically good.] 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Qd2 Nxd4? [Losing a
piece.] 9.Nxd4 0-0 [Now it sees 9...Qxd4 10.Bb5+ wins the Black queen.]
10.Nf3 h6? [This allows a straightforward mating attack.] 11.Bxh6 gxh6
12.Qxh6 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Bd7 14.Ng5 Qe7 15.0-0 Qc5+ 16.Kh1 Rfd8
17.Bh7+ Nxh7 18.Qxh7+ Kf8 19.Qxf7# Black checkmated 1-0
159 - Chandler Quickly Mates
William Chandler sent me this little game that illustrates one reason we play
the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. What other opening are you likely to play
where you checkmate your opponent on move 14? Once again Bill Chandler
is using the ICC handle "ProjectAlpha".
The opening transposes into the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted, Euwe

Variation reached by 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6. This
line is very popular. Masters recommend it for Black.
BDGers like it as White, because it is easy for Black to blunder and get
mated in short order. This game is a good example.
ProjectAlpha-NIMZO81, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 02.01.2012 begins

1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 [A major alternative for those who do not want to
gambit is 3.Bg5, the Veresov.] 3...dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [BDG Euwe
Variation] 6.Bd3 [Probably the best move order is with 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.Bd3
Nc6 but in this case, the same position would be reached as in the game.]
6...Nc6 7.Bg5 Bb4 [This is almost always a mistake in the BDG. In this game
it is a waste of time as Black just returns to the better location Be7 next
move. Sometimes Black captures ...Bxc3 and bxc3 which strengthens the
White d4 pawn.] 8.0-0!? [Offering to sacrifice the d4 pawn, similar to the
Zilbermints Gambit {there Black plays 6...Be7}. White could try 8.Qd2 or
8.a3] 8...Be7 [If Black grabs the pawn with 8...Nxd4 then 9.Kh1! gives White
some compensation for the two extra Black pawns.] 9.Qe1 Nd5 10.Bxe7
Qxe7 11.Ne4 [11.Qg3!+/-] 11...0-0 12.Neg5 Nf4? [Black had to try 12...h6!]
13.Qh4 [More accurate is 13.Bxh7+! Kh8 14.Qh4 with mate in a few
moves.] 13...Ng6? [13...h6 14.Qxf4 hxg5 15.Nxg5+-] 14.Qxh7# Black is
checkmated 1-0
160 - Happy St Patrick’s Day
Happy Palm Sunday! Happy St. Patrick's Day. Here we have a game played
on March 17, 2012.
Playing the white pieces is Waldemar Moes (rated 2058) of the Netherlands.
Moes is a 1.e4 player who turned the Scandinavian Defence (1.e4 d5) into a
BDG Euwe after 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6. Playing black
pieces is David J Redman.
Tom Purser annotated this game as well. I noticed that and did my own notes
before studying his. That was fun. It was two different approaches to the
same game.
Moes - Redman, e2e4 High Wycombe Open High Wycombe ENG (3),
17.03.2012 begins1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5
Bb4 [The main line is 6...Be7 7.Bd3] 7.Bd3 Nc6 [Often Black plays
7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 which simply protects d4.] 8.0-0 [White could set a trap
with 8.Qd2 Nxd4?? 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.Bb5+ winning the queen.] 8...Nxd4
9.Kh1 [9.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 10.Kh1 Bd7=/+ Black has only minimal
compensation for the two pawns sacrificed.] 9...Bxc3 [9...Nc6 is worth
considering.] 10.bxc3 Nf5 11.Qe1 [Junior 12 prefers White at this point.]
11...Qe7 12.Ne5 h6 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Ng4 Bd7? [Black should move his king
off the pin by 14...Kf8! with chances for both sides.] 15.Bxf5 h5 [15...exf5
allows 16.Nxf6+!+/= due to the pin on the Ke8.] 16.Nxf6+ [Very promising
is 16.Bxe6! hxg4 17.Bxd7+ Kxd7 18.Rd1+ Ke8 19.Qf2+- when White's more
active rooks create a very dangerous situation for Black.] 16...Qxf6 17.Be4
Qg7 18.Bxb7 Rb8 19.Be4 Rg8 20.Qe3 Rb6 21.Qc5 [The relative safety of
the two kings becomes a major issue from here to the end.] 21...f5 22.Bf3
Kd8 23.Rfd1 Rd6 24.Rxd6 cxd6 25.Qxd6 Qxc3 26.Rb1 Ke8?+- 27.Bxh5+
1-0
161 - Recover From Losses
On Mickey Mantle's 81st birthday, October 20, I lost three chess games in a
row. Yes, I know that the great Mickey Mantle died in 1995 but I remember
his birthday. I had the privilege of watching Mickey Mantle play in what
turned out to be his final game. He played at Fenway Park against the Boston
Red Sox in 1968.
Back to my chess woes. Yes, three blitz losses in a row is annoying for me.
What can I do for a pick-me-up? I know: Play a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs
a Class B player! Usually such players are strong enough to play the line, but
weak enough to miss the tactics.
The BDG Euwe 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.Bd3 is usually played by computers as Black.
Here vs strong chess engines I have a good record and vs weak chess engines
I have a great record. Some authors favor Black in the Euwe, but in practice
White wins very often.
Sawyer - soltro, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 20.10.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Bb4 [6...Be7 is better.]
7.Bd3 Bxc3+ [Black gives up the bishop that should protect f6 in order to
strengthen White's d4.] 8.bxc3 h6 9.Bd2 Nbd7 10.0-0 [Please castle
kingside.] 10...0-0 [Thank you. Now I will pretend to head toward the open
queenside.] 11.Qc1 b6 12.Bxh6 gxh6 13.Qxh6 Nh7 14.Qxh7# Black
checkmated 1-0
162 - Repeatable Patterns
Chess games produce repeatable mating patterns. Once you learn a pattern,
you can use it over and over. You are stronger if you already know things
rather than if you need to figure them out during a game. When you know the
pattern, you can be satisfied that you remembered it and enjoy the win!
This game is vs "mscp". That stands for "Marcel's Simple Chess Program." It
has three distinctions: 1. It plays very fast, almost instantly. 2. It plays a
variety of well-known opening lines, but not too deeply. 3. It is very weak in
the endgame.
This "mscp" is rated around 1700. That is just about perfect for easy BDG
wins. Those rated below 1400 or above 2000 don't seem to get to the BDG
Accepted position as often.
Sawyer-mscp begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3!? d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. This is the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit position. After 4…exf3 White has 5.Nxf3. Who in
their right mind would play 5.Qxf3 Qxd4? Okay, Diemer played both 5.Nxf3
and 5.Qxf3 moves interchangeably. Ah, but was Diemer in his right mind?
Who knows, but he won a lot, and his gambits are a lot of fun to play!
White has only one extra piece developed for the pawn, but he also has
opened lines for both his bishops. Black still has to push a pawn to develop
his dark-squared bishop, so White is in effect two tempi up for the gambit.
Rule of thumb is that one usually needs three tempi for a gambit to be sound.
However, when White castles, either side, his rook will immediately be on an
active file. There is the third tempo!
Sawyer - mscp, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 02.10.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [Black must choose a defensive
system to stop White's attack. He chooses the one recommended by former
World Champion Max Euwe: 5…e6. "mscp" does not always play this line,
but it was probably following its book up to here.] 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.Bd3 Bxc3+
8.bxc3 Nc6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qd2 h6? [Black walks right into the mating pattern
leaving a half-naked king trapped and alone.] 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.Qxh6 Bd7
13.Ng5 Nxd4 14.cxd4 c5 15.Rxf6 Re8 [Here White has three moves that
mate in two. Do you see the other two?] 16.Bh7+ Kh8 17.Nxf7# Black
checkmated 1-0
163 - I Cannot Find a Mate
On New Year's Eve I usually go to bed before midnight. Then I get up
excited in the morning to start the New Year by playing chess. I decided to
finish 2011 on a positive note. My last game was a BDG Euwe. Not again!?
Well, I said it was popular!
My opponent in my final 2011 game was "ermintrude" whose rating was

2038 after having just beaten my Alekhine Defence. We turned the board
around and played again. After I won this game, my ICC blitz rating as
"SawyerTE" rose to 2143.
Sawyer - ermintrude, ICC 5 1 Internet Chess Club, 31.12.2011 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 [BDG Accepted] 5.Nxf3 e6 [Euwe
Variation] 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.Bd3 [7.a3 is also good.] 7...Bxc3+ [Black voluntarily
takes on c3 so that I do not need to waste time with a3.] 8.bxc3 Nbd7 9.0-0
h6 10.Bd2!? [I lined up on h6 without tempting Black to attack this bishop
with ...Nd5.] 10...Qe7 11.Qc1!? 0-0? [11...b6 is a reasonable way to delay
castling. 12.Bf4 Bb7 13.Bxc7 Nd5 when White will retreat the Bc7 and the
game is still up for grabs.] 12.Bxh6 Nd5 [If Black captures the bishop
12...gxh6 13.Qxh6 he must give back a piece to avoid immediate mate with
13...Ne4 14.Bxe4+- White is up a pawn with the attack.] 13.Bd2 c5 14.Qe1
Re8 15.Qg3 b6 16.Rae1 N7f6 17.Qh4 Bb7 18.Ng5 Qc7 19.Ne4?+/= [19.c4!
Nb4 20.Bxb4 a5 21.Rxf6 gxf6 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Nxe6+! wins the queen.]
19...c4? [19...Nxe4 20.Bxe4+/=] 20.Nxf6+ Nxf6 21.Rxf6 [White is winning.]
21...cxd3 22.Re3!? Qc6 23.Rg3 dxc2 [I had two possible New Year's Eve
Mates. I missed them both.] 24.Qg5 [24.Rh6!! c1Q+ 25.Bxc1 Qxg2+
26.Rxg2 f5 27.Rxg7+ Kxg7 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.Rh8#; 24.Rxg7+! Kxg7
25.Bh6+ Kh8 26.Rg6 Kh7 27.Bc1+ Kxg6 28.Qh6+ Kf5 29.Qh5+ Kf6
30.Qg5#] 24...Qxg2+ 25.Rxg2 Bxg2 26.Qxg2 Rac8 27.Bh6 c1Q+ 28.Bxc1
Rb8 29.Bh6 g6 30.Rxg6+ Kh7 31.Rg7+ Kh8 32.Rxf7 Rg8 33.Rg7 Rbf8
[Late at night time is running out, and I cannot find a mate.] 34.Rxg8+
[34.Qg6! Looks obvious in the daylight. 34...Rf1+ 35.Kxf1 Rf8+ 36.Ke2
Rf2+ 37.Kxf2 e5 38.Qh7#] 34...Rxg8 35.Bf4?! [It is not necessary, but I just
figured it was an easy blitz endgame. If 35.Bg5 Rg6 36.h4+-] 35...Rxg2+
36.Kxg2 b5 37.Kf3 Kh7 38.Ke4 Kg6 39.Ke5 Kf7 40.Kd6 a5 41.Be5 b4
42.cxb4 axb4 43.Kc5 b3 44.axb3 Ke7 45.Kc6 Kd8 46.h4 Ke7 47.h5 Kf7
48.Kd6 Kg8 49.Kxe6 Kh7 50.Bf4 Kg7 51.b4 Kh7 52.b5 Kg8 53.b6 Kf8
54.b7 Ke8 55.b8Q# 1-0
164 - What's on the Horizon?
In earlier days, playing the BDG vs computers was fairly easy, especially in
blitz. The chess engines did not see very far ahead in a short time. They had a
more limited horizon.
This allows us mere mortals to sacrifice material for a position that leads to a
likely checkmate even though we are a piece or more behind. I played many
such games on the Internet Chess Club. Even now I can beat the odd
computer here and there.
What a fun opening! God bless and good chess! Tim
Sawyer - ChickenBot, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 07.02.2009 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [The Euwe Defence is very
popular and highly recommended by noted chess authors. In theory it is
strong. In practice, White scores better than most other lines.] 6.Bg5 Bb4
[Both computers and humans love this Nimzo-Indian move.] 7.Bd3 Bxc3+
8.bxc3 [Black doubles the c-pawns, but this only helps White better defend
d4.] 8...0-0 9.Qd2 [Headed to h4. Another path is Qd1-e1-h4, but the White
king is in the way. The point of Qd2 is to be able to take on h6 if Black tries
to kick the bishop.] 9...Nbd7 10.0-0 c5 11.Qf4 Qa5 [Black breaks the pin on
f6 and goes fishing for c3.] 12.Qh4 Qxc3 13.Rad1 cxd4 14.Ne5 Nxe5 [Now
White threatens mate in 1 three times in a row.] 15.Bxf6 Nxd3 16.Qg5 g6
17.Qh6 Qxc2 18.Qg7# 1-0
165 - Identical Damian Harbutt
This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe game was the first one of two similar
games played in the 1989 USCF Golden Knights postal tournaments. The
two players were from different states and played in different sections.
The pace of this postal chess game was about one postcard each and thus one
move for each of us each week. The game with Damian Harbutt was a move
or two ahead.
This game was the lead goose, if they were geese flying in formation. This
game to most of the effort.
Once I figured out what I wanted to play in the game below, the second game
vs Reynolds was easy. I show that next. My line below worked fine, but yet
another correspondence game played the same year found a better method for
White.
Sawyer (2189) - Harbutt (1830), corr USCF 89N189, 13.12.1989 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.Bd3 Bxc3+
8.bxc3 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Qe1 [Houdini and Fritz prefer 10.Ne5! Qe8
11.Qe1 h6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Rxf6 1-0. Etman - Frommel, corr 1989] 10...c5
[10...h6 11.Bxh6! gxh6 12.Qg3+ Kh8 13.Ne5 Nh5 14.Qh3 Nxe5 15.Qxh5
Qg5 16.Qxg5 hxg5 17.dxe5+/=] 11.Ne5 cxd4 12.Nxd7 Bxd7 13.Qh4 h6
14.Rxf6 Qb6 15.Bxh6 dxc3+ 16.Kh1 g6 17.Qg5 Be8 18.Bxg6 1-0
166 - Reynolds Double Pin Twin
Ever play two games that were almost identical in the same tournament? In
the 1989 USCF Golden Knights Postal Tournament I played in multiple
sections at the same time.
In section 89N189 vs Damien Harbutt, we played a Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit game in the relatively rare double pin BDG Euwe variation. Here my
game vs Clarence Reynolds was the copycat game from section 89N286.
This second game was about one week behind, with postal moves arriving
about once a week. Both players were rated in the 1800s. They lived in
different states and played in different sections, but they thought alike.
I did the analysis for the Harbutt game and just copied my same line for the
Reynolds game. Harbutt played 11.Ne5 cxd4, so my first original position vs
Reynolds was after 11.Ne5 Qa5. After 12.Qh4, Black was already in deep
trouble.
Sawyer (2188) - Reynolds (1865), corr USCF 89N286, 02.04.1990 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.Bd3 Bxc3+
8.bxc3 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Qe1 c5 11.Ne5 Qa5 12.Qh4 Nxe5 [Black's last
hope was 12...h6 13.Nxd7 Nxd7 14.Bxh6 f5 15.Bxg7! Kxg7 16.Qg5+ Kf7
17.Bxf5! Nf6 18.Bg6+ Ke7 19.Rxf6 Rxf6 20.Rf1+-] 13.dxe5 c4 [13...h6
14.exf6 Qxc3 15.fxg7+-] 14.Bxf6! Qc5+ 15.Kh1 h6 16.Qg4 [16.Qg4 g5
17.Qh5+- with mate in three] 1-0
2.5 – 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7
This section examines one of the best theoretical variations for White with
6.Bg5 Be7. The main focus is on 7.Qd2 but any lines other than 7.0-0 are
covered here.
167 - Bill Wall Playing 7.Ne5

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe after the normal 6.Bg5 Be7, Bill Wall
played the rare 7.Ne5 vs "RMT" in a game that led to a wild battle.
Wall - RMT, Internet .19), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Ne5 [This is a very rare move. Almost everyone
plays 7.Bd3 or the less popular but possibly better 7.Qd2] 7...0-0 8.Bc4 Nd5
[8...c5!-/+] 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Bxd5 exd5 11.Nxd5 Qh4+ 12.Kf1 Na6
[12...Qd8!=/+] 13.c3 c6 14.Ne3 Qf4+?! [14...Nc5 15.dxc5 Qf4+ 16.Nf3
Qxe3 17.Qd4 Qe7=] 15.Qf3 Qxf3+ 16.Nxf3 Be6 17.h4 [17.Kf2+/=] 17...Nc7
18.Ng5 Bd7 19.h5 h6 20.Ne4 Be6 [20...Rae8=] 21.Nd6 b6 22.g4 Nd5
23.Nef5 g6 24.Nxh6+ Kh7 25.hxg6+ fxg6+ 26.Ke2 Nf4+ 27.Ke3 Ng2+
28.Ke4 Bd5+ 29.Ke5 Kg7 30.c4 Bf3? [Correct is 30...Bxc4! 31.Nxc4
Rad8=/+] 31.Raf1 Ne3 32.Nhf5+ gxf5 [32...Nxf5 33.gxf5 Bxh1 34.f6+ Rxf6
35.Rxf6+/-] 33.Rxf3 Nxg4+ 34.Ke6 Rf6+ 35.Kd7 Kf8? [35...c5 36.Rg1+/-]
36.Rh8+ 1-0
168 - Roald Berthelsen Wins!
Here is a peek into the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine from the 1960s.
We see a BDG Euwe game by Roald Berthelsen vs Edv. Dahl from a Norway
championship in 1960.
I noticed a player with the same name Roald Berthelsen playing in Senior
chess events in 2013. Then he sent me an email thanking me for sharing his
games.
Roald Berthelsen also sent me a new game covered elsewhere. Blessings on

such a long chess career! Now to the old game.
I believe this game was in the March 1962 issue of the BDG magazine
section in the Latvian "Chess World" magazine. The notes and comments are
by editor Nikolajs Kampars.
Berthelsen - Dahl, Norway ch 1960 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 b6 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.0-0! [White sacrifices
bravely another pawn.] 9...Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Qxd4+ 11.Kh1 Nbd7 12.Re1 c6
[Black has achieved a superiority of two pawns ignoring his opponent's
tactical possibilities.] 13.Rxe6! Ne5 [13...fxe6? would be met by 14.Bg6+
and a loss of Black queen.] 14.Re3 Nc4 15.Rxe7+ Kf8 [Equal to resignation
is 15...Kd8 following 16.Qe2 Nxe3 17.Rxe3 and after 17...Kc7 18.Re7+
Kd6?! 19.Be3! Qh4 (19...Qb4 20.a3 Qa5 21.Bf4+!) 20.Bc5+! Kxc5 21.Qe3+
Black collapses.] 16.Rxf7+ Kxf7 17.Bg6+ Kxg6 18.Qxd4 Nxe3 19.Bxe3
[and Black resigned after several moves. Notes by Kampars] 1-0
169 - Kostic vs Tartakower
Emil J. Diemer invented the specific moves 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
known as the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Diemer played the BDG by 1934
and possibly as early as 1932. Back in 1882 the Blackmar Gambit 3.f3 was
invented by A. Blackmar.
In 1926 before Diemer's 4.f3, there was a curious game between the Serbian
chess Grandmaster Borislav Kostic or Boris Kostich and Grandmaster
Tartakower. The occasion of this is unknown.
Kostic and Dr. Tartakower played each other twice in two 1926 tournaments.
Kostic finished 5th in both, ahead of Tartakower in Merano, Italy, and behind
Tartakower in Bardejov, Slovakia who won that 13-player tournament. The
Bartfield Health Resort was in the medieval town of Bardejov, which boasts
17 cold mineral springs. Both their tournament games from these 1926 events
began 1.Nf3, with each player winning one as Black.
Boris Kostitsch was an Orthodox Christian. He was sent to a Nazi

concentration camp during World War II when he would not play in their
chess tournaments. Kostic survived. Later he was given the title grandmaster
by FIDE in 1950 and died in 1963.
In “Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Band 2” (page 65) Alfred Freidl

mentions this game. I translate Freidl's comment as: "with a strong White
attack". One database refers to it as drawn, but White is clearly better. The
play was sloppy and uneven. Maybe it was an exhibition, skittles or blitz
game played about the time they were in town for the Bardejov tournament. I
gave it as 1-0 in the notes (page 219) in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Keybook II. Does anyone have more information about this?
Kostic - Tartakower, Bartfeld, 1926 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.Bd3 h6 9.h4 [9.Bxh6!+/=] 9...c5
[9...Ng4 10.Bxe7 Qxe7= Stockfish] 10.dxc5 [10.Bxh6!] 10...Nc6 11.a3 Qa5
12.0-0-0 Qxc5 13.Bxh6?! gxh6 14.Qxh6 Qh5 15.Qg5+ Kh8? [Correct is
15...Qxg5+! 16.hxg5 Ng4-+ and Black remains up a bishop.] 16.g4 Qxg5+
17.hxg5+ Kg8 18.gxf6 Bxf6 19.g5!? [19.Ne4!+-]19...Bg7 [19...Bxc3
20.bxc3+/-] 20.Rdg1 [20.Bh7+ Kh8 21.Ne4+-] 20...e5? [20...Rd8
21.Ne4+/=] 21.Ne4 [Slow. 21.Bh7+! Kh8 22.Ne4!+-] 21...Rd8 22.Nf6+ Kf8
23.Rh7 1-0
170 - Gonzalez Tempo Gain
In almost every Blackmar-Diemer game, White gets opportunity for a strong
attack or compensation that is equal to the sacrificed gambit pawn. To play it
well, White must continually press for the initiative. If Black takes over the
initiative, White is toast.
Here I am playing Black in the BDG Euwe Variation. White has a natural
attack vs 5…e6 that flows quickly and easily. Black must fight for a counter-
attack, usually against d4 to begin with.
My opponent playing White is Alejandro Raúl Gonzalez. This game is being

played simultaneously and one ply off from our other BDG game with color
reversed. In this game I wasted time with 9...c6 and then 10...c5, but then I
make it up when White's knight hops around with Nf3xd4-f3xg5-f3. My
kingside knight, on the other hand, moves to g4 where it is a constant worry
as it blocks the g2 pawn and hits the f2, e3, e5 and h6 squares.
Gonzalez - Sawyer, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.4), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 [Black wisely protects
f6 and prepares to castle.] 7.Qd2 [White copies my previous game.] 7...0-0
8.0-0-0 Nbd7 [A key decision for Black is whether to play Nbd7 covering f6
or to play Nc6 attacking d4. Gonzalez had played 8...b6 against me, but I
deviated and went a different path.] 9.h4!? [White has dreams and hopes of
opening the h-file in a kingside attack. 9.Bd3 is a normal looking move.]
9...c6 [I protect strengthen key squares f6 and d5, but this play is rather
passive.] 10.Bd3 c5!? [Now I change my mind and decide to attack d4.]
11.h5 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Ng4!? [This knight gets rather frisky.] 13.Nf3?! [After
this Black trades bishops, gradually beats back that attack, and completes his
development. The correct continuation is 13.Bxe7! Qxe7 14.h6! using the h-
pawn to create weak points. 14...g6 15.Qe2 Ndf6 16.Rh4 e5 17.Nf3 Rd8
White's active pieces and 3-2 queenside edge roughly offsets the 4-2 pawn
edge in front of Black's king.] 13...Bxg5 14.Nxg5 h6 15.Nf3 Qc7 16.Kb1
Ndf6 17.Ka1? [This does nothing. Black completes his development and
attacks the White king.] 17...Bd7 18.Qe1 Rfd8 19.Qd2 Qc5 20.Rdf1 Bc6
21.Rh4 b5 22.b4 Qb6 23.Rb1 a5 24.Qc1 e5 25.bxa5 Rxa5 26.Qg1 Qa6
27.Rb2 e4 28.Rxg4 Nxg4 29.Nxe4? [29.Bxe4 Bxe4 30.Nxe4 Ne3-+]
29...Bxe4 30.Bxe4 Nf2 31.Bd3 Ra8 32.Qb1 Nd1 33.Bxb5 Qf6 34.Bc4 Rd8
35.Be2 Nc3 0-1
171 - Quinones vs Schutzbach
Here we have a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted game from Jorge Victor
Quinones Borda vs Gerd Schuetzbach.
"Good morning Mr. Sawyer,

Maybe you would like some of the games.
The game against Gerd uses an idea by David Flude that appeared in the
Scheerer book... Jorge Quiñones Borda"
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe is a very popular variation which is

sometimes recommended by theoreticians. In practice White tends to score
very well. In theory after 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7, the line 7.Bd3 Nc6 can be
somewhat challenging, although in practice White often wins.
Author Christoph Scheerer notes that David Flude has the idea to hold off
playing Bd3. Flude chooses to first develop and castle queenside with 7.Qd2
0-0 8.0-0-0.
Jorge tests this idea out by playing a line that looks promising. The last half
of this game proved to be difficult to win.
Quiñones - Schuetzbach, frei www.remoteschach.de, 31.05.2013 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-
0-0 c5 9.Qf4!? [9.dxc5 Qxd2+ 10.Nxd2 Bxc5 11.Nde4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bb6
13.Be7 Re8 14.Bh4=] 9...cxd4 10.Rxd4 Qb6 11.Qg3 Nc6 [11...Rd8 12.Bh6
Ne8=/+] 12.Rh4 g6 13.Bd3 Bd7 14.Rf1 Rae8 15.Rh6 Qb4 16.Kb1 Qg4 [If
16...a6 then 17.h3!+-] 17.Qf2 Ne5 18.Rh4 Nxd3 19.cxd3 Qf5 20.Rf4 Qxd3+
21.Ka1 Nd5 22.Ne5 Qxf1+ 23.Qxf1 Bxg5 24.Rxf7 Be7 25.Ne4 a6 26.a3
Rc8 27.Qf3 Bb5 28.h4 [28.g3!?+/-] 28...Rc1+ 29.Ka2 Rf1 30.Rxf8+ Bxf8
31.Nf2 Be8 32.Qg4 Rxf2 33.Qxe6+ Bf7 34.Nxf7 Nb4+ 35.Kb3 Rxf7
36.axb4 Bh6 37.g3 1/2-1/2
172 - Drill Defeats Ahrends
Andre Müller recently provided me with an interesting annotated game in the
important theoretical Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe 7.Qd2 variation.
Thanks to Andre Mueller for the game with notes. Andre writes:
“Hello Tim, here is the game I meant. I hope I can help a little bit. Greetings
Andre”
This was played between Frank Drill (2175) and Norbert Ahrends (2034)
played in 2006 from Germany, the home country of Emil Josef Diemer
himself. In this critical variation after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 0-0, the most popular move has been 8.Bd3,
keeping open the option of castling either side.
However, it appears that White's better theoretical option is just to commit to

8.0-0-0 and make the best of it with Bd3 following on move 9 or 10. Below is
a game where Black chose a very common set-up of b6/Bb7/Nbd7. White
plays a fine game. In addition to 9.Qf4 or 9.Bd3, White might consider the
promising Stockfish 4 idea of 9.d5!?
Drill (2175) - Ahrends (2034), Karl Mala mem op 10th Frankfurt /

Griesheim (7), 23.07.2006 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 b6 9.Qf4 Bb7 10.Bd3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3
Nbd7 12.Qh3 g6 13.Rhf1 [13.Bh6 Re8 14.Bb5 c6 15.Bxc6 Rc8 16.Bb5]
13...Nh5 14.Bxe7 [14.Bd2!?] 14...Qxe7 15.g4 Ng7 16.Qh6 Rfd8 17.Ne4 f5
18.Ng5 Nf8 19.Bc4 c6 20.Rd3 fxg4? 21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Nxe6+ Ke8
23.Nxg7+ Kd7 24.Be6+ [24.Re3+/-] 24...Kc7 25.Bxg4 Kb7 26.Ne6 Rd6
27.Re3 Qf7 28.Rf3 Qe7 29.Qf4 Rxe6 30.Bxe6 Qxe6 31.Qf7+ Qxf7
32.Rxf7+ Ka6 33.Rxh7 Kb5 34.b3 a5 35.a4+ Ka6 36.Rc7 Rh8 37.Rxc6
Rxh2 38.Rxg6 Rh4 39.d5 Kb7 40.Rg7+ Ka6 41.Kb2 [Game Notes by
Andre Müller] 1-0
173 - Hansen Elowitch Quirk
In the 1977 Maine State Chess Championship I played both Johan Skip
Hansen and Stanley Elowitch. Here is a game where the Expert beats the
Master in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
This was played in Portland, Maine. Tournaments like the Down East Open
were organized by James Quirk. I played in some. I am sure James Quirk is
missed by those who remember him.
The USCF has a nice obituary about James Quirk. The lifespan dates 1958-
2008 given in the USCF headline are impossible because James was older
than I was. He was probably born in 1946. Colby College has an obituary
note about Quirk:
"James R.F. Quirk '65, Feb. 23, 1997, in Alexandria, La., at 50. A professor
of computer science at Louisiana State University-Alexandria, he was rated
by the National Chess Federation and played postal chess with opponents
from around the world. Survivors include his daughter, Marie Quirk, and a
sister."
Hansen and Elowitch castle opposite sides. White being down a pawn must
attack. He needs targets near the king or the center. Black wants to keep the
extra pawn, survive the attack and take over the initiative as soon as possible.
Watch what happens.
Hansen - Elowitch, Portland, ME club tn, 1983 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5
3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 [7.Bd3 is nine times more
popular, but maybe not better.] 7...0-0 8.0-0-0 b6 9.Bd3 Bb7 [The scene is
set for the classic opposite sides battle.] 10.h4 Nbd7 11.Qe2 [White changes
his focus to toward the center. Another idea follows 11.h5!?] 11...Qe8
12.Ne5 c5?! 13.Nxd7 [White has a combination 13.Bb5 a6 14.Bxd7 Nxd7
15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.dxc5 Qe8 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.cxb6+/=] 13...Nxd7? [Black
should return the gambit pawn with 13...Qxd7 14.dxc5 Qc7 15.cxb6 axb6 and
get a good game.] 14.d5! [Now White's attack takes off. Hansen plays it
well.] 14...e5 15.Bf5 Qd8 16.Kb1 Re8 17.Ne4 Nf6 18.d6 Bf8? 19.Bxf6
[19.Nxf6+! gxf6 20.Qh5 h6 21.Bxh6 with mate in a few moves.] 19...gxf6
20.d7 [20.Qh5!+-] 20...Re6 21.Qg4+ Kh8 22.Bxe6 [22.Qh5! h6 23.Qxf7+-
wins the Re6 due to the mate threat on h7.] 22...fxe6 23.Ng5 fxg5 24.hxg5
Bg7? 25.Rxh7+ Kxh7 26.Rh1+ [26.g6+! leads to a faster mate.] 26...Kg8?
27.Qxe6+ 1-0
174 - Thematic Gonzalez
Here is another BDG Euwe Variation (5...e6), which is the most popular
recommended choice for Black to refute the gambit. Of course, there is
theory and there is practice. My opponent for two games was Alejandro Raúl
Gonzalez. Here I had White.
A double round robin thematic event is interesting because both players play
the same opening, sometimes that same variation, against each other at the
same time. One sends a move in both games at same time, one as White and
one as Black.
Typically both games end at the same time. When one game ends, possibly
one player will offer a draw in the second game. If a player is losing both
games, he plays until one is too painful to continue and then he resigns both
games. Thus thematic games tend to be shorter than normal tournament
games.
Sawyer-Gonzalez, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.3), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 [Scheerer
recommends this line. Most of the time I play 7.Bd3 and castle kingside,
which often wins unless Black plays perfectly.] 7...0-0 8.0-0-0 b6 [This is a
rather rare line.] 9.Bd3 [White is playing for a standard BDG kingside
checkmate. Another interesting idea is to push 9.d5!? This uses White's
development advantage, the pressure up the d-file, and the open diagonal to
the Ra8 to make tactical threats. Black will have a hard time unraveling as the
follow analysis will show. 9...exd5 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Nxd5 Bb7 (11...Be6
12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.Bd3 Nc6 14.Ng5 with compensation) 12.Bc4 Bxd5
13.Bxd5 (13.Qxd5 Qxd5 14.Bxd5 c6 15.Be4 Re8 16.Rhe1 with
compensation) 13...c6 14.Be4 Qxd2+ 15.Nxd2 g6 16.c3 with compensation]
9...Bb7 10.Rhe1 Nbd7 11.Qf4 [Heading for Qh4 unless sidetracked.]
11...Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Bb4 13.Qh3 Bxc3 14.bxc3! [Now the threat to h7 is very
strong. Premature is 14.Bxh7+ Nxh7 15.Bxd8 Bxe1 16.Bxc7+/=] 14...h5
[14...g6 15.Rf1 c5 16.Qh4+-; 14...h6 15.Bxh6 Re8 (15...gxh6 16.Qxh6 Re8
17.Rf1!+-) 16.Re3 g6 17.Rg3+-] 15.g4! [Ripping the kingside apart leaves
Black in big trouble.] 15...hxg4 [15...Qe7 16.gxh5 Qa3+ 17.Kd2 Nd5 White
has the better position after moving the bishop so the queen protects c3.
18.Bb5+/-] 16.Qh4 Re8 [16...Qe7 17.Kb2+/-] 17.Rf1 [17.Rg1!+- may be
most accurate.] 17...Qe7 18.Rxf6! [18.Bh7+] 18...Nxf6 19.Rf1 Qa3+ 20.Kd2
1-0
2.6 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3
White has both bishops developed and is ready to castle kingside.
175 - Scenic Queen Route

A sweet line I love to play in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is the BDG Euwe
5.Nxf3 e6 variation. In theory Black is okay. In practice White wins hundreds
of easy games when his whole army comes crashing down quickly on the
defenseless Black king.
The most direct route works well vs the castled king. If Black is slower to
castle, the White queen may opt for a more scenic route if she hopes to see
the beauty of a BDG checkmate.
In a three minute blitz game vs "vsathiya" we played a BDG Accepted

5.Nxf3 variation where Black combined the moves 5...e6 with 6...c6. It
certainly looks solid but if Black wants to win, he must get aggressive.
The most promising ideas for counter attack after 5...e6 involve rapid
development and the counter attacking move ...c5. White prefers 6.Bg5,
7.Bd3 and 8.0-0 with 9.Qe1 and 10.Qh4 when Black can quickly get
slaughtered.
Here Black delayed castling for a moment, so My Lady chose the scenic
queen route 9.Qd2, 10.Qf4 and 12.Qh4. I had the extra time because of the
slow move 6...c6. My 12th move had dual threats. Black missed a threat and
got mated on move 13.
Sawyer - vsathiya (1831), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 28.09.2014 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 c6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.0-0
Nbd7 9.Qd2 0-0 10.Qf4 Nd5 [Critical is: 10...Qb6 11.Qh4 h6 12.Bxh6 gxh6
13.Qxh6 Rd8 14.Na4 Qc7 15.Ng5 Nf8 16.Rf3 e5 17.Rg3 e4 18.Bc4 Nd5
19.Rf1 f5 20.Nxe4+ Kf7 21.Qh5+ Ng6 22.Qxg6+ Kf8 23.Qg8#] 11.Nxd5!
exd5 12.Qh4 [Or 12.Bxh7+!+-] 12...Bxg5? [12...f5 13.Bxe7 Qb6 14.Rae1+-]
13.Qxh7# Black checkmated 1-0
176 - Tasmanian in Toronto
George Francis on the Internet Chess lists himself as "A Tasmanian living in
Toronto". His handle of "TassieDevil" made me think of the Looney Tunes
Bugs Bunny cartoon character that acts crazy and eats everything in sight.
I wonder if he will eat my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit pawn? Our opening

zigzags from a quiet Queen Pawn Game on move one, to a Blackmar Gambit
on move two, to a French Defence on move three, to the BDG Euwe by move
five.
This fast paced blitz game sees me gain a winning advantage. But I played
faster than I calculated. I missed several crushing wins. We finished with a
wild time scramble before he resigned.
Sawyer - TassieDevil (1844), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 02.10.2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 c6
8.0-0 h6 9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.Qd2 a6 11.Rae1 b5 12.a3 Bb7 13.Ne4? [Better is
13.Rxe6! fxe6 14.Bg6+ Kf8 15.Qe2+/-] 13...Rc8? 14.Nd6+! Bxd6 15.Bxd6
Nb6 16.Bc5?! [16.Qf4!+-] 16...Nbd5? [16...Na4! 17.b4+/=] 17.c3 Ne7
18.Ne5 0-0? [18...Rc7 19.Qe3+-] 19.Qf4 [A more accurate continuation
would be 19.Rxf6!+-] 19...Re8 20.Qh4 Ned5 21.Ng4 [Another beautiful win
follows 21.Nxf7! Kxf7 22.Bh7 Rg8 23.Rxe6 Kxe6 24.Bg6!+-] 21...Nxg4
22.Qxg4 Qg5 23.Qe4 g6 24.h4 Qh5 25.Rxf7 Kxf7 26.g4 Nf6 [Clocks 1:54-
1:34] 27.Rf1 Kg7 28.gxh5? [I miss another crushing win with 28.Rxf6!+-]
28...Nxe4 29.Bxe4 gxh5 30.Bd6 Rg8? [30...Ba8=] 31.Kh2? [31.Be5#!
Checkmate in one would have been more efficient.] 31...Rgf8 [Clocks 1:31-
0:31] 32.Bxf8+?! Rxf8 33.Rg1+ Kf6 34.Rg6+ Ke7 35.Rxh6 Rf2+? [After
this Black is lost all the way, but we head into a wild time scramble. 35...Rf4
36.Bg2+/=] 36.Kg3 Rxb2 37.Rh7+ Kd6 38.Rxb7 Rb3 39.Kf4 Rxc3 40.Rh7
Rxa3 41.Rxh5 a5 [Clocks 1:21-0:17] 42.Rh8 b4 43.h5 b3 44.Rb8 a4 45.h6
Ra2 46.Kg5 Rg2+ 47.Kf6?! [47.Bxg2!+-] 47...Rh2 48.h7 Rxh7 49.Bxh7
Kd5 50.Rd8+ Kc4 51.Bb1 a3 52.Kxe6 a2 53.Bxa2 bxa2 54.Ra8 Kb3
55.Kd6 Kb2 56.Kxc6 a1Q 57.Rxa1 Kxa1 58.d5 Black resigns 1-0
177 - Endgame Hopes Dashed
An opening gambit like the Blackmar-Diemer gives White faster
development and Black an extra pawn. Your opponents may find it wise to
swap off pieces and head for an endgame where they are up material.
However, they risk your wrath of White if they must waste tempi to offer
piece exchanges.
Below Black has played the popular Euwe Variation 5.Nxf3 e6 when they
attempt a successful defense using this solid classical pawn structure. After
6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3, instead of bringing out the queenside knight with 7...Nbd7
or 7...Nc6, Black moves his kingside knight again with 7...Nd5. Black does
best to leave his Nf6 alone until the rest of his army is ready.
My opponent "rjml" liked the plan to trade bishops. However after the
bishops were chopped off, Black's inaccurate 9th move gave White the
advantage.
Sawyer - rjml (1777), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 22.10.2014 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nd5 [7...Nc6]
8.Bxe7 Nxe7 [8...Qxe7 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0=] 9.0-0 [9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0=]
9...Bd7?! [A better idea is 9...Nbc6 10.Be4 0-0 11.Qd3=] 10.Ne5! Nbc6?
[Black was in trouble, but his position falls apart. This mistake is a huge
oversight. If 10...f5 11.d5!+/-] 11.Nxf7 Qc8 12.Nxh8 Nf5 13.Bxf5 exf5
14.Qh5+ g6 15.Qxh7 Black resigns 1-0
178 - D own Durwood Hatch
In the final round of a Station Mall Tournament played May 2, 1992 in
Altoona, Pennsylvania. My fourth round opponent was Durwood Hatch rated
2027 as a USCF Expert and a good player. After this, I was also a USCF
Expert with a rating of 2011. I earned USCF Postal Master certificates two
years prior.
This game was played shortly after my first BDG book was published. I
actually received my first copy of the book on February 28, 1992. The
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit lines were fresh in my mind and I had the energy
of a man in his late 30s. Also I was playing the same repertoire (at least as
White) all the time. That pays off in the long run.
The BDG Euwe is often recommended by famous authors as a good way to

win against our favorite gambit. However, in practice, Black often slips into
trouble and is crushed.
Here we have an excellent example of the value of piece activity. With the
BDG White plays without his gambit f-pawn. Here Black goes 14 moves
without moving any queenside pieces. Hatch had kind words for me after the
game.
Sawyer - Hatch, Altoona, PA (4), 02.05.1992 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [BDG Euwe Variation] 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nd5
8.Qd2 [8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Qd2 with some compensation for the pawn in open
lines and a lead in development.] 8...Bxg5 9.Nxg5 Nf6 [9...h6 10.Nxd5 hxg5
11.Ne3=] 10.Qf4 [White could try 10.0-0-0 0-0 with an interesting opposite
sides castling battle.] 10...a6 11.Bxh7!? [I chose to mix things up and get
rewarded for my boldness. Normal would be 11.0-0-0 or 11.Rf1] 11...Rxh7
12.Nxh7 Nxh7 13.0-0 Nf6 14.Rad1 [Black's problem is that his king is
caught in the center. All White pieces are active. None of Black's queenside
pieces have moved.] 14...c6? [14...Qe7!?] 15.Ne4! Qe7 [Not 15...Nxe4??
16.Qxf7#] 16.Nd6+ Kd7 17.Nc4 Kd8 18.Nb6 Nd5 [Black saves the rook but
drops a pawn.] 19.Nxd5 cxd5 20.Qxf7 Bd7 21.Rde1 Qg5 22.Rf3+/=
[Crushing is 22.Rxe6! Bxe6 23.Qxb7+- threatening the rook on a8 and mate
on f8.] 22...Qh4 23.Qf8+ Be8? [The only way to keep playing is 23...Kc7
24.Rd1+/-] 24.Rxe6 Qxd4+ 25.Rfe3 1-0
179 - Reach BDG from French
The Euwe Variation is one of those lines where masters publish theory that
favors Black. White almost always wins!? The fact is this line is difficult for
Black. White attacking themes are easy to find. Even when White doesn't
play perfectly, he sometimes gets more chances because the Black king is
often nearly naked.
This game begins with the French Classical Variation. After 4.Bg5 dxe4
5.f3!? is the BDG move. (5.Nxe4 is also excellent.) 5...exf3 6.Nxf3 Be7
7.Bd3 h6 8.Bf4 (This is the standard reply, maintaining an eye on h6. The
alternative 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Ne4 is also worth considering.) 8...Nc6 (Black
combines two systems.) 9.Qd2!? (More common is 9.a3 reaching a position
that Scheerer covers in his book in two places, after 7...h6 and 7...Nc6).
My game continued with Black getting the upper hand but falling behind on
time. In the future I hope to go with 9.a3 or 8.Bxf6. My sacrifice Bxh6 was
not completely sound, but in practice it took good moves to beat it. Black
missed his chance on move 20. He blundered away the advantage when he
jumped at the chance to knight fork my rooks.
Often a blunder on one side is followed by a blunder on the other. I missed

the pretty mate in three starting with 21.Rxf7! At the end White was winning,
even though Black had the most pieces on the board. What do you like to
play after 7...h6?
Sawyer - ChessNightmares, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 18.07.2011

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Be7 7.Bd3
h6 8.Bf4 [8.Bxf6] 8...Nc6 9.Qd2 [9.a3] 9...Nb4 10.Bc4 a6 11.0-0 b5 12.Bb3
Bb7 13.Ne5 0-0 14.a3 Nbd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Rad1 Bxb3 17.cxb3 Nd5
18.Bxh6 gxh6 19.Qxh6 Bg5 20.Qh5 Ne3 [20...Be3+ 21.Kh1 Qg5] 21.Rd3
[21.Rxf7 Bh6 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Rh7# mate] 21...Nxf1 22.Rh3 Bh4 23.Rxh4
Black resigns 1-0
180 - Earthquake Mate in BDG
The same day an earthquake surprised New York City and Washington, D.C.
I was blessed with an easy checkmate. My game was a three minute blitz
game, but this game was finished in about one minute. I used a total of 27
seconds. My opponent used 39 seconds. The game switches from one
variation to another in earth shattering fashion.
Black answers my 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 with 2...d5 covering e4 and preventing
White from immediately playing e2-e4 without losing a pawn. I played 3.e4
anyway! Apparently overcome by White's brashness, Black ducks into a
French with 3...e6.
The French Defence is one of those openings where Black can play
aggressively, solidly or passively. Aggressive play means Black is making
tactical threats very quickly, usually against the White center. Solid play
means the Black pieces are quickly grabbing good squares from which to
operate for positional play.
Passive play means that Black is developing slowly. Passive play by Black in
the French leads to easy White wins.
Black could have played the McCutcheon 4...Bb4 or continued in Classical

style with 4...Be7. Instead the moves 4…dxe4 5.f3!? led to a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit after 5...exf3 6.Nxf3.
Sawyer - AnomicPawn, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.08.2011 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Be7 7.Bd3
[Targeting h7.] 7…h6 [Kicking the bishop and creating a weakness.] 8.Bf4
[8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Ne4] 8...Nbd7 9.0-0 [Another idea is 9.Qd2 and 10.0-0-0, but
that might get Black thinking about a queenside attack. I want Black to run
out of ideas.] 9…c6 [Solid play, but potentially passive. Now White connects
his rooks.] 10.Qd2 Nd5 [Swapping pieces when up material is practical, but
exchanging off a key developed piece is risky.] 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Rae1 0-0?
[White's dream come true.] 13.Bxh6 gxh6 14.Qxh6 Bf6 [White threatens
mate which Black misses. If 14...f5 15.Qg6+ Kh8 16.Rxe6+- winning.]
15.Qh7# Black checkmated 1-0
181 - Rare 7...b6 Variation
It is amazing how many ways Black can find to lose in the Euwe. Even when
White fails to play accurately, Black can suddenly expose a weakness, and
zap, White is better. In Sawyer - stin we transpose into a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit after 1.d4 Nf6.
A major decision where and when to develop each of the four bishops. White
usually plays 6.Bg5 and 7.Bd3 along with 0-0. Others ideas are 7.Qd2 and 0-
0-0 with Bd3, or Bc4 and Qe2.
Black can easily develop 6...Be7 to strengthen Nf6. But what to do with the
other bishop? The other bishop followed 7...b6, and 8...Bb7. In this game. I
reacted with 9.Kh1?!
A better idea as given in my Keybook II would be 9.Qe1!

Now Black has three obvious continuations:
9...Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Qxd4+ 11.Kh1 Nbd7 12.Bf4 with compensation for White
per Junior 12.
9...Nbd7 10.Qh4 Nf8 11.Ne5 Ng6 12.Nxg6+- Sawyer-Black, Horsham 1988.
9...0-0 10.Qh4 Nbd7 11.Bxh7+! Nxh7 12.Bxe7+- Vandenbroucke-bobcat,
FICS 1995.
After 9.Kh1?! Nbd7, Black castled queenside. Pieces shuffled around until
the move 17...Qd6? which left f7 undefended. White won after some
technique but not because of opening theory. Nor was it due to time in this
blitz game. Both sides had over two minutes left at the end. The victory was
more because of my overall experience with these types of positions. After
this game, we turned the board around and my opponent got some rating
points back when we drew a Queen's Knight Defence.
Sawyer - stin, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 17.09.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 b6 8.0-0 Bb7
9.Kh1 [9.Qe1! Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Qxd4+ 11.Kh1 Nbd7 12.Bf4] 9...Nbd7 10.Qd2
Nd5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Rae1 0-0-0 13.a3 N7f6 14.Ne5 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Rhf8
16.a4 Nd5 17.a5 Qd6? [17...f6 18.Nc4] 18.axb6 axb6 19.Nxf7 Rxf7
20.Rxf7 Rf8 21.Rxf8+ Qxf8 22.Rf1 Qe7 23.Be4 Nf6 24.Bxb7+ Kxb7 25.c4
Qd6 26.c3 e5 27.Qe3 e4 28.h3 Qc6 29.c5 bxc5 30.dxc5 Qd5 31.Qd4 Kc6
32.Qxd5+ Kxd5 33.Rf5+ Kc4 34.g4 e3 35.Re5 Kd3 36.Kg2 Nd7 37.Re7
Nxc5 38.Kf3 Black resigns 1-0
182 - Black Castles Queenside
In almost every opening it is wise for Black to castle kingside and to do so
fairly quickly. The king does well to get out of the center and hide behind
pawns. In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Black has a 4 vs 2 pawn advantage
on the kingside so it is almost always good to castle there at the appropriate
time.
White's pieces in the BDG are aimed at the center and kingside. When
playing Black: Why doesn’t Black castle queenside and attack kingside?
Consider these reasons why Black does not:
1. Logistically, it is hard to castle queenside prior to move 11.

2. Defensively, White makes serious threats on moves 7-10.
3. Structurally, White has a mobile 4-3 queenside pawn edge.
4. Strategically, f6 and f7 are weak after kingside pawn moves.
5. Tactically, Black cannot attack into the teeth of White's army.
Below I play BLACKTH0RN who was rated slightly above me and had just
beaten me. In three minute games, knowledge, experience and intuition are
rewarded. A tactical eye for pattern recognition helps. Speed at 2-3 seconds
per move is a must.
In this game we have a BDG Euwe where Black decides to castle queenside
and does so quickly on move 11. By then White had advanced three
queenside pawns and the fourth was coming soon. White had a small
advantage, but Black missed a couple shots. In the end there is a pretty
promotion checkmate.
Sawyer - BLACKTH0RN, Live Chess Chess.com, 03.08.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Be7 7.Bd3 b6 8.0-0 Bb7
9.Kh1 [9.Qe1!] 9...Nc6 10.a3 Qd7 11.b4 0-0-0 12.Ne2 h6 13.Bf4 Nd5
[13...g5!?] 14.Bd2 Kb8 15.c4 [15.b5+/-] 15...Nf6 16.Bc3 Rhe8 17.b5 Na5
18.Bxa5 [18.Ne5+/-] 18...bxa5 19.c5? [Forgot about the pin for 2 seconds.
19.Ne5+/-] 19...Bd5? [Black misses the pinned d4-pawn too. 19...Bxc5!-/+]
20.Qa4 [20.Ne5!+-] 20...c6? [20...Ng4 21.h3+/-] 21.Qxa5 [21.Rab1!+-]
21...Qc7 22.b6 axb6 23.cxb6 Qb7 24.Ba6 Qa8 25.Rab1 [25.Rac1+-]
25...Nd7 [25...Bc4 26.Ne5+/=] 26.Rfc1 Bd6 27.Ne5 Nxe5 28.dxe5 Bxe5
29.Nc3 [29.b7!+-] 29...Bxc3 30.Rxc3 Rd7 31.b7 Qa7 32.Rc5 Red8 33.Rb6
Bc4? [33...f6 34.h3+/-] 34.h3 Bb5? 35.Rbxb5 [35.Qxb5!!+-] 35...cxb5
36.Rc8+ Rxc8 37.bxc8Q# 1-0
183 - Butrint Chess Plays BDG
Playing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe variation leads to many short
violent White victories. In theory Black is fine, but in practice very few
players rated below 2000 handle it well.
My ICC blitz opponent "butrint-chess" demonstrates that the 7...b6 line is

logical. However it takes several tempi to complete development.
In this game Black never gets around to moving his queenside knight or rook.
Even though I missed the powerful 11.Nxd5! I still won in 16 moves, up a
queen with mate threats abounding.
Sawyer - butrint-chess, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 15.12.2012 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 b6 8.0-0
Bb7 9.Qd2 [More common is 9.Qe1 Nbd7 10.Qh4 when O-O allows
11.Bxh7+! regaining the pawn with a great position.] 9...0-0 10.Qf4 Nd5
11.Qh4 [This is okay, but outright winning is 11.Nxd5! Qxd5 12.Bxe7 +-
with a huge advantage for White.] 11...g6? [Better is 11... f5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7
13.Qxe7 Nxe7 14.Ng5 Bd5 15.Rae1+/-] 12.Nxd5 Bxg5 13.Nxg5 h6 14.Qxh6
Qxg5 15.Qxg5 Bxd5 16.Bxg6 Black resigns 1-0
184 - Euwe: 7...c5 Gallagher
Sometimes grandmasters give advice on facing "Anti-Lines" that avoid
"Main Lines". Several years ago, GM Joe Gallagher wrote "Beating the Anti-
King's Indians." This covers mostly lines were White played 1.d4 but not
main lines that follow 2.c4.
My favorite Anti-King's Indian opening is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.

White plays the Nc3 in front of the c-pawn, Gallagher recommends accepting
the gambit and playing the Euwe 5...e6. This seems weird to me. King's
Indian Defence and Gruenfeld Defence players might prefer the more
thematic 5...g6 move.
This game is typical of many BDG games. In the end Black is ahead by a
bishop and two queenside pawns, none of which ever moved. Black also
played without using one of his rooks. Both White rooks played a key part in
the winning attack.
Sawyer - Riand (1641), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 05.10.2011 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 c5
[Gallagher's recommendation. It has been around for decades.] 8.dxc5 0-0
[With this White has a clear target of the Black king in the corner. James
Rizzitano in his "How to Beat 1 d4" book on the Queens Gambit follows the
Joe Gallagher analysis. They prefer 8...Qa5 9.0-0 Qxc5+ 10.Kh1 Nbd7 when
White has 11.Qe1 or 11.Qe2.] 9.0-0 Bxc5+ 10.Kh1 Nbd7 [It is time for the
White queen to head toward the kingside, but does she have enough time to
get there? Yes, this time she does.] 11.Qd2 Qb6 12.Qf4!? [12.Na4 with
compensation] 12...Qxb2 13.Ne4 Nd5 14.Qh4 [14.Qg3!+/-] 14...f5 15.Nxc5
Nxc5 16.Rad1 Nxd3 17.Rxd3 Qxc2 18.Ne5 Qe2? [18...f4!-+] 19.Re1 Qxa2
20.Rh3 h6 21.Bxh6 Rf6 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.Qh8# [Black has been
checkmated] 1-0
185 - Enjoy Tejler & Marfia
I took an actual chess set, no chess on a screen. This was chess on a table. I
took a trip away from home carrying the physical set of plastic weighted
pieces with felt bottoms that my former chess student Dr. Victor Rislow gave
me a couple years before he died.
Here my family had gone off to see my beloved Boston Red Sox win a
baseball game. In the hotel we began with the rousing game of chess which I
had promised my grandson. After our chess game he set off for video games
and the cartoon network. This left me alone with a table, a chess set and a
BDG book.
"Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Euwe Defense" by Anders Tejler & Jim Marfia

from 1979 is a collection of the best games in this variation. In low-tech
fashion, I set up the board and began to play through the games in this book.
What fun! I used the 1995 edition. I found several typos in converting moves
into algebraic notation, but the intended moves were easy to determine.
Editor B.G. Dudley published good chess game collections cheaply.
I know from my own personal experience that typos can only be prevented by
those who do not write very much. Like in chess, the only ones who don’t
lose games are those who don’t play.
The updated Tejler & Marfia book has this note in the Forward:
"The original analysis has been retained intact. The principal change, other
than notation, is the addition of supplemental games to reach a total of 101
examples in this variation. These games were largely drawn from the
wonderful magazine “BDG World”, edited by Tom Purser, and Tim Sawyer's
“Blackmar-Diemer gambit keybook."
I played through 25 games. Here is Diemer vs Terzi. Every move after 10.0-
0-0 is either a check, a capture, or both! Enjoy it! I did!
Diemer - Terzi, Rastatt, 1953 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Qe2 Be7 10.0-0-0 Nd5?
[10...Nbd7] 11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Rxd5!! exd5 13.Nxd5 f6 14.Nxf6+! gxf6
15.Bxf6 Bxb5 16.Qxb5+ Kf7 17.Qh5+ Kxf6 18.Qh6+ Kf7 19.Ne5+ Kg8
20.Qe6+ Kg7 21.Qf7+ Kh6 22.Ng4+ Kg5 23.h4+ Kxg4 24.Qf3# [Black is
checkmated. Notes by Tejler & Marfia] 1-0
186 - Beam Me Up Scotty
Postal chess games often last months, and sometimes years. Players of all
skill level stop playing while the game is in progress for all sorts of reasons.
I do not remember if Scotty Louden withdrew officially or just did not move
until his time ran out. In any case, the game ended after 15 moves in this
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe variation from the USCF 1989 Golden
Knights.
The good thing about going over this game now years later is that I have
found improvements for White that I missed back then. Note that players
were not allowed to consult or to use computer analysis to select their moves.
Although, most chess engines back at that time were not very strong.
In 1989 at normal speeds on most computers, chess engines only looked

ahead 4-5 ply. When this game was played, my home computer was a little
Commodore 64. I believe it was 64K total RAM. By the early 1990s, things
sped up a lot! We bought a new computer most years in the 1990s with big
improvements. The old ones would be passed down the line to family or sold
off.
Sawyer (2190) - Louden (1776), corr USCF 89N214, 1989-90 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.dxc5
Qa5 9.0-0 Nc6 10.a3 Qxc5+ 11.Kh1 Bd7 12.Qd2 Rd8 13.Rae1 [13.b4!?]
13...0-0 14.Qf4 [Houdini sees that 14.b4! Qb6 15.b5 wins a piece, since if
Black tries to hold it with 15...Na5 16.Na4 Qc7 then 17.Bf4 Bd6 18.Bxd6
Qxd6 19.Bxh7+ Nxh7 20.Qxd6 loses a queen.] 14...h6 15.Qh4?! [15.Bxf6
Bxf6 16.Ne4 Qe7 17.c3 and White has some compensation for the pawn.] 1-0
[Black forfeits on time.]
187 - Theory in Practice
I played in a 2005 eight game BDG e-mail thematic event Here my opponent
is Enrique Iriarte. He was the only player to defeat me in this event. We
played only these two long games. This game went in my favor, but it was no
easy win.
Iriarte- Sawyer, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.6), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.dxc5 Qa5
[8...Nbd7 9.b4!? b6!? 10.c6 Ne5 11.Nxe5 Qd4 12.Bd2 Qxe5+ 13.Qe2 Qxe2+
14.Nxe2+/=] 9.0-0 [If 9.Qd2!? 0-0 10.Ne4 Qxd2+ 11.Nfxd2 Nbd7 12.0-0
Nxc5 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Rxf6 Bd7 16.Ne4 Nxd3 17.cxd3 Bb5
18.Rf3 with compensation] 9...Qxc5+ 10.Kh1 Nbd7 [Black decides to keep
his king in the center until White reveals an exact line of attack. I analyzed a
wild line with 10...h6 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Qd2 Bd7 13.a3 f5 14.b4 Qb6 15.Bxf5
exf5 16.Nd5 Qd6 17.Rae1 Be6=/+] 11.Qe1 a6 [Black intends to develop his
queenside pawns aggressively and fianchetto the bishop. 11...0-0!?] 12.Rd1!?
[Scheerer suggests this move giving two replies from games played in 2003:
12...Qb4 and 12...b6. I try a third option.] 12...Qc7 13.Ne4 b5 14.c4 bxc4
15.Rc1 Qb6 16.Rxc4 Bb7 [Black has to catch up in development. 16...0-0
17.Nxf6+ Nxf6 18.Ne5!+- and Black will be ripped apart.] 17.b3 Bd5 18.Rc2
[I thought White might try 18.Nxf6+ and all three recaptures looked to be
relatively equal. My plan was to take back with the g-pawn. 18...gxf6 19.Be3
Nc5 20.Bxc5 Bxc5 21.Rf4 Be7 when I thought the extra pawn and the two
bishops might more than compensate for my king's position.] 18...0-0 [There
is no sense waiting any longer to castle.] 19.Qe2 Rfd8 20.Nfd2 Qb7 21.Bh4
a5 22.Bg3 Rac8 [Black neutralizes the activity of the White pieces.] 23.Rxc8
Qxc8 24.Nc4 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 Bxe4 26.Qxe4 Nf6 27.Qf4 a4 [Black gives back
the gambit pawn and then attack weak points.] 28.bxa4 Qa6 29.Ne5 Rf8
30.Rc1 Nh5 [The White bishop comes off the board.] 31.Qf3 Nxg3+
32.Qxg3 Qxa4 [Eventually the extra pawn will tell.] 33.Qb3 Qf4 34.Re1
Rc8 35.Qd1 Ba3 36.Qe2 Bd6 37.Nf3 g5! [All thoughts of a back rank mate
disappear.] 38.Qe4 g4 [Or 38...Qxe4 39.Rxe4 Kg7-+] 39.Qxf4 Bxf4 40.g3
Bxg3 41.Rg1 gxf3 42.Rxg3+ Kf8 [After 42...Kf8 43.Rxf3 Rc1+ 44.Kg2
Rc2+ 45.Rf2 Rxf2+ 46.Kxf2 f5 47.Ke3 e5 48.a4 Ke7 The Black king is
inside the a4-e4-e8-a8 box. Thus the a-pawn cannot queen, and the win with
the connected passed pawns is simple.] 0-1
2.7 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0
White has both bishops developed and Black castles kingside.
188 - Repeatable Combination

One thing nice about playing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe is that you
can repeat the exact same combination to checkmate. In 1999 I won a game
vs PALOS reaching the exact same final position as in the game vs "stiff"
below.
The order of the first three moves and the order of Black's moves 7-9 were
different between those two games. However after my 10.Qh4, the finish in
both games was identical.
Do I remember playing this in 1999? No! I have averaged exactly three

games a day for 45 years. I do not remember all of them. Fortunately they are
automatically recorded as I play them.
The basic combination in this game I have repeated many times. For the
experienced BDGer, all of these moves are easy and automatic.
I am not sure if the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is sound, but the checkmates

sure do mate!
Sawyer - stiff, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 12.12.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 c6 9.Qe1
Nbd7 10.Qh4 h6 [10...Re8 11.Ne5 h5!? 12.Rae1 c5 13.Ne4 Nxe5 14.dxe5
Nxe4 15.Bxe4+-] 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.Qxh6 Re8 13.Ng5 Bf8 14.Bh7+ Kh8
15.Nxf7# Black checkmated 1-0
189 - You Always Play White?
"Do you always play White?" came the question from my opponent. "I do
today" was my answer. When playing blitz on ICC, I have often just selected
a 3 0 time limit game from the strongest human available on the "Opponent
Seeking Games" grid. My color setting is the default "Auto" which means I
basically alternate colors between White and Black.
On New Year's Eve I noticed I had played dozens more games throughout
2012 as Black than White. Thus I chose White for my color setting and did
my own posting. Anyone wanting to play me would see that I would always
be White. By the end, my number of Blacks were only 10 less than my
number of Whites for 2012.
Below is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe. My opponent was "vonpaulus",

whom I believe was the player who asked me if I always played White. I
can't blame him for wanting to play White. This was our second game. I won
the first game in 69 moves.
Here I wasted one tempo in this BDG game by going to Qd1-Qd2-Qf4-Qh4

rather than the faster Qd1-Qe1-Qh4. This was because Black had castled
early. If Black chose the common move 9...h6? I would be a tempo up after
10.Bxh6. If 10...gxh6 11.Qxh6, there may be forced checkmates in the air.
Black played 7...b6 but transposed with 7…0-0. The 7th moves for Black of
7...Nc6, 7...Nbd7, 7...h6, 7...c5, and 7...0-0 are the moves to affect White's
attack. 7...b6 is not as critical since it is slower to defend the kingside or
attack the White center.
Sawyer - vonpaulus, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 31.12.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 b6 8.0-0 0-0
9.Qd2 Bb7 10.Qf4 Nbd7 11.Qh4 g6 12.Ne5 c5 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.Bxf6
Bxf6 15.Qxf6 [15.Rxf6+-] 15...cxd4 16.Ne4 Rac8 17.Qh4!? [More powerful
is 17.Rae1!+-] 17...Qd5? [17...Bxe4 18.Qxe4 f5 19.Qe2 Qd6 20.Rfe1+-]
18.Nf6+ Black resigns 1-0
190 - Eyes Wide Shut Trap
One of the easiest opening variations to win for the White pieces in the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is the BDG Euwe line when Black castles into a
mating attack.
This is just a little quick blitz game I played on ICC vs "king12". As

mentioned many times, the Euwe Variation is at once the strongest and
weakest defense to the BDG.
Masters recommend it for Black. Amateurs regularly lose faster and more
often with it than any other defense.
Sawyer - king12, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 09.05.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 b6 8.0-0 Bb7
9.Qe1 0-0 10.Qh4 h6 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.Qxh6 Bxf3 13.Rxf3 1-0 Black
resigns 1-0
191 - More ...b6 In BDG Euwe
From a completely different move order this game reaches the position seen
in my previously "Eyes Wide Shut Trap". There Black resigned after move
13 in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe Variation.
Below a player rated a little higher decides to play further. As it turned out I
missed a mate in seven with 16.Rg3+ because at 2 seconds per move I
thought Black could run away with 16...Kf7. A quick glance without the
clock ticking allows me to see that 17.Qg6 mate would have stopped Black’s
king in his tracks.
The problem with playing 8...b6/9...Bb7 is one of speed and tempos. Slow
development on either side is costly.
When Black plays 12...Bxf3 to eliminate my knight from the mating attack,
13.Rxf3 brings in my rook with new mating ideas. As White it is just a fun
line to play!
Sawyer - usafchamp, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 06.08.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 b6
9.Qe1 Bb7 10.Qh4 h6? [If 10...Nbd7 White has a choice between 11.Ne5 or
11.Bxh7+] 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.Qxh6 Bxf3? [Maybe Black's best move is
12...Ba6 13.Bxa6 Nxa6 14.Ng5 Qxd4+ 15.Kh1 Rfd8 16.Nce4 Qxe4 17.Nxe4
Nxe4 18.Rf4+-] 13.Rxf3 Qxd4+ 14.Kh1 Ne4? [If 14...Qg4 15.Ne4 Nxe4
16.Bxe4 Qxe4 17.Rg3+ Qg6 18.Rxg6+ fxg6 19.Qxg6+ Kh8 20.Qh6+ Kg8
21.Qxe6+ Kg7 22.Qxe7+ White is winning.] 15.Nxe4 f5 16.Ng5 [White has a
mate in 7: 16.Rg3+ Bg5 17.Nxg5 Rf7 18.Nxe6+ Qg4 19.Rxg4+ fxg4
20.Qg5+ Kh8 21.Qd8+ Rf8 22.Qxf8#] 16...Bxg5 17.Qxg5+ Qg7 18.Qh5
Qh7 19.Rg3+ Kh8 20.Qg5 Nd7 21.Rh3 Rg8 22.Rxh7+ Kxh7 23.Qe7+ Rg7
24.Qxe6 Rf8 25.Bxf5+ Kh8 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Be6+ 1-0
192 - Bill Wall BDG as Black
Here I present the first of two Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games between
these two players from a Gambit Tourney in 1980.
In this game Bill Wall plays Black. His gambit playing opponent was Dale
Burk rated 2058.
Initially Black defends reasonably well with the BDG Euwe 7.Bd3 0-0.
White places his pieces in ready position for kingside action.
Black tried to get something going on the queenside. Alas some tactical
errors from the moves 21-25 left White with an extra rook by combination. It
was a nice win by Dale Burk.
Burk - Wall, Gambit Tourney Dayton, OH (3), 11.01.1980 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 [6...Bb4] 7.Bd3 [7.Bc4;
7.Bb5+] 7...0-0 [7...h6] 8.0-0 h6 [8...Nc6] 9.Bh4N [9.Bf4; 9.Bd2] 9...c6
10.Ne2 [10.Qd2] 10...Re8 [10...Nbd7] 11.c3 [11.Qd2] 11...Nbd7 [11...Ng4]
12.Qd2 [12.Qc2] 12...b5 [12...Qc7] 13.Bg3 [13.a4] 13...a5 [13...Bb7] 14.a3
[14.a4] 14...Bb7 15.Rae1 [15.Ne5] 15...Qb6 [15...Nh5] 16.Kh1 [16.Ne5]
16...b4 [16...c5] 17.axb4 axb4 18.Ne5 [18.Ra1] 18...c5 [18...Nxe5;
18...bxc3] 19.h3 [19.Nxd7; 19.Qf4] 19...Ra2 [19...Nf8; 19...cxd4] 20.Bb1
[20.Nxd7 Nxd7 21.Nc1] 20...bxc3 21.Qxc3 [21.Qd3] 21...cxd4?! [21...Raa8;
21...Ra6] 22.Nxd7 Qxb2? [22...dxc3 23.Nxb6 Rxb2] 23.Qd3 [23.Nxf6+
Bxf6 24.Qd3] 23...Ne4 24.Bxa2 Qxa2 25.Nf4 [25.Qf3] 25...Nxg3+?
[25...Qa6 26.Bh2 Qd6] 26.Qxg3 Rd8 27.Ne5 1-0
193 - Old Hat Bxh6! Sacrifice
The Bxh6 sacrifice in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe variation is as
comfortable as wearing an old hat. It's reliable. It does not take much thought.
It feels good every time.
Once the opponent recaptures with ...gxh6, Black is usually checkmated by

force. If he does not recapture, White has the gambit pawn back. Then Black
is missing the h-pawn which leaves a hole in front of the castled king like a
missing tooth.
Here is a little blitz game I played. My opponent "Doctorr2" was rated about
1800.
Sawyer - Doctorr2, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 25.11.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 h6
9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.Qd2 c6 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.Qxh6 Re8 [If 12...c5 13.Ne5 Nxe5
14.dxe5 Qd4+ 15.Kh1 Qxe5 16.Rxf6 Qxf6 17.Qh7#] 13.Ng5 Ng4 14.Qh7+
Kf8 15.Rxf7# Black checkmated 1-0
194 - Repeatable Patterns
One skill that helps us win games is the ability to recognize patterns where
the same type of combination or checkmate can be played repeatedly. For
years I have used the program by GM Gilberto Milos originally called
"Personal Chess Trainer". Most of the positions come from grandmaster
games. You learn their finishing moves, either how they did or could have
finished.
This program was expanded and renamed as "Chessimo". Now it can be done
online. I use “Chessimo” daily as an app on my smart phone. It helps me to
stay smart in chess tactics.
The BDG has many repeatable patterns. One Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe
with 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 is very popular. Below we reach it by
transposition 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 etc.
In an Internet Chess Club three minute blitz game, I obtained a natural

position after 12 moves. Black's response 12...Qb6 was new to me. However,
I played the thematic 13.Bxh6 bishop sacrifice and Black was checkmated on
move 20.
Sawyer - don007, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 15.05.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Nc3 dxe4 5.Bg5 exf3 6.Nxf3 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 h6 9.Bf4
c5 10.dxc5 Bxc5+ 11.Kh1 Nc6 12.Qd2 Qb6? [At first it looks like Black is
better after 12...Re8 but White has 13.Bxh6 gxh6 14.Qxh6 Bf8 15.Qh4 Bg7
16.Ng5 Ne5 17.Rad1 and Junior 12 indicates White has full compensation for
the sacrificed bishop.] 13.Bxh6 gxh6? 14.Qxh6 Ne7 15.Ng5 Nf5 16.Bxf5
exf5 17.Rf4 Re8 18.Nd5 [White can force mate 18.Rh4! Re1+ 19.Rxe1 Nh5
20.Re8+ Bf8 21.Rxf8#] 18...Nxd5 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.Qxf7# Black is
checkmated 1-0
2.8 – Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7
This position can be reached by transposition from many move orders. It
looks solid and sound, but Black can easily slip up and get crushed in another
dozen moves.
195 - Tartakower Saving Grace

Grandmaster Savielly Tartakower played the Blackmar-Diemer later in life.
He used to say "As long as an opening is reputed to be weak it can be
played." Wikipedia includes the following note:
José Raúl Capablanca scored +5 −0 =7 against Tartakower, but they had

many hard fights. After their fighting draw in London 1922 (where
Tartakower played his new defense), Capablanca said, "You are lacking in
solidity", and Tartakower replied with his usual banter, "That is my saving
grace."
Dr. Tartakower was born of Austrian parents in Russia in 1887 and educated
in Geneva and Vienna, where he took up chess. In 1911 his parents were
killed in a pogrom vs Jews, even though the family had converted to
Christianity. During World War I Tartakower fought in the Austro-Hungarian
army on the Russian front. In 1918 Tartakower became a citizen of Poland
and lived most of the rest of his life in Paris, France. He represented the
Polish Team in seven Olympiads, mostly in the 1930s. In World War II he
fought under French General Charles de Gaulle. GM Tartakower died
February 4, 1956, when I was just a young boy.
Tartakower played BDGs vs Nora in 1954 with the BDG Declined Vienna. In
1955 the same opponent accepts the gambit in a BDG Euwe. In this game
Tartakower chose19.Rad1, but it only leads to a perpetual check draw after
Black sacrifices his queen. Houdini found the subtle 19.c3!+- which drives
the Black queen from a key square. It gives White great winning chances.
Tartakower - Nora, Paris, 1955 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Qe2 c6 9.0-0 [9.0-0-0!?] 9...0-0
10.Kh1 b6 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Nxd7 Qxd7? [12...Nxd7 13.Qe4 g6 14.Bh6 Re8
15.Qf4 f5 16.Bc4 Bf6 17.Rae1=] 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Qe4 Rfd8 15.Qxh7+ Kf8
16.Ne4 Qxd4 17.Nxf6 gxf6 18.Bg6 Rd7 19.Rad1 [With a draw, but 19.c3!+-
Houdini] 19...Qxd1 20.Qh8+ Ke7 21.Qxf6+ 1/2-1/2
196 - BDG for Quick Mate
This is just a BDG quickie: a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe variation
played on ICC vs "heusen". My lower rated opponent played a very critical
line perfectly for at least 10 moves.
The only real mistake was on move 15, after which Black's position fell apart
almost immediately. In the end there is no defense to mate.
Christoph Scheerer recommends 7.Qd2 as an improvement to the line that I

played. Alas, I often don’t do what’s best for me.
Sawyer (2021) - heusen (1107), ICC 2 5 u Internet Chess Club, 06.07.2013

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3
Nbd7 8.0-0 [Because of the possibilities on move 11 below, Scheerer
recommends 8.Qe2!?] 8...c5! 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Qe2 [11.Bxf6
Bxf6 12.Qe2 Qb6 13.Rf2 0-0-+ Scheerer] 11...0-0 [11...Qb6 12.Be3 Bxb5
13.Nxb5 a6 14.Nbd4 Qxb2 15.Nf5 Bf8 16.Bd4 Qb5-/+ Rizzitano] 12.Bc4 [Or
12.Rad1 Qb6-/+] 12...a6 13.Rad1 b5 14.Bd3 Qc7 [Black has been angling to
swap off my light squared bishop. Certainly 14...Nxd3-/+ is good, although
White does have some activity.] 15.Ne5 Bd6? [Black makes only this one
mistake, and now White is winning. Instead, 15...Nxd3! 16.Rxd3 Bc6=/+ is a
must.] 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Bxh7+! Kxh7 [Otherwise it is a mate in six: 17...Kh8
18.Qh5 Kg7 19.Rd4 Ne4 20.Bxe4 f5 21.Qg5+ Kh8 22.Rf4 Ra7 23.Rh4 mate
or 17...Kg7 18.Qg4+ Kh8 19.Qh4 Kg7 20.Rxf6 Qa5 21.Qh6+ Kh8 22.Bd3+
Kg8 23.Qh7 mate] 18.Qh5+ Kg7 19.Qg4+ Kh8 20.Rf3 Black resigns 1-0
197 - Mason Value of Blitz
Quentin Mason (playing as "Knaaky") recently sent me a game, presumably
played on FICS. Thus I am making the assumption that this was a blitz game;
that is what he sent me in the past.
This opening is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe 7.Bd3 Nbd7 by

transposition. One thing that makes this game different is that White chose to
vary from the normal 9.Qe1 (intending 10.Qh4) lines to play 9.Ne5. In any
case White still ended up with the dream of Qh7 checkmate!
Blitz games from an openings standpoint teach you things. Here are several
ways that blitz chess helps.
In blitz chess you can:

1. See which lines you know already and which need study.
2. Experience a variety of responses to your opening repertoire.
3. Practice winning games from basic typical tabiya positions.
4. Learn new tactical concepts if you play better players.
Knaaky - Lisu, FICS, 2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 Be7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.Ne5?! [This position had been
reached 185 times in my database. White chose 9.Qe1 177 times, scoring
74.9%. In other words, 9.Qe1 is a very good move.] 9...b6? [The problem
with 9.Ne5 is Black could play 9...Nxe5! 10.dxe5 Qd4+ 11.Kh1 Qxe5 and be
up two pawns. White has an attack, but is it worth two pawns?] 10.Rf3?!
[White can win instantly with 10.Nc6! Qe8 11.Nxe7+ Qxe7 12.Ne4 Bb7
13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qg4+ Kh8 16.Qh4+- and Black loses the
king or queen or both.] 10...Bb7!? 11.Rh3 c5? [Black has to try 11...g6 and
hope to survive the attack.] 12.Nxd7 [Wow, White has another amazing idea
too: 12.Bxh7+! Nxh7 13.Qh5!+- with a fast win.] 12...Qxd7 13.Bxf6 Bxf6
14.Bxh7+ Kh8 15.Qh5 [White has a mate with 15.Be4+ Kg8 16.Rh8+ Kxh8
17.Qh5+ Kg8 18.Qh7#] 15...Qxd4+ 16.Kh1 Qh4 17.Rxh4 Bxh4 18.Bg6+
Kg8 19.Qh7# 1-0
198 - Caro-Kann Deep Trouble
Where was I when I heard a plane hit the tower? On that fateful day,
September 11, 2001, my wife and I were eating breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts
near her office. She was going to work at 9:00 and I worked out of my office
at home. We were just finishing breakfast when the news came over the
radio.
She went to work. I drove three miles home. I turned on the TV in my office
and watched live as the second plane hit the other tower. These planes came
from Boston. I had been in Boston the week before for a Red Sox game. That
mattered little on 9/11. The USA has never been the same since, but we still
play chess.
I wrote about this game eleven years after 9/11. My opponent "Hecarder"
made things easy for me by transposing from one line to another in a way that
kept improving my situation.
We start out in a Caro-Kann Defence but move to the main line of the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe. Both sides had wasted a tempo from the
regular move order:
Black played ...c6 and ...c5, while White took 3 moves (Qd2-Qf4-Qh4)
instead of Qe1-Qh4 to reach a popular position. And once again I miss the
winning move 12.Bxh7+!
Sawyer - Hecarder, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 04.09.2012 begins 1.d4 c6

2.e4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bg5 0-0
9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.Qf4 c5 11.Qh4 cxd4 12.Ne4 [12.Bxh7+! wins] 12...h6
13.Bxh6 Nxe4 [13...gxh6 14.Nxf6+ Nxf6 15.Qxh6 wins] 14.Qxe4 Nf6
[14...f5 15.Qxe6+ Rf7 16.Bc4 with a strong attack.] 15.Qh4 gxh6 16.Qxh6
Qb6? [Maybe best was 16...Ne4 17.Bxe4 f5 18.Qg6+ Kh8 19.Ne5+-] 17.Ng5
Qxb2 18.Rad1 Qxa2 19.Rxf6 1-0
199 - Wrong Way, Right Mate
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe Variation is one of my favorite opening
positions. Here we follow the traditional main line. I love the position after
10.Qh4 where my pieces are poised to rip apart the kingside and checkmate
the Black king.
With 11.Rae1, I am fully developed. But then in this 3 0 blitz game, I start
messing up. I advance the wrong knight and play 12.Ne4 instead of 12.Ne5!
When attacked, I move my bishop the wrong way. I went 17.Bb1 instead of
17.Bxg6!
Fortunately, however, I am still able to play the right checkmate with

21.Qg7#.
Sawyer - laura00, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 05.05.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Bd3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0
9.Qe1 a6 10.Qh4 g6 11.Rae1 Re8 12.Ne4 [12.Ne5! Nxe5 13.Rxe5 Nh5
14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Rxh5+-] 12...Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Nf6 14.Bd3 Nd5 15.c3 Kg7
16.c4 [16.Bxe7 Rxe7 17.Ng5+-] 16...Nb4 17.Bb1 [Wrong way?! The battle is
forward! 17.Bxg6! fxg6 18.Ne5 Kg8 19.Rf7 h5 20.Bxe7 Rxe7 21.Rxe7+-]
17...Bxg5 18.Nxg5 Rh8 19.Rxf7+ Kg8 20.Qh6 Nc6 21.Qg7# Black
checkmated 1-0
200 - Love of Pretty Mates
If you have ever been addicted or dealt with an addict, you know the
temptation to return to the addiction is very strong! I confess that I am
addicted to pretty checkmates.
Here I missed the most accurate choice while trying for a checkmate. Like
many addicts, I succeeded in feeding my addiction. My opponent was mated
on move 17.
It was a three minute ICC blitz game. I began boldly with 1.e4. After my
opponent played 1...e6, I decided to play 2.Nc3. Black continued 2...d5. I
replied 3.d4 reaching a French Defence.
When he captured 3...dxe4, I could not resist heading for a BDG with 4.f3!?
Black was co-operative with 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6. Thus we reached my initial
goal of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
"Whitewood" as Black has developed all his minor pieces rapidly without
wasting any moves. The position after ten moves has been reached many
times. I played the natural 11.Ne5, hoping to eliminate the protection for h7
followed by checkmate.
By playing for a mate, I missed the correct forced combination winning

material with 11.Bxh7+! Nxh7 12.Bxe7 attacking both the queen and rook.
The funny thing is that this line was given by me in my own Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Keybook II.
My focus on the mate led me to miss something I recommended myself in

my own book!? But I do love the pretty mate below.
Sawyer-Whitewood, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 12.06.2012 begins 1.e4

e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.f3!? [4.Nxe4+/=] 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be7
7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Qe1 b6 10.Qh4 Bb7 11.Ne5 [11.Bxh7+! Nxh7
12.Bxe7 Qc8 13.Bxf8+-] 11...g6 [11...h6 12.Nxd7 (Risky is 12.Bxh6?! Nxe5!
13.dxe5 Ne4!=/+) 12...Qxd7 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Rxf6 gxf6 15.Qg4+ Kh8
16.Qf4 Kg8= and White has a perpetual check.] 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.Rxf6
Bxf6 14.Bxf6 h5 15.Qg5 Kh7 [Allows mate in 2.] 16.Qxh5+ Kg8 17.Qh8#
Black is checkmated 1-0
201 - Kevin Sheldrick Wins
Kevin Sheldrick sent me a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit where he shows
creative energy in pursuing a thematic checkmate attack.
"Hi, I recently found your blog. Games there are better than in theory books
because you have a good opening knowledge of the ideas, use computer
analysis to get right analyses but, most importantly, your games are filled
with what club players actually play (rather than many GM variations, as in
the theory books, that not so many club players play).
"This game is interesting for the attacking options available to both players in
the BDG.
"Best Regards, Kevin"
Kevin Sheldrick demonstrates a good feel for winning ideas in this opening.
This line with 9.Qe1 h6 10.Qh4 is critical and has occurred dozens of times.
His opponent plays the most popular choice of 10...hxg5. Christoph Scheerer
analyzes the ideal line 11.Ng5 g6 12.Qh6! which Kevin notes as well.
Scheerer does not mention 10...Re8!? which stronger players prefer. Now we
focus on what you are most likely to face. Notes below are all from Kevin,
except for three specifically noted as "Sawyer".
Sheldrick (2030) - NN (2053), Chess.com 3 0, 2014 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3

d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe1 h6
10.Qh4 hxg5 [10...Re8!? Sawyer] 11.Nxg5 g6 [I think this is +-. It is =
according to Stockfish but actually, after trying several options, I can't find a
defense for Black. 11.Nxg5 with a gruesome attack, e.g. 11...c5 12.Nce4 (Or
first 12.Bh7+ Kh8 13.Bg6+ Kg8 and now 14.Nce4+- with mate in four.
Sawyer) 12...Re8 (12...cxd4 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 14.Rxf6! Bxf6 15.Qh7#)
13.Nxf7! Kxf7 14.Ng5+ Kg8 15.Bh7+ Kh8 16.Bg6+ (Or 16.Nf7# Sawyer)
16...Kg8 17.Bf7+ Kf8 18.Qh8+ Ng8 19.Qxg8#] 12.Nce4? [12.Qh6!+-
slashing, intending 13.Rf3 (or similarly Rf4), 14.Rh3 and 15.Qh8 mate]
12...Nh5! 13.g4 [consistent but loose] 13...Bxg5? [13...Ndf6!-+ e.g. 14.gxh5
Nxe4-+] 14.Nxg5 Nhf6 15.Rf3 [15.Qh6!+-, intending Rf3-h3 again]
15...Kg7! 16.Raf1 Rh8 17.Qf2 Qe7? [17...b6 18.Ne4 Bb7!-+] 18.Ne4+- Rf8
19.Nxf6 Nxf6 20.Rxf6 Bd7 21.Qh4 Rae8 22.g5 Rh8 23.Qf4 Ref8 24.Qxc7
Rh5 25.Qf4 e5 26.dxe5 Qc5+ 27.Kh1 Bc6+ 28.Be4 Qc4 29.Rxg6+ fxg6
30.Qxf8+ Kh7 31.Rf7+ [Notes by Kevin Sheldrick] 1-0
202 - Gambiteers Surprise
Have you ever been surprised and caught off guard by a gambit? Yesterday
someone played a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit against me in a 3 minute blitz
game! What do I do? I had to figure it out quickly. We played again and
again. In our fourth game below the board was turned around. I had White in
a BDG Euwe vs him. Four games and four gambits.
The sign read: PAWN OPEN SUNDAY on Babcock Street in Melbourne,

Florida. I suspect they meant a pawn shop. But for me, it meant on that
Sunday I should post openings where the players gambit a pawn. After I saw
that sign, I played four blitz games vs "diams" on ICC, switching colors each
time.
I began with an Alekhine Defence as Black after 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4!?
Okay, I will take your pawn: 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 c6, a BDG Ziegler; I won on
move 21. In game two, we began 1.d4 e5 an Englund Gambit which I
declined with 2.Nf3!? an Alekhine Defence reversed. Black defended poorly
and I won quickly in 10 moves. In game three I played the Albin-Counter
Gambit as Black after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 and won on move 36.
In the fourth game as White I played a BDG Euwe. Black played well and
quickly for 10 moves. Fortunately for me, he blundered on move 13 and the
game was soon over. What happens when gambiteers face each other?
Usually the higher rated player wins as in any opening. As of the day I wrote
this, for example, I had the privilege of playing "diams" 12 times; he won one
of them.
Sawyer - diams (1760), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 07.06.2014 begins

1.d4 d5 [1...e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.dxe5+/= and 1-0 in 10 moves. Sawyer - diams]
2.e4 [2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.g3 Nge7 6.Bg2 Ng6 7.0-0 Ngxe5 and 0-
1 in 36. diams - Sawyer] 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 [5...c6
6.Bd3 Bg4= and 0-1 in 21. diams - Sawyer] 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 Re8
9.Qe1 Nbd7 10.Qh4 Nf8 11.Rad1 [11.Ne5+/= is a little better.] 11...b6
12.Ne4!? [12.Ne5=] 12...Nxe4 [12...Ng6!=] 13.Qxe4!? Bxg5? [13...Rb8]
14.Qxa8 Be3+ 15.Kh1 [Black resigns. Possibly he intended idea was 15…
Bxd4 16.Nxd4 Qxd4 winning a pawn, but 17.Bxh7+ and Black loses a
queen.] 1-0
203 - Dimitry Partsi in BDG
This Blackmar-Gambit game is a BDG Euwe. Alistair Cameron as Black
grabs the gambit pawn and develops solidly. Generally it is recommended
that Black play more aggressively at some earlier point, such as 7...Nc6,
7...c5 or 7...h6. The moves 7...Nbd7 or 7...0-0 can reach the old main line
below.
Black plays no weak moves. Yet, he gets crushed by Dimitry Pastsi in a

beautiful and simple attacking game. I love it!
Once again this illustrates that the move 5...e6 (often given by authors to be
the antidote to the BDG) contains serious dangers when Black plays a normal
looking defensive set-up.
Partsi (2108) - Cameron (2140), 47th Begonia Open Ballarat AUS (5),
10.03.2013 begins1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5
Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe1 Re8 10.Qh4 Nf8 11.Ne5 Ng6 12.Bxg6
hxg6 13.Rad1 [Also good is 13.Rf3!+-] 13...Nh7 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Qf2 Nf6
[15...Rf8] 16.Rd3 Rf8 17.Rh3 Nd7 18.Ne4 c5 [After 18...c6 19.Qf4 Nxe5
20.Ng5+- threatening of 21.Rh8+! with mate to follow.] 19.Qg3 cxd4
[19...Nxe5 20.Nf6+ Qxf6 21.Rxf6+-] 20.Nf6+ Qxf6 21.Rxf6 Nxf6 22.Qh4
Nh5 23.g4 1-0
204 - Chess King Store
Over 40 years ago I purchased clothing at a mall store called "Chess King",
which had nothing to do with chess. The name alone got me to check out the
store. I only bought a few items at Chess King because usually they were out
of my price range.
They specialized in late 1960s-early 1970s styles for young men's clothing
(ages 12-20) back when most of us wore our hair long. It was fun for me to
just walk in the store, look around, and walk out.
At one point the clothing chain had 500 stores, but Chess King went out of
business in 1995. "Rex" is Latin for "King", which brings me to the chess
game of the day by another Chess King using the ICC handle "chessrex".
This ICC blitz game is in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe variation.

"chessrex" is an expert on the BDG. His games (note “he” is not chess queen)
appear from time to time in the Internet Chess Club database.
This game actually begins as a BDG Ziegler with 5...c6 6.Bc4, but after 6...e6
the players transpose to a BDG Euwe with both sides having lost a tempo
after 9.Bd3 and 10...c5. Here Black played 11...cxd4, but I take the
opportunity to analyze a critical move: 11...Re8.
chessrex (2301) - edikmgdl (2313), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 07.12.2012

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 e6 [6...Bf5]
7.0-0 Nbd7 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Bd3 0-0 10.Qe1 c5 [We reach the classic BDG
Euwe position with both sides taking one extra tempo to get to this position.]
11.Qh4 cxd4 [11...Re8 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Qd4+ 14.Qxd4 cxd4 15.Nb5
(Interesting is 15.exf6 gxf6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Rxf6 dxc3 18.Raf1 Re7=) and
now Black has two possibilities: 15...Nd5 (or 15...Nd7 16.Bxe7 Rxe7
17.Rae1=) 16.Bxe7 Rxe7 17.Nxd4=] 12.Bxh7+ Nxh7 13.Bxe7 Qb6 14.Na4
Qb5 15.Bxf8 Qxa4 16.Bd6 Qa5 17.b4 Qb6 [or 17...Qd5 18.Qe7+-] 18.Qe7
d3+ 19.Bc5 Nxc5 20.bxc5 Black resigns 1-0
205 - Bisguier Picks My BDG
Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier selected my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game as
the Runner-Up 1985 Game of the Year Award in APCT. This was the best
BDG game I ever played in my life.
Three years earlier Bisguier chose my Nimzo-Indian Defence win as Black

over George E. Fawbush for the Runner-Up 1982 Game of the Year Award
in APCT.
Below is my first Michael Foust game. Others were a Bird's Opening and an
Alekhine Defence.
This was Game 400 featured in my Blackmar-Diemer Keybook published by

Thinkers' Press in 1992 as the main line of chapter four on the BDG Euwe.
That line begins with 5.Nxf3 e6.
FM Ken Smith, the late great author and publisher of Sicilian Smith-Morra
Gambit fame, had a great eye for marketing. When Ken Smith saw a good
chess book, he would write one on the same subject and sell both books
together.
When he saw how well my 1992 BDG Keybook sold, Ken Smith co-wrote
with NM John Hall “Winning With the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit” published
by Chess Digest in 1993.
Smith sent me a free copy with this note inside the cover:
"Hi Tim, You make this possible. Thanks, Ken."
Since I was a frequent customer of his catalog chess book store, we talked a
lot. I always liked Ken Smith; he died in 1999. R.I.P.
Gary Lane made this Game 5 in his “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit” published by

Batsford in 1995. The game also is mentioned in my big book “The
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II published by Pickard & Son in 1998
(page 250).
More recently IM Christoph Scheerer cited my game (page 152) in “The

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit” published by Everyman Chess in 2011.
The notes below are by me unless otherwise quoted and noted.
Sawyer (2000) - Foust (1943), corr APCT Q-88, 1985 begins 1.e4 d5 [Yes,
this game actually began as a Scandinavian Defence. I love 1.e4, but he
tempts me to transpose to a BDG.] 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6
6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 ["More recently 7.Qd2, with the idea of castling queenside,
has become popular and is an interesting alternative..." Scheerer] 7...0-0 8.0-0
Nbd7 9.Qe1 c5 10.Qh4 [White is more interested in checkmate than in
playing around with the d-pawn.] 10...Re8 11.Ne5 Nf8 ["Now all of White's
pieces are poised to crack Black's defenses." Smith & Hall] 12.dxc5 Qc7
13.Rae1 Qxc5+ 14.Kh1 [What does White have for his pawn? Absolutely
complete development with great open lines for his attack!] 14...Ng6
15.Bxg6 hxg6 [15...fxg6 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.Bxe7 Qxe5 18.Rxe4+/-] 16.Nxf7!
[I felt like the great Alekhine making this move.] 16...Rf8 ["16...Kxf7 17.Ne4
Qd4 18.c3 Qb6 19.Nxf6 Bxf6 20.Rxf6+ gxf6 21.Qh7+ Kf8 22.Bh6 mate"
Bisguier] 17.Ne4 ["17.Nh8 is also quite cute." Scheerer] 17...Qc7 18.Nh6+
gxh6 ["Sawyer analyzed 18...Kh8 when 19.Nf5+ Kg8 20.Nxe7+ Qxe7
21.Bxf6 Rxf6 22.Rxf6 gxf6 23.Nxf6+ wins for White." Lane] 19.Qxh6 Nh7
20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Rf7 Rxf7 22.Qxf7 Bd6 [22...Bd8 23.Qe8+ Kg7
24.Bxd8+-] 23.Bf6+ Nxf6 24.Qxf6+ Kh7 25.Nxd6 Qxd6 26.Qf7+ Kh8
27.Rf1 ["A most impressive demolition by the one of the top BDG players in
the world." Smith & Hall] 1-0
2.9 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6
Black quickly brings the queen’s knight into play attacking d4 directly and
potentially attacking Bd3 after …Nb4.
206 - Slip in Critical Line

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe game Bill Wall vs Guest5794, Black
plays a critical line. The resulting position left White in some trouble.
Fortunately for Mr. Wall, he was able to escape. One slip with 12...Nd5? and
White was able to draw the game by perpetual check.
Wall - Guest5694, Internet .03), 2005 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Bb5 [8.a3 h6 9.Bf4] 8...Bd7 9.0-
0 a6 10.Bd3 h6 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Qd2 Nd5? [This allows a draw. Black would
stand better after the move 12...Nb4!-/+] 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Bxh6 gxh6
15.Qxh6 f5 16.Qg6+ Kh8 17.Qh6+ Kg8 18.Qg6+ Kh8 19.Qh6+ Kg8 1/2-
1/2
207 - Zilbermints Gambit
Lev Zilbermints of New Jersey (born in Moscow) is a very creative player.
He tests many of his ideas in New York City chess clubs and in blitz games. I
am familiar with lines he developed such as White in the Grob (1.g4 d4 2.e4)
and as Black in the Englund (1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nge7).
Years ago Lev used to call me frequently. I can still hear his wonderful high
pitched Russian accented voice, "Hello! This is Lev." We chatted about chess
for many hours.
I did not always have time to talk to him. Lev has very definite opinions
about his opening variations. One thing I appreciate about him was that,
agree or not, you know what he thinks.
His most significant contribution in the Blackmar-Diemer is in the Euwe line

5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.0-0!? Lev sacrifices a second pawn after
8...Nxd4 9.Kh1. Zilbermints was not the first to play it, but his analysis
warrants the name Zilbermints Gambit.
There are many possible ninth move defenses for Black. The two replies that
score the best are 9...c5 and simply retreating 9...Nc6. Lev seems to have
plausible answers for everything.
Below I played the Black pieces vs Junior 10. It chose to play the Zilbermints
Gambit. I played poorly with 9...Nxf3 10.Qxf3 0-0 and now instead of the
normal 11.Qh3! White played 11.Bxf6!? My defense here was weak, but this
game shows that White can sometimes get a great position quickly. Enjoy!
Junior 10 - Sawyer, Florida, 04.03.2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3

Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6!? 8.0-0 Nxd4 9.Kh1 Nxf3
10.Qxf3 0-0 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Rad1 Qe7 13.Ne4 h6 [This loses a pawn and
allows White adequate compensation. Correct was 13...Bxb2-+ which leaves
Black up three pawns, while White only has compensation worth one pawn.]
14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.Qxf6 gxf6 16.Rxf6 Kg7 17.Rf4 Bd7 18.Be2 Bc6 19.Rd3
Rad8 20.Rg3+ Kh8 21.Rf6 Kh7 22.Bd3+ Rxd3 23.Rxd3 Kg7 24.Rf4 Bb5
25.Rg3+ Kh7 26.Ra3 a6 27.Raf3 Kg7 28.Rg4+ Kh7 29.c4 Bc6 30.Rf6 b5
31.Rh4 Kg7 32.Rfxh6 Rd8 33.Rh7+ Kf6 34.Rf4+ Kg6 35.Rhxf7 Rd1+
36.Rf1 Rd2 37.R7f2 1-0
208 - Zilbermints in Euwe
In 2014 Lev Zilbermints defeated IM Francisco Sanchez Guirado in a blitz
game that transposes to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by the fourth move. In
the game below Lev Zilbermints employs his special variation of the BDG
Euwe after 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 known as the Zilbermints
Gambit with 8.0-0!?
This idea allows White to speed up development and increase piece activity
and threats at the cost of a second gambit pawn. More common moves are
8.a3 or 8.Qd2.
The veteran International Master Sanchez Guirado of Spain has a FIDE rating
of 2336. Black got into deep trouble, but as often happens in very fast games,
there were chances to save the game with 21...Qa3! or 22...Nxd3!.
Such opportunities tend to come and go for only a few seconds and then it’s
over. Lev Zilbermints made the best of his chances for an exciting short sharp
victory.
Zilbermints (2131) - Sanchez Guirado (2189), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club

2014 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7
7.Bd3 Nc6 8.0-0 [Lev plays his own gambit. 8.a3 is the main line.] 8...Nxd4
9.Kh1 Nxf3 10.Qxf3 c6 [10...0-0 11.Qh3 g6 12.Rae1=] 11.Ne4 Qd4?
[11...Rf8 12.Rad1=] 12.Rad1 [Or 12.c3+/-] 12...Qxb2 13.c3! Bd7 [13...Qa3
14.Nxf6+ Bxf6 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qxf6 Rf8 17.Bxh7 Qe7 18.Qe5 Bd7
19.Qc7+/=] 14.Rb1 Qxa2 15.Rxb7 Qd5 16.c4 [16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6
18.Qxf6 Rf8 19.Be2+-] 16...Qe5 17.Bf4 Qa5 18.Nd6+ Kf8 [18...Bxd6
19.Bxd6+-] 19.Rxd7 Nxd7 20.Bd2 [20.Nxf7!+- is very powerful.] 20...Ne5
21.Qf4 Qc5 [21...Qa3! 22.Nxf7 Qxd3 23.Nxe5+ Qf5 24.Qxf5+ exf5
25.Rxf5+ Bf6 26.g4 Ke8 27.Nxc6 Kd7 28.Na5 Rhe8-+] 22.Nxf7 [22.Bc3!?]
22...Bf6? [22...Nxd3!-+] 23.Nxe5 Black resigns 1-0
209 - Bajer vs Holleland
This featured Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game is a contest in the critical line
Euwe 7.Bd3 Nc6. The match between R. Bajer (1914) and Sigve Holleland
(1812) shows how easy it is to miss opportunities over the board in this sharp
opening.
After 8.Qd2, Black offers to exchange dark squared bishops with 8...Nd5.
White should exchange 9.Bxe7 at that point.
Personally, I prefer to play 8.a3 when I have White to avoid the continuation
8.Qd2 Nb4!. That way I can keep my White light squared bishop from being
harassed.
After 8.Qd2 Nd5, White offered the d4-pawn with 9.0-0?! in the Lev
Zilbermints style. Of course our New Jersey chess friend prefers White to
castle a move earlier with 8.0-0!?
Here the players duke it out. Bajer had a couple interesting chances for
advantage on moves 14 and 19.
Eventually they reach a roughly level light squared bishop ending with
limited winning chances. White had more space, but there are no easy entry
points for his king. Black's pawns are much more on the safer dark squares. A
draw was agreed.
Bajer (1914) - Holleland (1812), Gibraltar Masters 2014 Caleta ENG

(8.115), 04.02.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6
6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Qd2 [8.a3] 8...Nd5 [8...Nb4!=/+] 9.0-0 [9.Bxe7
Qxe7 10.0-0=] 9...Nxc3 [9...Nxd4!-/+] 10.bxc3 0-0 11.Rae1 Bd7 12.Qf4 f6
13.Qh4 f5 14.Bc4 [The game now drifts into equality. White has two good
options to fight for an advantage: 14.Bxe7+/= or 14.d5!?+/=] 14...Bxg5
15.Qxg5 Rf6 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.Rxe5 Qf8 18.Rexf5 Rxf5 19.Qxf5 [19.Rxf5!
is more aggressive.] 19...Qxf5 20.Rxf5 Rf8 21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Kf2 Ke7
23.Ke3 Bc6 24.g3 Kf6 25.Bd3 h6 26.c4 b6 27.Be4 Be8 28.Kf4 Bh5 29.g4
g5+ 30.Kf3 Be8 1/2-1/2
210 - Long Winding Road
In 1995, playing chess by e-mail was relatively new. Bill Wall vs Charles
Blair played a hard fought game in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
The Euwe 5…e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 variation is considered by IM

Christoph Scheerer to be one of Black's best options. In his notes Scheerer
suggests that Black play 8...Nb4, a move Bill Wall also points out. Scheerer
recommends that White improve with 8.a3 or even 7.Qd2.
As the game below went, Black kept trying to force a favorable ending. Wall
kept avoiding it with creative and aggressive play.
Bill managed to open up the Black king, but its own heavy pieces provided
sufficient protection. After many checks, White misses a few chances as he
noted. Black followed a long and winding road to win.
Wall - Blair, Postal, IECC .06), 1995 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Qd2 Nd5 [New move. 8...0-0;
8...h6; 8...a6; 8...Nb4; 8...b6] 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.0-0-0 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 Qb4
12.Qe1 0-0 13.c3 Qa5 14.Kb1 Ne7 15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Qh4+ Kg8 17.Qxe7
b5 18.Qh4 f6 19.Qe4 Rb8 20.a3 Qb6 21.Qg6 Bb7 22.h4 Qc6 23.Rde1 Qe8
24.Qg3 Rf7 25.h5 Re7 26.Ka1 Bxf3 27.gxf3 e5 28.dxe5 fxe5 29.h6 g6
30.Qg5 Rb6 31.f4 e4 32.f5 Re5 33.Rd1 Kh7 34.Rd8 Qe7 35.fxg6+ Rxg6
36.Rh8+ Kxh8 37.Qxg6 Rg5 38.Qa6 Kh7 39.Qxa7 e3 40.Re1 Re5 41.Qd4
e2 42.Qd2 c6 43.Qd3+ Kh8 44.c4 bxc4 45.Qxc4 Qd6 46.Qf4 [46.Qc2;
46.Qg4] 46...Qd1+ 47.Ka2 Qd5+ 48.b3 Qd6 49.Qc1 [49.h7 Qc5 50.a4]
49...Qd3 50.a4 [50.Qb2] 50...Kh7 51.Qb2 [51.Qb1; 51.Kb2] 51...Qe3
52.Qc2+ [52.b4; 52.Kb1] 52...Kxh6 53.Qxc6+ Kg5 54.Qc2 [Weak.
54.Qg2+; 54.Qh1] 54...Kf4 55.Ka3 Kf3 56.Qg6 Qc3 57.Qf6+ Ke3 58.Qh6+
[Loses. 58.Rb1 Qd4 59.Qh6+] 58...Kd3 59.Qd6+ [59.Qh4; 59.Qg6+]
59...Kc2 60.Qg6+ Kd2 61.Qb1 Re7 62.Ka2 [62.Rxe2+ Rxe2 63.Qg1]
62...Re3 0-1 [Notes by Wall]
211 - Short BDG Chess Trap
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is far more a system of attack than it is a series
of traps. However, there are a few traps that can shorten the typical BDG win
by about 10 moves. I can think of about a dozen such traps, about one per
major variation.
Put another way, White often succeeds in the BDG when Black develops
normally but inaccurately. Traps that do occur tend to follow a Black blunder
with immediate punishing White tactics.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, we have a trap which loses a queen. I

played Clarence Butler in the 1989 USCF Golden Squires Finals. We were in
our third year of this postal event and out of the running for prizes when we
crossed swords... just playing out the final round.
Postal players had many games going at once. This one was not a priority for
either of us, just one more rated game. Clarence was one of five in my
database to fall for this trap in this way.
Sawyer (1961) - Butler (1756), corr USCF 89SF10, 17.06.1992 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Qd2
[8.a3! or 8.0-0!?] 8...Nxd4? [Big blunder. The critical line here is 8...Nb4!
9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Qf4 Nxd3+ 11.Rxd3 b6 12.Qh4 Ba6 13.Rdd1 h6-/+] 9.Nxd4
Qxd4? [Bigger blunder.] 10.Bb5+ 1-0
212 -Taylor Builds Euwe
From 1991 to 1999 Tim "the tool man" Taylor was the leading character in
the "Home Improvement" TV series. The actor Tim Allen was awesome in
these portrayals.
In the 1989 USCF Golden Knights I played an opponent with a similar name:
Tom Taylor. I am not sure what Tom knows about tools, but he built a nice
defense against my Blackmar-Diemer.
It is fun for me to do a play off the names "Tim" and "Tom". As "Tim" I have
been called "Tom" by many people all my life because "Tom Sawyer" is a
famous Mark Twain character in books. Also, the leading BDG proponent in
the USA throughout the 1980s and 1990s was Tom Purser. (Not to diminish
the BDG efforts of masters Peter Webster and Charles Diebert).
Tom Purser and I lived in the same small town and worked for the same
small company, but I arrived 15 years after Tom left. My first BDG Keybook
came out in 1992, during the phase when Purser was the editor of the "BDG
WORLD" magazine. Tom told me that many people have called him Tim.
Back to Tom Taylor.
The normal line is 8.a3, which is what I almost always played in later years.
Zilbermints would prefer 8.0-0!? Below I missed a few opportunities (see
moves 11, 13 and 19 in notes below). Overall I remember the feeling that I
was simply outplayed.
Sawyer (2136) - Taylor (1727), corr USCF 89N260, 07.08.1990 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Qd2
Nb4 9.Bc4!? [Clauser] 9...Nbd5 10.Bd3 [Not 10.0-0-0 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 Ne4-+;
but 10.0-0 is worth a try.] 10...Nb4 11.0-0-0 [11.Bc4 would repeat moves.]
11...Nxd3+ 12.Qxd3 Nd5 13.h4 [This seems just routine. Maybe 13.Bxe7
Qxe7 14.Rhe1 Nxc3 15.Qxc3 0-0 16.d5=] 13...Nxc3 14.Qxc3 h6 15.Bf4 c6
16.g4 Qd5 17.Ne5 Bf6 18.Kb1 Bd7 19.Qd3 [19.Qe3! Bxe5 20.dxe5 Qa5
21.g5 hxg5 22.Bxg5+/- with some serious threats.] 19...c5 20.c4 [20.Nxd7
Qxd7 21.g5 hxg5 22.hxg5 Rxh1 23.Rxh1 Be7 24.Rh8+ Bf8 25.Qe4+/=]
20...Qxd4 21.Qxd4 cxd4 22.Rxd4 [Last attempt seems to be 22.g5 Bxe5
23.Bxe5 Bc6 24.Rhe1 hxg5 25.hxg5 Rh5 26.Bxg7 Rxg5 27.Bxd4 Ke7=/+]
22...Bxe5 23.Bxe5 f6 24.Bh2 e5 25.Re1 0-0-0 26.Rde4 h5 27.Ka1 Bxg4
28.Bg1 a6 29.Bb6 Rd2 30.c5 Bf3 0-1
213 - Transmission Error
In postal chess players write their moves and mail them away. Each postal
organization had an official method to score the moves, such as English
Algebraic or Numerical Notation.
The rules of postal chess made your written move as binding as "touch move"
is in a rated OTB (over-the-board) tournament. Players especially in the first
couple years of postal play would be more likely to make transmission errors.
That is, they wrote down a move that was not their intended move and mailed
it.
I played over 1000 postal games, mostly from 1977-1997. In the 1970s I
made a few transmission errors myself. In my career I might have done that
3-4 times in maybe 20,000 moves. Even high rated postal players made such
mistakes, rarely of course.
In my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe Variation 7.Bd3 Nc6 game vs Richard

Riley, I chose 8.Qd2 instead of 8.a3 or the gambit move 8.0-0 from Lev
Zilbermints. On move 11, Dick meant to play what would be in the old
English Descriptive notation "11...B-N5". However in listing the move in
English Algebraic notation, my opponent remembered to change the "N" to a
"g" but forgot to change the "5" to a "4". Thus he play 11...Bg5 instead of his
intended 11...Bg4. I got a lucky break because 11...Bg5 was legal. The
mistake allowed me to regain my gambit pawn and to build up a strong
position quickly.
Sawyer (2187) - Riley (1526), corr USCF 89N215, 29.11.1989 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Qd2 h6
9.Be3 Nd5 10.Nxd5 [10.0-0-0!? Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Bf6 Schiller gives this
position as favoring Black. 12.d5!+/=] 10...exd5 [10...Qxd5=] 11.c3 Bg5?!
[Riley meant 11...Bg4 but unfortunately for him, Dick miswrote a legally
binding move on his postcard. 12.0-0 (12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Bh4+ 14.g3
Bg5=/+ Schiller) 12...Qd7 (12...Bxf3? 13.Rxf3 Qd7 14.Qf2 Bf6 15.Rxf6!+-
Houdini) 13.Bf4=] 12.Nxg5 hxg5 13.Bxg5 Qd6 14.0-0-0 Be6 15.Rde1 Ne7
16.h3 0-0-0 17.Rhf1 Rde8 18.Re2 [With his pieces well developed on good
lines and no obvious way to proceed, White simply makes a flexible move
and waits for a mistake.] 18...Nf5? [18...Qd7 19.b3+/=] 19.Bxf5 Bxf5
20.Rxe8+ Rxe8 21.Rxf5 1-0
214 - Danger King in Center
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe Variation (5.Nxf3 e6) is tailor made for
a strong White kingside attack after Black plays ...0-0. This Euwe variation
often resembles a French Defence.
Sometimes Black can delay castling to his benefit. However, any king stuck
in a wide open center is in very serious danger.
Below is a blitz game where my opponent started well, defends well, and
picks off one of my pieces. Excellent.
Being a 3 0 blitz game, Black had to play very quickly and soon lost back the
bishop. With his king vulnerable to checks, Black eventually dropped a
second bishop and was lost.
Sawyer - pawnstar3, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 21.05.2012 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Nc6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Qd2
[8.a3] 8...h6 9.Bf4 [Another line is 9.Be3 Nb4 10.Bc4 Nbd5 11.0-0 Nxe3
12.Qxe3 0-0 13.Ne5 with some compensation for the pawn.] 9...Nd5
10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.0-0?! [White would do better with either 11.c4 or
11.Bxc7] 11...Nxd4 12.Bxc7? [Hanging a piece.] 12...Nxf3+ 13.Rxf3 Qc5+
14.Qf2 Qxc7 15.Rxf7 [At least Black's king position is weakened.] 15...Qb6
16.Bg6 Qxf2+ 17.Rxf2+ Kd8? [Promising was 17...Kd7!-+] 18.Rd1+ Bd7?
[Black needed to play 18...Kc7=/+] 19.Rfd2 Bc5+ 20.Kh1 Kc8 21.Rxd7 Rf8
22.Rxg7 e5? 23.h4!? a5 24.Rdd7 e4? 25.Rc7+ Kb8 26.Rxb7+ Kc8
27.Rbc7+ Kb8 28.Rxc5 e3 29.Re7 [29.Bf5! Ra7 30.Rb5+ Ka8 31.Be4+ Rb7
32.Rxa5+ Kb8 33.Rxb7+ Kc8 34.Ra8#] 29...Ra6 30.Bd3 Rb6 31.b3 Rbf6
32.Rce5 Black resigns 1-0
215 - Euwe Trap vs Gorm
This is another quick example of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit trap in the
BDG Euwe variation. This Internet Chess Club game is with the opponent
Gorm.
Our game shows a club opponent falling for a BDG trap. This tactical trick
does not happen all the time.
If you play the BDG vs a variety of opponents rated under 2000, you will see
this maybe 1% of the time.
Sawyer - Gorm (1561), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 18.10.2014 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.a3
Nxd4? [8...h6 9.Bf4] 9.Nxd4 Qxd4? 10.Bb5+ Black resigns 1-0
216 - Another Quick Mate
I like to head for the BDG as White, since I like short and sweet games. It's
fun to throw many new BDGs. Here we look at the Sawyer - DARAKAN
blitz game that begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3.
Also White can play 2.f3 which often transpose to the BDG. The problem
with 2.f3 is that White does not have much vs the French or Benoni set-ups.
Below we have transposed in the BDG Euwe Variation. Black continued here
6...Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6! Scheerer calls this the main line of the Euwe 7.Bd3
variation, and rightly so. It is very popular.
In theory Black seems to be better; in practice White scores very well! On the
average Black is rated 200 points higher, and yet White has a winning record.
The same is true for my own personal games after 7...Nc6. Sure, there has
been some ugly losses, but I have won a lot of games in this line.
Sawyer - DARAKAN, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 18.09.2011 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.a3 [8.0-
0!? Zilbermints variation.] 8...a6 9.0-0?! [9.Qd2! 0-0 10.0-0-0=] 9...0-0
[9...Nxd4=/+] 10.Qd2 b5 [10...Nxd4!-/+] 11.Qf4 Bb7 12.Qh4 g6 13.Ne4
[13.Ne5! Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd5 15.Ne4+/-] 13...Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Na5 [14...f6!
15.Qh6 fxg5 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.Qh6+ Kg8= drawn by
perpetual check] 15.Bxb7 [15.Bxe7!+-] 15...Bxg5 16.Nxg5 f6? [16...h5
17.Bxa8+-] 17.Qxh7# Black checkmated 1-0
217 - Fantini vs Pagnutti
This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit was played by two players who were rated
about the same: M. Fantini (1982) vs L. Pagnutti (1998). The game begins as
a BDG Euwe where White has very good chances.
Gradually Black plays better and consolidates his material. In the end, Black
misses three shots at an advantage. Consequently, the game reaches a drawn
ending.
Fantini - Pagnutti, 17th HIT Open A Nova Gorica SLO (7), 31.01.2012
begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit] 4...exf3
5.Nxf3 e6 [Euwe Variation] 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.a3 [Lev Zilbermints
would like 8.0-0 Nxd4 9.Kh1] 8...Nd5 9.Bxe7 Ndxe7 10.Qd2 Nf5 11.Ne2
[White has two interesting tries for an advantage: 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.Rhe1 a6
13.Kb1 Nd6 14.h4 b5 15.d5 exd5 16.Nxd5+/= with a very promising game.;
Or 11.Bxf5 exf5 12.d5+/=] 11...Nh4 12.0-0-0 Nxf3 13.gxf3 Bd7 14.Qf4 Ne7
15.h4 Nd5 16.Qg3 Qf6 17.c4 Ne3 18.Rdg1 [White is ready for a kingside
attack, but Black does not castle.] 18...g6 19.Qf2 Nf5 20.Be4 Nd6 21.Bd3
Bc6 22.Rh3 b6 23.Rg4 0-0-0 24.Kb1 Kb8 25.h5 Nf5 26.Be4 Ne7
[26...Nxd4!-+] 27.Rf4 Qg7 28.h6 Qf8 29.Qh4 f5 30.Bc2 g5 31.Qxg5 Ng6
[31...Rg8!-+] 32.d5 Nxf4 33.Nxf4 exd5 34.Ne6 Qg8 [34...Qd6!-/+]
35.Qxd8+ Qxd8 36.Nxd8 Rxd8 37.Bxf5 1/2-1/2
218 - I Can't Resist BDG
I switch back and forth from 1.d4 (I have played 11,000 times) to 1.e4 (I have
played 6000 times). I do this to take a break from my normal lines which
keeps me fresh and eager. Half the time when I play 1.d4 I head toward a
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
I face many 1.e4 openings when I play 1.d4. For example:

1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.Nc3 - French Defence
1.d4 d5 2.e4 c6 3.Nc3 - Caro-Kann Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d6 3.e4 - Pirc Defence
1.d4 Nc6 2.e4 - Queen's Knight Defence
1.d4 g6 2.e4 - Modern Defence
1.d4 b6 2.e4 - Owen's Defence
1.d4 a6 2.e4 - St. George Defence
Openings unique to 1.e4 are 1…e5 Open Game and 1…c5 Sicilian Defence.
The Alekhine can transpose to a Huebsch Gambit by 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4
Nxe4 or a BDG by 3...dxe4 4.f3. I am happy to play the Alekhine 1.e4 Nf6
from either side.
Here I am taking a break from the BDG with 1.e4. When what to my
wondering eyes should appear... 1.e4 d5. I can't resist 2.d4! Now I am
transported back to my BDG world. Turns out in this 3 minute blitz game, I
miss good shots but pull off a pretty finish.
Sawyer - keka, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 20.09.2012 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4
dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.a3 [In a
previous game vs this same opponent, I played 8.Qd2 Nb4 and Black
eventually won.] 8...0-0 9.Qd2 b6 10.0-0 [An alternative is 10.0-0-0 Bb7
11.Qf4 with a typical BDG attack.] 10...Bb7 11.Qf4 Nd5 12.Qh4 h6
13.Nxd5 [13.Qe4! and Black will have to give up a pawn to avoid being
mated.] 13...exd5 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Qg3 Qe3+ 16.Kh1 Qe7 17.Rae1 Qd7
18.Ne5 Nxe5 19.Rxe5 [I missed the power of 19.dxe5! Rfe8 20.Rf6! Kh8
21.Rg6!+/-] 19...Rae8 20.Rfe1? [20.Rf6 Rxe5 21.dxe5 Re8 22.Rxh6 Rxe5
23.Rg6 fxg6 24.Qxe5=] 20...Rxe5 21.Qxe5 Bc6 22.c3 Re8 23.Qg3 Rxe1+
24.Qxe1 Qe8 25.Qf2 Bd7 26.h4 Qe6 27.Qf4 c6 28.g4 Qxg4? [=. After
28...g6-+ Black is winning.] 29.Qb8+ Bc8 30.Ba6 Qxh4+ 31.Kg2 Qg4+
32.Kf2 Qh4+ 33.Ke2 Qe4+ 34.Kd2 Qg2+ 35.Kc1 Qg5+ 36.Kb1 Qf5+
37.Ka2 h5? [This loses instantly, but White is better after 37...g5 38.Bxc8+/-
] 38.Bxc8 Qf6? 39.Bf5+ 1-0
219 - Courage and Fun
USCF correspondence chess master Christopher O'Connell once commended
me saying, "players like yourself who have the courage to try openings like
the Blackmar make the game fun for all of us!" The BDG provides fun for
those who like sharp tactics. Sacrifices and gambits take courage, but they
produce rewards.
My Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe game vs O'Connell was published

several times. I lost this one, but it is still fun to play. I tried a rare line.
Below I have given rather extensive notes.
This game is from my original 1992 Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook

[Game 368]. I have since revised the 700 games in the original book with
new notes and analysis using chess engines. The book was an overview of all
the most important BDG games ever played, including 90 games by E.J.
Diemer himself.
Sawyer - O'Connell, corr USCF 88NS3, 03.07.1989 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5
3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.a3 h6 [Often this
advance is fatal for Black, but in this position it proves troublesome for
White].9.Bd2 [Purser is blamed or credited for this move. It was worth a try.
Diemer demonstrated that Black is better after 9.Bf4 g5 10.Be5 g4-/+, but
Scheerer suggests 10.Be3! Ng4 11.Bg1] 9...0-0?! ["To be perfectly honest,
I'm still not sure about my opening play - maybe 9...0-0 is ?!" O'Connell.
9...Nd5!? "might be stronger." Schiller] 10.0-0 ["I feared 10.Qe2 intending 0-
0-0 for you with a dangerous attack. Oh well, players like yourself who have
the courage to try openings like the Blackmar make the game fun for all of
us!" O'Connell. 10...Nxd4 11.Nxd4 Qxd4 12.0-0-0 Bd7 "puts a big burden of
proof on White" Watson & Schiller. True, White can get one pawn back
immediately with 13.Bxh6 but after 13...Qg4 White is forced to swap Queens
to avoid losing more material. Black has a big advantage. White needs to
look elsewhere for an improvement.] 10...Nxd4 11.Qe1 b6 12.Qh4 Bc5
13.Kh1 Bb7 14.Bxh6 Nxf3 15.gxf3 Qd4 16.Be4 Nxe4 17.fxe4 f5! [Black
defends sharply and accurately.] 18.Rg1 Rf7 19.Rg2 fxe4 [This is one of my
most famous games, because Eric Schiller has republished it in many of his
books as a great way to beat the BDG. The 12th moves are left out of the
game when he published it in "Classical Defenses: Black to Play and Win",
but he corrected the game score in later books.] 0-1
3.0 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bd3
This section covers less popular sixth moves. The main idea is 6.Bd3.
220 - Shorter Long Bogoljubow

Bill Wall finds himself again on the Black side of a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Bogoljubow in 1981 vs Jim Cross. The position feels like a BDG
Long Bogo after 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4, but 6.Be3 was played. The same two
players met in different BDG variations.
Against Black's castled king Cross played Qd2, Be3-Bh6-Bxg7, and 0-0-0.
White tried in vain to break thorough with moves like h4 and f4-f5. This
could only succeed if White had more forces near the Black king than his
opponent.
8.Bh6 was probably premature. Black held on and won the Exchange to
decide the game.
Cross - Wall, Dayton, OH .09), 1981 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Be3 [6.Bc4] 6...Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.Bh6 Bg4 9.Bxg7
Kxg7 10.0-0-0 Nc6 11.h3 Bxf3 12.gxf3 a6 13.Ne4 Nd5 14.h4 h5 15.f4 b5
16.Nc5 Qd6 17.f5 gxf5 18.Qg2+ Kh7 19.Bd3 [19.Qg5] 19...Nxd4 20.Nb7
Qf4+ 21.Kb1 Ne3 22.Qd2 Nf3 23.Qc1 e5 24.Nc5 Nxd1 25.Qxf4 Nc3+
26.bxc3 exf4 27.Bxf5+ Kh6 0-1 [Game Notes by Wall]
221 - Bill Wall in BDG vs Steveo
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow game Bill Wall vs Steveo,
White adopts a more methodical development. He postpones threats until
later in the game.
Black gradually drifts into trouble. White gets a King Hunt with a pretty final
mate.
Wall - Steveo, www.chess.com .09), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bd3 [This is a very slow approach. The main ideas
vs the Bogoljubow are 6.Bc4 or 6.Bf4] 6...Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Ne2 Bg4 9.c3
Nbd7 10.Bf4 c6 [10...c5!=/+] 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Nd5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7
14.Qd2 Bxe2 [14...e5!?] 15.Bxe2 e6 16.c4 Ne7 17.Qc3 Nf5 18.d5+ Kg8
19.dxe6 fxe6 20.Rad1 Qg5 21.Rd7 Rf7 22.Rxf7 Kxf7 23.Qb3 [23.h4 Qxh4
24.g4= leave White with an extra bishop for three pawns.] 23...Rf8 [23...Rb8]
24.Qxb7+ Kg8 25.Qxa7 Ne3 26.Rxf8+ Kxf8 27.Qb8+ Kg7 28.Qb7+ Kh6
29.Qxc6 Qf4? [29...Nf5 30.Qe4+/-] 30.Qf3 Qd4 31.Qf8+ Kg5 32.h4+ Kxh4
33.Qh6+ Kg3 34.Qh2# 1-0
222 - Gambit on the Dark Side
This BDG sees Bill Wall with the Black pieces. Instead of playing the most
popular moves like 5...Bg4 or 5...e6, Bill opts for the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Bogoljubow.
In a sharp gambit like the BDG, it is critical that the gambiteer make threats
immediately! White in this game played too slowly with 6.Bd3 and 8.Ne2.
This allowed Black to take over the initiative and hold his extra pawn.
Guest4867 - Wall, Internet .13), 2005 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Ne2?! [8.h3!?] 8...c5 9.c3 cxd4
10.Nexd4 Nc6 11.Qe1 Qd6 12.Qh4 Ng4 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bc2 Qc5+
15.Kh1 Ba6 16.Bf4 Bxf1 17.Rxf1 h5 18.h3 Qb5 19.Rb1 Qe2 20.hxg4 Qxc2
21.Rg1 [21.Rc1 Qxb2-/+] 21...Bf6 22.Ng5 Qxb2 23.gxh5 Kg7 24.h6+ Kh8
0-1
3.1 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4
This line is known as the Long Bogo, as the main purpose of 6.Bf4 is to help
White castle long.
223 - Kick blik Day in Bogo

We have the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted Bogoljubow, the Long
Variation. I have tried many lines vs blik in the Bogoljubow with mixed
success.
In some of those lines I scored well, but they are not sound. Therefore I chose
to work on opening variations that I might actually play in my own games.
In the Nick Kampars' Blackmar-Diemer Gambit magazine, March 1963,

Diemer wrote:
"As I forged 6.Bf4 as a new weapon against 5...g6, I thought above all else of
the psychological effect of this move: Black would try sooner or later to put
himself in possession of the two bishops. But what use is such an idea in this
position?"
Now 6.Bf4 Be6!? is a blik favorite. Humans usually play 6...Bg7. After my
7.Qd2 h6!? I forgot 8.d5! Bxd5 9.0-0-0. Sometimes you just have to play
chess. I equalized after blik missed 16...Be5! At least I made enough threats
to draw this higher rated opponent.
Sawyer - blik, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 01.09.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 [Long Variation] 6...Be6!? 7.Qd2
h6 [7...Bg7! 8.0-0-0=] 8.0-0-0 [8.d5! Bxd5 9.0-0-0=] 8...g5 9.Be5 Nbd7
10.d5 Bg4 11.Bb5 Bg7 12.h3 Bxf3 13.gxf3 a6 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7 15.Bxf6
Bxf6 16.Ne4 Bg7 [16...Be5=/+] 17.h4 Qf5 18.hxg5 Qxf3 [18...hxg5=]
19.gxh6 Bxb2+ 20.Kxb2 Qxe4 21.Qd3 Qe5+ 22.Qc3 Qxc3+ 23.Kxc3 Rd8
24.h7 e5 25.Kc4 b5+ 26.Kc5 Rd6 27.Rde1 f6 28.Reg1 Kf8 29.Rg6 Kf7
30.Rg3 Rb6 [30...f5=] 31.Rh6 [31.Rh5+/=] 31...f5 32.Rxb6 cxb6+ 33.Kxb6
Rxh7 34.Kxa6 b4 35.Kb5 Rh2 36.Kxb4 Rxc2 37.a4 e4 38.a5 Rb2+ 39.Rb3
Rd2 40.a6 Rxd5 41.a7 Rd8 42.Kc4 [42.Kc5+/=] 42...Ra8 43.Ra3 Kg7
44.Kd4 Kg6 45.Ke3 Kg5 46.Ra5 Kg4 47.Ra6 Kg5 48.Ra5 Kg4 49.Ra6
Kg3 50.Ra5 Kg4 Game drawn by repetition 1/2-1/2
224 - Short Win Vs Bogoljubow
Sometimes I train to beat computers in repeatable sharp opening lines. For
this training purpose, I want a chess engine that will choose to play the same
lines over and over. This usually means blitz games against a computer that
does not have a 3000 rating.
One such lower-mid-level computer is "blik" on the Internet Chess Club.

Against my attempts to play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, "blik" will avoid
the BDG with the French, Caro-Kann, Modern, Pirc, Dutch and Benoni.
When "blik" allows that BDG, I get the BDG Declined Vienna, BDG
Accepted Ziegler, BDG Euwe, BDG Teichmann and BDG Bogoljubow as in
today's game. It follows the same lines for 12-15 moves.
I had two complete BDG repertoires against each variation that blik plays to I
can learn more deeply those variations. After each game, I looked up the
opening to see where I could improve. I forgot some lines, but that was part
of the learning process.
I finally worked out a short win with 6.Bf4 vs the BDG Bogoljubow
Variation (5...g6). Here is my ICC BDG Bogo blitz win with Sawyer (rated
2218) vs blik (rated 2362).
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit] 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 g6
[Bogoljubow Variation] 6.Bf4 [The main line Bogo goes 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-
0 8.Qe1 heading to Qh4.] 6...Be6?! [Best seems to be 6...Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-
0-0 Nbd7 9.h3!?] 7.Qd2 h6? 8.d5! Bxd5 9.0-0-0! c6 [If 9...Bxf3?? 10.Qxd8#
is checkmate] 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Bxb8 Qxb8 12.Bb5+ Kd8 [With the Black
king stuck in the center, White has promising tactical possibilities once he
completes his development.] 13.Qd4 Qc7 14.Ne5 Rh7 15.Rhf1 Kc8 16.Rd3
Qd6 17.Qe3! Kb8 18.Rxf6 exf6 19.Nd7+ Kc7 20.Rc3+ 1-0 [Black resigns.
20.Rc3+ Kd8 21.Nc5! with unstoppable threats.] 1-0
225 - Spamsky Tries Bogoljubow
With the popularity of the Gruenfeld Defence, it is quite natural for a BDGer
like me to play a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow. In the current game
my ICC blitz opponent "Spamsky" had his knight wander off with 7...Nh5 in
an attempt to trade off minor pieces when Black is up the gambit pawn.
When it was time to come back with 13...Nhf6, Black wasted time. This led
to a thematic fianchetto pin. The tactical threat forced checkmate.
Sawyer - Spamsky, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 24.10.2012 begins 1.e4 d5

2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 Nh5 [7...0-0 8.0-
0-0=] 8.Be3 0-0 9.0-0-0 Nc6 10.Bh6 Nb4 11.a3 Nd5 12.Ne4 Bg4 13.Be2
b6? [It is time for 13...Nhf6 14.Bxg7= Nxe4? 15.Qh6+/-] 14.h3 Bxf3
15.Bxf3 Rc8? [Dropping a piece, but if 15...f5 16.Bxg7 Nxg7 17.Ng5+/-]
16.Bxh5 gxh5? [White is also winning after 16...f5 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Ng5+-
when the fork threat on e6 allows White time to rescue the Bh5.] 17.Qg5 1-0
226 - Fail to Castle in Bogo
When is it too dangerous to delay castling? We shall see. Everything started
fairly normal reaching a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by transposition after 1.d4
Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3.
My opponent accepted the gambit pawn and played 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 g6. After
years of playing 6.Bc4, I decided to try the Bogoljubow 6.Bf4 (Long Bogo)
line.
Players castle opposite sides and attack simultaneously. White has better
open lines, but Black has an extra pawn.
In this game my ICC blitz opponent "PrinceBuster" chose to attack while

leaving his king in the center. This is an interesting concept, but in practice it
is risky. By the time Black did castle with 19...0-0, he was going down a
rook.
At the 3 0 speed (three minutes on the clock for both sides with no added
increment per move) we missed things at the pace of 2-3 seconds per move.
All I really had to do was simplify into a won ending up a rook without
losing on time. No problem.
Sawyer - PrinceBuster, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 16.06.2012 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 Bg4
[The main line of the Long Bogo is 7...0-0 8.0-0-0 with compensation for the
pawn.] 8.0-0-0 Nbd7 9.Be2! [A short move in a Long Bogo.] 9...c6 10.h3
Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Qa5 [11...Nb6 has to be critical when White is likely to choose
between 12.g4, 12.h4, 12.Rhe1 or the waiting move 12.Kb1!?] 12.Kb1 b5
13.d5 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd2 15.Nxf6+ [Not bad, but certainly not best. Most
accurate is 15.Nc7+! Kf8 16.Rxd2 Rc8 17.Nxb5+-] 15...Nxf6 [15...Bxf6!
16.Rxd2 0-0-0 17.Rd5+/=] 16.Rxd2 Rc8 17.Bb7 [17.Re1+/-] 17...Rd8? [A
costly mistake which leaves Black down a rook. The saving move is 17...Rc4
18.b3+/=] 18.Bc6+ Nd7 19.Bc7 0-0 20.Bxd8 Ne5 21.Bxe7?! [More accurate
is 21.Bxb5+-] 21...Rc8 [White would "only" be up the Double Exchange
after 21...Nxc6 22.Bxf8 Bxf8+-] 22.Be4?+- [Again 22.Bxb5!+-] 22...f5
23.Bd5+ Kh8 24.Bb3 Nc6 25.Bd6 a5 26.Bd5 Nd4 27.c3 Rd8 28.cxd4 Rxd6
29.Bf3 Bxd4 30.Rhd1 1-0
227 - BDG Magazine Diemer
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine from the March 1963 edition as
written by Anders Tejler we have two BDGs. Here we have notes by Diemer.
Notes by Kloss follow a few games later.
Correspondence Analysis of B.D.G. by E.J. Diemer and Manfred Kloss
(Article by Anders Tejler)
"In the September issue of "Caissa", 1954, Diemer presented two games
from his series of correspondence games with Kloss. His argument was that
the BDG is "correct" from a logical point of view and not a mere razzle-
dazzle opening without firm foundation.
"In the November issue of "Caissa", 1954, Kloss presented his side of the
argument with a presentation of three games from this series of games. Kloss
contends that the BDG is only a marginal note as far as theory is concerned
and does not appear in important international tournaments or only as an
isolated occurrence. He further contends that with exact play White obtains
only an equal position with one pawn less, which means that White will lose.
"With regard to the first contention, I wish to point out that for various
reasons many chess players restrict their repertoire to openings only to the
"tried and true" openings which promise to get him to the midgame stage,
where his combinative or tactical skill can be employed. It is not at all
surprising that in serious tournament play an uncommon opening should
appear infrequently. This, however, is not to be taken to mean that
uncommon openings are unsound from a logical point of view and forever
banished. Many uncommon openings are lost in chess-limbo because they are
avoided; it takes two to tango as the saying goes. Bronstein breaks out of the
rut occasionally by playing a Kings Gambit in serious play. In the Paris
Christmas Tournament (admittedly an "unimportant" tournament), wily old
Tartakower beat the winner of the tournament, Simonovic, with a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit. It is true that Simonovic held out for 59 moves, but the BDG
got him in the end.
"With regard to his second contention, Kloss makes an assumption that
many chess players make, I call it the "logic-trap". He assumes that chess
players are machines who are forever going to make the one and only "exact"
move. The fact of the matter is that chess players are (thanks be) human and
even in correspondence play make mistakes or (at least) do not always make
the correct reply to each move. Furthermore, this failure of the human being
to play consistently logically has been exploited by some of our very best
chess masters, including Alekhine and Em. Lasker, both of whom were noted
for their psychological approach to chess.
"In the following two games Kloss has shown that in the text variation 8.0-
0-0 can be rather risky for White; however, Diemer has demonstrated that
8.Bc4 is a stronger continuation.
"Chess is not played by machines, but by human beings, and imagination, as
always, will continue to illuminate the path of reason. Reason or theory will
never succeed in eliminating imagination from the chess board." -- A. Tejler
Diemer - Kloss, corr, 1954 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 g6 [Euwe also considers this K-Indian formation as offering Black the
best chances.] 6.Bf4 [This game sheds light on the most purposeful use of
this move and also on whether it is stronger or weaker than 6.Bc4 or 6.Bg5]
6...Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.Bc4 [The first attempt with 8.0-0-0 misfired.] 8...Nbd7
[Or 8...c5 9.d5 a6 10.a4 b6 11.0-0 Ne8 12.d6! Nxd6 13.Rad1! Bd4+ 14.Nxd4
Nxc4 15.Qf2! (Diemer-Kloss); If 8...Bf5 then 9.h3 Ne4 10.Qe2 Nxc3 11.bxc3
c5 12.g4 Bd7 13.0-0 Nc6 14.Ng5 (Diemer-Dr. H. Meyer) and in both cases
White has "his" game.] 9.0-0-0 a6 [Or 9...c5 10.dxc5! Qa5! 11.Nb5! Qa4!
(Not 11...Qxd2+because of 12.Nxd2! Nxc5 13.Nc7!) 12.Qd4! e6 13.Nc3 Qa5
14.Qg1! Nxc5!? 15.Bd6 Nfe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bxf8 Bxf8 18.Qd4 (Diemer-
Kloss)] 10.h4 b5 11.Bb3 Nh5 [As I forged 6.Bf4 as a new weapon against
5...g6, I thought above all else of the psychological effect of this move: Black
would try sooner or later to put himself in possession of the two bishops. But
what use is such an idea in this position? The "main point": the most
important Black defensive piece, the N at f6, disappears, and now the road is
open for the bayonet-attack beginning with 10.h4!] 12.g4 Nxf4 13.Qxf4 h6
[This attempt loses quickly. Correct is only 13...e6! the theme of additional
correspondence games: 14.h5! and now 14...g5!? (This position
understandably did not please my opponent, and hence he proposed 14...Bb7
(15.hxg6!); or 14...Qf6! 15.Qe3 and maintained these positions were
advantageous for him. It only remains to be asked whether White's threat to
open the h-file is to be considered as "nothing".) 15.Qe4 Rb8 16.h6 Bf6
17.Rh5 Bb7 18.Qe3] 14.g5 h5 15.Qe4 c5 16.dxc5 Qc7 17.Nd5 Qa7
18.Nxe7+ Kh7 19.Bxf7 Rxf7 20.Qxg6+ Black resigns 1-0 [Game notes are
by E.J. Diemer]
228 - Long Bogo Leads To Short Game
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow line below is relatively new to
me as part of the 6.Bf4 Logo Bogo Variation. The alternative is the well-
known 6.Bc4 variation that leads to many sharp tactics. I have played 6.Bc4
486 times as White and 182 times as Black. An excellent example of
6.Bc4 comes from Bill Wall in my next blog post.
The BDG Bogo begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6
which is a cousin of the Gruenfeld Defence. At this point there are several
ideas for White, but the two major systems begin with 6.Bc4 or 6.Bf4. The
main continuation is 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 when Black has several
options. One would be 8...Bf5 transposing below.
In Sawyer vs "Flayy" I played 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 and my opponent varied with
7...Bf5. After 8.0-0-0 0-0 we have transposed to 8...Bf5 mentioned above.
Now Scheerer points out that a good idea for White is 9.h3 intending g4
soon. Instead I went fishing with 9.h4 dreaming of opening the h-file and
finding a mate similar to a Sicilian Dragon. I missed the mate in 5 but then
saw the mate in 3 in this three minute blitz game.
Sawyer - Flayy, Live Chess Chess.com, 21.08.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 Bf5 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.h4
[9.h3] 9...c6 10.Bh6 b5 11.h5 [White has an interesting tactic after 11.Bxg7
Kxg7 12.h5 Nxh5 13.Rh4! with the threat of g4.] 11...b4 12.Na4 Ne4 13.Qf4
[13.Qe3] 13...Bxh6 [13...Qd6=/+] 14.Qxh6 Nf2 15.Bd3 Bxd3? [Black
should drive the queen out of h6 with 15...Ng4 16.Qf4+/=] 16.Rxd3 [Missing
the mate in 5 after 16.Ng5 gxh5 17.cxd3 Nxd3+ 18.Rxd3 Re8 19.Qxh7+ Kf8
20.Qh8#] 16...Nxh1? 17.Ng5 1-0
229 - Luck in a BDG Bogoljubow
Is there luck in chess? Yes in four ways. Some chess luck is not related to the
moves. And some luck is related to the moves.
First, chess luck may occur when your opponent stops making moves. Your
opponent may suffer illness or death; or maybe his membership expires
leading to his games being forfeited. You had nothing to do with it. That
would be lucky. There’s more.
A second luck situation is when your opponent has a reasonable amount of

time. He is not in deep time trouble. Then he wastes his time away analyzing
or whatever and gets into time trouble.
A third chess luck can be totally move related. Since you have complete
control over whatever moves you wish to play, where is the luck? The luck
comes in what your opponent plays. If your opponent misses a good move
that would be found by almost anyone of his skill under normal chess
conditions, you are lucky.
A fourth source of chess luck is your opponent’s preparation. In the 1970s I

played a simultaneous exhibition against a club in Maine headed by Edward
Sawyer (before he moved to Alaska). In preparation I studied only the
Sicilian Defence as White - how to attack in the Dragon after move 10. One
opponent in the simul followed that very line exactly. After the game he told
me that he had memorized that variation up to move 10. That was all he
knew. I mated him along the h-file on move 20.
Here we played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow. I get a little chess

luck because my opponent misses the strong move 10...Bxf3!-+.
Combinations later followed. I missed the big win with 16.Qh6!+- and
instead got the little win with 16.Qxd5!? After this game I had to have a
cereal bowl of Lucky Charms.
Sawyer - cashout, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 16.09.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 Bg4
9.Bc4 [9.Be2!+/=] 9...Nc6 10.Bh6? [10.d5] 10...Na5? [10...Bxf3!-/+] 11.Be2
Nd5 12.Ne4 Nc6 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Nxd4 15.Bxg7 Nxf3 16.Qxd5!?
[16.Qh6! f5 17.gxf3 fxe4 18.Be5+-] 16...Kxg7 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.gxf3 f5
19.Nc5 Black resigns 1-0
230 - Tactic Rxh5! to Checkmate!
Any gambit worth playing is built on a wide number of tactical motifs that
allow the gambiteer to mount threats against almost any set-up his opponent
chooses. Some of those tactics will be common to structures in other
openings.
When Black fianchettoes kingside and plays the moves Nf6/g6/Bg7/0-0, one
tactic available to White is h4-h5. If White has also played Bh6/Qd2, that sets
up the mating idea following ...Nxh5 with Rxh5/Qg5 which can lead to a
very short game due to the pin on the Bg7.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow 6.Bf4 and 8.0-0-0 variation, the

Long Bogo, players castle opposite sides to attack the respective kings.
Black's set-up of b6/Bb7/Rc8 seems slow for a queenside attack, but then
Black has the luxury of time because of an extra pawn
White on the other hand must attack quickly. My opponent "Asashoryu"

allows me to illustrate a quick checkmate.
Sawyer - Asashoryu, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 02.12.2012 begins 1.d4

d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0
Nbd7 9.Bh6! [9.h3!? or 9.h4?!] 9...b6 10.h4 Bb7 11.Be2 Rc8 [If 11...Bxh6
12.Qxh6 Ng4 13.Qg5 Nf2 14.h5 e6 15.Qh6 Nf6 16.Ng5 Nxh1 17.hxg6 fxg6
18.Nxe6 Qe7 19.Nxf8=] 12.h5 Nxh5? 13.Rxh5 gxh5 14.Qg5 f6 15.Qxg7#
Black checkmated 1-0
231 - BDG Magazine Kloss
In the March 1963 edition of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine, Anders
Tejler provided us with a lengthy article along with two deeply analyzed
BDG Bogoljubow games. A few games earlier in this book, we looked at the
game analyzed by E.J. Diemer. He discovered what he thought was a little
known improvement.
Original copies of this magazine were given to me to share with future

generations of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit fans. My copies are on blue
mimeograph paper. They were passed along from leading players who wrote
the magazine. I met or corresponded with several of them. Most if not all are
dead. I share one or two out of the many games per issue. Here is part of
Tejler’s article.
Correspondence Analysis of B.D.G. by E.J. Diemer and Manfred Kloss

(article by Anders Tejler)
"During 1954, in a series of more than 70 games, Emil J. Diemer, who

renovated the Blackmar Gambit, strengthened it, and brought it back from an
undeserved obscurity, provided Manfred Kloss with ample opportunity to
demonstrate a refutation of the BDG. In Kurt Richter and Rudolf Teschner's
"Schacheroffnungen", 2nd edition, 1957, the authors have the following to
say about the BDG: "... and if many theoreticians say 'It's soundness must
first be demonstrated', then one can counter-reply: 'Demonstrate its
unsoundness!! Both might be impossible." The fact remains that there is no
"refutation" to date.
"It is probably correct that the day of the romantic chess player is over.
Certainly the relentless grinding of the theoreticians make it extremely
difficult to be anything but "objective" and cautious. That is why it is so
delightful to see someone like Tal frequently set the chess world afire with
his fantastic imagination! And that is why it is a pleasure to have a
knowledge of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit; it is enjoyable to beat the
theoretician over his extremely rational head with an imaginative opening! (I
dare not say romantic opening, for the BDG does have its logical
foundation!)"
This ends the first part of the Anders Tejler's March 1963 article. The
annotations to the game below are by Manfred Kloss.
Diemer - Kloss, corr 1954 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 [Or 8.Nb5 Nd5 9.c4 Nxf4 10.Qxf4
a6! 11.Nxc7! e5! winning a piece.] 8...c5 9.d5 [9.Nb5 Ne4! (best?) 10.Qe1
Bf5 11.dxc5 Qc8 12.Nc7 e5 13.Nxe5! Qxc7 14.Nxg6 Qxc5 15.Nxf8 Bxf8
(Not 15...Kxf8? 16.Rd8+ Ke7 17.Bd6+ Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Kxd6 19.Qb4+! and in
a few more moves White wins a piece.) 16.Bd3 Qc6 17.Rf1 Bg6 18.h4 h6
19.h5 Bh7 20.Be5 Nd7 21.Bxe4 Qxe4 22.Qg3+ etc.] 9...a6 10.h3 [Or 10.d6
e6 11.Bg5 Loses time and is illogical; why take two moves to play Bg5?
11...b5 12.Qe3 Nbd7 13.Ne4 Qa5! It is easy to see that Black gets there first
with an attack.] 10...b5 11.g4 Qa5 12.Qh2 [Threatening not only to capture
the queen with Bc7 but also to win the Exchange by Bxb8.] 12...Ne8! [A
brilliant counter! After 12...Nbd7 13.Bc7 Nb6 14.Ne5 Bb7 15.g5 Black could
resign.] 13.Bxb8 Rxb8 14.Qxb8 Nd6! [The White queen is now hemmed in
and out of play; in addition Black threatens ...b4 which forecasts catastrophe
for White.] 15.Nd2 Bb7 16.Qa7 Bxc3 17.Nb3 [17.bxc3 Qa3+ 18.Kb1 Bxd5
19.Nb3 Ne4 20.Rd3 c4; Or 17.Qxc5 Bxd2+ 18.Rxd2 Qxd2+ 19.Kxd2 Ne4+]
17...Qxa2 18.bxc3 c4 [Stronger was 18...Ne4 White tried 19.Re1 Bxd5
20.Rh2 c4 21.Rxe4 Bxe4 (21...cxb3 and 22.Rb4 Qa1+ 23.Kd2 b2 24.Rxb2
Qxb2 etc.) 22.Nd4 Qa1+ 23.Kd2 Qxf1 24.Re2 Qf4+ followed by 25...e5 and
a decisive advantage for Black.] 19.Nc5 Qa3+ 20.Kd2 Bxd5 21.Rg1 Rc8
22.Ke2 Qxc5 23.Qxc5 Rxc5 24.Ke3 Bb7 25.Bg2 Bxg2 26.Rxg2 a5 27.Kd4
Rc7 28.Re2 f6 29.Kd5 Kf7 30.Rde1 Nb7 31.Re6 Nd6 32.R6e2 a4 33.Re6
Ra7 34.Kc5 a3 35.Kb6 Nc8+ 36.Kxb5 a2 37.Ra6 Rb7+ 38.Kxc4 Rb1
39.Re3 a1Q 40.Rxa1 Rxa1 41.Kb3 f5 42.c4 f4 0-1 [Notes by Kloss]
232 - Quinones-Leisebein Bogoljubow
When we looked at a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game played by E.J. Diemer
vs Manfred Kloss in the Bogoljubow 6.Bf4 variation. In that game after 8.0-
0-0 c5 9.d5 a6, Diemer played 10.h3 and the winner Kloss discussed the
possibility of 10.d6 in the notes.
Here we look at Jorge Victor Quinones Borda vs BDG specialist Peter

Leisebein. In this game the move 10.Be2 played by Quinones has several
advantages.
(1.) 10.Be2 develops White's last minor piece. (2.) 10.Be2 avoids creating
easy targets like the moves Bc4 or Bd3 could do. (3.) 10.Be2 might support a
future pawn push h4-h5. (4.) The bishop defends Nf3. (5.) If the Nf3 moves
or is removed, the bishop can be useful on the Bf3-a8 diagonal. (6.) 10.Be2 is
favored by chess engines like Houdini.
I imagine that most of the time Peter Leisebein has Black in the BDG, he
wins. But not here. Let’s look at this game.
Quiñones Borda - Leisebein, RSS7E high-148 www.remoteschach.de,

12.09.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4
Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 c5 9.d5 a6 10.Be2 e6 [10...Nbd7 11.d6 e6 12.Ne5
Nd5 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Bxf6 N7xf6 15.Rhf1 Qxd6 16.Qg5=] 11.h4 [11.dxe6!?
Qxd2+ 12.Nxd2 Bxe6 13.Nb3 b6 14.Bf3=] 11...exd5 12.h5 Nxh5 13.Bh6
Nc6 14.Nxd5 Re8 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qc3+ f6 17.Ng1 Be6 18.Rxh5gxh5
19.Nf4 Nd4 20.Bxh5 Bf5 21.Bxe8 Qxe8 22.Nf3 [If 22.Re1 Qa4=+]
22...Nxc2 23.Nh4 Bg4 24.Qg3 Qe3+ 25.Qxe3 Nxe3 26.Re1 Nf5 27.Nxf5+
Bxf5 28.Re7+ Kh6 29.Rxb7 Kg5 30.g3 Kg4 31.Nd5 Kxg3 32.Nxf6 h6
33.Rb6 Kh4 34.Kd2 Kg5 35.Ke3 Rf8 36.Ne4+ Bxe4 37.Kxe4 Rf6 38.Rb3
Kg4 39.Rb8 h5 40.Rg8+ Kh3 41.a4 Rb6 42.Rg5 h4 43.a5 Rb5 1/2-1/2
3.2 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bg5
The point of this 6.Bg5 line is to combine an attack on the Nf6 with the threat
to castle queenside quickly.
233 - Quinones vs Connor Lunney

Saturdays I used to watch Looney Tunes cartoons. Now I watch Blackmar-
Diemer games. Jorge Quinones sent us the theoretical battle below with this
note:
"Hi Mr. Sawyer, This is one line that I considered interesting. My opponent
said that he was an USCF expert, sadly he lost on time (it was a 3 day per
move game). I think that it was an interesting position, sadly we didn´t finish
the game. It was a bit "strange" from the very beginning...good luck! Jorge"
The USCF indicates Connor Lunney from the USA state of Louisiana was
rated 1904 at the time I received this game, but he was rated higher at some
point. According to FIDE, Lunney was about 20 years old at the time this
game was played.
Presumably, if Connor Lunney wanted to keep working on his chess, his best
years likely would be ahead of him. Most of us who stop working on our
chess skills also stop improving.
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit can be met with a variety of piece set-ups.

One of the best in theory is the Bogoljubow Variation. After Black accepts
the gambit with 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6, he sets up in a Gruenfeld Defence style.
White immediately develops a bishop from whatever side of the board he
plans to castle. Kingside castling can quickly follow 6.Bc4. Queenside
castling (the Long Bogo) follows 6.Bf4 or 6.Bg5, which provokes here 7...h6.
Is the Black king position strong or weak?
Quiñones (1779) - clunney (1440), Let's Play! Chess.com, 28.01.2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bg5 Bg7 7.Qd2
h6 8.Bf4 Bg4 9.Ne5 [White has two other interesting tries: 9.0-0-0 c6 10.Kb1
Nd5 11.Nxd5=; or 9.Bc4 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 Nb6 11.Bb3=] 9...Bh5 10.h3 g5
11.Bh2 Nfd7 12.Be2 Nxe5 13.Bxh5 Nc4 14.Qf2 0-0 15.0-0-0 Nc6 16.Rhf1=
1-0
234 - Critical Bogoljubow 6.Bg5 Line
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is an attacking system of chess development
to rapidly. White activates his pieces in an effort to quickly play for mate at
the cost of a pawn in the style of E.J. Diemer.
One of the best ways to combat it is the BDG Bogoljubow 5.Nxf3 g6

variation which aims to fight back at d4. White must rapidly aim to destroy
the Black kingside, or the pawn will be a big advantage for the defender.
Fortunately the gambiteer gets his pieces in the action faster with open lines
and direct targets.
Today's game shows another angle of attack that demonstrates the advance of
White's h-pawn as a lever toward Black g6 pawn. White also doubles Black's
f-pawns, doubles his own rooks on the h-file and weaves in a knight
maneuver of Nc3-Ne2-Nf4-Ne6.
This game illustrates how to play the 6.Bg5 line in the Bogo. It comes from a
BDG thematic postal chess tournament 40 years ago involving 21 players. It
was won by Georg Danner.
Gottfried Mueller finished 5th, just ahead of Gunter Mueller who finished
6th. Manfred Pape was 21st in last place, but he gave us some nice games.
Mueller - Pape, BDG theme corr7275, 1972 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bg5!? Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 c5 9.d5 a6 [The
critical line appears to be 9...Nbd7 10.Bh6 a6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.h4 h5 13.Bd3
b5 14.Rhe1 Nb6 15.Ne5 Bg4 16.Nxg4 hxg4 17.Kb1 c4 18.Bf1 Qd6 19.h5
Rad8 20.hxg6 fxg6 21.Qg5 Nbxd5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5=+] 10.h4 b5 11.h5 b4
12.Bxf6 exf6 13.Ne2 Bg4 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.c3 a5 16.Nf4 Qd6 17.Rh4 f5
18.Bc4 Nd7 19.Rdh1 Nb6 20.Ne6 fxe6 21.Rh8+ Bxh8 22.Rxh8+ Kxh8
23.Qh6+ 1-0
235 - Quinones vs GM Zidu in 6.Bg5
This is the last of my batch of games from Jorge Victor Quinones Borda. In
regards to his game vs Jan Zidu, Jorge wrote to me:
"Jan Zidu is an ICCF GM with a 2602 Elo rating, as we can see... BDG is ok!
"Greetings Mr. Sawyer!
"Jorge Quiñones Borda"
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow 6.Bg5 variation, the idea is

usually for the players to castle opposite sides. Black often attacks the center
d4 pawn while White attacks on the kingside with h4-h5.
Earlier I posted games in this line where Quinones played White and where
Quinones played Black. In fact, this line has always been rather popular, even
if it is not as theoretically well-known as 6.Bc4 or even 6.Bf4.
The 6.Bg5 variation was played by Snyder vs me in my first BDG

experience. Jorge plays well vs a very strong correspondence player. I
suggest some alternatives in the notes.
Quiñones - Zidu, RSX Kontinentalmeisterschaft 2013

exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bg5 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 c5 9.d5 [9.dxc5 Qa5 10.Kb1
Nc6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Ne4=] 9...Nbd7 10.h4 Nb6 [10...h5 11.Bd3 Nb6
12.Rhe1 Bg4=/+] 11.Be2 [White might try 11.Bxf6!? Bxf6 12.h5 Bg4
13.Re1! (13.hxg6 fxg6 14.Qh6 Rf7 15.Ne4 Qf8=/+) 13...Qc7 14.hxg6 fxg6
15.Qh6=] 11...Ng4 12.h5 Nf2 13.Bh6 Bf6 14.Ng5 Nxd1 15.Rxd1 Re8
16.hxg6 hxg6 17.Rh1 Qd6 18.Nge4 Qe5 19.Bd3 Bf5 20.Bf4 Qd4 21.Be3
Qe5 1/2-1/2
236 - Franchini vs Cavicchi in Kaulich
Here is a game from Francesco Cavicchi who wrote:
"Hi Tim, after our Facebook conversation on the Lemberger variation I got
excited about the BDG all over again. So, I did some personal researches in
the Long Bogo variation with Bg5 and found a possible antidote for the black
side. I've tested it with good results in my club blitz games, here's an
example, a miniature I won against my BDG friend Stefano Franchini, a
strong club player."
Thanks Francesco. The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit has many lines that can
transpose to each other, depending on how Black defends. A BDG Kaulich
becomes also a BDG Bogoljubow variation when Francesco Cavicchi
includes both the Kaulich move 5...c5 and the Bogo move ...g6.
For those of us who play the BDG, it can be fun from either side. Cavicchi
comments on the game with his friend Franchini.
Franchini - Cavicchi, Ferrara, ITA 5min, 14.05.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c5 6.d5 g6 7.Bg5 Bg7 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0
Nbd7 10.h4 b5 [The idea for this counterattack came to me from the Albin
Counter Gambit, where white plays b4 to get an open b file and a strong
initiative against black's queenside castle.] 11.Bxb5 [If 11.Nxb5 Ne4 12.Qe1
Ndf6= with even chances] 11...Rb8 12.h5 Qa5 13.hxg6 Ne4 14.Nxe4 [Panic.
After a long thinking in the previous moves white was already in zeitnot.
This costs him the game. If 14.gxh7+ Kh8 15.Qd3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Rxb5
17.Kd2 c4 18.Qxc4 Rxd5+-/+] 14...Bxb2+ 15.Kxb2 Qxb5+ 0-1 [Game
Notes by Francesco Cavicchi]
237 - Leisebein vs Quinones BDG 6.Bg5
In this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit we look at a Bogoljubow 5.Nxf3 g6 line
where Peter Leisebein faces Jorge Victor Quinones Borda, who writes:
"It looks like Bg5 is better than Bf4 in the Bogoljubow (in the long Bogo at
least)." - Jorge Quiñones Borda
Thanks Jorge. It is nice to see Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games by Jorge

Quinones. Here we are treated to a contest with long time BDG expert
Leisebein. There are many popular approaches for White in the Bogoljubow
Variation: 6.Bg5, 6.Bf4 and 6.Bc4. With 9.Bh6, Peter Leisebein reaches a
position that could also have occurred after 6.Bf4. But first simply playing
9.Kb1!? might be better per Houdini and Rybka when White castles long.
What are some differences between 6.Bf4 and 6.Bg5?
The move 6.Bf4 influences the f4-c7 diagonal, hindering ...e5. It supports a
possible d5-d6, and 6.Bf4 sometimes allows for Bxc7. It is affected at times
by ...Nh5 or ...Nd5.
The move 6.Bg5 threatens a possible Bxf6, or if that knight moves maybe
Bxe7. If Black moves his e-pawn, the Bg5 pins the Nf6 to the Qd8. The move
6.Bg5 may provoke a weakness on Black's kingside after ...h6. Both 6.Bf4
and 6.Bg5 are playable.
Leisebein - Quiñones Borda, RSX5D Blackmar Diemer Gambit-1

exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bg5 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 c6 9.Bh6 [Both Houdini and
Rybka like 9.Kb1!?= which is rarely played.] 9...Bg4 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.h3
Be6 12.h4 Bxh6 13.Qxh6 Ng4 14.Qd2 h5 [14...Nf2! seems like the critical
line. There might follow 15.h5 Nxd1 16.Nxd1 Nf6 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.Qh6 Rf7
19.Ng5 Qd6-/+] 15.Rhf1 Ndf6 16.Bd3 Ne8 [Or 16...b5 17.Rde1 Qd6
18.Qg5=] 17.Ng5 [17.Kb1=] 17...Qd7 [17...Ng7!?] 18.Nce4 [18.Qe2=]
18...Ng7 [18...Bxa2!?=/+] 19.Nxe6 Nxe6 20.c3 Qd5 21.Qe2 b5 22.Kb1 Nh2
23.Rf6!? Kg7 [Maybe 23...Kh8 24.Rf2 f5=/+] 24.Rf2 Ng4 25.Rf3 Rad8
26.Re1 Nh2 27.Rf2 c5 28.Ng3 Ng4 29.Nf5+ Kh8 30.Nxe7 Qd6 31.Bxg6
Qxe7 32.Bc2 Qxh4 33.g3 Qxg3 34.Rh1 Kg7 35.Rf3 Qd6 36.Rxh5 Rh8
37.dxc5 Nxc5 38.Rff5 1/2-1/2
238 - Ashkeef Notches Two Blitz Wins
Against the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow variation, there two key
questions for White. Where will he put his two bishops? What is the best
move order for the bishop moves?
Traditionally White has started with 6.Bc4 intending 0-0. Popular more
recently has been 6.Bf4 intending 0-0-0 for White.
Here the ICC player "Ashkeef" plays two short sharp games showing good
ideas with the 6.Bg5 line that lead to quick wins. These same ideas also work
in the 6.Bf4 Long Bogo.
237 - Ashkeef (2121) - hyperduncs (2072), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

21.09.2013 begins1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bg5
[The position after White's 9th move could also be reached after 6.Bf4 Bg7
7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 Bf5 9.Bh6] 6...Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 Bf5 9.Bh6 c6 [A
couple weeks earlier Black tried 9...Nbd7 10.h4 Ne4 (Again10...Bxh6!
11.Qxh6 Ng4 12.Qd2 Ndf6-/+) 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.h5 Nf6 13.Bxg7 Kxg7
14.hxg6 fxg6 (14...Bxg6 15.Ne5+-) 15.Qh6+ Kg8 16.Ng5 Rf7 17.Nxe4 Nxe4
18.Bc4 Black resigns 1-0 Ashkeef - UlyssesSGrant / Internet Chess Club
2013] 10.h4 Re8 [A critical line is 10...Bxh6 11.Qxh6 Ng4 12.Qd2 h5
making use of the hole on g4 and the fork threat on f2. However, not all is as
rosy as it first appears. White can play 13.Bd3! Bxd3 14.Qxd3 and if 14...Nf2
(14...Nd7=/+) 15.Qd2 Nxd1 16.Qh6+- and White has a winning attack.]
11.h5 Bh8 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Bc4 b5 14.Bb3 [The Ashkeef idea works one
move earlier as well. 14.Bf8!+-] 14...a5 15.Bf8! Rxf8 [If 15...Nh5 16.Qh6 e6
17.Ng5 Qf6 18.g4 Bg7 19.Bxg7 Qxg7 20.Qxg7+ Nxg7 21.gxf5 gxf5 22.a4+-]
16.Rxh8+ Kxh8 17.Qh6+ Kg8 18.Rh1 Nh5 19.Ng5 Black resigns 1-0
3.3 – 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4
This is the most popular sixth move for White. The light squared bishop aims
directly at f7.
239 - Step On the First Mine

Bill Wall plays a nice Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow variation. This
is the traditional main line. In my database with 3000 games with 6.Bc4
White scores 50% with a slight plus in performance rating.
The whole variation is a mine field of tactics and mate threats. The main line
is 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 intending Qh4. If Black misses all the mines
for about 20 moves, then he gets an endgame up a pawn.
In the game Wall-Jamesrf, Black steps on a mine right off on move 6, losing
the gambit pawn and castling rights. Bill Wall does a good job playing out
the attack.
Wall - Jamesrf, Internet .10), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg4 7.Bxf7+ [I like this better than simply 7.Ne5 Be6
8.Bxe6+/= because there are not so many targets in this line, despite the
doubled e-pawns.] 7...Kxf7 8.Ne5+ Ke8 9.Nxg4 Nxg4 10.Qxg4 Nc6 11.d5
Ne5 12.Qe6 Bg7 13.0-0 a5 14.Bh6! Bxh6 15.Qxe5 Rg8 16.Qe6 Rg7 17.Ne4
1-0
240 - Tom Purser Mad Dog Attack
My wife gave me a clipping from a local paper with this joke:
A man went to visit a friend and was amazed to find him playing chess with
his dog. He watched the game in astonishment for a while. "I can hardly
believe my eyes!" he exclaimed. "That's the smartest dog I've ever seen."
"Nah, he's not so smart," the friend replied. "I've beaten him three games out
of five."
Tom Purser provided us with this creative idea in the Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit. He called it the Mad Dog Attack. It follows 7.h4!? In his BDG
World magazine Purser describes it this way:
"When I first showed this move to our English Bulldog Polly, she let out a
yelp and ran under the bed. At first I was offended, but then it occurred to me
that she has the same reaction to a strong bolt of lightning. She came out
when I started to play through some of the games. Intellectual curiosity, I
think, although my wife says it was the Alpo."
Tom Purser had quick success after 7.h4!? in this BDG Bogoljubow. I quote
his game below vs T. Giles (including Purser's own notes). You can teach an
old dog new tricks.
Tom's approach to the game was an encouragement when I needed it in the

1980s. Discovering ideas in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is still fun today.
Enjoy!
Purser - Giles, Stuttgart, Germany 1980 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.h4 [I began some postal games with this
line in 1979, but the first completed game was this one played over the
board.] 7...0-0 8.h5 Nxh5 9.Rxh5 gxh5 10.Qd3 [The basic, if somewhat
crude, idea of all this is a direct mating attack with 11.Ng5.] 10...e5? 11.Ng5
e4 12.Qxe4 Bf5? [White need not fear a pin on his Queen since on 12...Re8
or 12...Qe8 he has 13.Bxf7+] 13.Qxf5 Qe7+ 14.Ne2 Rd8 15.Bxf7+ Kf8
16.Nxh7# [It’s better not to test a new idea against the strongest opposition
the first time out.] 1-0 [Notes by Purser]
241 - Kuiper vs Van der Lagemaat
J. Kuiper vs J. Van der Lagemaat played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in a
particular line of the BDG Bogoljubow 5.Nxf3 g6 that was invented by Tom
Purser after 6.Bc4 Bg7 in what he calls the Mad Dog Attack starting with the
move 7.h4.
The previous Purser game showed how things could work out very well for
White. Below we have some balance, a critical example of how thing can
work out very well for Black.
I do not remember where I found this game 20 years ago. I annotated it as

Game 63 on pages 259-264 in my “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II”
which was published by Pickard & Son in 1999. It was a correspondence
game played in the Netherlands.
White was probably Jacques Kuiper who now is an ICCF Grandmaster with
rating of 2495. These same two players had met earlier in a 1989 postal game
with the colors reversed. That opening was a Queens Knight Attack and
ended in a draw.
I do not know the first name of J. Van der Lagemaat, but one of the games he
won was as Black vs ICCF IM Gert Legemaat in a Gruenfeld Defence.
Whoever he was, he was very good!
Kuiper - Van der Lagemaat, corr, 1995 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 [When Black adopts this pawn structure,
White's light squared Bishop does better to aim at f7 rather than h7.] 6...Bg7
7.h4 [This idea was promoted by Tom Purser.] 7...0-0 8.h5 [White is eager to
pry open the Kingside immediately.] 8...Nxh5 [Black refuses to ruin his
Kingside pawns unless White is willing to pay a higher price in material.]
9.Rxh5 [White might as well be consistent. What else does he have for the
two pawns?] 9...gxh5 10.Qd3 Qd6! [This is a great move. Black defends and
threatens to check on g3.] 11.Ng5 [Going for the mate at h7, White also
prevents the check on g3.] 11...Qg6 [Whoa! White's attack is halted in its
tracks.] 12.Nd5 Nc6 13.c3 Bf5 14.Qe2 e5 15.Bb5 Rae8 16.Nxc7 Rc8
17.Nd5 Rfe8 0-1
242 - Dr. Rimvydas Sidrys in BDG
In 1989-1990 I played chess against Dr. Rimvydas Sidrys who passed away
in 2010. His family did a nice tribute to Dr. Rimvydas Sidrys from where I
note this excerpt:
"He rode an English racer bicycle to work in the 1970s before it was common
for adults to ride bicycles in the United States. He loved chess and would
play chess by mail. He would spend his lunch hour in front of a chess board
planning his next move and send it on a postcard to his opponent."
Our game was a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow played in the 1989

USCF Golden Knights Postal Tournament. I am sure the good doctor played
more than 11 moves in most of his games.
The BDG contains tricky tactical threats that work against typical common
moves from good players. Dr. Sidrys had developed both knights and castled.
He was in the process of a second bishop fianchetto when he gets caught in a
combination.
Sawyer (2174) - Sidrys (1660), corr USCF 89N280, 29.01.1990 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 e6 [It is very
dangerous for Black to play ...e6 in the Bogoljubow Variation because of the
weakness it creates on f6.] 8.Bg5 [8.Qe1 Ng4=/+] 8...0-0 9.Ne4 [This seems
even better than 9.Qe1 which transposes to 7...0-0 8.Qe1 e6 9.Bg5 to BDG
Keybook Game 457] 9...Nbd7 10.Ne5 [Black loses a piece.] 10...b6
[10...Nxe5 11.Nxf6+ Kh8 12.dxe5 Qe7 13.Qd4 Rd8 14.Qh4+- Wundt]
11.Nxd7 1-0
243 - BOGO: Buy One Get One
The weakest square for Black to begin a chess game is f7. This is a critical
key square for mates like Fools Mate (1.d4 f5 2.e4 g5 3.Qh5#), Scholars
Mate (1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Qxf7#) and Smothered Mate (Nf7#
with Black king trapped in the corner).
The BDG Bogoljubow game below features a bishop sacrifice (11.Bxf7+), a

check to the king (12.Ne5+ Buy One) and a Smothered Mate... to the Black
queen (13.Nc6 Get One)!
This game between Bill Wall and Peter McKone features a BDG Bogoljubow
6.Bc4 variation. The line has similarities to the Gruenfeld Defence Exchange
Bc4 lines attacking f7. With the Blackmar-Diemer, White has both an open e-
file and open f-file.
Here White puts a rook on each file, placing Black under lots of pressure.
The double fianchetto (g6/b6) proves to be too slow. Black should have opted
for 9...Nb6 attacking the Bc4 and freeing his own bishop on c8 for ...Bf5 or
...Bg4.
Wall - McKone, Palo Alto, CA, 1989 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Bg5 Nbd7 [8...Bf5] 9.Qe2 b6
10.Rae1 Re8 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7 12.Ne5+ Kg8 [12...Nxe5] 13.Nc6 Ba6
14.Qe6+ 1-0
244 - First Blackmar-Diemer
On a cold snowy night in a little white building behind the YMCA, about a
dozen players enthusiastically met for chess. Years later the Lansdale club
would grow significantly and move to a larger location. How many of us
have played in little clubs all over the world? What if I had not shown up that
night? A bit of history would have been missed.
At my day job I was working in a department store while going to school. It

was the busy Christmas season, but I was off on nights the chess club met.
During lunch breaks at work I would bring my old magnetic chess set and
play through games from a book. That helped give me an intuitive feel for
where the pieces go.
As a universal player, I was always studying some opening. A favorite

opening of mine was the Gruenfeld Defence. I liked the wide open piece play
and the tactics. The same could be said about the Catalan and the Alekhine
Defense. They were not so popular 30 years ago. They rarely led to early
kingside attacks. In these openings I tried to win more material by
combinations. I planned to convert that into either a winning endgame or shift
the attack to a weakened king.
Chess Digest out of Dallas, Texas was the source of many of my books.
When customers bought enough, Ken Smith let them choose something extra
from his free book list.
I picked up a copy of "Discover the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Volume 4,

Bogoljubow Defense" by Nikolajs Kampars & Anders Tejler. The 5...g6 line
seemed to fit well with my Gruenfeld set-up. I managed to play through the
100 games in the book, a few at a time, over a period of many weeks.
I was still working my way through that book at the time today's game was
played. Glenn Snyder was not someone I knew well, though it was a small
club. We would play only one other time that I have recorded. Three months
later I would be White in a Bishop's Opening that transposed into a King's
Gambit Declined. In that game I won a pawn on move 10, swapped off all the
pieces and eventually won the pawn ending.
Snyder's choice of the BDG probably came as a surprise to me. I am very

thankful for his bold choice. I decided to play the BDG Bogoljubow since it
fit my prepared defensive system. The club games were slower, so I had time
to think.
This game began 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6. A few
years before I had avoided a possible BDG by ducking into a Classical
French Defence with 3...e6. White would be used to that. As Black I was
outplayed in a line I did not know.
The game did not follow critical theory after 6.Bg5. I remember thinking
White's position looked pretty good to me. As the higher rated player, I
expected to win. Snyder was rated in the 1700s.
During our game I thought if my opponent had been a stronger player, I

would have been in trouble. I could imagine facing much more attacking
pressure on the board. For example, White could finish his development by
attacking my e-pawn with 12.Rae1! It would have been a nice try. The old
saying is, "If you don't use it, you lose it." That’s just what happened to the
White rook on a1.
[Note: I do not believe there is any relationship nor connection between

Glenn Snyder, who seemed like a fine and decent person, and the infamous
chess master Robert M. Snyder.]
Snyder - Sawyer, Lansdale, PA, 12.12.1980 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 [This was the first time I entered a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit.] 5...g6 [I played the Gruenfeld, so this was a natural choice of
defense.] 6.Bg5 Bg7 7.Bc4 0-0 8.0-0 Bg4 9.d5!? [9.Qd2 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Nc6
11.Rd1= Diemer-Kloss, corr 1954-55] 9...c6! 10.h3 Bxf3 [10...Qb6+ 11.Kh1
Qxb2 12.Qe1; 10...Bf5 11.g4 Bd7 12.d6] 11.Qxf3 Qa5 12.Ne4-/+
[12.Rae1!=] 12...Nxd5 13.Bxd5 cxd5 14.Nc3 Nc6 15.Nxd5 f6 16.Qb3 fxg5
17.Nc7+ Kh8 18.Qxb7? [18.Nxa8 Rxa8-+] 18...Qc5+ 19.Kh1 Na5
20.Rxf8+ Rxf8 21.b4 Nxb7 22.bxc5 Bxa1 0-1 [Game 443, Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Keybook]
3.4 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Ne5
White’s knight jumps into the center of the board with a mate threat. The
knight and light squared bishop aim directly at f7.
245 - Bill Wall 7.Ne5 Bogoljubow

Bill Wall find himself defending the Black side of a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Bogoljubow vs the opponent "Bdgrules". After 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7
White combines the two traditional lines of 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 and 7.Ne5 0-0
8.Bg5 with 7.Ne5 0-0 8.0-0.
Christoph Scheerer notes in his book "The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit",

published by Everyman, that "8.0-0 is well met with 8...Nc6! Black directly
targets the d-pawn."
Bdgrules - Wall, Internet .17), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Ne5 0-0 8.0-0 [8.Bg5] 8...Bf5 [8...Nc6!=+]
9.g4 Nxg4?! [Better is 9...Be6 10.Bxe6 fxe6=] 10.Nxg4 Qxd4+ 11.Qxd4
Bxd4+ 12.Nf2 Bxc2 13.Ne2 c5 14.b4? [White has a good position if the
bishop is first captured: 14.Nxd4 and White's extra bishop is probably worth
Black's four pawns due to the open nature of the position and the current
backwardness of Black pawns.] 14...Bxa1 0-1
246 - Flude Finds Diemer Flaw
David A. Flude of Australia specializes in creating new opening ideas. GM
John Shaw in his book "The King's Gambit" dedicates 39 pages of analysis to
the Flude Line 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.h4 g4 5.Ne5 Nf6 6.Bc4 d5 7.exd5
Bd6 8.d4 Nh5 9.Nc3!?
One of Flude's favorite openings is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. In 1998

David and I played two games in a BDG thematic event. The other was a
BDG Ziegler. Additional note: FIDE lists Flude as a chief arbiter (i.e.
tournament director).
In our game below, Flude chooses the BDG Bogoljubow. When I play Black
vs the BDG, my highest performance rating is with the Bogo 5.Nxf3 g6. We
followed a line Diemer used to play: 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Ne5 0-0 8.Bg5. When I
first read "Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit: Band 4"by Alfred Freidl,
which covers the Bogoljubow and the Euwe lines, it surprised me to find the
first 23 games were in this line, 15 of those with Diemer as White.
Play usually continues 8...Nbd7 9.0-0, but David Flude chose the critical
8...Nc6 9.Nxc6 bxc6. Freidl gives a Diemer game: 10.Qd2 Bf5 11.0-0-0 Nd5
12.Na4? and after 12...Rb8 13.b3 Rb4 14.h3. Studier played 14...Qd6. David
Flude found a flaw in Diemer's line. Flude chopped off my knight 14...Rxa4!
Black got an impressive crushing attack!
Sawyer - Flude, BDG Email Tourney 97, 07.1998 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Ne5 0-0 8.Bg5 [8.0-0 Nc6 9.Nxc6
bxc6=/+] 8...Nc6 [8...Nbd7 9.0-0 c6 10.Bb3 Nb6 11.Qd2 a5 12.a4 Nbd5
13.Rae1 Be6 14.Bh6=] 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qd2 Bf5 [Here Stockfish, Houdini
and Fritz all prefer the rarely played move 10...Qd6! 11.0-0-0 c5=/+] 11.0-0-
0 Nd5 12.Na4? [12.h3=] 12...Rb8 13.b3 Rb4 14.h3 Rxa4! 15.bxa4 Qd6
16.c3 Rb8 17.Bb3 c5 18.g4 Be6 19.c4 cxd4 20.cxd5 Bxd5 21.Qh2 Qc6+
22.Kd2 Qc3+ 23.Ke2 Qf3+ 24.Kd2 Be5 0-1
3.5 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.h3
Both sides castle quickly and work on quick development.
247 - Cool New Look Bogo

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit was well tested in a cool match game in
Iceland played at Reykjavik, where Fischer defeated Spassky in 1972. Our
present day BDG contest finds Gunnar Runarsson playing White vs Magnus
P. Ornolfsson.
White developed the rare idea of 8.h3!? in the BDG Bogoljubow into a very
playable variation for White. Komodo prefers this 8th move which takes g4
away from Black's minor pieces.
The first known game with this 8.h3!? move was van Voorst - Payee,
Canberra 1963; White won in 20 moves. After that 8.h3!? made only rare
appearances. Tony Mantia and Jack Clauser won with it as White. Ernst
Rasmussen won as Black vs John Dowling. Tim McGrew played it many
times a decade ago. For the past 15 years most 8.h3!? games come from Lev
Zilbermints.
Runarsson (2054) - Ornolfsson (2167), TCh-ISL Div 1 2014-15 Reykjavik

ISL (1.2), 02.10.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3
g6 6.Bc4 [Less popular alternatives are 6.Bf4 and 6.Bg5] 6...Bg7 7.0-0 0-0
8.h3!? [The main line is the Studier Attack with 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4
10.Be3] 8...Nbd7 [Another feasible line would be 8...Nc6 9.Bg5 Bf5 10.Qd2
Qd6 11.Bf4 e5 12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Rad8 14.Rad1=] 9.Bg5 [9.Qe1!?]
9...Nb6 10.Bb3 c6 11.Qd2 Nbd5 12.Rae1 [12.Bh6!?] 12...Nxc3 [12...Bf5
13.Bh6=] 13.bxc3 a5 14.a4 Bf5 15.Ne5 Be6 [15...Nd5 16.Bh6 f6 17.c4=]
16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Qd3 [17.c4] 17...c5 18.Qc4 Nd5 19.Rxf8+ Qxf8 20.Rf1?!
[20.Qb3=] 20...Qc8 21.Qd3 cxd4 22.cxd4 Bxe5 23.dxe5 Qc5+ 24.Kh1 Qc3
25.Qe4 Rc8 [Better is 25...Rf8 26.Rxf8+ Kxf8 when it is risky for either side
to make progress.] 26.Bh6 b6 27.Qe2 Qc6 [or 27...Qg3 28.c4!+-] 28.c4 Nb4
29.Qf2 Qe8 30.Qxb6 Qd7 31.Qf2 [31.Rf3+-] 31...Qe8 32.h4 Nc6 33.Qf4
[33.Qe3!+-] 33...Rd8 34.Qg4 Nxe5 35.Qxe6+ Nf7 36.c5 Rd4 37.g3 [White
has a mate in five with 37.Rxf7! Rxh4+ 38.Kg1 Rh1+ 39.Kxh1 Qxf7
40.Qc8+ Qf8 41.Qxf8#] 37...Qa8+ 38.Kg1 Qd5 [The final result indicated is
a draw, but White has mate in five beginning 39.Qxe7!+-] 1/2-1/2
248 - GM Miladinovic Wins BDG
GM Igor Miladinovic of Serbia played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in the
5.Nxf3 g6 BDG Bogoljubow. The grandmaster's choice was 8.h3!? vs FM
Patrick Van Hoolandt of Monaco. This 2013 Slama Memorial chess
tournament was played in Tunisia.
Miladinovic scored 9 points and won this 10 round event where five players
on one team played two games vs each of the five players on the other team.
Long time player Van Hoolandt meets the BDG in an active Gruenfeld
Defence style.
The main line for 60 years has been the Studier Attack 8.Qe1. Practical
results were good for White, but this variation is under a cloud. The critical
line is theoretically difficult for White. If Black plays perfectly for 20 moves
in a little known tactically complex variation, then White gets an inferior
endgame. Thus 8.h3!?
GM Miladinovic played 1.d4 in all five of his games as White. He won with
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 in the first round. Below was his third round game where he
transposed to the BDG after 1...Nf6 2.f3. Later he played White in a Modern
Defence after 1.d4 g6 2.e4, the Queens Gambit Declined 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
(drawn) and another 2.Bf4 London System. Clearly the grandmaster is a
versatile player. He can outplay opponents in any opening.
Miladinovic (2572) - Van Hoolandt (2211), Slama Mem Schev 2013

Monastir TUN (3.5), 17.09.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3
exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 [Less popular alternatives are 6.Bf4 and 6.Bg5] 6...Bg7
7.0-0 0-0 8.h3 [Komodo prefers this move which takes g4 away from Black's
minor pieces.] 8...Nc6 9.a3 [9.Bg5 Bf5 10.Qd2 Qd6 11.Bf4 e5 12.Bxe5 Nxe5
13.Nxe5 Rad8 14.Rad1=] 9...Ne8 10.d5 Nd6 11.Ba2 Nb8 [11...Ne5 12.Nxe5
Bxe5=/+] 12.Bg5 [12.Bf4=] 12...Nd7 13.Qe1 Nf6 14.Ne5 h6
[14...Bf5=/+] 15.Bf4 Kh7 16.Kh1 a5 17.Rd1 Bd7 18.Rf2 Ra6 19.Re2 Ng8
20.Nb1 b5 21.Nd2 Be8?! [21...b4=] 22.Nb3 a4 23.Nc5 Rb6 24.c3 Qc8
25.Bb1 c6 26.Qf2 Rb8? [26...cxd5 27.Nxa4+/-] 27.dxc6 Bxc6 28.Qg3
[White has a crushing tactic with 28.Ne6! Qxe6 29.Nxc6 Qd7 30.Nxe7 Nxe7
31.Rxd6+-] 28...Be8 29.Ncd7 Bxd7 30.Nxg6 Nf5? [30...Bf5 31.Nxf8+ Bxf8
32.Rf2+/-] 31.Nxf8+ Bxf8 32.Bxb8 Kh8 33.Qc7 Qxc7 34.Bxc7 Be6
35.Rxe6 fxe6 36.Ba2 1-0
3.6 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1
This line is known as the Studier Attack. White is playing for a direct assault
on the h-file and f-file. The main line in this section looks at 8…Nbd7.
249 - Overman: Typical ...e6

I played over 100 games in a three year period 1989-1991. During this same
time I was writing my first book, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook,
published in 1992 by Bob Long and Thinkers' Press.
At that time I played 10 seven player sections in the 1989 USCF Golden
Knights Postal Tournament. This was went I became a USCF Postal Master.
One of my shortest games was vs Alan Overman. We played a Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow 8.Qe1 Nbd7 variation which continued 9.Qh4
e6.
The problem with combining the Bogoljubow move 5...g6 with an early ...e6
is that Black's position will be very weak on the dark squares. Attacking
moves flow easy for White, like Bg5, Rae1, Ne5 and Ne4. After 15.Bxd5
Black resigns.
If Black plays on and recaptures the piece, White has 16.Nf6 with a fork on
e8 and h7. If then 16...Bxf6, then 17.Bxf6+ Kg8 18.Qh6 and it's over, man,
for Overman after 19.Qg7 mate.
Sawyer (2181) - Overman (1693), corr USCF 89N261, 07.02.1990 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1
Nbd7 9.Qh4 e6 10.Bg5 [This position may be reached by 8...e6 9.Bg5 Nbd7
10.Qh4.] 10...Qe8 [10...b6 11.Ne5 c5 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.Bxf6+- Ikauniks -
Scott, corr 1964] 11.Rae1! [To attack! Also good is 11.Nb5+/-] 11...c6
[11...Nh5 12.Be7!+-] 12.Ne5 Nd5 13.Ne4 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Kh8 [The only hope
was 14...Bxe5 15.Bxd5 f5 which I called "=" in my BDG Keybook 1, missing
16.Nc5+/-] 15.Bxd5 1-0
250 - Neubauer Wins Slugfest
In 2015 I enjoyed finding this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit win! Herbert
Neubauer pulls off a nice victory with a checkmate. White gets a nice
kingside attack. I love to see such games.
The Black pieces were handled by Robert Spitzl who chose the BDG
Bogoljubow 5.Nxf3 g6 variation. In my early years this was my personal
choice as Black. I still think this is one of Black's best choices to counter
attack the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
Early in this game chances were equal. White slipped up on move 14 to give
Black the advantage. A slugfest ensued. After another 14 moves, the tables
were turned in White’s favor.
Neubauer (2055) - Spitzl (1753), 24th Feffernitz Open 2015 Feffernitz AUT
(1.17), 16.08.2015 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6
6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 c6 [8...Nc6 is the normal continuation.] 9.Qh4
Nd5 10.Bh6 f6 11.Rae1 Rf7 12.Ne4 Qf8 13.Bd2 [13.Bxg7 Qxg7 14.Nc3+/=]
13...Bf5 14.Neg5? [14.Bb3=] 14...fxg5 15.Bxg5 Bf6 16.g4 Bxc2 17.Ne5
Bxg5 [17...Bxe5!-+] 18.Qxg5 Rf6 19.Qd2 Ba4 20.Qa5 b5 21.Bxd5+ cxd5
22.b3 [22.Qc7=] 22...Bxb3 [22...Qc8!-/+] 23.axb3 Rxf1+ 24.Rxf1 Qe8
25.Qc7 Na6 26.Qb7 Nb4 27.Rf7 [27.Nd7 Rc8 28.Rf8+ Qxf8 29.Nxf8+-]
27...Qc8? [27...Nc6-/+] 28.Qxe7 Qc1+ 29.Kg2 Qd2+ 30.Rf2 Qxd4 31.Qe6+
Kg7 32.Qf6+ [White has a mate in four. 32.Rf7+ Kg8 33.Rxh7+ Kxh7
34.Qxg6+ Kh8 35.Nf7#] 32...Kg8 33.Qe6+ Kg7 34.Rf7+ Kh6 35.Rxh7+
Kxh7 36.Qxg6+ Kh8 37.Nf7# 1-
251 - Kevin Sheldrick Wins BDG!
I hope you enjoy this from our Blackmar-Diemer Gambit friend Kevin
Sheldrick who writes about hard to see backward moves.
"Hi Tim and all BDG adherents across the world, wherever you are. I often
find some of the hardest moves to find in chess are ones where you move a
piece backwards. As you study chess more, you hopefully find more
examples of excellent backward moves which may stick in your brain and
this may help you think more flexibly about all the directions your pieces can
move."
"I played this game a couple of days ago on FICS. On the critical move, I
could only think of advancing but retreating would have been a superior way
for me to go forwards :).
"Btw, this game was played on my birthday, 18 November, and I did what
you suggested one should do on their birthday - play the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit!"
Sheldrick (2045) - NN (1899), FICS 3 0, 18.11.2015 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3

d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 c6 9.Qh4 Nbd7
10.Bh6 Nb6 11.Bb3 e6 12.Ng5 [Best was the retreat 12.Bg5! +=/+-
Stockfish, and white can increase pressure on the pinned knight by means of
moves like Ne4 and Ne5. But I wanted to move a piece forwards :)] 12...Nh5
13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Rad1 h6 15.Nce4 hxg5 16.Nxg5 f6 17.Ne4 Rh8 18.Qf2
Nd5 19.g4 Nhf4 20.Qf3 Rh3 21.Ng3 g5 22.c4 Ne7 23.Nh5+ Nxh5 24.Qxh3
Nf4 25.Qe3 Qh8 26.Bc2 Qh4 27.Rf3 Qxg4+ 28.Rg3 Qh4 29.Qe4 Nf5
30.Rxg5+ Qxg5+ 31.Kh1 Bd7 32.Rg1 Rh8 33.Qxf5 exf5 34.Rxg5+ fxg5
35.Bxf5 Rh4 36.Bg4 Ne2 37.Bf3 Rf4 38.Bg2 [Black forfeits on time] 1-0
[Notes by Sheldrick]
252 - Studier vs Pelle Lingsell
Here is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow 8.Qe1 Studier Attack. At the
time this game was played, my opponent Pelle Lingsell was ranked in
Sweden as number 1229 at a rating of 1855. He is 30 years younger than I
am.
Lingsell chooses the 8...Nbd7 / ...c6 set-up intended to transfer a knight to d5.
This is a defensive approach recommend by Pachman and Harding before
Lingsell was born.
Experience has shown that Black has a stronger position if he aggressively

attacks d4 with 8...Nc6 than if he defends d5 with Nb8-d7-b6-d5 (which
gives time for Qh4/Bh6/Ng5).
Sawyer - Lingsell, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 27.12.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nbd7
9.Qh4 Nb6 10.Bb3 c6 [Scheerer: "suffers from being too slow."] The main
line is 10...a5 11.a4 Bg4 12.Be3 (12.Bg5!?) 12...Bf5 13.Rae1] 11.Bh6 [11.h3
Nbd5 12.Bh6 Bf5 13.Rae1 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 Qd6 15.Ng5+/-] 11...Nbd5 [11...
Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Ng4 13.Qh4 Nf6 14.Qh6= repeats moves for a draw.] 12.Ng5
[12...Nh5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.g4+/-] 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nh5
14.Bxg7 [14. Nxf7!+- is a crushing move.] 14...Kxg7 15.g4 [15. Nxf7!+- is
still very good.] 15...f6 16.gxh5 fxg5 17.Qxg5 Rf6 18.h6+ Kf8 [18...Kh8
19.Rxf6 exf6 20.Qe3+/=] 19.Rae1 [19. Rxf6+! exf6 20.Rf1+-] 19...Bh3
20.Rxf6+ exf6 21.Qe3?! [Sadly, I missed a pretty mate in two: 21.Qc5+!
Qd6 22.Qxd6 mate] 21...Qd6 [21...Qe7 22.Re2=] 22.Qxh3 Black resigns 1-0
253 - Ashkeef Plays Studier Attack
When I was searching for Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games in early 2013, I
came across this nice effort by the Internet Chess Club player "Ashkeef". It
had been played in December 2012. The opening is the BDG Bogoljubow
8.Qe1 variation which is known as the Studier Attack.
The sharpest defense is 8.Qe1 Nc6. Many players as Black will prefer the
logical 8...Nbd7. This supports the Nf6 and allows for a possible Nd7-b6-d5
maneuver.
There is great practical advantage in the Studier Attack. In theory if Black

plays sharp aggressive perfect defense for 20 moves, White might run out of
gas. In practice, such perfect play by Black is rare. Many White players just
keep winning with 8.Qe1.
Ashkeef - elmuthalleth, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 13.12.2012 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 c6 8.Qe1
0-0 9.Qh4 Nbd7 10.Bh6 e6 11.Ng5 Re8 12.Rf3 [12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Nxf7
Qe7 14.Ng5+-] 12...Nf8 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Raf1 N8d7 15.Nce4 h6 16.Nxf6
Nxf6 17.Rxf6 [17.Nxf7!+-] 17...Qxf6 18.Rxf6 Kxf6 19.Nxe6+ g5 20.Qxh6+
Black resigns 1-0
254 - Come Along For the Ride
For 45 years I have played all chess openings. In 2011 I started to write about
the openings that brought me the most pleasure and most success, especially
the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
My wife has been after me to write a blog on chess. Finally I am highly

motivated to do it. I did not want to just throw in a game now and then. My
goal was to publish a post every day.
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit seems especially perfect for beating the

slightly above average players who develop quickly and logically. They often
walk right into the BDG without knowing what types of attacks they will
face. The gambit becomes like one big trap. Suddenly they find themselves in
deep trouble. Here I missed a nice quick win, but I was soon gifted with a
win.
Sawyer - Espiritosanto, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 07.07.2011 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 [The Bogoljubow
Variation.] 6.Bc4 [Developing the bishop so that it eyes f7 is the main line of
this variation. 6.Bf4 might be better, but that is a subject for another time. I
play both lines.] 6...Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 [The Studier Attack. White's idea is
to go to h4.] 8...c6 [A rare move. About 10% of the time Black chooses to
play Nbd7/c6/Nb6 without first moving the B/c8.] 9.Qh4 [From here the
queen eyes the h-file, the h4-d8 diagonal and the d4 pawn.] 9...Nbd7 10.Bh6
Nb6 11.Bb3 Ng4 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.h3 [White could go after f7 here with
13.Ng5 Qxd4+ 14.Kh1 h6 15.Nxf7 g5 16.Qg3 Nd5 17.Rad1=] 13...Ne3?
[13...Nh6 14.g4=] 14.Rfe1 [Played with one second of thought, missing a
forced win. 14.Ng5! h6 15.Nxf7+- attacking the queen and threatening
various checkmates.] 14...Nf5 15.Qf4 Qd6 16.Qg5 [At this point I have left
"BDG mode" and gone into "blitz mode". This move was played to gain time
on the clock. I intended to play Qd2 but figured h6 would take him a few
seconds and then he would also have to think after Qd2.] 16...h6 17.Qd2 e6
18.Rad1 Ne7 [Clocks: 2:21-2:03. No big lead in time, but after I get through
the opening, I try to step it up and play slightly faster than my opponent.]
19.Ne4 [In a blitz game, it is always nice to attack something.] 19...Ned5??
[Most chess games at every level end suddenly due to a blunder. The lower
the rating, the more frequent the blunder. In the BDG we usually prefer a
blunder by black!] 20.Nxd6 1-0
3.7 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bf5
This Studier Attack line covers 8.Qe1 Bf5 and common transpositions like
8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bf5.
255 - James Regan Bogo 8.Qe1

Why play offhand games that are not rated? Because you can learn
something. Below is an example in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Bogoljubow game.
I played James Regan in several rated postal chess games. Since we were
writing to each other anyway, I think this was a game played on the side.
Here as Black Regan uncorked the creative 9.Qh4 g5!? Pushing the g-pawn
again in the BDG Bogo is very rare, but it helps defend against White's
mating attack.
Combined with 8...Bf5, the advance of the g-pawn allows the Black bishop to
cover h7 while still attacking c2. I missed chances to get a bigger advantage.
I misplayed a winning combination. Eventually I was rewarded when Black

blundered away his queen.
Sawyer - Regan, corr, 1989 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bf5 9.Qh4 g5!? [An original concept.
If 9...Nc6 reaches a very common position. 10.h3!] 10.Bxg5 Bxc2 11.Ne5
Bg6 12.Rad1 Nc6 13.Nxg6 [13.Rf3+/-] 13...hxg6 14.Ne4 [Again 14.Rf3+/-]
14...Na5? [14...Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Qd6=] 15.Rxf6?! [Right idea. Inexact timing.
The better winning move order is 15.Bxf6! exf6 16.Rxf6!] 15...Nxc4 16.Kh1
Nxb2 17.Rd2 Nc4 18.Rd3 Ne3 19.Rxe3 Qxd4 20.Re1 [20.Rf1+/-] 20...exf6
21.Bxf6 Qb4 22.Be7 Qxe1+? [Big blunder. 22...Qa5 23.Ng5 Bh6 24.Ne4
Bg7= repeats moves.] 23.Qxe1 1-0
256 - David Hutchings BDG Studier
Is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit easy to refute? How about if you have an
average of three days to ponder every move? Could you find a win for Black?
In 1989 there were very few books that covered the BDG. Chess engines
were weak. I regularly played this gambit as White with great success in the
1989 USCF Golden Knights Postal Chess Tournament.
David Hutchings was probably pretty much on his own for this game. My
first nine move were well known in this BDG Bogoljubow 8.Qe1 Bf5 9.Qh4.
David's 9...Ng4 was likely a surprised for me. I think 10.h3 may be an
improvement over what I played. As it was, I decided to strengthen d4 and
work toward a kingside attack.
Black's pieces got tangled up and he dropped a piece or two. Eventually there
was no good defense against White's mate threats.
Sawyer (2192) - Hutchings (1790), corr USCF 89N278, 16.07.1990 begins

Bf5 9.Qh4 Ng4 10.Ne2 [10.h3] 10...e5? [10...Nc6 11.c3 Na5 12.h3 Nxc4
13.hxg4 Bd3 14.Bh6=] 11.Bg5 Qd7 12.h3 Ne3? [In trouble, Black hangs a
knight. If 12...e4 13.hxg4 exf3 14.gxf5 fxe2 15.Rf4+-] 13.Bxe3 b5 14.Bb3
Nc6 15.Bh6 Nxd4 16.Nexd4 exd4 17.Ng5 Qe7 18.Rae1 Qf6 19.g4 [Maybe
quicker is 19.Bxg7 Qxg7 20.Re7+- with tactics on f7.] 19...d3 20.gxf5 gxf5
21.Bxg7 Qxg7 22.cxd3 Qg6 23.Kh1 Kh8 [Or 23...Qc6+ 24.Kh2 Qd6+
25.Rf4+- and checkmate is not far off.] 24.Rg1 f6 25.Re7 fxg5 26.Rxg5
Qc6+ 27.Rg2 h6 28.Re6 1-0
257 - Gray Feeling Blue in Bogo
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow 8.Qe1 gives White a lot of mate
threats in complicated tactics. The main line is 8...Nc6 aiming directly at d4
in the mode of a Gruenfeld Defence.
Another idea is to play 8...Bf5 attacking c2. After 9.Qh4 Bxc2, White should
play 10.Bh6! In fact White scored 71% in the 46 games in my database that
reach this position.
In the internet game L. Gray vs Bill Wall, White quickly advanced both
knights but his position falls to pieces when Black strikes back with
11...Qxd4+! Black is already up three pawns and will now win a piece that he
can keep.
Gray - Wall, Internet .23), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bf5 9.Qh4 Bxc2 10.Ng5
[10.Bh6!] 10...Bf5 11.Nce4 Qxd4+ 0-1
258 - Myers How Much Sacrifice?
In correspondence chess it is possible to play brilliant exciting chess with
little or no effort on your part at all! My Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game vs
William Myers from the 1989 USCF Golden Squires Postal Tournament in
1990 was such a game.
We followed the 1970 thematic postal game Roald Berthelsen - Newton

Grant to 22.Nce4 1-0! Since using chess books during the game was
permissible, the first 22 moves were easy for me.
One thing that makes this BDG Bogoljubow game interesting is the contrast
in strategic plans. Already up one pawn (3...dxe4), Black delays the
development of his Nb8 to go after a second extra pawn (9...Bxc2).
Meanwhile, White develops a mating attack.
Another interesting thing is the comments provided on postcards by my

friendly opponent, William Myers. Would I need to resort to a perpetual
check draw to survive being down 2 pawns? Sometimes White has to do that.
I used my multiple sections of postal games (often playing 50-60 games at

once) to learn the BDG. In my "Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook" (1992)
this is Game 468 with new notes.
Sawyer (2062) - Myers (1872), corr USCF 89SS60, 05.06.1990 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bf5
9.Qh4 Bxc2 10.Bh6 Bxh6 11.Qxh6 e6 [11...Bf5 12.h3!?=] 12.Ng5 Qxd4+
13.Kh1 Bf5? [13...Re8 14.Nb5+/=] 14.Rxf5! gxf5 15.Bxe6! Nbd7 16.Bxf5!
Rad8 ["I think we're headed to a draw." Myers] 17.Bxh7+ Kh8 ["Is it clear
yet?" Myers] 18.Be4+ Kg8 19.Rd1 Qf2 [Black can only squirm for a little
while. For example 19...Qe5 20.Rxd7 Qf4 21.Bh7+ Kh8 22.Bg6+ Kg8
23.Bxf7+ Rxf7 24.Qg6+ Kh8 25.Nxf7#] 20.Bh7+ Kh8 21.Bg6+ Kg8
22.Nce4 fxg6 23.Qxg6+ Kh8 24.Nxf2 [Houdini 3 likes 24.Qh6+! Kg8
25.Ne6+-] 24...Rde8 ["Even though I can't win, it's the best game from this
lot." Myers] 25.Nf7+ Rxf7 26.Qxf7 c6 1-0
259 - Zickelbein BDG Beats Gara
An expert beats a 2302 rated master in this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game
which I found in TWIC (The Week In Chess). The players are Eva Maria
Zickelbein (2081) vs A. Gara (2302).
The BDG Bogoljubow with 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bf5 Scheerer calls the Bangiev
Variation. Theoretically best for White is then 10.h3! Then while many lines
are in White’s favor, there always is one way for Black to survive.
There are many positions where the critical line by deep computer analysis
ends in perpetual check or repetition of moves, though not simply and not
quickly.
In practice it becomes a battle of nerves, wit, courage and calculation. White

triumphs beautifully in this game.
Zickelbein (2081) - Gara (2302), TCh-FRA w TOP 12 2013 Archamps FRA

(2.3), 16.02.2013 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6
6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bf5 10.Bh6!? [The soundest and
most common continuation among BDGers is 10.h3! Bxc2 11.Rf2! Bf5
12.Bh6! Bxh6 13.Qxh6= when White has full compensation for the two
pawns.] 10...a6!? [Why ...a6? Maybe to play ...Qd6 without worrying about
Nb5 or maybe to play ...b5. More critical seems to be 10...Nb4] 11.d5 Na5
[The knight is vulnerable on a5. Better is 11...Nb4=/+] 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.cxd3
c5 [13...Qd6 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.b4+/-] 14.Ng5 Nh5 [14...Qe8 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
16.Rxf6 h6 17.Ne6+ fxe6 18.Rxe6 Rf7 19.Qe4+-] 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.g4 h6
[White comes crashing through. If Black tries to avoid losing a piece, he gets
mated after 16...Nf6 17.Rxf6 Kxf6 18.Ne6+ Ke5 19.Qg3+ Kf6 20.Ne4#]
17.Rxf7+! Kg8 18.Rg7+ Kxg7 19.Ne6+ Kg8 20.Nxd8 Nf4 21.Ne6 Nxe6
22.dxe6 Nc6 23.Qxh6 Ne5 24.Ne4 Rad8 25.Rf1 Rxf1+ 26.Kxf1 Rxd3
27.Ng5 1-0
3.8 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nc6
This is the critical line to the Studier Attack. Black fights back with his own
attack on d4.
260 - Jego Tests Experiment

Eric Jego posted on his site an interesting game which he kindly let me use. It
is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow with a special move for White.
“Hi Tim, Recently, some rest allowed me to fulfill a wish dearly wanted.
Granting me a little time to face my chessboard NOVAG Sapphire II and see
how he would respond facing a BDG. I was able to see that at a level of 2250,
the choice was always on a Bogoljubow defense!”
“Deemed solid, I agree. Indestructible, I doubt it. What did I learn from these
5 games played with 30 minutes each? 4 losses and 1 draw could leave a
strong doubt on the merits of such an opening.”
“In detail, we encountered a game as I always used to achieve during each

official tournament (i.e., played in dilettante) and the punishment that goes
with it (miniature). We have a draw finely crafted, two defeats whom fully
deserved the draw and one defeat whom was to be one victory. Time is the
main reason and my chess level did not help: o)
“Every defense has been addressed differently. This is the first opportunity
rather interesting.”
“Eric Jego”
Thank you Eric. The choice of 9.Be3 is something that must be examined by
White. This is especially true since the main continuation 9.Qh4 has become
a theoretical problem. White must search for something earlier.
We appreciate your efforts and your willingness to share it with the rest of us.
We all experience drawn games vs higher rated opponents that escape and
turn into losses.
Jego (1920) - Novag (2250), France, 2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 [Bogoljubow Defence] 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1
[preparing the Studier Attack] 8...Nc6 9.Be3 Bg4 [a risky test will cause a
radically different pattern we use to play in this opening] 10.Ne2 Nd5 11.Bf2
[11.Bxd5 Qxd5 12.c3=/+ was the best option but weakened white offensive
potential and finally lost the initiative.] 11...Bxf3-/+ 12.gxf3 Nb6 13.Qc3 [the
plan began in 8th aborted suddenly, radical change with the objective of
offsetting the pressure on the queenside] 13...Nxc4 [13...e5!? 14.Bd3 exd4-+
was the right result for black] 14.Qxc4 Qd7 15.c3 Rad8 16.Bg3 Kh8
17.Rae1 Bh6 18.Nf4=/+ [to exchange with the good black bishop or to
access outposts in c5/e5] 18...e6 19.Nd3 Qc8 20.Ne5 Nxe5 21.Bxe5+ f6
22.Bg3 c5 [it was so important to challenge the advantage of white space that
Black returned the pawn] 23.dxc5 Rd5 24.b4 Bd2 25.Re2 Rfd8 26.Be1
[causing a trade for a better endgame, especially on the queenside, but 26.f4
b5 27.Qxb5 Bxc3= was quiet and solid] 26...Bh6 27.Qh4 Bg5-/+ 28.Qg4 e5
29.h4 Qxg4+ 30.fxg4 Bf4 31.Kg2 Kg7 32.a4 Rd1 33.a5 a6 34.Rf3 f5
35.gxf5 gxf5 36.Bg3 Bxg3 37.Kxg3 f4+ 38.Kg4 Kf6 39.Re4?? Rg8+
40.Kh5 Rh1 41.Rc4 Rg5+ 0-1 [Game Notes by Eric Jego]
261 - Gruenfeld Counter Play
"CzwartyWymiar" asked: "Dear Mr Sawyer; Preparing the BDG against a
black Grunfeld which variation from your blog should I best study? Kind
regards, Mart Renders."
I suggested the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow games.
"CzwartyWymiar" replied: "Thank you very much for your answer. Let’s see
if we can provide your blog with interesting new material."
We can only hope! Below we have an interesting example of a Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow against the computer program "counterplay"
rated 2756. This was played in my prime when I was under age 50 and still a
pretty good blitz player.
Experience leads to confidence in being able to clearly teach important chess

concepts. Another advantage of being older is that you know what typically
matters, and what usually doesn't. Foot speed and brain speed become
slightly slower with age. However as in sports, older coaches can be very
effective in guiding young competitors to success.
Sawyer (2324) - counterplay (2756), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

12.01.2000 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4
Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Ng4 10.Bf4 Nxd4 11.Ng5 Nh6 12.Rad1
[White is fully developed, though he is down two pawns. Black is not yet
able to use all his own material, so White has great practical chances.]
12...Bd7 [12...e5 13.Bxe5! an improvement (13.Be3 Diemer-Gunderam,
1970 which was drawn in 16.) 13...Bxe5 14.Qxh6 and Black must give up his
Queen to prevent immediate mate.] 13.g4! [Envisioning the sacrifice to
follow.] 13...Nxc2 14.Nxh7 Kxh7 15.Bxh6 Bxh6 16.g5 Kg8 17.Qxh6
[White's boldness has been rewarded.] 17...Bf5 18.Rxf5 e6 19.Rxd8 Raxd8
20.Bxe6 [not bad, however, 20.Ne4! forces mate in seven.] 20...fxe6
21.Qxg6+ Kh8 22.Qh6+ Kg8 23.Rxf8+ Rxf8 24.g6 [24.Qg6+! Kh8 25.Ne4
Rd8 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.g6 and mate in 5 after a few spite checks] 24...Rf7
25.gxf7+ Kxf7 26.Qh7+ [26.Ne4 mates in six, but I wanted to simply get rid
of Black's last piece with the shortness of time.] 26...Kf6 27.Qxc2 a6
28.Qf2+ Ke5 Black resigns 1-0
3.9 – 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4
This is the critical line to the Studier Attack. Black attacks d4. Here he
threatens to eliminate the White knight on f3.
262 - Dublin John King Takes Walk

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow variation allows White several
choices at move six. Historically when I am play White, I usually choose
6.Bc4.
I added 6.Bf4 which I have played 60 times in 2011-2012. I did okay, but I
went back to playing 6.Bc4 and the Studier Attack.
I find the mating attacks easier or messier with 6.Bc4, 7.0-0 and 8.Qe1 than I
do with 6.Bf4, 7.Qd2 and 8.0-0-0. Nowadays I play mostly blitz chess, and I
want my opponents to burn a lot of clock time trying to defend threats. Time
will tell.
Sawyer - DublinJohn, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 21.02.2013 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nc6
9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 h5 [The book continuation is 10...Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5=/+]
11.Rad1 [11.h3!?] 11...Qe8 [11...Bxf3 12.gxf3 Ne8=/+] 12.Nd5 [12.h3 Bf5
13.d5+/=] 12...Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Nb4 14.Bb3 e5 15.Qg5 e4 16.Qxg6 Kh8
17.Qg5 exf3 18.gxf3 Bh3 [Black misses his chance with 18...f6! 19.Qf4 Bh3-
+] 19.Qxh5+ Kg8 20.Bh6 [20.Rfe1!+/-] 20...Qc6?+- [Black is in time
pressure. He must play 20...Bxh6 21.Qxh6 Bxf1 and since White is down a
knight and a rook, he would likely give perpetual check 22.Qg6+ Kh8
23.Qh6+ for a draw, unless he thought he could win on time.] 21.Bxg7 Kxg7
22.Qxh3 Rg8 23.Kf2 [Or 23.Kh1!+-] 23...Kf8 24.Rg1 Rxg1 25.Rxg1 Ke7
26.Re1+ Kd6 27.Qg3+ Black resigns 1-0
263 - Doctorr2 Is IN But Not ON
Sometimes I change my daily blog post at the last minute when I receive new
games from readers or when I play a new game. This happened when I
played an ICC 3 0 blitz game vs Doctorr2 in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Bogoljubow variation.
This is the seventh time I have had the privilege of playing Doctorr2. Here is
a summary of our games.
In 2012 I won as Black in a Caro-Kann Defence. As White I won in a Goring

Gambit, in a Ruy Lopez Steinitz Defence and in this BDG Euwe. In 2013 I
won as Black in a Sicilian Accelerated Dragon.
But I lost in a BDG Long Bogo Variation 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bf4 c6 7.Qd2 Bg7 8.0-
0-0 0-0. Chances were approximately equal, but Doctorr2 outplayed me in a
3 0 game. He managed to swap all the way down to an endgame with his
extra e-pawn where I could not stop him from queening on move 50 with
mate on move 57. He played well.
Below for this 7th game of our "match" I chose the main line of the BDG
Bogo, the 6.Bc4 / 8.Qe1 Studier Attack. Black has three good 11th moves:
11...e5, 11...Qd7 and 11...Nb4.
He played something new with 11...Na5. The loss of a tempo (Nc6-Na5-Nc6)

allowed me to protect d4 with 13.Rd1. Then the natural 13...e6? dropped a
piece.
Sawyer - Doctorr2, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 02.03.2013 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nc6
9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 Na5 12.Be2 Nc6 13.Rd1 e6? [13...h5
14.Rf2= Houdini 3] 14.Bg5 Black resigns 1-0
264 - Magazine Diemer 1957
Here is another installment from the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine
from the 1960s. The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit magazine began as part of the
Latvian "Chess World" published out of Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee,
Wisconsin in the USA. It was written in English, Latvian and German.
The chief editor was Nikolajs Kampars. I include highlights in English. The
BDG magazine had a German connection through K. Rattmann of Hamburg.
This features a tournament win by Emil Josef Diemer vs J. Hoogendoorn,

which was a BDG Bogoljubow included in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Keybook (1992) as Game 494. Below the notes in [brackets] are from my
book. The other game notes were in the February 1962 issue of BDG
magazine. They were probably written by Kampars.
"We bring the readers' attention to an excellent game of the German chess
champion Emil Joseph Diemer, who has created a new dangerous weapon in
the chess theory completing the Blackmar Gambit."
"As usually the chess master played very energetically and finished the
contest with a brilliant sacrifice of exchange."
"The game was played in Netherland's Open, 1957."
Diemer - Hoogendoorn, Dordrecht Netherlands Open 1957 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1! Nc6
9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 Nb4 12.Bb3 [Interesting is 12.Ne4 Nxc2
13.Ng5= DeVore.] 12...Nbd5 13.Bg5 c6 14.Raf1 Qd7 15.Ne2 h5 16.h3 b5
17.c3 Rae8 18.Bxd5 cxd5 19.Qf4 Ne4 20.Bh6 Kh7 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Nc1
Qd6 23.Qe3 a6 24.Nd3 f6 25.Nb4! Ng5 26.Rf4 a5 27.Nd3 Ne4 28.h4 g5
29.hxg5 fxg5 30.Rf5 Rxf5 31.Rxf5 e6 32.Rxg5+ Nxg5 33.Qxg5+ Kf8
34.Ne5 Qd8 35.Qh6+ Kg8 [35...Ke7 36.Nc6+ +-] 36.Qg6+ and a following
mate. 1-0
265 - Studier by ATtheGreat
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit can make anyone look bad. This opening has
led to countless embarrassing losses from either side.
I am famous for playing White and writing about it. I have been successful on
the Black side too, as one might expect. I split my time between all the
defenses and do well in most of them.
My performance ratings as Black are over 2200 in more than 100 games in
each major line. I used to play in correspondence thematic tournaments where
everyone plays the BDG.
Nowadays I face it a handful of times in the odd blitz game here and there.
Below is an example of the BDG Bogoljubow line vs my friend ATtheGreat,
with whom I have enjoyed chatting many times.
ATtheGreat told me on January 2 that he had a goal for 2012 to lose weight.
If he succeeds, maybe he will want to change his handle.
ATtheGreat - Sawyer, ICC 5 0 u Internet Chess Club, 02.01.2013 begins

Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 Qd7!? [11...e5 is the main line.]
12.Raf1 Na5 [The critical line is 12...Rad8 13.Ne2 Qg4 14.Qf2 Ne4 15.Qe1
Nd6 16.h3 Qd7 17.Bb3 Nf5 18.Rxf5 gxf5 19.d5 Ne5 20.Nd4 f4 21.Rxf4
when White has regained the gambit pawn.] 13.Bd3 Qg4 14.Qf2 Qd7
15.Qh4 Qg4 16.Qf2 Rad8 17.Ne2 Nc6 18.c3 a6 19.Rg3 Qd7 20.Nf4
[20.Bg5=] 20...e5 21.Nh3?! exd4 22.Bxd4 Nxd4 23.cxd4 Qxd4 [23...Nh5!-
+] 24.Ng5 Qxf2+ [24...Ng4!-+] 25.Rxf2 Nh5 White resigns 0-1
266 - Purser Beats Sawyer
I played a thematic Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs "Mr. BDG" Tom Purser in
an APCT postal chess match twenty years ago. At that point Tom Purser had
been publishing our favorite BDG WORLD magazine for about a dozen
years. Tom and I wrote to each other for about 10 years, and then email came
along.
We frequently corresponded, but we only played each other four times. This
game was one of two BDGs played simultaneously. I won the other as Black
in a BDG Teichmann. Our other games feature an Elephant Gambit and a
Trompowsky.
Purser ducks my wild swings in a main line BDG Bogoljubow Studier Attack
in 1995. We resorted to thematic correspondence events to test lines and learn
variations. Helen Warren of APCT was kind enough to run some BDG
events.
The Bogoljubow is very sharp: White attacks the king and Black attacks d4.
Below I had real good chances for equality in this line (moves 16 and 17).
Sadly for me, I messed it up (moves 20 and 21) and I fell short. Nice active
defense by Tom Purser.
Sawyer (1992) - Purser (2097), corr APCT BDG-2 (3.2), 05.1995 begins
Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5 12.Rd1 Nxd4 13.Rf2 Ne8 14.Bg5
[White keeps up the attack. It would be wrong to play 14.Qxd8? Rxd8-+
which brings White to a losing ending.] 14...Qd7 15.Nd5 Nd6 [All the White
pieces are involved. Maximum pressure is being applied to the center and
kingside. The probability for White success is very high. If 15...Kh8
16.Rd3+/= Houdini] 16.Ne7+ [After the game Rasmussen suggested
16.Rxd4, to which Purser in his comment concluded that with correct play by
Black, "White probably gets no more than equality... Still, it seems just about
any line after 16.Rd4 turns out better for White than the way the game
went!"] 16...Kh8 17.Bf6 [17.Rxd4 transposes to 16.Rxd4. 17...exd4 18.Bf6=]
17...Ne8 [An effective regrouping, which seems to stabilize matters.]
18.Bxe5 [If 18.Bxg7+ Nxg7!=/+] 18...Nf3+ 19.Rxf3 Qxd1+ 20.Rf1? [The
wrong way to block the check. Correct is 20.Bf1! Qxc2 21.Rc3!=] 20...Qxc2
21.Bxf7? [Now it is over quickly, but if 21.Bc3 g5 22.Qxg5 Bxc3 23.bxc3
Qxc3-+] 21...Qc5+ 22.Kh1 Rxf7 23.Re1 Rxe7 0-1
267 - Critical Trumpf 6.Bc4
This is a critical Blackmar-Diemer Gambit line in the popular 5.Nxf3 g6
6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bogoljubow Studier Variation. This game is
played by two strong correspondence masters Walter Trumpf vs Steen S.
Vestergaard.
ICCF permits computer use, so to get ratings around 2400 when your
opponents have such assistance is very impressive. As Robin Smith has
pointed out, the stronger players still win most of the time when everyone is
using computers. Top players understand what analysis to follow and when to
follow it.
Trumpf is a well-known expert in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. I never

played him in correspondence; I might have played him in blitz under a
different handle. I did play Vestergaard in postal chess 30 years ago in 1984.
That is the year I bought my first home computer, a classic Commodore 64. I
kept it for years and used it to write my first chess book.
In the game below after 8...Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5 White
chooses 12.Rd1 Nxd4 13.Rf2 as I did in my game vs Tom Purser.
Vestergaard shows the best reply 13...b5!
This move is not well-known outside of BDG circles, but 13…b5 has been
known among BDGers for years. Peter Leisebein and Michael Preussner
drew two correspondence games vs each other in 1997, one with each color.
There followed Tinture vs Efendiyev, 0-1 in 30 in 1998; and Grott vs

Leisebein, 0-1 in 23 in 1999. Most of the early games continued 14.Bxd4.
Grott was the first to try 14.Bxb5.
All games in my database with 13...b5 were computer games or

correspondence games where they consulted computers. White scored +32,
=25, -71 in one of the most critical of BDG lines.
I have never seen a human player reach this position on his own. I imagine it
has happened, but I do not expect any of my human opponents to get to this
position, let alone play 13...b5! Playing the BDG for years limited the rating
of Walter Trumpf to "only" 2429, but most of us would live happily with that
rating!
Trumpf (2429) - Vestergaard, (2343), WCCC30SF03 (WS) ICCF,

20.06.2006 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4
Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bg4 9.Qh4 Nc6 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5 12.Rd1 Nxd4
13.Rf2 b5! 14.Bxb5 [Another popular choice as been 14.Bxd4 exd4 15.Nxb5
c6 when has tried both 16.Nc3 and 16.Rxd4 several times.] 14...Nd5 15.Bg5
[More common has been 15.Qe4 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 Qh4] 15...f6 16.Bc4 Kh8
17.Bxd5 fxg5 18.Rxf8+ Qxf8 19.Qxg5 [Best play seems to be 19.Qe1 Nxc2
20.Qe4 Qc5+ 21.Kh1 c6 22.Bxc6 Rf8 23.Qxc2 Qxc6 24.h3 Rf4 25.Rd8+ Bf8
26.Kh2 g4 27.Qe2 Qc7 28.Rc8 Qxc8 29.Qxe5+ Bg7 30.Qxf4 gxh3 31.gxh3
h5 32.Qg3 Kh7 33.Qf2 a6 34.Kg2 Qb7+ 35.Kg1 Be5=+] 19...Rd8 20.Qe3
Nxc2 21.Qxa7 e4 22.Qf2 Bd4 23.Rxd4 Qxf2+ 24.Kxf2 e3+ 25.Ke2 Nxd4+
26.Kxe3 Nb5 27.Nxb5 Rxd5 28.a4 c6 29.Nc3 Rd8 30.b4 Kg7 31.a5 Kf6
32.Na4 Ke6 33.g3 Kd6 34.h4 Rb8 35.Nb6 Kc7 36.g4 Re8+ 37.Kd4 Re2
38.g5 Rh2 39.Kc5 Rh1 40.a6 Rc1+ 41.Nc4 Kb8 42.b5 cxb5 43.Kxb5 Rh1
44.Ne5 Rxh4 45.Kc6 Rh5 46.Nf7 Ka7 47.Kd6 Kxa6 48.Ke6 Kb5 49.Kf6
Kc4 0-1
268 - Morin Plays 12.Rd1 exd4
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit correspondence thematic events in the late 1990s
allowed me to test BDG lines. Jay Morin and I had the pleasure of playing
four games in different lines. We split the other three +1=1-1. Here vs his
BDG Bogoljubow I chose the Studier Attack after the key moves 6.Bc4 and
8.Qe1.
Theory and practice do not always agree. Deep computer analysis of critical
lines to move 20 show that Black could get some advantage. Black must play
little known lines perfectly at every point to reach a position where good
technique and tactics give him good chances.
In practice, few players defend so well. I have scored much better with 6.Bc4
than I have with 6.Bf4 or 6.Bg5. Of course, if I played correspondence chess
nowadays when my opponents would be expected to use computer assisted
analysis from strong chess engines, then my lines might be in some trouble.
These days I tend to play humans in fast time controls. Under such
conditions, White has very good chances with 6.Bc4. Our game below was
played in a very popular line before chess engines were so strong.
Sawyer - Morin, corr BDG thematic (2), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4
10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5 12.Rd1 exd4 [12...Nxd4] 13.Bg5 Qe8 14.Bxf6
[Houdini suggests 14.Re1!? Qd7 15.Bxf6=] 14...Bxf6 15.Qxf6 dxc3 16.Qxc3
Qe5 [16...Rd8=] 17.Rd7 Qxc3 18.Rxc3 Rad8? [18...Ne5 19.Rxc7 Nxc4=]
19.Rxc7 Rd1+ 20.Kf2 Rd2+ 21.Kg3 Na5 22.Bd3 Re8 23.b4 Nc6 24.Rxb7
Re3+ 25.Kf4 Re6 26.b5 Nb4 27.Bc4 Rf6+ 28.Kg3 Rff2 [Better is 28...Nxc2
29.Rd3 Rdf2 30.Rxa7+-] 29.Kh3 Nd5 30.Bxd5 Rxd5 31.a4 Rg5 32.g4 Re5
33.Rxa7 h6 34.Kg3 Ree2 35.Re3 Rxc2 36.h3 [Or 36.b6!+-] 36...g5 37.a5
Rb2 38.b6 Rf4 39.b7 Rfb4 40.Ra8+ Kg7 41.a6 h5 42.gxh5 f5 43.Rd3 f4+
44.Kf3 1-0
269 - Beating Bogo vs Blackmar
While I play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit as White, I also have occasion to
play it as Black. This blitz game began with a BDG Bogoljubow Variation.
My opponent "Blackmar" and I played the main line of the Studier Attack
with 8.Qe1 Nc6. Usually it continues 12.Rd1 Nxd4=/+. This line is
sufficiently complicated that anything can happen in the three minute game.
Here White chose 12.d5 and I responded with 12...Ne7!? This was the first
time I had been on the Black side of this position. White has good options,
but in a three minute blitz game he immediately fell for my trap with
13.Rxf6? He lost material to 13...Nf5 which attacks multiple pieces: Qh4,
Be3 and Rf6.
Blackmar (1870) - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 10.09.2014 begins

Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5 12.d5 Ne7!? [The main line is
12...Nd4 13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Qxd4 but in a three minute game I did not
consider my 14th move 14...c6=/+] 13.Rxf6? [There are two reasonable
options for equality: 13.g4 Nexd5 14.Rd1=; and 13.Raf1=] 13...Nf5 14.Bg5
Nxh4 White resigns 0-1
270 - Caliguire in BDG Bogo
Once I analyzed a game where I played John C. Caliguire Jr in the Pirc
Defence. We were on our way to becoming a USCF Experts. John has done
well since 1992. Eight years earlier Caliguire played the late Edgar Sneiders
who is famous in BDG circles for his 4.Qh5 Sneiders Attack against
Lemberger 3...e5.
The Sneiders - Caliguire game was a CCLA postal chess match with the
BDG Bogoljubow variation 5.Nxf3 g6. I had chosen this game as the main
game of the 100 annotated games in Chapter 5 of my 1992 book: Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Keybook.
Below is some critical theory on the position after 11...e5.
Sneiders - Caliguire, corr CCLA NA Expert CS, 1984 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bg4 9.Qh4
Nc6 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5 12.d5 [At first glance, this is the best move.
White must maximize the energy of his pieces. The rook move 12.Rd1 is by
far the most popular move. It just barely fails tactically vs perfect play in
complex positions. Black should play 12...Nxd4! 13.Rf2 b5! Black forces the
issue before White is ready. 14.Bxb5 White accepts the return of the gambit
pawn, although it looks like Black is still winning. 14...Nd5!-+ To get an
advantage, Black must find both moves 13 and 14. If he plays them, Black
stands better. Otherwise White is fine. If Black plays correctly, White might
try to reach a bishops of opposite color ending.] 12...Nd4! ["with a playable
game" (Mednis, Opening Adventures, July 1965); "and Black has an edge"
(Chess Opening Essentials 2009)] 13.Rf2 [White protects c2 and keeps
pressure on the f-file. This comes close to being playable, but Black has good
resources. 13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Qxd4 Ne8-/+ (Brinckmann, Euwe) is the critical
line.] 13...Nd7 [13...Nf5! 14.Rxf5 gxf5 15.Bg5 Qd6-+] 14.Qxd8 [14.Bg5
f6=/+] 14...Raxd8 15.a3 [15.Bg5 Rc8=/+] 15...Nb6 16.Ba2 Nf5 17.Bc5 Nd6
18.Re2 Rfe8 19.Rae1 f5 20.a4 Nbc8 21.Nb5 Re7 22.Bf2 Bf6 23.c4 a6
24.Nxd6 Nxd6 25.c5 Nf7 26.b4 Kf8 27.Rc2 e4 28.Kf1 Ne5 29.d6 cxd6
30.cxd6 Rg7 31.Bb6 Rb8 [31...Rxd6!=] 32.Rec1 Ke8 [32...Rd7 33.Rc8+
Rxc8 34.Rxc8++/=] 33.Be6 Nc6 34.b5 Nd8 35.Rc8 Rxc8 36.Rxc8 axb5
37.axb5 h6 38.Ke2 f4 39.Bc7 g5 40.Bf5 e3 41.b6 h5 42.Rb8 g4 43.Bc2 f3+
44.gxf3 gxf3+ 45.Kxe3 Rg4 46.Kxf3 Rd4 47.Ke3 Rb4 48.Bf5 h4 49.d7+ 1-
0
271 - Strumidlowski Braves BDG
For four years before my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook was published,
I played the BDG at almost every opportunity. One such game came vs
Anthony Strumidlowski in the 10th United States Correspondence Chess
Championship in 1990. As I recall, you had to have a postal rating over 2000
to enter. All the players were pretty good, but only a few were of the top
master quality such as Robin Smith, about whom I wrote separately.
Anthony Strumidlowski and I contested a BDG Bogoljubow line known as

the Studier Attack with 8.Qe1. The BDG is a great blitz opening for a rating
of 2000. But computers rated 3000 analyzing to the 30th move find only a
half pawn compensation for White. If your opponents are grandmasters and if
you do not play blitz, you need a different line vs the Bogoljubow.
After my 16th move, Black wrote to me that he was withdrawing from the
event because "I simply cannot afford those $2.00 repeat moves!" I couldn't
blame him. In the USA, the cost of the ICCF required registered mail was a
pain. In Europe, it was only a small addition to the cost of a postcard, but in
America, it was maybe ten times the cost of regular mail. So, I got an easy
win. In the USCF quirky correspondence rating system, I gained three rating
points. He did not lose any. Not to worry, many times I got zero points in the
USCF postal chess for a long and hard fought rated win, an unfair practice by
the USCF in my opinion.
Sawyer (2169) - Strumidlowski (2180), corr USCCC 10P05, 20.07.1990

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-
0 8.Qe1 Bg4 9.Qh4 Nc6 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 e5 12.d5 [In my original
BDG Keybook I wrote that maybe White can play 12.Bg5 but later it became
obvious that 12...Qxd4+! forces a queen swap. 13.Qxd4 exd4 14.Bxf6 Bxf6-
/+ and Black is much better.] 12...Nd4 [12...Nb4? 13.Bg5+- Schiller]
13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Qxd4 Nd7 [14...Ne8=/+ Many moons ago this position was
considered to lead to equal chances by Brinckmann and by Euwe. However
after the White queen moves, Black's game should be more comfortable with
the blockade 15...Nd6; another good idea is 14...c6=/+ Houdini, Rybka,
Stockfish] 15.Qf4 Ne5 16.Rf2 [Mednis evaluated this position as equal.
Houdini believes Black is better with the attacking continuation 16...g5!
17.Qe4 f5!-/+. White could try 16.Rh3 Qd6=/+] 1-0
272 - GambitBandit Wins BDG
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit there are many defenses that resemble well-
known openings in Black pawn structure and piece play. One of the best is
the Bogoljubow Variation after 5.Nxf3 g6, which has many characteristics of
the Gruenfeld Defence.
Black's kingside development includes Nf6, g6, Bg7 and 0-0. His d-pawn
goes to ...d5 and gets exchanged off. Black's tactics revolve around attacking
d4 with either ...c5, or ...Nc6 and ...e5, and attacking d4's Nf3 protector.
These are good effective plans.
An idea played by "GambitBandit" is the popular 6.Bc4 with the idea of 7.0-0
and Studier's 8.Qe1 followed by 9.Qh4. This set-up has the potential threat of
Bh6, Ng5, Bxg7, Rxf6, and Qxh7 with a possible mate. The position after
11...e5 can be reached by several move orders.
I present the game below with some detailed notes because 12.d5 Nd4 is a
critical line. Black resigns when he realizes that his 25th move will cost him
his queen for a rook after 26.Rd8+!
GambitBandit (2037) - Phosphorus (2042), ICC 15 5 Internet Chess Club,

03.02.2005 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4
Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bg4 9.Qh4 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Nc6 11.Be3 e5 12.d5 Nd4
13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Qxd4 c6 15.Rd1 [This is probably best. Other tries include:
15.Qh4 Nxd5-/+; 15.Qd3 Ng4-+; 15.Qc5 Nd7-/+] 15...Nxd5 [The critical line
is 15...b5! 16.Bf1 Nxd5 17.Qf2 a6=+] 16.Qf2! Bxc3 [If 16...Qb6 17.Nxd5
Qxf2+ 18.Kxf2 cxd5 19.Bxd5=] 17.Rxc3 [17.Bxd5 cxd5 18.Rxc3 Re8=] 17...
Qg5 [17...Nxc3! 18.Rxd8 Raxd8 19.Qxa7 Rd1+ 20.Kf2 Ne4+ 21.Kf3 Re8
and ½-½ in 31. Neumeyer-Leisebein, corr 1999] 18.Bxd5 cxd5 19.Rc7 b6
20.Rd7 Rad8 [20...Qg4 21.R1xd5 and ½-½ in 42. Birchbeer-kudrin/Internet
Chess Club 1995] 21.Rxa7 d4 22.Ra4 Qc5 23.Raxd4 Rxd4 24.Rxd4 Ra8
25.a4 b5 Black resigns 1-0
4.0 – 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bd3
White avoids the popular 6.Ne5 or 6.Bc4 lines. One common idea is to offer
a bishop swap with 6.Bd3.
273 - BountyHunter 6.Bd3

If the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is unsound, you should expect a 2772 rated
computer to win as Black. Here ArasanX loses as Black in a five minute
game resigning on move 54.
BountyHunter wins BDG Gunderam in this high rated computer battle. The
most curious moves in the opening for me were 6.Bd3 Bg4. They reached a
position I have only seen a dozen times.
One of the things I liked about this ICC player chess engine is that it chose a
very wide variety of openings, often avoiding well known paths. Here
BountyHunter starts with the Queens Knight Attack 1.Nc3 before backing
into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
The BountyHunter computer used Rybka 4 in 2014. I do not know what it

used in 2010. In 2007 it peaked with Internet Chess Club ratings in the 3300s.
BountyHunter played over 70,000 rated games. It ceased to be active on
March 8, 2014.
BountyHunter (3102) - ArasanX (2772), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

04.02.2010 begins 1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bd3
Bg4 7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ne5 c6 10.g5 Qxd4 [10...Bh5 11.Be2 Bxe2
12.Qxe2+/=] 11.Nf3 Qd6 12.gxf6 Qg3+ 13.Ke2 Qg2+ 14.Ke3 exf6
[14...e5!?=] 15.Re1 Be7 16.Qe2 Qg3 17.Kd2 0-0 18.Qxe7 Qxf3 19.Qe3
Qh5 20.b3 Qa5 21.a4 Bxd3 22.cxd3 Nd7 23.Ba3 Rfd8 24.Kc2 Ne5
25.Rad1 Ng6 26.Kb2 Qh5 27.d4 h6 28.Qg3 Qa5 29.d5 cxd5 30.Bd6 d4
31.Rxd4 Qb6 32.Red1 Re8 33.h4 Rac8 [33...h5 34.Qf3+-] 34.h5 Ne5
[34...Ne7 35.Bxe7 Rxe7 36.Rg4+-] 35.Ne4 Kh8 36.Bxe5 [Or 36.Nxf6 gxf6
37.Qf4+-] 36...fxe5 37.Rd7 Qe6 [37...Qc6 38.Rxf7+-] 38.Qf3 f5 [38...Qc6
39.Qxf7+-] 39.R1d6 fxe4 40.Qf1 Qxd6 41.Rxd6 Rc7 42.Qb5 Rce7 43.Rd7
e3 44.Rxb7 e2 45.Rxe7 Rxe7 46.Qxe2 Kg8 47.Qe4 Kf7 48.Qg6+ Kf8
49.Kc3 e4 50.Kd2 Re5 51.Ke3 Kg8 52.b4 Kf8 53.Qd6+ Re7 54.Qd5 Ke8
Black resigns 1-0
274 - Bishop Swap Bishop Mate
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit 5.Nxf3 Bf5 is a logical choice by Black. It is
named after the opening theorist Gerhart Gunderam. He defended against the
BDG in dozens of correspondence games played against E.J. Diemer from
the 1950s to the 1970s.
The proven move for White is 6.Ne5 intending 6...e6 7.g4. In response to the
Gunderam 5...Bf5 played by "solidernas" below, "chessnight" preferred the
less popular 6.Bd3. Later both these handles became inactive on the Internet
Chess Club. I do not know what chess engine "chessnight" used.
White offered a bishop swap when down a pawn. After the exchange on
move 7, White won the game quickly. In fact Black would be checkmated in
just 14 more moves by the other bishop.
chessnight (2622) - solidernas (2467), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

29.11.2007 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bd3
Bxd3 7.Qxd3 e6 8.Qb5+ Qd7? [A better continuation is 8...Nbd7 9.Qxb7
Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nb5=] 9.Qxb7 Qc6 10.Qc8+ Ke7 11.Ne5 Qxg2
12.Qxc7+ Nbd7 13.Rf1 Ke8 14.Be3 Bb4 [14...Be7 15.0-0-0 Bd8 16.Qc4+-]
15.0-0-0 Bxc3 16.Rxf6 Bxb2+ 17.Kxb2 Nxf6 18.d5 Qe4 19.Qc6+ Kd8
20.Qxa8+ Ke7 21.Bc5# 1-0
4.1 – 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4
White plays the thematic 6.Bc4. This section covers many lines that avoid the
move 7.0-0.
275 - Bond BDG vs Dufour

Jocelyn Bond shows us an important 2012 victory as white in the Gunderam
variation.
"Hi Tim, Yes yes. I’ve just played a BDG in my Jonquiere chess
championship as white. (30 minutes to do mate). Some comments from you
would be appreciated my friend.
"My opponent is Michael Dufour, an excellent correspondence chess player.

Do you know him? The big difficulty against Michael is that he plays very
fast and well too. Listen, both games were extremely close... very close. The
final score could be 1 1/2 -1/2 in favor of Michael. However at the end of
both games of this evening, in a tense situation he had committed some
feeble moves. In the first game, I had white, it was a BDG, Gunderam
variation and he took my h-pawn that he wanted to capture but my bishop
could capture the queen…he saw it too late and resigned immediately.
"In the second game as black of our 2 games match, he played 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3
Nf6 3.d3 and in an equal game he permitted a perpetual check and in result I
took 1 ½ points in 2 games. Till now I accumulated 11 1/2 in 12 in the event.
And now only 2 games left next Wednesday. Only one point next week and I
win the Jonquiere chess championship. Thank you very much Tim"
Thanks Jocelyn Bond. I have not played Michael Dufour. I see he is rated
2254 in ICCF and plays 1.e4 e5 from both sides. I agree 6.Ne5 is the better
6th move in the BDG Gunderam. Both sides apparently fell short of time and
blunders were made.
My obvious advice is to not let your own time run too short. If you keep more
time on the clock than your opponent, and if you keep your big pieces safe
(like King & Queen here), you give your opponent a chance to go wrong,
even if they are "winning."
Bond - Dufour, Jonquiere ch (11), 01.08.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5

3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4?! [Inexact for Scheerer 6.Ne5 is the
best move here] 6...e6 7.Ne5 Be7 8.Be3 Nbd7 9.Qf3 0-0 10.0-0-0 c6
[10...Nb6 11.Bb3 Nbd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Bd2=] 11.h3 [Better is 11.g4!?
Nxe5 12.dxe5 Bxg4 13.Rxd8 Bxf3 14.Rxa8 Rxa8 15.exf6 Bxh1 16.fxe7=]
11...Qa5 [11...Nb6 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Bd3-/+] 12.Nxd7 Nxd7
13.g4 Bg6 14.h4 [14.Bd2=/+] 14...b5 [14...Nb6 15.Bb3 h5 16.Rhg1=/+]
15.Bb3=/+ [15.Qxc6 bxc4 16.Bd2 Rab8-+] 15...b4 16.Na4 [16.h5 is possible.
16...Bxc2 17.Kxc2 bxc3 18.h6=/+] 16...Nf6-/+ 17.Qe2 [17.Rhg1] 17...Be4
[17...Qb5!? 18.Rde1 Qxe2 19.Rxe2 Nxg4-+] 18.g5 Nd5 [18...Bxh1?! 19.gxf6
Bxf6 20.Rxh1+/=] 19.Rhg1 Nb6 [19...Qb5 20.Qf2-/+] 20.Nc5=/+ Bd5
21.Kb1 Bxb3 [21...Qb5 22.Qd3-/+] 22.cxb3=/+ Nd5 [22...Qb5 23.Qf3=/+]
23.Rc1 [Better is 23.h5 Qb5 24.Qf3=] 23...Rfd8 [23...Qb5 24.Rg2 Rfc8=/+]
24.Nb7+/- Qb6 25.Nxd8 Rxd8 26.Rc4 a5 27.Rgc1 Qb5 28.Qf2 a4
29.Rxc6?? [29.bxa4! Qxa4 30.b3+/-] 29...Nc3+?? [29...Qd3+ 30.Ka1 axb3-
+] 30.R6xc3 bxc3 31.Rxc3 a3 [31...axb3 32.Rxb3 Qd5 33.Rc3=] 32.Qc2
[32.bxa3 Bxa3 33.Bc1 Bf8+/-] 32...g6 33.Rc7 Bd6 34.Rc8 Rxc8 35.Qxc8+
Kg7 36.Qc3 Kg8 37.Bc1 Qf1 [and eventually 1-0 (Black will lose the queen
sadly later)] 1-0 [Notes by Bond]
276 - Tartakower vs Ravn
Late in life Grandmaster Tartakower played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit on
several occasions. At Paris in 1955 his opponent Ravn defended with the
Gunderam Variation.
Traditionally White plays 6.Ne5 intending 7.g4 with good compensation for
the pawn.
After Tartakower's thematic choice of 6.Bc4 generally Black's chances are

somewhat better with the most accurate play. If White can keep a major part
of his army active and find good targets, then the pressure will be on Black.
Tartakower's most famous BDGs were games where Black did not accept by
4...exf3. One was vs Simonovic in the 4...Bf5 BDG Vienna variation.
Another was the 4...e5 Elbert variation game vs Raizman.
Finally there was the original 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 Huebsch Gambit
where Tartakower lost as Black vs Huebsch. That game must have had a big
impact on him. After that he started playing the BDG with the White pieces.
Tartakower - Ravn, Paris, 1955 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 e6 7.Ne5 Nbd7 8.Qe2 Nxe5 9.dxe5 Nd7 [Another
good idea is 9...Ng4!-/+] 10.0-0 Bc5+ 11.Kh1 0-0 12.Ne4 Nxe5?! [12...Bd4-
/+ picks up a pawn under more favorable circumstances.] 13.Nxc5 Qd4
14.Nd3 Nxc4 15.Rf4 Qd5 16.Nb4 Qe5 17.Qxc4 Rad8 18.Rf1 [White best
chances seems to be 18.Qf1!+/=] 18...Rd4 19.Qc3 Qd6 [19...Qe2 20.Qxd4
Qxf1+ 21.Qg1 Qc4 22.Nd3 Qxc2= and Black has three pawns for the knight.]
20.Nd3 Bxd3 21.cxd3 e5?! [21...Rd8 22.Rd1 Rxd3 23.Rxd3 Qxd3 24.Qxd3
Rxd3= and Black has three pawns for the bishop.] 22.Rf3 Rd8 23.Bg5 f6
24.Qb3+ Qd5 25.Qxd5+ R4xd5 26.Be3 b6 27.h4 Rxd3 28.Kh2 Kf7 29.b4
Ra3 30.Rc1 Rd7 31.Rc2 Ke6 32.Bf2 Rxf3 33.gxf3 f5 34.a4 1-0
277 - Spartacus in Gunderam
In 1996 I was visiting Erie, Pennsylvania. There I saw the Tom Hanks movie
"That Thing You Do" which pretended to be based in Erie in 1964. The
movies chronicles a typical local 60s one-hit-wonder band called the
"Wonders" (originally One-Ders). When they first hear their song on radio,
the band's drummer Guy Patterson yells out "I am Spartacus!"
The rebellious "I am Spartacus" comes from a scene in the classic film
Spartacus. This quote has been used many times, from Twitter to movies to a
mini-series.
In the Bill Wall vs Spartakus game, Black defends against the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit with the Gunderam 5.Nxf3 Bf5. Instead of playing the
normal 6.Ne5, Wall plays 6.Bc4.
His rapid development allows White to make several threats and eventually
outplay his opponent Spartakus. This demonstrates that you don’t have to
play the critical lines to win games.
Wall-Spartakus, Internet .07), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 [6.Ne5] 6...e6 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Bf4 Be7 9.Nb5 Rc8
10.Qd2 a6 11.Nc3 0-0 12.Rad1 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Bb3 Qd7 15.Kh1
Bd6 16.Ng5 Bxf4 17.Qxf4 Bg6 18.Rde1 Rfe8 19.h4 h6 20.Nf3 Na5?!
[Black would keep the advantage by 20...Re4-+] 21.Ne5 Rxe5 22.Qxe5
Nxb3 23.cxb3 Be4 24.Qg3 Re8 25.Rf2 b6 26.Ref1 Re7 27.Rc1 Bg6 28.Qf4
Re4? [28...Qe8=] 29.Qxc7 Rxh4+ 30.Kg1 Qxc7 31.Rxc7 Rxd4 32.Rc8+
Kh7 33.Rc6 b5 34.Rxa6 Rd1+ 35.Kh2 Rb1 36.Rb6 1-0
278 - Importance of Pushing
Our chess friend Eric Jego provides 14 Elementary Principles in his book on
the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. The first principle is that your move in the
BDG should compromise your opponent's position, preserve the initiative,
advance development or gain space. The initiative is pushing around your
opponent by making threats.
The game below transposes from a BDG Zeller to a Gunderam after move
six. Many times White plays 5.Qxf3 in this line which attacks the Bf5 and b7.
I went with 5.Nxf3 this time vs "DrModel" who was rated about the same as I
was. After Black castles queenside, I was able to keep him busy defending to
the point that he never got any opposite side attack vs my king. It was pretty
good for a 3 minute blitz game.
Sawyer - DrModel, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 04.09.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bc4 Nf6 [Transposes to BDG
Gunderam with 6.Bc4 e6.] 7.Bg5 [7.0-0 leads to the most common positions.;
interesting is 7.Qe2 c6 8.Bg5] 7...Bb4 8.a3!? Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Nbd7 10.0-0 h6
11.Bd2 [Played in case Black castles kingside so I might later play Bxh6
after maybe Qc1.] 11...Nb6 12.Bd3 Bg4 13.Qc1 Qd5 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Rxf3
Nc4 16.Bf4 0-0-0 [Note how every move from now on has the sole purpose
of opening the queenside to attack the Black king.] 17.Rb1 b5?! [17...Nd6=]
18.a4 c6? [18...a6 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.Be5+/=] 19.axb5 cxb5
20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.Qa3 Kb7 22.Rb4 Qc6 23.c4 a6? [This is a mistake but
White is winning after 23...Rxd4 24.Rxb5+ Ka8 25.Qb4+-] 24.cxb5 axb5
25.Rc3 Qb6 26.Bc7 [A nice finish would be 26.Rxb5! Qxb5 27.Rc7+ and
mate next move.] 26...Qxc7 27.Rxc7+ Kxc7 28.Qa7+ Kd6 29.Qc5+ Kd7
30.Rxb5 Nd5 31.Rb7+ Ke8 32.c4 Rd7 33.cxd5 Rxb7 34.Qc8+ Ke7
35.Qxb7+ Kd6 36.Qxf7 Kxd5 37.Qxg7 Rc8 38.Qe5+ [38.Qd7+!+-]
38...Kc4 39.Qxe6+ 1-0
279 - My Win to My Loss
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Gunderam game Bill Wall vs MyWin,
White plays the less common developing move 6.Bg5. Black starts with a
small advantage but fails to sure up his center with ...c6.
Black seeks early exchanges of his developed pieces which gives White some
open lines. Black blunders with 13...Bf5? Then White sacrifices the
Exchange for a winning kingside attack.
Wall - MyWin, Internet .02), 2000 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bg5 [6.Ne5] 6...e6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 [8...c6] 9.Qd2
Ne4?! [9...c6=/+] 10.Nxe4 Bxe4 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Rae1 Bg6 13.Ne5 Bf5?
[13...Nd7=] 14.Rxf5 exf5 15.Nxf7 Qf6 16.Nd6+ Kh8 17.Re6 Qh4?
[17...Qd8 18.Nxb7+/-] 18.g3 [Even better is 18.Nf7+! Kg8 19.g3 Qh5
20.Ng5 Kh8 21.Be2+- and Black's queen is lost.] 18...Qd8 19.Nxb7 Qc8
20.Nc5 Nd7 21.Re7 Nb6 22.Qg5 1-0
280 - Brown Beats Monemi
Richard P Brown played several Blackmar-Diemer Gambits in Pennsylvania
around 1991. At one point he sent me several games.
Below Brown faces the BDG Gunderam played in Lancaster, PA. This area is
famous as a tourist area in the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish country: great
German food!
Brown responds to 5...Bf5 with the natural 6.Bc4 move instead of the normal
BDG move 6.Ne5 intending 7.g4. Black defends poorly. Brown makes him
pay with a thematic Nxf7 sacrifice.
Brown - Monemi, Lancaster, PA 1991 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 [6.Ne5] 6...e6 7.Bg5 [7.0-0] 7...Be7 8.Ne5!?
Nbd7 9.Qf3 c6? [A very natural blunder. Black should try 9...Nxe5! 10.dxe5
Nd7-/+] 10.Nxf7 Kxf7 11.Qxf5 Re8 12.Bxe6+ [White has a faster win with
12.Qxe6+ Kg6 13.Bd3+ Kxg5 14.h4+ Kh6 15.Qe3+ and mate next move.]
12...Kf8 13.0-0 Qb6 14.Qxh7 Qxd4+ 15.Kh1 Bc5 16.Qg8+ Ke7 17.Qf7+
Kd8 18.Rad1 1-0
281 - Florida, Finland and BDG
I love December in the South! Orlando, Florida is the number one vacation
destination for the holiday season. I like Christmas music, Christmas movies
and the local Christmas parades.
By afternoon the temperature will likely be in the 70s Fahrenheit with

sunshine. There is no white Christmas in Florida, but maybe in Finland there
is snow.
This BDG game I chose in December 2012 comes from Finland. It begins as
a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ziegler Variation.
After 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5, there are three recommended tries for White:
7.Ne5 e6 8.g4; 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5; and 7.Bg5 e6 8.Nh4. Here White tries the first
approach.
Black takes a sidetrack with 7...Bg6 instead of the solid 7...e6. The players
below are S. Hallenberg (2131) vs A. Takalo Eskola (2127).
Hallenberg (2131) - Takalo Eskola (2127), TCh-FIN SM 2012-13 Oulu FIN

(6.7), 17.11.2012 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6
6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Ne5 [7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5; 7.Bg5 e6 8.Nh4] 7...Bg6 [After 7...e6 8.g4
Nfd7! 9.gxf5 Nxe5 10.Be2 Qh4+ 11.Kf1 Qh3+ 12.Ke1 Be7! 13.Bf4! Ned7
14.fxe6 Qxe6=/+ Schandorff in The Caro-Kann: "Black is a pawn up and
should do well in the middlegame as well. Remember that White can no
longer castle."] 8.0-0 [8.d5!?] 8...Nbd7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Bf4 Nb6 11.Bb3 e6
12.Qd3 Bd6 13.h3 [13.Ne4 Bxf4 14.Rxf4 Qc7-/+] 13...Bxf4 14.Rxf4 Qd6
15.Rf3 Rh4 16.Rd1 0-0-0 17.Ne2 g5 18.g4 c5 19.c3 Qc6 20.Qe3? c4 21.Bc2
Rdh8 22.Rdf1 Qd6 23.Qe5 Qc7 24.Kg2 Nbd7 25.Qxc7+ Kxc7 26.b3 Nxg4
27.bxc4 Ngf6 28.Bd3 [28.Rg3 Ne4-/+] 28...g4 29.hxg4 Rh2+ 30.Kg1 Nxg4
31.Ng3 f5 32.Nxf5? [32.Re1 Nf8-+] 32...exf5 33.Bxf5 Rh1+ 0-1
282 - 7.Bg5 vs Ziegler BDG
Getting back to 1.d4 after my 1.e4 games, I decided to work more on the
relatively new and rare 7.Bg5 line in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ziegler
Variation after 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5. My ICC blitz opponent "maximinus"
left the 7...e6 8.Nh4 line I intended and played 7...Nbd7.
Being out of what I remembered or knew at the time, I played 8.Nh4 anyway.
Looking the position up in Christoph Scheerer's book, I see I should have
played 8.Qe2.
Blitz chess is a great way to study openings. You get a feel for the opening
and you look up exactly how you can play it better next time. That leads to
real improvement. Those who just play blitz without looking the openings
may be feeding their addiction, but they are not learning as much as they
could be.
Sawyer - maximinus, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 29.09.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Bg5 Nbd7 [7...e6
8.Nh4] 8.Nh4 [8.Qe2 e6 9.0-0-0] 8...Bg4 9.Be2 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Qb6 11.0-0-0
0-0-0 12.Nf3 e6 13.Be3 c5 14.d5 Be7 15.dxe6 Qxe6 [15...fxe6 16.Ng5+/=]
16.Ng5 Qg4 17.Nxf7 Qxe2 18.Nxe2 Ng4 19.Bg1 Rhf8 20.Nxd8 Bg5+
21.Kb1 Bxd8 22.h3 Nf2 23.Bxf2 Rxf2 24.Nc3 Bf6 25.g4 Ne5 26.Rhf1 Rh2
27.Nd5 Bd8? [Black is still down the Exchange after 27...h6 28.Nxf6 gxf6
29.Rxf6 Rxh3 30.b3+-] 28.Nf4 [Or 28.Rf8!+- ] 28...Nc4 29.Ne6 Bf6 30.g5
Bxb2? 31.Rd8# 1-0
283 - Ziegler Not a Gutman
I have tried many Blackmar-Diemer Gambit variations in blitz games vs
strong computers on the Internet Chess Club. Some lines that seem tough to
face, and others I need to learn better.
One of those didactic moments came when I moved from a Caro-Kann to a

BDG Accepted. My opponent was Harimau rated 3026. I was rated only
2047 at the time, so there was a steep challenge. On the other hand, it is a
good chance to learn.
After 1.d4 d5 2.e4 (invitation to the BDG with 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3) 2...c6
(Caro-Kann Defence) 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 (Main Line Caro continues 4.Nxe4)
4...exf3 (4...e5 is a good line) 5.Nxf3 Nf6 (We transposed to a BDG
Accepted Ziegler Variation 5...c6).
The most common in the Ziegler is 6.Bc4 Bf5 when White has 7.Bg5 e6
8.Nh4 Bg6 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Qd3 (GM Lev Gutman).
I tried this last line, but I did not notice that Black had not played 7...e6 but
7...Nbd7. That is an important difference. The critical line may be tough to
find or handle live, but my computer did come up with something interesting
in a note to the 14th move.
Sawyer – Harimau begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6
6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Bg5 [A key move in the Gutman Variation] 7...Nbd7 [I thought
I was headed toward the Lev Gutman line after 7...e6 8.Nh4!] 8.Nh4 [The
correct continuation is 8.Qe2!] 8...Bg4! [Whoops. I see I am not in the line I
thought!] 9.Qd3 Nb6 10.Bb3 e6 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 h6 13.Be3 Nfd5 14.Nf3
[After the game I had Junior 12 analyze 20 ply found 14.Bf2! Be7 15.Nxd5
Nxd5 16.0-0-0 Bxh4 17.Bxh4 Qxh4 18.Bxd5 Qg5+ 19.Kb1 Qxd5 20.gxh5
Qxh5 21.d5 exd5 22.Rhe1+ Kd7. From here I had Junior 12 go deeper:
23.Qb3 b5 24.c4 a6 25.cxd5 c5 26.Ka1 Rhe8 27.Rf1 Kd6 28.Qg3+ Qe5
29.Qg1. Finally Junior 12 went another 23 ply and slightly favored White
after: 29...Re7 30.h4 Rae8 31.Rc1 Qe3 32.Qxg7 Kxd5 33.Qf6 Re6 34.Qxf7
R8e7 35.Qg8 Kc6 36.Qc8+ Kb6 37.Qd8+ Ka7 38.Rcd1= 0.08/23] 14...Bg6
15.Qd2 Bxc2 16.Bxc2 Nc4 17.Qd3 Ncxe3 18.Kf2 Nb4 19.Qe4 Nbxc2 White
resigns 0-1
4.2 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 8…Bxc2
Now we enter more popular territory with 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0. The most critical
line in this section continues 7…e6 8.Ne5 Bxc2 9.Nxf7 or 8.Ng5 Bxc2
9.Nxf7 reaching the same position.
284 - Kokholm BDG Denmark

This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game I wrote about in January 2013 featured
D. Kokholm (rated 1930) winning as White. His opponent was Kl. Nielsen
(rated 2102). The game was played in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kokholm demonstrates that if Blackmar-Diemer Gambit players follow the

14 principles outlined by Eric Jego in his BDG books, White’s chances are
quite good.
In this case Kokholm plays a BDG Ziegler with 8.Qe2!? which is a move not
mentioned in Boris Avrukh's excellent book "Beating 1.d4 Sidelines".
Next comes 9.h3 and 10.g4 which puts me in totally new territory from my
database. To be able to play g4 without having to first commit the Nf3 or Bc1
keeps Black from having simple obvious threats.
Kokholm (1930) - Nielsen (2102), CXU Obro New Year 2012 Copenhagen
DEN (3.14), 28.12.2012 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 [7.Bg5 / 8.Nh4; 7.Ne5 / 8.g4] 7...e6 8.Qe2!?
[8.Ng5; 8.Ne5] 8...Be7 9.h3N Nbd7 10.g4 Bg6 11.Bf4 Nb6 12.Bb3 Nbd5
13.Bh2 0-0 14.Ne5 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Nd5 16.Rf3? [16.Qf3! is necessary.]
16...Bg5? [Both sides missed the brilliant tactic 16...Nxc3! 17.Rxc3 Qxd4+
and White is in deep trouble.] 17.Nxg6 hxg6 18.Rd1 Qe7 19.c4 Nb6 20.c5
Nd5 21.c4 Nf6 22.Bd6 Qd7 23.Bxf8 Rxf8 24.Qe1 Ne8 25.h4 Bf6 26.d5!?
[White has won the Exchange and can push for more with 26.Qf2!+/-]
26...exd5 27.g5 Be7 28.cxd5 Bxc5+ 29.Kg2 Nd6 30.dxc6 Qxc6 31.Bd5 Qa4
32.Bb3 Qg4+ 33.Qg3 Qb4 34.Qf4 Qb6? [The losing move. Black is still in
the game with 34...Qxf4 35.Rxf4 Kh7=] 35.h5 Nf5 36.hxg6 Ne3+ 37.Rxe3
Bxe3 38.Bxf7+ 1-0
285 - Flude vs Sawyer in BDG
I played the creative opening theoretician David Flude in two games in 1998.
During my peak activity years with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit 1988-2003,
I played a lot of BDGs in every kind of chess play: correspondence, over-the-
board and blitz.
Some games were in thematic events where we played other BDGers from
around the globe. Probably it was Tom Purser who organized this event, but I
do not remember for sure.
My chosen defense vs Blackmar-Diemer Gambit this time was the Ziegler

Variation which is 5.Nxf3 c6 and can be reached via a Caro-Kann Defence.
After the common moves 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6, Flude experimented with
8.Bb3 instead of the normal 8.Ne5.
Later the Alchemy Variation 8.Ng5 would become the most recommended
7.0-0 line. White did not get much with 8.Bb3. I defended well enough and
rarely has 8.Bb3 been repeated.
This game is referenced on page 201 of my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

Keybook II. In our other game where I had White, Flude played a BDG
Bogoljubow.
Flude - Sawyer, BDG Email Tourney 97, 07.1998 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Bb3 [8.Ng5] 8...Bd6 9.Qe1 0-0
10.Nd1 Nbd7 11.Ne3 Be4 12.Nc4 Bc7 13.Kh1 c5 14.Ncd2 Bg6 15.Nh4
cxd4 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.Nf3 Nc5 18.Bc4 a6 19.a4 [19.Qh4 Qd6-/+] 19...Qd7
20.a5 Nce4 21.Qh4 Rac8 22.b3 e5 23.Ba3 Bd6 [23...Qg4!-/+] 24.Rae1 g5
25.Nxg5 Nxg5 26.Bxd6 Qxd6 27.Qxg5 e4 28.Rf5 Rc6 29.h3 [Maybe
29.Ref1=] 29...Re8 30.Ref1 Qe7 31.h4 e3 32.Qf4 Qe4 0-1
286 - Missing Win vs 3077
Do you dare to sacrifice a whole piece? Do you dare to grab material if your
king is caught in a wide open center? Both things happened in this Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit game.
Computer chess engines play this Ziegler Variation more often than humans
because of the fear factor of leaving the king so vulnerable. My computer
opponent was rated 3077 in ICC.
My game vs LinuxKnight began as a Caro-Kann Defence. We reached a

standard position where 4.Nxe4 is logical and good.
I was in a BDG mood so I chose 4.f3!? My performance rating with either

was about the same. Eventually we found ourselves in the BDG Ziegler
Variation of the BDG Accepted usually reached via 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6.
The move ...c7-c6 strengthens the center but does not develop a piece. White
takes time to focus directly on the f7 square. After 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 I chose
8.Ng5. This is called the Alchemy Variation. The old line 8.Ne5 Bg6=+ is
solid and good for Black.
Sawyer - LinuxKnight, ICC 3 1 u Internet Chess Club, 04.10.2011 begins

1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5
Bxc2 [The capture on c2 attacks the White queen which is busy protecting
the key square d4. 8...Bg6! is the most critical line.] 9.Nxf7! [Forking Black's
queen and rook.] 9…Kxf7 10.Qxc2! Qxd4+ 11.Be3! Qxe3+ 12.Kh1 [This
position has appeared about 50 times in my database scoring about 50%,
however Black was usually some computer rated about 400 points above
White.] 12…Ke8? [Most often 12...Be7 13.Rae1 is played.] 13.Rae1 Qg5
14.Bxe6!? [14.Nxe4! Nxe4 15.Qxe4 and Junior 12 shows that White has a
winning attack. For example is 15...Nd7 16.Qxe6+ Kd8 17.Rd7+- or
17.Rd1+-. No time for deep pondering in a three minute blitz game.] 14…
Kd8 15.Ne4 [One move too late.] 15…Qg6 16.Qd2+ Kc7 17.Qf4+ Kb6
18.Qe3+ [If White wants to play for more, he could try 18.Rf3!+=. I did not
see that option during the game and took the draw.] 18…Kc7 19.Qf4+ Kb6
20.Qe3+ Kc7 21.Qf4+ Game drawn by repetition 1/2-1/2
287 - Poisoned Pawn Bxc2
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit there is a wild BDG Ziegler 8...Bxc2 line
which is like a Poisoned Pawn line. How ironic it was that my opponent
"PoisonPawn" grabbed that pawn in a three minute blitz game.
I know the first dozen moves of this variation pretty well, but at a speed of 2-
3 seconds per move, I miss stuff a lot. Theory favors the solid retreat 8...Bg6
as Black's only chance for advantage.
Our game shows the real vulnerability of the Black king in this 8...Bxc2 line.
That marked monarch is caught in the middle and under assault from all the
remaining White forces.
Computers usually find wins for White in this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit line,
but humans may or may not depending on knowledge, tactical skill, pattern
recognition and time to calculate. I won quickly but could have won even
quicker.
Sawyer - PoisonPawn (1962), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 20.09.2014

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6
8.Ng5 Bxc2 9.Nxf7 Kxf7 10.Qxc2 Qxd4+ 11.Be3 Qxe3+ 12.Kh1 Bc5
[12...Be7 13.Rae1+/-] 13.Rae1 Qh6 [13...Qd4 14.Ne4+-] 14.Bxe6+
[14.Rxe6!+-] 14...Kf8 15.Ne4 Be7 16.g4 [16.Qb3+-] 16...g5 17.Rf5
[17.Nxf6! Bxf6 18.Bb3 Nd7 19.Qf5 Rd8 20.Qe6 Qg7 21.Qd6+ Qe7
22.Qxe7#] 17...Ke8 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Bc8+ Kd8 20.Bxb7 Kc7 21.Bxa8
[21.Bxc6 Nxc6 22.Re6+-] 21...Bd4 22.Rf7+ Nd7 23.Ree7 Rd8 24.Qa4 Bb6
25.Qd1 Rxa8 26.Qxd7+Black resigns 1-0
288 - Quinones King Hunt
Jorge Victor Quinones Borda sent me a batch of games in the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit. Here is one of those games.
His game vs Alfredo Albesa was in the critical line of the BDG Ziegler 8.Ng5
Bxc2 9.Nxf7 variation. Black tries to gain a piece at the risk of having his
king caught in the center and still playing with undeveloped rooks.
On the 14th move White has three choices: 14.Bxe6+ (as played in the
game); 14.g4 (which looks okay); and 14.h3! (which some computer
programs prefer for White).
Quinones (1898) - Albesa (1614), ZI-2012-0-01382 Lechenicher

SchachServer, 13.09.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Bxc2 9.Nxf7 Kxf7 10.Qxc2 Qxd4+
11.Be3 Qxe3+ [11...Qxc4] 12.Kh1 Bd6 13.Rae1 Qh6 14.Bxe6+ [14.h3!+-]
14...Kf8 15.Bh3 Na6 16.Ne4 Bb4 17.Rd1 Be7 18.Rd7 [18.Qb3+/-] 18...Qh5
[18...Rd8 19.Rxb7+/=] 19.Qd2 Re8 20.Be6 Nc5 21.Nxc5 Bxc5 22.g4 Qg6
23.Bf5 Qh6 24.g5 Qh4 25.Bc2 Bb4 [25...Qh3 26.Qd1 Qe6 27.gxf6 gxf6
28.Qh5+-] 26.Qg2 Re1 27.gxf6 Rxf1+ 28.Qxf1 gxf6 29.Qg1 Be7 30.Qe3 f5
31.Qe5 Qf6 32.Rxe7 Qxe5 33.Rxe5 Kf7 34.Rxf5+ 1-0
289 - Quinones vs Siger
After my last Quinones game, Jeffrey Baffo wrote about this line:
Tim, in my experience NOBODY plays 8...Bxc2. Even people who don't

know the line can sense the danger.
I replied:
I completely agree! Wait a minute, I've played it 36 times?! Guess that makes
me... (Gulp!)...a NOBODY or… oblivious!?
Years ago I played 8...Bxc2 most of the time. My performance rating was
200 points below my actual rating. I did not do well from a practical
standpoint.
Nowadays I have played 8...Bg6 much more often than 8...Bxc2. My

performance rating with 8...Bg6 is above my actual rating.
Here is a BDG Ziegler 8.Ng5 Bxc2 9.Nxf7 variation from a Caro-Kann

between Jorge Victor Quinones Borda vs Csaba Siger. It is like a first round
knockout in a boxing match.
Both sides come out and start throwing punches. Whoever lands the heaviest
punches the fastest to the most sensitive areas wins. This time our hero was
the winner. Hooray for the BDG!
Quinones (1944) - Siger (1781), ZI-2013-0-01551 Lechenicher

SchachServer, 24.02.2013 begins 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 Bf5 5.f3
exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Ng5 Bxc2 [8...Bg6! 9.Ne2 when in 22 games in
my database, both sides scored 50%] 9.Nxf7 Kxf7 10.Qxc2 Qxd4+ 11.Be3
Qxe3+ 12.Kh1 Bd6 [12...Be7 13.Rae1 is more common.] 13.Rae1 [The
normal move.] 13...Qh6 14.h3! [14.g4!?=] 14...Qh4 [14...Qg6 15.Bxe6+ Kf8
16.Ne4+-] 15.Ne4 Rd8 16.Bxe6+ 1-0
4.3 – 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bg6
This centralized knight move 8.Ne5 is effective because Black has multiple
potential weak points at f5, f7, c6, and b7. White threatens moves like g4 or
Qf3 or Bc4. Black reaction with the solid 8…Bg6 is best.
290 - Simons vs Brown BDG

Martin Simons takes a Caro-Kann Defence vs Thomas Brown and transposes
to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. After the normal 3.Nc3 dxe4, these expert
players chose4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Bf5 which is a BDG Ziegler.
In the British Championship, our hero Martin Simons faced four distinct
BDG variations though some from the Caro-Kann Defence after 1.e4 c6. The
normal BDG move order would be 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 and
now:
4...e3 5.Bxe3 in Simons-Taylor.
4...Bf5 5.g4 in Simons-Brusey
4...c6 5.Bc4 in Simons-Elwin
4...exf3 (this book) 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 in Simons vs Brown below.
Simons (2087) - Brown (2104), 101st ch-GBR 2014 Aberystwyth WLS

(9.24), 28.07.2014 begins 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3 exf3
6.Nxf3 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bg6 9.g4 Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.g5 Qc7
[11...Nb6! ("?" Scheerer) 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.gxf6 gxf6 14.Qg4 (Scheerer stops
here) 14...Be7! (New Engine, Houdini) 15.Qxe6 Qxd4+ 16.Kg2 Qe5-/+
which threatens to swap queens in view of the attack on h2, and Black
remains up a pawn.] 12.Bf4 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Rf2 Rh4 [Stockfish at 35
ply. Or 14...Nh7 15.Ne4 Qe7 16.Qg4 Nb6 17.Bb3 Nd5 (Andrew Martin;
Now Houdini analyzes:) 18.Re1 O-O-O 19.c4 f5 20.gxf6 Ndxf6 21.Nxf6
Nxf6 22.Qxe6+ Qxe6 23.Rxe6 Rxd4 24.Re7 g5 (or 24...Rd7 25. Rxd7 Kxd7
26. Rg2 Rh6 27. Bc2=) 25. Rg2 Ne4 26. Rxg7= White regains the gambit
pawn.] 15.gxf6 Nxf6 [15...gxf6=/+ Stockfish] 16.Be2 0-0-0 17.Bf3 g5
18.Qd2 g4 19.Bg2 [19.Be2=] 19...g3 20.hxg3 Qxg3 21.Ne2 Qg6 [The
crushing move is 21...Rh1+! 22.Kxh1 Qxf2 23.Qd3 Rh8+ 24.Bh3 Ng4
25.Qg3 Qxe2 26.Kg1 Qe3+ 27.Qxe3 Nxe3-+ and Black will be up three
pawns in the endgame.] 22.Qd3 Qh6 23.Qg3 Rg4 24.Qh2 Qe3 25.Kf1
Rgxd4 26.Nxd4 1/2-1/2
291 - Julio Becerra Wins BDG
Grandmaster Julio Becerra won a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in an Internet
Chess Club game. Becerra has long been a universal chess openings player.
The grandmaster plays the theoretically "best" lines most often. Becerra
seems able to play any opening.
He excels in tactical positions. I have found his games in several opening

books. My guess is that he was having fun playing chess. The Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit was his choice of the moment vs "BigH" in a 15 minute
game.
Julio Becerra won some tournaments that I played in, but I have never played
against him. The closest I came was sitting next to him. I played an
International Master on board 2 while he played a FIDE Master on board 1.
His skills are very impressive.
This BDG Ziegler (5...c6) can also be reached from a Gunderam (5...Bf5)
move order. The most important thing is not how you begin but how you
finish. White's advantage gradually grew over the last 20 moves of this game.
J-Becerra - BigH, ICC 15 0 Internet Chess Club, 04.03.2015 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Ne5 e6 8.0-0 Bg6
9.Bg5 Be7 [9...Nbd7=/+] 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Rae1 Nb6 13.Bb3
Nbd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Ba4+ Kf8 16.c3 Ne4 17.Bxe7+ Qxe7 18.Qe3 Qh4
19.h3 f5 20.c4 Qg3 21.Rf3 [21.Qxg3 Nxg3 22.Rf3 Ne4 23.cxd5 exd5
24.Rc1=] 21...Qd6 22.c5 Qa6 [22...Qe7-/+] 23.Qa3 Kf7 24.b4 b5 25.Bc2
Qxa3 26.Rxa3 Nd2 27.Ra6 Rhe8 28.a4 bxa4 29.Bxa4 Re7 30.Bc6 Rd8
31.b5 Nc4? [31...Nb3 32.Ra4+/=] 32.Rea1 e5 [32...Nd2 33.Rxa7+/-]
33.Rxa7 exd4 34.b6 d3 [34...Ne5 35.Bb5+-] 35.Rxe7+!? [35.Re1!+-]
35...Kxe7 36.b7?! [36.Kf2+/-] 36...d2 37.Bxd5 Ne3 38.Bf3 Nc2?
[38...Rb8=] 39.Rd1 [39.c6!+-] 39...Nb4 40.Rxd2 Rb8 [Or 40...Na6 41.c6+-]
41.c6 Na6 42.Rd7+ Ke6 43.Bd5+ Ke5 44.Bc4 Black forfeits on time 1-0
4.4 – 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Bg6
This Alchemy Variation 8.Ng5 has a couple advantages over 8.Ne5. The
knight on g5 targets both f7 and e6 without being vulnerable to a potential
Black queen sitting on d4.
292 - Blackmar-Diemer Fireworks

In America the Fourth of July holiday is often called simply "The Fourth". It
commemorates the Declaration of Independence from 1776 which was
approved by Congress on that date.
Americans universally love this holiday. Weather is nice. Kids are out of
school. Vacations can be timed with the Fourth to extend time off work. I
worked for one company that gave everyone the week of the Fourth off. They
closed the factory for that week.
I love the Fourth move 4.f3!? In his Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Lev

Zilbermints shows that even an International Master like Torben Sorensen
can miss tactics in blitz.
Black's weak point on f7 becomes a successful landing point for a White

knight. After some fireworks, White checks to force a queen swap when up a
piece and the game is over.
This Ziegler Variation a major option for Black vs the Blackmar-Diemer. If

White is prepared, he can score very well in practice.
Zilbermints (2034) - Sorensen (2040), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

04.06.2015 begins1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4
Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Be7? [The main line is 8...Bg6 9.Ne2 Bd6 10.Nf4 Bxf4
11.Bxf4 0-0=/+] 9.Rxf5 exf5 10.Nxf7 Qc7 11.Nxh8 Nbd7 12.Nf7 Nb6
13.Bb3 Bd6 14.Nxd6+ Qxd6 15.Bg5 0-0-0 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Ne2 f4 18.Qd2
g5 19.Rf1 h5 20.c3 [20.h4+- is also good.] 20...Kb8 21.h4 Nd5 22.Bxd5
Rxd5 23.hxg5 Rxg5 24.Qxf4+ Black resigns 1-0
293 - Not an Easy Refutation
Grandmaster Boris Avrukh and others recommend to meet the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit with the Ziegler Variation after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6. Avrukh writes in his "Beating 1.d4 Sidelines" book,
"Black has tried virtually every conceivable defensive set-up, but this Caro-
Kann-like system has acquired the reputation for being the most solid of all."
I agree, although I am somewhat surprised that he did not recommend the

Gruenfeld-like 5...g6 Bogoljubow system which I believe is just as strong and
far more active. The ...g6 idea would fit well with the other lines he
recommends against 1.d4.
Below we have an example of the BDG Ziegler 8. Ng5 Variation about

which Christoph Scheerer writes in his "The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit"
book: "... in 2005 Rajmund Emanuel came up with a new idea involving
various sacrificial possibilities on f7 and e6, leading to its name 'the Alchemy
Variation.' Although I cannot give a final verdict at present, it is certainly
more interesting (and promising!) than the old lines with 8.Ne5."
In the game below Black plays 9...Be7 as I had (as Black) in a game vs Keith
Hayward that Scheerer mentions. Black should play 9...Bd6 to fight against
Nf4. The critical line is 10.Nf4 Bxf4 11.Bxf4 0-0 12.c3 Nd5 13.Qg4 Nd7
14.Qg3 N7f6 (Avrukh's improvement). How many of your opponent's know
those 14 moves by heart and also can outplay you from this final position?
My blitz opponent below was not able to handle it.
Sawyer - abcd2006, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 30.12.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Bg6
9.Ne2 Be7 10.Nf4 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 [I didn't consider Nxe6 until after I had
taken on g6. However, taking right now on e6 is good for White: 11.Nfxe6!
fxe6 12.Nxe6 Qb6 13.Bf4 Qxb2 14.Rb1 Qc3 15.Bb3 Ne4 16.Rf3+/-]
11...hxg6 12.Bf4 Nb6 13.Bb3 [13.Bxe6! fxe6 14.Nxe6= but there is no time
to calculate in the three minute blitz game.] 13...Nfd5? [Wrong knight!
Correct was 13...Nbd5 14.Bd2 Qb6=/+ when Black still has an extra double
g-pawn, which may or may not come in handy.] 14.Nxf7! Kxf7 15.Bc7+ Bf6
16.Bxd8 Raxd8 17.Qf3 Rh4 18.c3 Rdh8 19.h3 g5 20.Rae1 g4 21.hxg4 Ke7
22.g5 Bxg5 23.Qf7+ Kd6 24.Rxe6# Black is checkmated 1-0
294 - Lev Zilbermints Mate
Lev Zilbermints wins a nice Blackmar-Diemer Gambit on the Internet Chess
Club. His an expert opponent "GGalilei" was rated 2146 at the time.
This same player had a peak rating of 2369 in September 2014. Defeating
such a good player in 20 moves with a checkmate is another indication of just
how effective a gambit can be in blitz play.
The BDG Ziegler with 5.Nxf3 c6 is theoretically one of the best defenses for
Black. The positions resemble and can arise from a Caro-Kann Defence. That
has been one of my favorite defenses for more than 40 years.
Personally I have found this set-up vs the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit to be

easy to screw up. The required balance to be solid and active can easily
deviate to passive or reckless.
The typical result is that Black often draws or even loses the actual game, but
he wins in the notes!
Lev Zilbermints plays it often enough to know his own chosen lines by heart.
He also possesses a tactical eye and excellent pattern recognition. This is
demonstrated when Lev Zilbermints sacrifices a knight on f7.
Zilbermints (2187) - GGalilei (2146), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

23.12.2014 begins1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4
Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Bg6 9.Ne2 Bd6 10.Bf4 [10.Nf4 Bxf4 11.Bxf4 0-0=/+ and
White has some compensation for the pawn in active bishops, but Black's
position is very solid.] 10...0-0 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Nf4 c5 [12...Bf5!-/+]
13.Nxg6 [13.d5!=] 13...hxg6 14.c3 cxd4 15.cxd4 Rd8 [15...Nc6-+] 16.Qe2
Qxd4+ [16...Nc6-+] 17.Kh1 Qh4? [This allows a pretty finish. Black is still
in the game after 17...Re8 18.Rae1 Qd6=/+] 18.Nxf7! Kxf7 19.Qxe6+ Kf8
20.Qf7# Black checkmated 1-0
4.5 – 6.Ne5
This centralized knight move is fully sound and the most effective move.
Black has multiple potential weak points at f5, f7, c6, and b7. White threatens
moves like g4 or Qf3 or Bc4. Here we look at options without Black’s reply
6…e6.
295 - Black Dragon in BDG

How do you beat a strong opponent with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit? This
game is an excellent example, but first a little parallel to chess.
I went to Sea World in Orlando, Florida, I saw real dragons, sea dragons to
be more specific. I learned something from Leafy Sea Dragons. The green
leaves all over their foot long bodies help camouflage what Sea Dragons are
trying to do. However, the leafy covering makes them slow swimmers, so Sea
Dragons are more vulnerable to attack.
Playing a BDG vs BlackDragon we arrived at a BDG Gunderam 5.Nxf3 Bf5

variation. Black answered my 6.Ne5 with the rare 6...h5 line.
This move hinders White's normal 7.g4 plan and camouflages where Black
will put his king. But pushing the rook pawn slows down Black's
development and leaves him vulnerable to attack.
Enjoy another game from my prime where I crush a high rated computer with
a beautiful blitz victory. Ah, those thrilling days of yesteryear, Hi-Ho Silver!
The Lone Stranger Rides Again!
Sawyer - BlackDragon, Internet Chess Club, 07.07.1998 begins 1.d4 Nf6

2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 h5 [6...c6] 7.Qf3 Qc8 8.Bc4
e6 9.0-0 Bxc2 [9...Nbd7 10.Nxf7 Bg4 11.Qf2+/-] 10.Bg5 [10.Nxf7 Kxf7
11.Re1+-] 10...Be7 11.Rae1 [11.Qe2!+-] 11...Bf5 [11...0-0 12.d5+-] 12.Nxf7
Bg4 13.Qe3 Kxf7 14.h3 Ke8 15.hxg4 c6 16.Bxe6 Qc7 17.Bf4 Qd8 18.Bb3
[18.g5+-] 18...Na6 19.g5 Nb4 20.gxf6 gxf6 21.a3 c5 22.axb4 cxd4 23.Qe6
b5 24.Nd5 Rh6 25.Nxf6+ Rxf6 26.Qxf6 Qd6 27.Bxd6 Kd8 28.Qxe7+ Kc8
29.Be6# 1-0
296 - Stutter-Step Bishop
Steffen Gampper asked me about a BDG Gunderam variation:
"Hi Tim thx for the great Blog about the BDG!
"I work now a rep against the BDG
"What you think about this line in the Gunderam?
"1.d5 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Sc3 Sf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Sxf3 Lf5 6.Se5 Le6! and later c6
"Did you have this on chessboard, cheers Steffen Gampper
Francesco Cavicchi added: "Be6 seems interesting... in Rausis-style (see

Queen's Gambit Accepted, there's a similar concept)."
These comments by Steffen and Francesco remind me of my early BDG days

when I played my friend Brad Winter. He was not a tournament player, so
there was no danger of him "preparing" to face my openings. Brad just liked
to play chess.
One game saw Black play the BDG Gunderam with 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5.
After White's normal reply of 6.Ne5 (threatening 7.g4), Black retreated his
bishop back to 6...Be6.
This was Game 511 in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook published by

Thinkers Press in 1992. I consider the 7...c6 idea in a note below. I have
played the BDG over 3000 times and faced this dynamically equal 6...Be6
line only once. Here goes:
Sawyer - Winter, Horsham PA, 1987 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 Be6 7.Bf4 [Another game continued: 7.Bg5 Nc6
8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Bxf6 exf6 and 1/2-1/2 in 31. Manaschev - Genty, LADAC
2005] 7...Nc6? [Houdini analyzes 7...c6 8.Nf3 (8.Bc4!?) 8...g6 9.Qd2 Bg7
10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Bh6 Bxh6 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7
15.Qxh6 Nc6 16.Qg7 0-0-0 17.Qxf7 Rdf8 18.Qg7 Qg4 19.Ne5=] 8.Bb5 a6
9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Bxc6+ Bd7 11.Bxa8 Qxa8 12.0-0 Ne4? 13.Qf3! Bc6 14.d5
Nxc3 15.dxc6 Nb5 16.Rad1 e5 17.Bxe5 Bd6 18.Bxg7?! [He attacks my
bishop; I attack his rook. Playing instantly, I missed the mate in two, for a
moment. 18.Qxf7+ Kd8 19.Qd7#] 18...Rg8 19.Qxf7+ Kd8 20.Qd7# 1-0
297 - Zilbermints Gunderam
Lev Zilbermints wins with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit against a higher
rated player. Black accepts the gambit pawn on move 4 in this BDG
Gunderam variation after 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5.
In the first six moves, Black developed three minor pieces and also moved
his d-pawn three times, only to trade it off with d7-d5, d5xe4 and d-pawn at
e4 takes f3. Up to move 10, Black still had moved no other pawns. Instead he
moved each of his previously developed minor pieces to yet another square.
We know we should develop all our pieces early in the openings, but
sometimes we get sidetracked. We may mean for it to be just temporary, but
some opponents do not let us get back on track.
After move 10, Lev Zilbermints had a winning position. He checkmated his
opponent in only six more moves.
In the Gunderam 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 is generally recommended for Black.

This pawn strengthens both d5 and f5 and prepares for the development of his
dark squared bishop.
White in turn plays 7.g4 attacking Bf5, threatening g4-g5 and allowing for
the move 8.Bg2. Black as "gmgattass" plays anonymously. His move risky
choice of 6...Nbd7 was met well by Lev Zilbermints with7.Qf3 which is a
double attack on Bf5 and b7. Black grabbed the pawn with 7...Bxc2 and was
soon mated. Thomas Morrison played 7...e6! vs me but lost in the next game.
Zilbermints (2132) - gmgattass (2150), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 2014

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7
[6...e6 7.g4=] 7.Qf3 Bxc2 [7...e6! 8.Qxb7 Nxe5 (8...Rb8 9.Qxa7 Ra8 10.Qb7
Rb8 11.Qf3=) 9.dxe5 Nd7 10.Bb5 Rb8 11.Qxa7 Rxb5 12.Nxb5 Bc5=]
8.Qxb7 Rb8 9.Qxa7 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.Bb5 [11.Nd5! Rc8 12.Ba6+-]
11...e6 12.Bxd7+ [12.Bg5!+-] 12...Kxd7 13.0-0 Rb6? [This makes a bad
position worse. Better was 13...Kc6! 14.Qa6+ Rb6 15.Qc4+ Kb7 16.Be3+/-]
14.Be3 Ke8 15.Bxb6 cxb6 16.Qxf7# Black checkmated 1-0
298 - Morrison Knocked Out
Tommy "The Duke" Morrison was a former heavyweight boxing champion
who won 48 professional bouts, including a victory over George Foreman.
Tommy Morrison starred as the boxer "Tommy Gunn" in the 1990 move
Rocky V with Sylvester Stallone. It is always weird to find someone else who
has the same name as you do.
This game is against an opponent whose very common name became famous
about the time we were playing. The boxer Tommy Morrison began his
professional career in 1988 and first won the title in 1991.
My chess opponent is Thomas Morrison in this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

Gunderam 6.Ne5 game. It came from a preliminary round of the 1989 USCF
Golden Knights Postal Tournament. With 6...Nbd7 Black avoids the normal
6...e6 or 6...c6.
This aids White's attack because both b7 and the Bf5 are undefended against
the move 7.Qf3. The game was short and sweet, like an early round boxing
knockout.
Sawyer (2183) - Morrison (1609), corr USCF 89N278, 23.02.1990 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Qf3 e6
8.Qxb7 Nxe5 9.dxe5 Nd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Bxd7+ [After
12.Bxd7+ Black cannot avoid a loss, for if 12...Kxd7 13.Qxd5+ Ke7 14.Bg5+
f6 15.exf6+ gxf6 16.Bxf6+ Kxf6 17.0-0+!+-] 1-0
4.6 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4
White threatens the Bf5 with 7.g4. Normally Black responds by moving the
bishop, but 7…Ne4 is sometimes played. At first this seems foolhardy
because it ignores the direct threat of 8.gxf5. But Black has his own set of
threats combining the knight’s new position with a queen check on h4.
White’s king is in danger.
299 - The Mate You See

In Bobby Fischer's classic "My 60 Memorable Games", he won a nice game
where he missed the fastest possible mate. I forget which game, but I
remember he noted that it is better to play the mate you see than the shortest
mate. When there are checkmate options, the most important thing is that you
do find one of them!
The Gunderam Variation of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit 5.Nxf3 Bf5)

usually follows with 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 attacking the bishop. Black has three
replies: the solid 7...Bg6 (retreating the bishop); the wild 7...Be4 (attacking
the rook); and today's choice the very wild 7...Ne4 (sacrificing the bishop to
chase the White king).
In the 7...Ne4 line White has two approaches. First is to check immediately
with 8.Bb5+?! c6 9.0-0 which allows the White king some safety. Gary Lane
recommended that line in his 1995 book. The second approach is the grab the
free bishop with 8.gxf5! Then hide when Black's queen comes a calling.
Black is the Microsoft game program Chess Titans at level 8. The lower
levels of this program are easy to beat. Here Black plays 9...Ng3+ which
forks the king and rook. This wins back the Exchange (knight for rook) when
Black already is missing the sacrificed bishop. Anyone else have experience
in this line?
Sawyer (2000) - Chess Titans (1800), Florida 12.06.2011 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4 8.gxf5 Qh4+
9.Ke2 Ng3+?! 10.hxg3 Qxh1 11.Kf2 Qh2+ 12.Bg2 exf5 13.Qe2! Be7
14.Nd5 Na6 15.Nxe7 f6 16.Nf3 [16.Qb5+! is the first move in a mate in 8
combination.] 16...Qh5 17.Ng6+ Kd8 18.Qe7+ Kc8 19.Nxh8 b6 20.Bf4 Qg4
21.Qe8+ Kb7 22.Ne5+ [22.Ng5+ mates one more faster since the Bf4 takes
part.] 22...Qf3+ 23.Bxf3+ c6 24.Qxc6+ Kb8 25.Nd7# 1-0
300 - Schrade Chases King
Imagine playing a wide open gambit line where you rapidly advance your
White king to c4 on purpose by move 11. In any normal opening, such a king
journey would be suicide.
There is a line of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Gunderam where White can

win. After 7.g4 Ne4 Black sacrifices a bishop to chase the White king to c4,
where it appears to be safe!
When I played Tom Schrade in the 1989 USCF Golden Squires, this complex
variation was the subject of much debate among BDGers. It was difficult for
humans to accurately evaluate who stood better and by how much because of
the obvious danger to the kings and the unbalanced nature of the material.
Below, I missed the best move 13 and my opponent missed the best move 14.
For more on this line, check out the next game the Story of Michael Bennett
and Blackmar-Diemer.
Sawyer (2102) - Schrade (1846), corr USCF 89SS104, 02.10.1991 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4 8.gxf5
Qh4+ 9.Ke2 Qf2+ 10.Kd3 Nc5+ 11.Kc4 a6 12.a4 b5+ 13.axb5 [Possibly
the best move is the dangerous looking 13.Kb4! Nd3+ 14.Kb3+-] 13...axb5+
14.Nxb5 Nca6 [A wild and critical line is 14...Rxa1 15.Nxc7+ Kd8 16.Nb5
Nbd7 17.Nxf7+ Ke8 18.Nbd6+ Bxd6 19.Nxd6+ Ke7 20.Qd2 Qxd2
21.Bxd2=] 15.Qf3 [15.fxe6! fxe6 16.Kb3+-] 15...Qxf3 16.Nxf3 exf5 17.Ne5
Bd6 18.Bg2 1-0
301 - Michael Bennett & BDG
In 1992 I wrote the original Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook and
eventually all the copies sold out. Michael Bennett wrote me to tell what
happened when he bought a copy and played the BDG Gunderam against
Joop Bakker. I cited it in BDG Keybook II (page 324). Below is the rest of
the story by Michael Bennett.
"Hi Tim, ... The story is that I had bought and studied your book, and then
played my club-mate Joop in our internal competition a couple of weeks
earlier. I won quite easily. Joop was impressed and without me knowing went
out and got the book as well! So in the Noteboom Open, we were able to reel
off the theory until 17.b4 in roughly the time taken for the German girl next
to get to playing 3...a6 in the Ruy Lopez! We got some strange looks."
"In the game I decide to sac my queen (even though it's not sound) as I have
always been fascinated by the idea of the mating pattern with knights on c7
and f7 and pawns on e6 and d6 since I first saw it as a junior. So I couldn't
resist playing the sac, which Joop thankfully eventually declined. At the end
of the game I looked up and spectators were literally a few deep standing on
chairs to see what was happening, as the position is so unusual with both
kings running for cover. After the game even though I knew it was a lucky
win, I entered it for the Best Game Prize. Of course it didn't win, but a local
journalist liked it and published it in a Hague newspaper in his weekend
column. It's the only game of mine that's ever been published except in club
magazines."
"The story didn't quite end there. A friend of mine was the editor of the
tournament bulletin, so he put the game in there. However, whoever was
responsible for the final version added a negative comment to the effect of "I
don't know why we have this game in the bulletin. Presumably the player of
the white pieces was following the rule 'Always give check - it might be
mate'."
"My friend then took exception to this and the next year included it in the
tournament bulletin again, and gave the impression it was an immortal
masterpiece (which of course it isn't!). And all this is because of the BDG
Keybook! Thanks very much for writing it! Best wishes. Michael"
Bennett, Michael (2021) - Bakker, Joop (1933), Leiden Open (3),

20.02.1993 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5
e6 7.g4 Ne4 8.gxf5 Qh4+ 9.Ke2 Qf2+ 10.Kd3 Nc5+ 11.Kc4 a6 12.a4 b5+
13.axb5 axb5+ 14.Nxb5 Rxa1 15.Nxc7+ Kd8 16.Nb5 Ra4+ 17.b4 Ne4
18.c3 Nxc3 19.Nxf7+ Ke8 20.fxe6 Qa2+ 21.Kxc3 Bxb4+ 22.Kd3 Na6
23.Nfd6+ Bxd6 24.Qh5+ Kd8 25.Bg5+ Kc8 26.Nxd6+ Kb8 27.Bd2 Nb4+
28.Bxb4 Rxb4 29.Qe5 Qb1+ 30.Ke3 Rb3+ 31.Kf4 g5+ 32.Kxg5 Rg8+
33.Kh4 Ka8 34.Qa5+ Kb8 35.Qe5 Ka8 36.Bg2+ Rxg2 37.Rxb1 Rxb1
38.Qe4+ Ka7 39.Qxg2 1-0
302 - Tejler in BDG History
America has been blessed in my lifetime with many Blackmar-Diemer
players who have enthusiastically promoted the Gambit. There are way too
many to name all of them, but I will highlight a few better known BDG
writers/players that come to my mind.
In the 1960s, the early USA writers on the BDG were Nikolajs Kampars,
Charles Szasz, Anders Tejler and to some extent the future grandmaster
Edmar Mednis. All were contributors to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
magazine which became "Opening Adventures" and ran about six years.
Long time BDGer Charles Greene of Florida gave me copies of these

fascinating opening theory magazines. They had been passed on to him from
Charles Szasz. I was entrusted to share the information with future
generations. I was saddened to read that Charles Greene had passed away
some time later.
Around 1971, Nick Kampars and Andy Tejler did a four-volume monograph
series published by Ken Smith of Chess Digest. Kampars passed away before
they were finished, but Tejler faithfully carried on the work in both their
names. Tejler would write more on the BDG in the state chess magazines of
Florida and Virginia. He caught my eye with his APCT News Bulletin
articles entitled "The Gambiteer."
In the 1980s we added some new BDG frequent writers: Tom Purser (who
met Diemer), Eric Schiller and some guy named Tim Sawyer. I had limited
contact with two masters, Peter Webster of Wisconsin and Charles Diebert of
Ohio. Both wrote articles on the BDG. I bought an autographed copy of the
"Blackmar-Diebert Gambit" book.
After my first BDG Keybook came out in 1992, Andy Tejler wrote me a nice
letter. I do not remember the circumstances that led us to play. He was
probably in his 70s when we played.
We played three postal games to test out a favorite line of his. They were not
terribly serious games with long periods of thought on my part. Still, it was a
great honor and pleasure for me to play Anders Tejler.
The line chosen was a Gunderam Variation which begins: 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4?! (Black leaves the Bf5
hanging to open up the ...Qh4+.) 8.gxf5! (A very wild line grabbing materiel
which can be held with perfect play. Not quite as powerful is 8.Bb5+!?) 8...
Qh4+ (With an eye to f2.) 9.Ke2 Qf2+ 10.Kd3 Nc5+.
This was the starting position of our games. We scored +1 =1 -1. The draw is
Game 78 in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II (pages 321-324). The
game below is the one I won as White.
Sawyer - Tejler, corr BDG thematic, 1993 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4 8.gxf5 Qh4+ 9.Ke2 Qf2+
10.Kd3 Nc5+ 11.Kc4 a6 12.a4 b5+ 13.axb5 axb5+ 14.Nxb5 Rxa1
15.Nxc7+ Kd8 16.Nb5 Nba6 [16...Ra4+ 17.b4 Kc8 18.Nxf7 Nc6 19.Bd2
Na5+ 20.Kc3 Ne4+ 21.Kb2 Nxd2 22.Nxh8 Rxb4+ 23.Ka2 Ra4+ 24.Kb2
Rb4+ 25.Ka2 Ra4+ 1/2-1/2 Tejler - Sawyer, corr BDG thematic 1993]
17.Nxf7+ Ke8 18.Nxh8 Ra4+ 19.Kc3 Ne4+ 20.Kb3 Rb4+ 21.Ka2 Ra4+
22.Kb1 Qxf5 23.Bd3 Ba3 24.Nxa3 1-0
4.7 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Be4
White attacks the bishop with 7.g4 and Black responds with 7…Be4
attacking the rook.
303 - Chesterfields Burned

The least popular main line defense to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is the
Gunderam (5...Bf5). It is not a bad Defence, just not as popular as 5...Bg4,
5...c6, 5...e6 or 5...g6. There are transpositions between the first two and the
Gunderam.
In FOXY OPENINGS video 14, Andrew Martin did not trust the 5...Bf5
6.Ne5 lines. One thing I like about his videos is that Andrew is not afraid to
give an original opinion. Martin recommended answering 5...Bf5 with 6.Nh4.
Scheerer says this is well met by 6...Bg4. Also 6.Bc4 and 6.Bd3 make some
sense.
In an ICC 3 0 blitz game, my opponent "Chesterfields" chose the Gunderam,

probably without really knowing the Stader Variation. After 7...Be4 8.Nxe4
Nxe4 9.Qf3, Black has 9...Qh4+; 9...Qxd4; or sometimes 9...Nd6 saving the
knight while covering f7 and b7.
Black chose the rare 9...f6. I saw this in 2000 in a game I played on Yahoo. I
won after 10.Qxe4 fxe5 11.Qxb7. Chesterfields" plays better. We both
missed chances, as is typical in a three minute game. Gotta love short games
that end in checkmate!
Sawyer - Chesterfields, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 06.05.2012 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Be4
8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qf3 f6?! 10.Qxe4 fxe5 11.Qxb7 [Junior 12 likes 11.Qxe5+/-]
11...Nd7 [Black's attempt to pick off pawns with checks after 11...Qh4+?
12.Kd1 Qxg4+ 13.Be2 Qxd4+ 14.Bd2 Qd5 fails to 15.Bf3! picking off a
rook.] 12.Bb5? a5? [12...Rb8! 13.Bxd7+ Kxd7 14.Qe4 Qh4+ 15.Ke2 h5=/+]
13.0-0 exd4? 14.Bf4 [14.Qf3!+- Black's queen is needed to cover the mate
threat on f7 and the rook on a8. Something will drop.] 14...Bd6 15.Bxd7+?!
Kxd7 16.Bxd6 Kxd6 17.Rf7?! Qb8 18.Qe4 Qxb2? [18...Qb6 19.Rd1+-]
19.Re1 Rae8 20.Qe5+ Kc6 21.Qxc7+ Kd5 22.Re5# Black is checkmated 1-
0
304 - Ripley wins Gunderam
I like getting games from readers. Here is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in the
5.Nxf3 Bf5 Gunderam Variation.
Bruce Ripley writes:
"Tim, Here is my small contribution to the BDG. The following is a 20

minute game played at playchess.com on 2/11/2016 where I had White and
my opponent was a guest...”
"White wins on time ......See you around the ICC.”
“Regards, Bruce Ripley”
Thanks Bruce! You played the game well. Clearly Black was busted at the
end. He had already lost on the board and apparently wanted to lose on time
too!
Ripley - guest, playchess.com, 11.02.2016 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4

dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Be4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qf3 Qh4+
10.Kd1 Nd6 11.Nxf7 Nxf7 12.Qxb7 Qxg4+ 13.Be2 Qxd4+ 14.Bd2 Qd5?
[Black has to develop the bishop. Maybe best is 14...Bd6 15.Qxa8 Qxb2
16.Rc1 0-0=] 15.Bf3! 1-0
305 - Dodge Ram Gunderam
The sharp lines of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Gunderam lead to positions
where you have to dodge the opponents’ pieces and checks. Then you have to
ram through your own pieces and checks. The kings, queens, rooks and minor
pieces are all in danger, and they are all useful for attack and defense.
Here is a game I played on Chess.com where I checkmated my opponent on

move 24. With this win my rating jumped to 1988; 99.5 percentile. Later it
went over 2000.
As I wrote in my BDG Keybook, in the Gunderam after 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6

7.g4 can choose the wild 7...Be4. White chops off the 7...Be4 with 8.Nxe4
Nxe4 and attacks f7 and b7 with 9.Qf3.
In this game Sawyer - Enekui game, my opponent plays the most common
move 9...Qh4+ but note that 9...Qxd4 10.Qxf7+ Kd8 11.Qf4 is also quite
popular.
Sawyer - Enekui, Live Chess Chess.com, 11.08.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Be4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qf3
Qh4+ 10.Kd1 [This is the most common move, baiting Black to go after the
rook on h1.] 10...Nf2+ 11.Ke2 [The alternative is 11.Kd2 Bb4+ 12.c3]
11...Nxh1 12.Qxf7+ Kd8 13.Qf3? [The book move is 13.Bg2! Bd6 (13...Be7
14.Qxg7) 14.Qxg7] 13...Qxh2+? [My plan was 13...Nc6! 14.Bg5+! Qxg5
15.Nf7+ Ke7 16.Nxg5 winning the queen, but now I see 16...Nxd4+ loses my
own queen.] 14.Bg2 Ng3+ [I repeat moves to think a bit more.] 15.Kf2 Nh1+
16.Ke2 Ng3+ 17.Kd3 Nc6 18.Nf7+?! [Correct is 18.Nxc6+ bxc6 19.Qxc6
Rb8 20.Bg5+ Be7 21.Bf4+/-] 18...Kc8? [18...Kd7 19.Bf4 Bd6 20.Nxd6 cxd6
21.Rh1 Nxh1 22.Bxh2 Rhf8 23.Qe3 with a complicated position] 19.Nxh8
e5? [19...Bd6 20.Nf7+/-] 20.Qxf8+ Kd7 21.Qf7+ Kd6? [21...Ne7 22.Bg5+-]
22.Qd5+ Ke7 23.Bg5+ Ke8 24.Qf7# 1-0
4.8 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6
White attacks the bishop with 7.g4 and Black responds with 7…Be4 attack
the rook.
306 - Charles Greene 8.Bg2

Gregory Kearse wrote an article at Chess Drum about Black Chess Masters in
America. Beyond well-known stars like Maurice Ashley and Emory Tate,
you read about Ken Clayton and his work promoting chess near Howard
University in the Washington, D.C. area. Kearse notes, "Senior systems
analyst and chess master, Charles Greene, was one of the several fruits of
Clayton's labor of love."
USCF Master Charles Greene as "blankman" won a Blackmar-Diemer vs

Spicechess in 1999 in the Gunderam 5.Nxf3 Bf5 variation. This game
reached the solid 7.g4 Bg6 where Greene played the old 8.Bg2 line. This is at
least as good as the more popular 8.Qf3.
Charles and I met together at a few tournaments. Charles Greene gave me the
old "Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine" material from the 1960s. We never
played against each other, though sometimes we chatted on the Internet
Chess Club.
Greene was a prolific player for someone almost my age, playing blitz for
hours on end, sometimes more than 50 games on a weekend. The USCF
simply notes that he passed away. His last ICC games were played June 5,
2010. Here is one from a decade earlier.
Blankman - Spicechess, Internet Chess Club, 01.02.1999 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg2 c6 9.h4
h5 [9...Bb4=] 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.g5 Nd5 12.Qd3[12.Qe2+-] 12...Qe7 [Black
can put up some defense with 12...Ne7! 13.Qc4+/-] 13.0-0 Nd7 14.Qxg6+
Kd8 15.Rf7 Qd6 16.Ne4 [Also good is 16.Nxd5 cxd5 17.Bf4+-] 16...Qb4
[16...Ne7 17.Nxd6 Nxg6 18.Nxb7+ Ke8 19.Rf2+-] 17.c3 Qb6 18.Qxe6 Qc7
19.Bh3 Nf4 20.Bxf4 1-0
307 - BDG Daniel Naroditsky
In 2011 an International Master using the handle "deaf" won a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit on the Internet Chess Club. His opponent was "Danya" noted
as the young Daniel Naroditsky. Of course anyone can lose a five minute
blitz game to a titled master.
The progress of Daniel Naroditsky has been amazing. In 2013 Naroditsky

earned the FIDE title of International Grandmaster. It would be harder to beat
Daniel now.
This solid BDG Gunderam 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg2 c6 9.h4
position has been played many times. Most often the line seems to be reached
via the Teichmann after 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Bg2 c6
10.h4.
As often happens in this line, Black went wrong after move 10. He was
saddled with a weak isolated e6 pawn. At first the position looks like White's
king is wide open, and possibly in trouble. But in reality Black's king became
far more vulnerable.
deaf (2435) - Danya (2469), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 18.07.2011 begins
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg2
c6 9.h4 Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 [10...Nbd7 11.Qe2 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Bc5+ 13.Kh2
Nd7 14.h5 Nxe5 15.Bf4=] 11.bxc3 0-0 12.Qe2 [12.Ba3!+-] 12...h6 [12...Qa5
13.Bb2+/-] 13.Nxg6 fxg6 14.Qxe6+ Kh7 15.g5 Re8 16.Qf7 Re7 17.Qc4
[17.Qb3!+-] 17...Nd5 [17...hxg5 18.Bxg5+/-] 18.gxh6 gxh6 19.h5 gxh5
20.Qd3+ Kh8 21.c4 Nc7? [21...Nb4 22.Qd2+-] 22.Bxh6 [22.d5!+-] 22...Ne6
23.d5 Ng7 24.Bg5 Qb6+ [24...Nd7 25.Bxe7 Qxe7 26.Rae1+-] 25.Kh1 Re8
26.Rf7 Black resigns 1-0
4.9 – 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3
With this move Black saves his bishop and protects f7. At some point White
may chop this bishop off forcing Black to have doubled g-pawns, but first
White will look for something better.
308 - Black Dragon 7.g4 Bg6

Facing the fire breathing BlackDragon in two minute bullet games proved too
much for me most of the time, but here with a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit I
played a good game and got a winning position.
My clock ran low before I could checkmate him. To avoid a loss, I repeated
moves for a draw, which gained me rating points.
In this Gunderam 7.g4 Bg6, BlackDragon answers 8.Qf3with the unusual

8...Bb4. The idea is that pinning the Nc3 allows Black to deal with my
9.Qxb7 threat by the clever response 9....Be4! However, White can just chop
off the bishop by 9.Nxg6 hxg6 and then grab the b7-pawn with 10.Qxb7 with
a good game.
Francesco Cavicchi made this comment recently: "I’ve examined both 1d4
Nf6 2g4 (Gibbins - Weidenhagen gambit) and 1d4 Nf6 2e4 (Omega gambit)
but I’m not particularly happy with these ones. So I still believe your
suggestion 2.f3 is preferable."
Like most BDGers, I like to try to transpose back into the gambit with either
2.f3 or 2.Nc3. I played both moves vs BlackDragon.
Sawyer - BlackDragon, Internet Chess Club, 08.01.1998 begins 1.d4 Nf6

2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3 Bb4
9.Nxg6 [Taking on g6 avoids 9.Qxb7 Be4!=] 9...hxg6 10.Qxb7 Nd5?
[10...Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Nbd7=] 11.Qxa8 Nxc3 12.Kf2 0-0 13.bxc3 Bxc3
14.Rb1 Bxd4+ 15.Ke2 g5 16.Bg2 Bb6 [16...c6 17.c3+-] 17.Ba3 [17.Qe4+-]
17...Re8 18.Rhd1 Qf6 19.Qf3 Qh6 20.h3 Qg6 21.Qe4 Qf6 22.Qf3 Qg6
23.Qe4 Qf6 24.Rf1 Qh6 25.Rbd1 c5 26.Bb2 f6 27.Qb7 Qh7 28.Qe4
[28.Be4+-] 28...Qh6 29.Qb7 [29.Rd6+-] 29...Qh7 30.Qe4 Qh6 1/2-1/2
309 - Gracious Paul Laflamme
Tom Purser published an article in BDG WORLD 38/February 1990 by Tim
Sawyer
"Last year I was playing a BDG in the USCF Golden Knights against Paul
Laflamme of New Hampshire. Paul had played the Gunderam (5...Bf5). I had
"won a piece for three pawns," and we looked to be in for a long battle. Then
Paul Laflamme wrote, "I'm...still debating whether or not to play the BDG. I
don't like playing against the 5...Bg4 line and kicking the Bishop and losing
the attacking Knight."
"So I offered him the chance to play 26 games (A-Z) for fun where he would
play 5...Bg4 as Black in all games. To make it even more interesting. I
offered a predetermined starting position so that all 26 games would be
different. This would force both of us to play some lines that we would not
otherwise play... After about six months of play we agreed to draws in all the
unfinished games. Paul was most gracious in allowing me 26 BDGs as
White!" {The article BDG WORLD gave all 26 5...Bg4 games.}
Below is our BDG Gunderam Defence game. After game Paul Laflamme was
rated 2143. I jumped to 2203 which netted me the first of two USCF Postal
Master certificates I got.
Sawyer - Laflamme, corr USCF 88N300, 28.12.1989 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 [This was our only rated game.
Laflamme and I played an unrated thematic postal match. I had White in 26
games with a predetermined set of lines in the 5...Bg4 Teichmann Variation.]
6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3 c6 9.g5 Qxd4 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.gxf6 Qh4+
[Certainly this is as playable as 11...Qxf6 ] 12.Qf2 gxf6 [Black trades double
g-pawns for the much more flexible double f-pawns.] 13.Be3 Bd6 14.Qxh4
Rxh4 15.h3 Bg3+ 16.Bf2 Bxf2+ 17.Kxf2 Nd7 18.Rd1 f5 19.Bg2 Rd8
20.Rd3 Nf6 21.Rhd1 Rxd3 22.Rxd3 e5 23.Ne2 Rb4 24.b3 Ke7 25.c4 e4
26.Rc3 a5 27.a3 Rb6 28.c5 Ra6 29.Nd4 Ra8 30.Nc2 Nd5 31.Rc4 Ke6
32.Ne3 Rd8 33.Rd4 Ke5 34.Rd1 a4 35.Nc4+ Ke6 36.b4 Rd7 37.Bf1 f4
38.Nd6 f5 39.Bc4 Ke5 40.Bxd5 cxd5 41.Nc4+ [After a long seesaw battle,
the final move is 41.Nc4+ However, Black could struggle on with 41...Ke6
42.Nb6 Rh7 and it is not immediately clear how White can win, as Black is
not without chances himself.] 1-0
310 - Gardner Johnson in BDG
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Gunderam is a foundational variation that is
less popular than its cousins the BDG Ziegler and BDG Teichmann. Some
Gunderam variations like 7...Nxe4 and 7...Bxe4 are sharp with unique tactics
in their own right.
In my game vs Gardner Johnson from the United States Postal Chess

Championship in 1990, we played a line that is parallel to the BDG
Teichmann Retreat (5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5). The only
difference between the two lines is the location of White's h-pawn and move
numbers.
When the Nf6 is attacked by 9.g5, Johnson plays the in between move
9...Bh5 which is less common than 9...Nh5 or 9...Nd5.
Sawyer (2023) - Johnson (1900), corr USCCC 10P05, 26.12.1990 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3
c6 9.g5 Bh5 10.Qf4 Nd5 11.Qh4 g6 12.Qf2 Qe7 [12...f5 13.gxf6 Qxf6
14.Qxf6 Nxf6 15.Bh3=] 13.Ne4 Qc7 [13...Nd7=] 14.c4 Bb4+ 15.Bd2 Bxd2+
16.Kxd2 f5 17.gxf6 Qa5+ [This is not enough compensation for the
sacrificed piece. If 17...Nd7 18.Nxd7+-] 18.Kc2 Nb4+ 19.Kb3 N4a6 20.f7+
Kf8 21.Qf6 1-0
311 - Otto Estenger Falls
Typos in chess books are annoying, but typos are inevitable by anyone who
actually writes much. Nowadays chess books are written on the computer
using a database program where it is virtually impossible to include an illegal
move.
I use a spell checker, but that does not help with chess moves, proper names
and left out or added words. Once I misspelled my own name "Sawyer"!
Caught that one just in time. Blogs and eBooks can be edited easier than
paperback books.
My Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook from 1992 had to be re-typed from

scratch from the paper manuscript that I sent in. Patty Scoville (of Thinkers'
Press) did a fantastic job with so much technical material.
My contest against Otto Estenger from the 1989 Golden Knights Postal
Tournament became Game 590 in my 700 game book. The book's only typo
was Black's 11th move given as "N8d7" (impossible). Phil Cody pointed this
error out to me.
There are two standard approaches to attacking the BDG Gunderam 7. g4

Bg6 retreat line: (A) 8.Qf3 c6 9.g5 and (B) 8.Bg2 c6 9.h4. Diemer played
both and so do I.
Sawyer (2065) - Estenger (2044), corr USCF 89NS14, 13.11.1990 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3
c6 9.g5 Nfd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bd3 Bb4 [If 11...Bd6, White has full
compensation for the pawn after 12.Be3+=] 12.0-0 Rf8 13.Ne4 Nb6 14.c3
Be7 15.Bd2 Qd5 16.Rae1 N8d7 17.Bf4 0-0-0 18.Nd6+ [Black wrote on his
postcard "IF 18...Bxd6 19.Qxd5 exd5 20.Bxd6". Then he added, "I resign. No
point in dragging this out. Good luck in the rest of the tnmt. - Otto"] 1-0
312 - Romantic Chess Purser
Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch is quoted as having said: "I have always a slight feeling
of pity for the man who has no knowledge of chess, just as I would pity the
man who has remained ignorant of love. Chess, like love, like music, has the
power to make men happy."
Player’s love Romantic Chess. It has nothing to do with hearts, chocolates,

movies, restaurants or kissing. Wikipedia has an excellent description of
Romantic Chess:
"Romantic chess was the style of chess prevalent in the 19th century. It was
characterized by brash sacrifices and open, tactical games. Winning was
secondary to winning with style, so much, in fact, that it was considered
unsportsmanly to decline a gambit (the sacrifice of a pawn or piece to obtain
an attack). It is no coincidence that the most popular openings played by the
Romantics were the King's Gambit accepted and the Evans Gambit accepted.
Some of the major players of the Romantic era were Adolf Anderssen, Paul
Morphy and Henry Blackburne. The Romantic style was effectively ended on
the highest level by Wilhelm Steinitz, who, with his more positional
approach, crushed all of his contemporaries and ushered in the modern age of
chess."
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is in the Romantic Chess style. No one has

done more in the last 30 years to promote this opening than "Mr. BDG", Tom
Purser. I give a Purser win which appeared in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Keybook II (with my notes).
Purser - Alekhineim, USA Today Ladder 1991 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 [Gunderam Variation] 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6
8.Qf3 [The alternative is 8.Bg2 c6 9.h4 Bb4 10.0-0] 8...c6 9.g5 Nd5 [The
most popular move.] 10.Bd3 [How about a bishop swap? Actually, White
just wants Black to leave f7 uncovered.] 10...Nd7 [Black challenges the
knight on e5.] 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.0-0 [Once again White threatens
checkmate.] 12...Qe7 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.c4 [White is ripping open the
position to make use of Black's weaknesses.] 14...0-0-0 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Bf4
Nb8 17.Rfe1 Qb4 18.Qg4+ Rd7 19.Re8# [This was a well-played game by
Tom Purser, "Mr. BDG."] 1-0
313 - Rodney Kinnaird BDG
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Gunderam I played vs Rodney Kinnaird in a
later round of the 1989 USCF Golden Knights Postal Chess Tournament was
in a popular variation. After 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4, Kinnaird chose the
solid line 7…Bg6, at which point White has two choices: 8.Bg2 or 8.Qf3. I
quote notes on this game from Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II.
Why did I stop playing and agree to a draw in this game in 1993? Then I
think back. By 1993, I was quite worn out. My original BDG Keybook has
been published in 1992. My postal opponents were higher rated then than
what I was facing in earlier rounds.
In early 1993 I became very sick. I almost died from a disease that I still
have. Also, I had taken on more responsibility at work.
By the end of 1993 I would change jobs and move my family to a larger city.
My energy level for chess playing was much lower by 1993 than it had been
in the years before. Life impacts chess.
Sawyer - Kinnaird, corr USCF 1993 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3 [8.Bg2=] 8...c6 9.g5 Nd5
[This is the most popular line of the whole Gunderam Variation, however
more theoretically difficult is 9...Nh5!] 10.Bd3 [How about a bishop swap?
Actually, White just wants Black to leave f7 uncovered.] 10...Nd7 [Black
challenges the knight on e5.] 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.0-0 [Once again White
threatens mate.] 12...Qe7 13.Nxd5 [Tends to be the main line.] 13...cxd5
14.c4 [White is ripping open the position to make use of Black's weaknesses.]
14...Nb6 15.c5 [In my BDG Keybook II, I recommended 15.cxd5 but it
appears that Black has good counter play after 15...Nxd5 16.Bb5+ Kd8
17.Qxf7 Rc8 18.Bd2 Rc2=] 15...Nd7 [15...Nc4!? 16.Rf2 Qd7 17.Bf4 Be7
18.b3 e5+/= with some complications.] 16.Bd2 [More active would be
16.Bf4!+/-] 16...Nb8 17.b4 Nc6 18.Qf4 Rh3 19.Bc2 Rc8 [19...a5=] 20.Kg2
[20.Rf2+/-] 20...Rh5 21.h4 Qc7 [21...Rh8 22.Rae1+/-] 22.Qf2 [22.Qg4+-]
22...Rh8 23.Rae1 b5 [23...Qe7 24.b5+/-] 24.a3 [24.a4!+-] 24...Qd7 1/2-1/2
5.0 – 5.Nxf3 Bg4
We begin with the most popular defense to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in
5.Nxf3 Bg4.
314 - Francesco Cavicchi 6.Qd3

Francesco Cavicchi sends a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in one of his pet lines.
"Hi Tim,
"In the BDG 6.Qd3 Teichmann variation I've tried a knight sacrifice on h7
against a very strong player (Elo 2197), I guess white has an interesting
initiative (and an entertaining game) for the material. Here we are."
The main line vs the BDG Teichmann is 6.h3 which computer engines show
to be completely sound for White basically giving both sides equal chances,
whether Black exchanges with 6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3 or retreats with 6...Bh5 7.g4.
But 6.h3 is not the only possible move for White. Francesco Cavicchi prefers
6.Qd3 that leads to unusual positions. White's queen move breaks the pin and
threatens a possible7.Qb5+. It can work well, as Francesco demonstrates in
his notes below.
MisterCrowley (1828) - JediKnight (2197), Fsi Arena online 15 min.game,

2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Qd3 [My
favorite anti-Teichmann] 6...Nc6 7.Be3 [Better 7.d5 according to Stockfish]
7...e6 8.a3 Be7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.h3 [Better 10.Kb1] 10...Bf5 11.Qd2 Ne4
12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Bd3 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 a6 15.h4 b5 16.Ng5 g6 17.Nxh7
[Definitely rolling the dice!] 17...Kxh7 18.h5 Kg7 19.hxg6 Rh8 20.Rxh8
Qxh8 21.Qe4 [Seriously damaging the Black position] 21...Na5 22.Rf1 Rf8
23.Qe5+ f6 24.Qxc7 Nc4 25.Qxe7+ Kxg6 26.Bf4 e5? [Opening the center is
good only for White] 27.dxe5 fxe5 28.Qg5+ Kf7 29.Bxe5+ [Wrong instinct.
29.Qf5+! was way better] 29...Ke8 30.Re1 Nxe5 31.Rxe5+ Kd7 32.Qe7+
Kc6 33.Rc5+ Kb6 34.Qc7# 1-0 [Game Notes by Francesco Cavicchi]
315 - White Out Of Punches
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann, Bill Wall finds himself on the
Black side. A good idea against a gambit is to develop safely and then attack
the gambiteer's king as soon as possible.
Wall's aggressive play leads to a larger material advantage. After the queens
are swapped off, "MasterJA" keeps throwing punches until White's game
finally falls apart.
MasterJA - Wall, www.chess.com .02), 2009 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bd3 [new] 6...Nc6 7.Be3 e6 8.h3 Bh5
9.g4 Bg6 10.Bxg6 hxg6 11.Bg5 Bb4 12.Qd3 Qd5 13.0-0-0 Bxc3 14.Qxc3
Qxa2 15.b3 Ne4 16.Qb2 Qxb2+ 17.Kxb2 Nf2 18.d5 Nxd1+ 19.Rxd1 exd5
20.Rxd5 Rxh3 21.Ne5 Nxe5 22.Rxe5+ Kf8 23.Be7+ Kg8 24.Bg5 f6 0-1
316 - Firestorm Burned in Race
A firestorm is a fire that burns so intensely that it creates its own wind, giving
itself extra energy. It reminds me of a chess situation where both sides are
working their own plans without much regard for the other.
Approaching the rook ending below, White castles kingside, has two pawns,
and chops off everything on the Black kingside. While this is going on, Black
castles queenside, has two pawns, and chops off almost everything on the
White queenside. White gets to keep the a-pawn that squelches the Black fire.
In this BDG Teichmann game between Bill Wall and "Firestorm", the players
attack on opposite sides. In the endgame, they have a pawn race.
Black is the first to get a pawn on the 7th rank while White's is on the 6th
rank. However, White's checking tempi lead to a forced mate. Black gets
toasted with its pawn never queening.
Wall - Firestorm, Internet .05), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be3 [6.h3 is normal.] 6...c6 7.Bc4 e6 8.0-0 Bd6 9.h3
Bh5 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Ne4 Qc7 [11...Be7 is a solid choice.] 12.Nxd6+ Qxd6
13.Qd2 Bxf3 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 [14...Bxg2!-/+] 15.Rxf3 0-0-0 [The players have
castled opposite sides. Black has the gambit pawn; White has more space and
is more active.] 16.c3 Ne4 17.Qe3 f5 18.a4 c5 19.dxc5 Qxc5?! [19...Nxc5
20.b4+/=] 20.Bxe6+ Kb8 21.Bxf5 Qxe3+ 22.Rxe3 Nc5 23.Re7 g6 24.b4
Nb3 25.Ra3 Nd2 26.Bd7 Nc4 27.Ra1 Nb6 28.Rd1 [In 6 moves they go from
middlegame to endgame where Black has nothing on the kingside.]
28...Nxd7 29.Rdxd7 Rxd7 30.Rxd7 h5 31.Rg7 Rc8 32.Rxg6 Rxc3 33.Rh6
Rc4 34.Rxh5 Rxb4 35.a5 Kc7 36.g4 Kd6 37.Rh6+ Ke7 38.Rh7+ Kf6
39.Kf2 Kg6 40.Rh5 Rb3 41.h4 Ra3? [41...Rb2+ This rook should stay on
the b-file and apply continual checks until a better idea unfolds.] 42.Rb5
Ra4?! [42...Ra2+ 43.Ke3+/=] 43.h5+ Kh6 44.Kg3 Ra3+ 45.Kf4 [45.Kh4+-
is the normal way to advance these pawns but White does fine the way he
plays it.] 45...a6? 46.Rb6+ Kh7 47.Rxb7+ Kg8 48.g5 Ra4+ 49.Kf5 Rxa5+
50.Kf6 Rb5 51.Rxb5 axb5 52.g6 b4 53.h6 b3 54.h7+ Kh8 55.Kf7 b2
56.g7+ Kxh7 57.g8Q+ Kh6 58.Qg6# 1-0
317 - Teichmann Move Order
What if I change the move order? Gunnar Runarsson found a unique method
of handling the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by reversing the normal move
order when facing the higher rated Saeberg Sigurdsson.
Black chose the popular defence with 5.Nxf3 Bg4. Usually White plays 6.h3
immediately and 8.Be3 later.
Here White goes the other way around. This move order seems more risky.
Follow-up and further middlegame play determines the outcome. Black had
chances but White held his own.
Runarsson (2054) - Sigurdsson,Sa (2143), TCh-ISL Div 1 2014-15

Reykjavik ISL (9.4), 21.03.2015 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be3 [6.h3=] 6...e6 7.Bc4 c6 8.h3 Bh5 9.0-0 h6!?
[9...Nbd7=/+] 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.Rae1 Bb4 12.Bd3 Bxf3 13.Rxf3 Qa5 14.Bf2
Nd5 15.Bc4 N7f6 16.Qd3 [16.Bg3=] 16...0-0-0!? [It seems Black does better
on the kingside. 16...0-0=/+] 17.Bb3 [17.Bxd5!=] 17...Rd7 18.a3 Bd6
19.Nxd5 exd5 20.c4 dxc4 21.Bxc4 Qd8 22.b4 Re8 23.Rc1 [23.Rb1=]
23...Kb8 24.b5 c5 25.b6 Qxb6 [25...a6=/+] 26.Rb1 [26.Bb5!+/=] 26...Qc7
27.Bb5 Ree7 [27...c4=] 28.Bxd7 Rxd7 29.Rc1 b6 30.Qb3 [30.Qb1+/=]
30...Ne4 31.dxc5 Nxf2 32.Rxf2 Bxc5 33.Kh1 Bxf2 34.Rxc7 Rxc7 35.g4 Bc5
36.a4 a6 37.Qd5 b5 [37...f6=] 38.axb5 axb5 39.Qe5 f6 40.Qe8+ Ka7
41.Qxb5 Bb6 42.Qa4+ Kb7 43.Qe4+ Ka7 44.Qd5 Rc1+ 45.Kg2 Rc2+
46.Kf1 Rc1+ 47.Ke2 Rc2+ 1/2-1/2
318 - Studying Chessbases
I have been using chessbases almost every day for 25 years. Most of these are
used for data, specifically game collections and opening positions. In the
early days, games were collected in text files. After that came more famous
database programs that continue until this day. I tried four well-known
brands.
In 1990 I started using Bookup which became Chess Openings Wizard

(COW). Bookup programs eat up huge amounts of disk space, but they are
good for training. Later I switched to Chess Assistant which I also liked. I
dabbled in NICbase. Information can be easily moved from one brand of
database to another through the use of PGN (Portable Game Notation) files.
Finally I switched to ChessBase about 1995 which has become the standard. I
use ChessBase every day. It collects games, creates opening books, searches
positions, condenses databases, and analyzes games with chess engines.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann game Bill Wall vs "Chessbases",

we can learn a few things by checking the database. First we see that Bill
Wall’s move 6.Bg5 is rare.
My database shows 16 different 6th moves and 5 of them are more common.
The best by test is 6.h3. The move 6.Bg5 was only found in 39 games when I
wrote these notes. Below Black starts well, but then misses chances,
blunders, and loses.
Wall - Chessbases, Internet .30), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bg5 e6 7.Be2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 [Usually Black plays
8...c6=/+ with a solid position.] 9.Ne5 Bxe2 10.Nxe2 c5 11.c3 Qb6 12.Qb3
cxd4 13.Qxb6 axb6 14.Nxd4 Rd8 15.a3 Nbd7 16.Bf4 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Rd5
18.Rae1 Rad8 19.Bc7 R8d7= [This allows White to pick off a pawn with an
equal game. Black could have set a trap with 19...Rc8-/+ 20.Bxb6? Nd7!-+]
20.Bxb6 e5 21.Nf5 Rb5 22.Nxe7+ Rxe7 23.Bd8 Re6 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Re2
Rb3 26.Rf3 Reb6 27.Rff2 Kg7 28.Rd2 Kg6 29.Rfe2 Kg7 30.Kf2 h6 31.Kf3
R6b5 32.Ke4 Kg6 33.g4 Rc5 34.h3 Rc4+ 35.Ke3 f5 36.Rd6+ Kg5 37.Kd3
Rf4 38.a4 fxg4+- [Black could make use of the pin and exchange a set of
rooks with some chances to draw. 38...Rd4+ 39.Rxd4 exd4+/=] 39.Kc2 1-0
319 - 6.Bg5 vs Teichmann
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann Bill Wall once again played
6.Bg5. On the face of it, developing a bishop is good, but in this line here,
that square can be dangerous.
White misses a chance to get some good compensation with 8.h3. Then Black
gradually outplays our BDG hero.
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bf4 e6 8.Be2?! [After this Black wins
another pawn and stands better to boot. Instead White should try 8.h3! Bxf3
9.Qxf3=] 8...Nc6 9.0-0 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Qxd4+ 11.Kh1 0-0-0 12.Bxc6 Qxd1
13.Bxb7+ Kxb7 14.Raxd1 Bd6 15.Bxd6 cxd6 16.Rd3 d5 17.Rg3 Rhg8
18.Nb5 Kc6 19.Nd4+ [19.Nxa7+ Kd7=/+] 19...Kc5 20.c3 e5 21.Nf5 Ne4
22.Rxg7 Rxg7 23.Nxg7 Rb8 24.b4+ Kc4 25.Nf5 Kxc3 26.Nxh6 f6 27.a3 d4
28.Ng4 d3 29.Nxf6? Nxf6 30.Rxf6 e4 31.Rc6+ Kd2 32.Kg1 e3 0-1
320 - BDG on a Short Scale
"Pick a number between 1 and 10" goes the old contest challenge to decide
who goes first or who wins a prize.
In the NFL Super Bowl many people like to guess how many points each side
will score for the whole game or how many for each quarter, how many yards
will be gained passing or running, and numbers for various other categories.
The question for us is, "How many moves can Black play before being
checkmated?" On a scale of 1 to 10, Black scored an 8 in number of moves
made in this game. Move 9 was checkmate.
Bill Wall has been great at punishing early blunders by Black. In this
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann with Bill Wall vs "Scal" on the
internet, Black falls for a quick thematic checkmate.
Wall - Scal, Internet .03), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bf4 Bxf3 [Capturing on f3 unprovoked is a mistake.
6...e6] 7.Qxf3 Qxd4? [Completely missing the tactics. 7...c6 8.0-0-0+/=]
8.Qxb7 Qxf4 9.Qc8# 1-0
321 - Reach in Cookie Jar
I was walking through our kitchen when something unusual caught my eye.
There were cookies in the cookie jar!
I knew better than to just grab one. The cook, to whom I have been married
these many years, confirmed that those cookies were indeed for us.
After testing one cookie for quality assurance, I determined that many more
cookies needed examination. The jar is now empty.
"Cinar" is known as the Cookie Jar Company. In the game Bill Wall vs Cinar,
there is the Nd7 cookie in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann. White is
able to take the lid of the cookie jar (15.Rxb7), reach in (18.Bxc6), and
devour the cookie (19.Bxd7).
Wall - Cinar, Internet .28), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bf4 c6 7.Be2 e6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Bb4 [9...Bd6 Trying to
swap bishops is more reasonable.] 10.0-0 Bxc3?! [Opens the door to Black's
kitchen.] 11.bxc3 0-0 12.c4 Na6 13.Rb1 [White takes advantage of the weak
point on b7.] 13...Qe7 14.c3 Nd7? 15.Rxb7 Nab8 16.Qb3 g5 17.Bxb8
Raxb8 18.Bxc6 [Pinning and winning the cookie on d7.] 18...Qd6 19.Bxd7
Rxb7 20.Qxb7 Rb8 21.Qxa7 1-0
322 - Bobnut Early 8...h5
In a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann game with Bill Wall vs Bobnut,
the players opt for unusual squares for their bishops. Apparently Black
planned to attack kingside with 8...h5?!
Note however that at the point of the pawn advance, Black was lagging
behind in development. He was thus flirting with danger. Gradually things
get worse and worse for Black until resignation.
Wall - Bobnut, Internet .27), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bf4 e6 [6...c6] 7.Be2 Bb4 8.0-0 h5?! [8...Nc6 is more
aggressive.] 9.Ne5 Bxe2 10.Nxe2 Bd6 11.Qd3 Bxe5 12.Bxe5 Nc6 13.Qg3
Nxe5 14.Qxg7 Rg8 15.Qxf6 Qxf6 16.Rxf6 Nd7? [This is a mistake leading
to the ultimate loss of the h-pawn. Black should play 16...Ng4! 17.Rf3= when
White has regained the gambit pawn and has a more active position.] 17.Rh6
Rg5 18.Nf4 Rg4 19.Rf1 0-0-0 20.Rxh5 Rg7 21.Nd3 c6 22.c4 b6 23.b4 Nf6?
24.Rxf6 1-0
323 - Playing on JV Team
Over 45 years ago when I was in high school, besides chess, I played both
basketball and baseball. In basketball when I was young, I played forward,
being a little taller than my classmates.
When we got to high school however, I stopped growing taller. My

teammates kept growing. I moved from a forward to a guard to a bench
warmer.
In my final season, our JV team (Junior Varsity) went 11-8. We started great
winning 11 basketball games in a row. We finished terrible losing 8 in a row
to teams we beat the first time around.
I got to play more in the second half of the season because by then they
would only let me play when the game was not close. If we were hopelessly
far behind and the clock was almost out, the coach would say, "Sawyer, go
in."
In the Bill Wall - JVV game, we see another Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

Teichmann." JVV" starts very well. Alas in the second half Black hangs the
queen. Black still has a chance at equality, but all the momentum was with
White. Thus, Black loses.
Wall - JVV, Internet .03), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be2 e6 [6...Nc6!?] 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Bg5 [8.Ne5!] 8...Nbd7
9.h3 Bh5 10.Ne5 Bxe2 11.Qxe2 Qc8 12.Rae1 [12.Ng4] 12...0-0 13.Nxd7
Nxd7 14.Qg4 f5 15.Qe2 e5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Nb5 Qd7 18.Bf4 Rae8
19.Nxa7!? Qa4 20.Be3 f4 21.b3 Qxa2 22.Bd4 Qa5 23.Ra1 Qb4? [Black
hangs the queen when in a better position. 23...Qd5!-+] 24.Ra4 Ng6?
[24...Nc6 25.Qd3 Nxd4=] 25.Qf2 1-0
324 - Live and Let Die
Paul McCartney wrote: "When You Were Young and Your Heart Was an
Open Book." A young chess player might ignore the opening book. He does
not care what he plays. Whatever.
But when a gambit player loves his opening, no matter whether he plays it
perfectly or not, the gambiteer plays to win!! In “Live and Let Die” Paul
McCartney includes the phrase "When You Got a Job to Do, You Gotta Do It
Well."
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann can be dangerous for either side,

as we see in Bill Wall vs Ronald Young. Black plays a reasonable game;
White attacks the center and kingside. Then Black drops his bishop to a
combination on move 22.
Wall - Young, Internet .29), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be2 [6.h3!] 6...e6 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Bb5 Be7 9.Bf4 0-0
10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Qd3 Bxf3 12.Rxf3 Nd5 [12...c5=/+] 13.Be5 f6 14.Bg3 Rb8
15.b3 Nxc3 16.Qxc3 Bb4 17.Qd3 Bd6 18.Bf2 e5 19.Rh3 f5 20.Qc4+ Kh8
21.dxe5 Bxe5 22.Re1 Qd6? [Black could try 22...Qf6 23.Rhe3 Rb5 24.Qe2
Bc3 25.Re6 Qd8 26.Re8 Bxe1 27.Rxd8 Bxf2+ 28.Qxf2 Rxd8=] 23.Bc5 Qd2
24.Rxe5 Qd1+ 25.Qf1 1-0
325 - Doesun Balances Energy
A Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann chess game follows the normal
paths. Both sides castle and complete their development. Black must decide
how to take advantage of the extra pawn.
In Shanghai, there is a company known as Doesun Energy. I imagine that

Doesun Energy deals with how to balance energy.
In the chess game Bill Wall vs "Doesun", Black does not defend with the
proper energy needed to push the f-pawn two squares instead of one.
Ironically Black has too much energy with the knight which leaps into a trap
on the next move and the mighty stead is snared.
Wall - Doesun, Internet .17), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be2 Nc6 7.Bb5 a6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.0-0 e6 10.Bg5 Be7
11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 0-0 13.Rad1 Nd5 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Ne4 f6? [Right
pawn, but not far enough. 15...f5 16.Nc5 e5 17.Rde1 e4=] 16.c4 Nb4? [This
knight cannot escape being trapped on b4. Better was 16...Nb6 17.Nc5+/-]
17.a3 Nc2 18.Qd3 f5 19.Nc5 Nxa3 20.Qxa3 1-0
326 - Jerry Wall Sudden Mate
Bill Wall again faces the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann. This time
Bill's opponent is Jerry Wall.
I did not know if they were related, but later found out that the two are
brothers. Jerry is listed as a graphic designer.
In this game, the players castle opposite sides. Bill sacrifices a knight and
pulls off a sudden checkmate with his lone queen.
Bill Wall - Jerry Wall, Stony Point, NC, 1977 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be2 Nc6 7.0-0 Bxf3 [7...e6] 8.Bxf3 Qd7
[8...Qxd4+] 9.Be3 0-0-0 10.Ne2 [10.Nb5] 10...e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Qe1
Nxf3+ [12...Qb5] 13.Rxf3 Ng4 14.Bxa7 Qa4 15.Bd4 Re8 [15...Rxd4] 16.b3
Qa6 17.c4 Qd6 [17...f6] 18.Rf4 Rxe2 [18...Nxh2] 19.Qxe2 Qxf4 20.Qe8# 1-
0 [Notes by Bill Wall]
327 - Mix Defensive Schemes
When setting up a defense, Black must decide where to develop the bishop
on f8. Should he go classically by moving the e-pawn and playing
somewhere along the f8-a3 diagonal? Or should he go to Bg7 after playing
...g6?
If Black is going to play an early e6, the development location of the other
bishop comes into question. Will the bishop on c8 will come out before or
after the e-pawn push?
In the internet game Bill Wall vs Asce, Black solves the Bc8 problem by
choosing the popular 5...Bg4.
The next move after 8...e6, Black plays 9.g6, mixing systems and creating
additional weaknesses. Once again Bill Wall gets good play with his
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann.
Wall - Asce, Internet .03), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be2 [6.h3] 6...Bxf3 7.Bxf3 c6 8.0-0 e6 9.Kh1 g6 [Playing
both e6 and g6 weakens the Black kingside. 9...Be7 10.Bf4 0-0=/+] 10.Bf4
Nbd7 11.Qd2 Bg7 12.Rae1 0-0 13.g4 Re8 14.Bh6 Qc7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.g5
Nd5 17.Qf2 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Qf4 19.Qg2 f6? [Better is 19...Qd6=] 20.Bxc6!
Qxg5 21.Bxd7 Qxg2+ 22.Kxg2 Re7 23.Bxe6 1-0
328 - 6.Be2 in Teichmann
Bill Wall had his OffTheWall website which was a very helpful chess
resource.
This game was played 45 years ago. It is in the BDG Teichmann where
White plays 6.Be2. I have sometimes played this myself.
Black's choice of 6...Bxf3 (without being provoked by the standard 6.h3)

seems rather co-operative.
Bill Wall gets the best of Robert Means in a tactical situation.
Wall - Means, Wichita Falls, TX, 1971 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be2 Bxf3 [6...Nc6] 7.Bxf3 c6 [7...Nc6] 8.0-0 e6
9.Kh1 [9.Bg5] 9...Nbd7 [9...Be7] 10.Bf4 g6 [10...Be7] 11.Qd2 Bg7 12.Rae1
0-0 13.g4 [13.Bd6 Re8 14.Qf4] 13...Re8 [13...Nb6] 14.Bh6 [14.g5] 14...Qc7
[14...Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Qb6] 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.g5 Nd5 [16...Ng8] 17.Qf2
[17.Ne4] 17...Nxc3 [17...Ne7] 18.bxc3 Qf4 [18...Kg8; 18...Rf8] 19.Qg2 f6
[bad. 19...Qc7; 19...Qd6] 20.Bxc6 Qc7 21.gxf6+ Kf7 [21...Nxf6 22.Bxe8]
22.Bxb7 [22.Ba4] 22...Rab8 23.Bc6 Rb2 [?? 23...Rb6] 24.d5 Qd6 25.dxe6+
Rxe6 26.Rxe6 Kxe6 27.Qh3+ 1-0 [Game Notes by Wall]
329 - Can't Back Up 6.Bc4
You can't back up in chess. Ever start to play a variation, only to find part
way into it that your idea does not work? That is what appears to have
happened in the game Bill Wall - Chris Campelli in a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Teichmann variation (5.Nxf3 Bg4).
White chooses the main line with 6.h3 about 90% of the time. Bill Wall
chooses the interesting 6.Bc4 (seen 5% of the time).
Fortunately here Black is most co-operative, taking on f3 without being

forced. I am guessing that when Black took 6...Bxf3, the capture 7...Qxd4?
was planned in an effort to capture the hanging Bc4.
Then Black might have noticed now that 8.Qxb7 Qxc4 9.Qc8 is mate! Black
cannot back up now. Thus he played 7...e6.
Bill Wall added new comments to his notes below:

"22.Be3 allows me to get out of checks after 22...Qh5+, now 23.Kd2. 7...e6
had to be a dubious move instead of 7...c6, but probably not fatal. Perhaps
10...Ng4 is the losing move with 10...Nd5 being better for Black, but instead
of my 11.Nc6, perhaps 11.Nb5 threatening 12.Nxd6 could be an
improvement (11.Nb5 Qh4+ 12.g3 Bxg3+ Ke2 should be good for White).
Now 13...Bxh2? is the losing move instead of 13...Nb6 first, then ...Nxh2."
Wall - Campelli, Dayton, OH, 1984 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 e6 [7...c6] 8.Qxb7 Nbd7 9.Nb5
Bd6 10.Nxa7 Ng4 11.Nc6 Qh4+ 12.g3 Bxg3+ 13.Ke2 Bxh2 [13...Nb6]
14.Qxa8+ Nb8 15.Qxb8+ Kd7 16.Ne5+ Nxe5 17.Bb5+ c6 18.Qb7+ Kd8
19.Qb6+ Ke7 20.Qc7+ Nd7 21.Qxc6 Rd8 22.Be3 1-0 [Game Notes by
Wall]
330 - Material vs Position
The defender in a gambit has the choice between keeping the extra material
and improving the position. On the one hand, extra material can lead to a
winning endgame.
Holding on to material allows the gambiteer an initiative that may force the
defender to make serious concessions that may lead to a loss. There are times
when returning the material for more piece activity or better pawn structure is
preferred.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann, the bishop is not stuck to c4. As

seen in the game Bill Wall vs Ghen, White answers 6...Nc6 with the pin
7.Bb5.
Eventually Black is saddled with two sets of doubled pawns. He tried to keep
the extra pawn with 14...fxg6!? That turned out to be in White's favor in the
endgame.
Wall - Ghen, Internet .23), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 Nc6 7.Bb5 e6 8.0-0 Bd6 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Bxc6 bxc6
11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nh4 Qd7 14.Nxg6 fxg6 [Black would do better to
give back the pawn and keep his structure intact. 14...hxg6 15.Bxf6 gxf6
16.Ne4 Be7 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Rxf6 Rad8=/+] 15.Qe2 Nd5 16.Ne4 Be7
17.Rae1 Bxg5 18.Nxg5 Rxf1+ 19.Rxf1 Re8 20.Rf7 Re7 [20...Qd6=]
21.Rxe7 Qxe7 22.Qxe6+ Qxe6 23.Nxe6 [White has regained his pawn with a
better endgame.] 23...Nb4 24.c3 Nxa2 25.Nxc7 Kf7 26.d5 [White is winning
after 26.Na6! Nc1 27.Nc5+/-] 26...cxd5 27.Nxd5 Nc1 28.b4 g5 29.Kf2 Nd3+
[29...Ke6 30.c4+/=] 30.Ke3 Ne5 31.Ke4 Nc4 32.Nc7 Nd6+ 33.Kd5 Ke7
34.c4 g6 35.c5 Nc8 36.Kc6 h5 37.Kb7 Kd7 38.c6+ Kd8 39.Ne6+ Ke7
40.Kxc8 Kxe6 41.c7 1-0
331 - All Bark and No Bite
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann game Bill Wall vs BarkingDog,
Black accepts the gambit. Then Black fails to do anything with the material
advantage.
On move 20 he is barking up the wrong tree. Eventually White mounted an

attack that wins a rook.
Wall - BarkingDog, Internet .18), 2002 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 e6 7.h3 Bh5 8.0-0 Be7 9.Bf4 0-0 10.Nb5!? Na6
11.Qd2 c6 12.Nc3 Nc7 13.Rae1 Nfd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Bd3 Bf6 16.c3 Ne6
17.Bg3 [17.Be5!? Bxf3 18.Rxf3 with compensation.] 17...Bxf3 18.Rxf3 Re8
19.Qc2 g6 20.Qf2 [20.Ref1!? Bxd4+ 21.cxd4 Nxd4+/= leads to an
unbalanced game.] 20...Kg7? [20...Ng7 21.Rxe8+ Nxe8=] 21.Rxf6 Nxd4?
22.Be5 [22.Rxf7+! Kg8 23.Rxb7+-] 22...Rxe5 23.Rxf7+ Kg8 24.Rxe5 1-0
332 - Attacking Kingside
Bill Wall likes to play 6.Bc4 as White in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Teichmann variation. He appears to have good results with it, although it
seems a little more risky than the standard 6.h3 lines.
Here Black misses a chance to pressure White (11...b5!) and falls for a
tactical combination (11...Qa5?). After that White is free to assault the
kingside.
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bg5 c6 8.0-0 Be7 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 0-0
11.Qd2 Qa5? [11...b5! 12.Bd3 Qxd4+ would leave Black up two pawns
while only slightly behind in development.] 12.Nd5 Qd8 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7
14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qh6 Qd6 16.Rf4 f5 17.Rh4 1-0
333 - Katwoman Recapture
Chess players are taught to recapture with pawns toward the center unless
there is a good reason not to. The Bill Wall vs Katwoman game is a
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann where there is pressure on e6.
I like Black’s handle. It reminds me of Catwoman in the 1960s Batman TV

shows. The roll was played by Julie Newmar in the early seasons and by
Eartha Kitt in the later seasons.
After White captures 15.Bxg6, Black responds 15...fxg6 which opens his
bishop but drops a pawn. Then White is better.
Wall - Katwoman, Internet .18), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bf4 a6 9.h3 Bh5 10.Qd2 0-0
11.Rae1 Nc6 12.Ne2 Ne4 13.Qe3 Nd6 14.Bd3 Bg6 15.Bxg6 fxg6?
[Normally players capture towards the center. 15...hxg6] 16.Qxe6+ Kh8
17.Ne5 Rf6 18.Qb3 Qe8 19.Ng4 Rf5 20.Ng3 Rxf4?! [Black sacrifices the
Exchange. 20...Rb5 21.Qd3+/-] 21.Rxf4 g5 22.Rf2 Nxd4 23.Qd3 1-0
334 - Zickelbein vs Nicoara
This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game is from a Female French Team event. I
play a lot of Alekhine Defence games as Black.
At least half the time when my ICC blitz opponents are rated below 2000, the
game begins 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5. Usually they continue as White with 3.e5 or
3.exd5.
Our BDG gambit is reached with the approach of 3.d4!? This gives Black the
choice between the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit with 3...dxe4 4.f3; the Huebsch
Gambit with 3...Nxe4 4.Nxe4; or the French Defence with 3...e6.
The girls chose a BDG Accepted Teichmann Variation after 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3
Bg4. The time tested best line for White is 6.h3. This is completely sound and
theoretically even.
The lady playing White in this match is Eva Maria Zickelbein of Germany.
Zickelbein won a nice BDG Bogoljubow 5...g6 6.Bc4 vs Gara which I
covered earlier.
Her choice of 6.Bc4 as a 1.e4 player vs the BDG Teichmann is logical and
may work. Theory after 5...Bg4 6.Bc4 favors Black.
The woman playing the dark pieces is Malina Nicoara of France. Black is
higher rated and wins the Exchange by move 14.
Zickelbein (2065) - Nicoara (2108), TCh-FRA w Top 12 2014 Mulhouse

FRA (3.1), 10.05.2014 begins 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3
Bg4 6.Bc4 [6.h3!] 6...e6 7.0-0 c6 8.Qe2 Be7 [Black may not have felt
comfortable winning a second pawn here, but after 8...Bxf3 9.Rxf3 Qxd4+
10.Be3 Qe5-/+ White probably only has compensation for one pawn.] 9.Be3
0-0 10.Qf2 Nd5 11.Ne5 [11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Bd3 Nc6 13.c3 and White's army
has a shot at the Black king.] 11...Bh5 12.g4!? [12.Rae1] 12...Bg6 13.Rae1?
[Dropping the Exchange. Better is 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Bd3]
13...Bh4! 14.Qe2 Bxe1 15.Rxe1 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 Nd7 17.Nxg6 hxg6 18.Ne4
Nb6 19.Bd3 Qh4 20.c4 [Or 20.Nf2 Nd5-+] 20...Rad8 21.g5 e5 22.Rf1 Rxd4
0-1
335 - Sacrifice for Mate!
I am always skeptical of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann when White
does not play the immediate 6.h3 in response to 5.Nxf3 Bg4. This game sees
a reasonable alternative in 6.Bc4.
Bill Wall gets a good game against Ken McCarty. The Black king is stuck on
the e-file.
Wall sacrifices his queen which leads to a sudden checkmate!
Wall - McCarty, Marysville, CA, 1973 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 e6 7.Be3 Nc6 [7...Bb4 or 7...Nd5] 8.d5 exd5
9.Nxd5 Bxf3 [9...Ne5] 10.Qxf3 Ne5 [10...Bb4+] 11.Nxf6+ gxf6 [11...Qxf6]
12.Qxb7 Nxc4 [12...Qc8] 13.Qc6+ Ke7 14.Qxc4 Qd7 15.0-0 Rg8 16.Rad1
Qe6 17.Rfe1 Qxc4 [17...f5 18.Bc5+; 17...Ke8 18.Bh6] 18.Bc5# 1-0 [Game
Notes by Wall]
336 - Run over by c-pawn
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann, Bill Wall is allowed to quickly
regain his gambit pawn. That is usually not a good sign for Black.
By move 20, the structural imbalance in the position has the White pawns on
c4, d4, g2 and h3 vs the Black pawns on e6, f7, g7 and h7.
This means White's c-pawn is passed. Black is unable to deal with it. He
loses material as the pawn gradually advances.
Wall - MBZG, FICS .01), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 e6 7.Be3 [7.0-0 c6] 7...Bb4 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3 Bxf3
10.Qxf3 Nbd7 11.Qxb7 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nb6 13.Bd3 Nbd5 14.Bd2 c6
[14...Qd6!? 15.Qb5+/=] 15.c4 Qc7 16.Qxc7 Nxc7 17.Bf4 Na6 18.Rab1 c5
19.c3 cxd4 20.cxd4 Rfd8 21.Be5 Nd7 22.Bd6 Nf6 23.c5 Nb8 24.Rxf6 gxf6
25.Be4 Nd7 26.Bxa8 Rxa8 27.Rb7 Nf8 28.c6 Rd8?+- [The passed c-pawn is
too strong. 28...Rc8 29.c7+-] 29.Bxf8 Kxf8 30.c7 1-0
5.1 – 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3
The main line in this section continues with 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5
without 8…Nbd7 or 8…e6. Alternatives along the way that are not covered
elsewhere are given here.
337 - Penullar Wins Bxh6

Peter Mcgerald Penullar is back with another exciting Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit win. This time Peter employs one of the BDG thematic tactical
combinations: the Bxh6 sacrifice.
For this to work, Black has to castle kingside and play ...h6 (sometimes
attacking a Bg5). If many White pieces are lined up in the direction of the
Black king, a bishop is a small price to pay to rip open the monarch's
protection.
The opening variation is a BDG Teichmann Variation where Black does not
exchange on ...Bxf3. Black turns it into a kind of BDG Euwe with an extra
move. Penullar plays well and shows a typical example of the BDG beating a
player rated 1831.
Penullar - fb_mehmet1992, GL&HF! TCP vs PF CC - Board 24

Chess.com, 29.01.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 [2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3
transposes to the game] 2...d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit]
4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 [Teichmann Variation] 6.h3 Bd7 [This retreat makes
little sense, but it is playable. Black is after all up a pawn and even in
development.] 7.Bd3 e6 [We have transposed into a BDG Euwe Variation
5...e6 6.Bd3 Bd7 with White having the extra move h2-h3.] 8.0-0 Bd6 9.Qe1
0-0 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Qh4 [White's pieces are aimed at the Black king with an
immediate threat of Bxf6 followed by Qxh7 mate. This provokes...] 11...h6
12.Bxh6! gxh6 13.Qxh6 Bc6 [Four other times when this position has been
reached in my database Black played 13...Re8 and White has many ways to
mate in four moves after 14.Ng5+-] 14.Ng5 Qxd4+ 15.Kh1 Nbd7 16.Rad1
Qb4 17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Rxd7 [Junior 12 gives the fastest checkmate as
18.Be4+! Kg8 19.Rf4 Bxe4 20.Ncxe4 Qxe4 21.Rxe4 Ne5 22.Rh4 Ng6
23.Nxe6 Nh5 24.Rxh5 Nh4 25.Qg7# mate] 18...Ng4 [If 18...Bxg2+ 19.Kxg2
Ng4 20.Qh5 Black will run out of ways to drag the game out.] 19.hxg4 Bxg5
20.Qxg5 Bxd7 21.Rf6 [21.Qh6! leads to the fastest mate.] 21...Qe7 22.Be4
Qxf6 23.Qxf6+ Kg8 24.Qg5+ Mate in two. 1-0
338 - Ken Wieder Retreat
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann 5.Nxf3 Bg4, Black can chooses
the unusual retreat 6.h3 Bf5. This becomes in effect a Gunderam 5.Nxf3 Bf5
with an extra h2-h3 move for White.
All this is moot after 7.Ne5 e6 8.g4 if Black plays the solid 8...Bg6. Then
9.Bg2 c6 10.h4 reaches an important position that can come from either a
Teichmann or a Gunderam (in one less move). Here White has full
compensation for the pawn.
Ken Wieder in the Finals of the USCF 1989 Golden Squires Postal Chess
Tournament decided to play much sharper with 8...Ne4!? In this BDG
Teichmann, fireworks ensued. The line in the notes with 9.gxf5 demonstrates
a key difference between the 8...Ne4 Teichmann and the 7...Ne4 Gunderam.
The White h-pawn being on h3 instead of h2 allows two queen checks that
prepare two knight forks, leading to a very difficult endgame. I chose another
complicated line and won quickly when Black missed a tactic.
Sawyer (2004) - Wieder (1862), corr USCF 89SF10, 17.08.1992 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bf5 7.Ne5 e6 8.g4 Ne4
9.Bb5+ [The other choice is also playable but very unbalanced: 9.gxf5 Qh4+
10.Ke2 Ng3+ 11.Kf2 Nxh1+ 12.Kg2 f6 13.Nf3 Qxh3+! 14.Kxh3 Nf2+
15.Kg2 Nxd1 16.Nxd1 exf5 17.Ne3 Nc6 18.Nxf5=] 9...c6 10.0-0 cxb5 [The
correct way to equalize for Black is 10...Nxc3! 11.bxc3 Bg6 12.Bd3 Nd7
13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Qf3 Qf6=] 11.gxf5 Nxc3 [11...Nf6 12.Bg5+/-] 12.bxc3 f6?
[12...Nc6 13.fxe6 Nxe5 14.Qh5!+/-] 13.Qh5+ g6 14.fxg6 1-0
339 - Kakhan in Retreat
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann game of Bill Wall vs Kakhan,
White plays the rather rare 7.Bf4. This move attacks c7 but leaves d4 less
protected.
It would appear that White planned for tactics on the dark square diagonal
h2-b8. However, in the end it was the neighboring light square diagonal h1-
a8 that did in Black.
Wall - Kakhan, Internet .29), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 [6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6] 7.Bf4 [The main line here is
7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5] 7...a6 [More common is 7...Bxf3 8.Qxf3 c6 9.0-0-0 e6]
8.Bc4 e6 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Ne2 [Another interesting line would be 10.d5 Bc5+
11.Kh1 exd5 12.Re1+ Ne7 13.Nxd5 Nfxd5 14.Bxd5 c6] 10...Be7 11.c3 0-0
12.Ng3 Bxf3 [12...Bg6] 13.Qxf3 Nd5 [13...Nxd4 14.Qxb7 Bc5 15.cxd4
Qxd4+ 16.Kh2 Qxc4=/+] 14.Bd2 [14.Bxd5 Qxd5] 14...b5 15.Bd3 e5?
[15...f5 16.Rae1=] 16.Be4 Nf4 [Or 16...exd4 17.Bxd5 Ne5 18.Qe4+-]
17.Bxc6 1-0
340 - New Year’s Day BDG
My first 2016 game transposed from a Caro-Kann Defence to Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit. I took a holiday break for a three minute chess game. All
began innocently with 1.e4, one of my favorite first moves. I play 1.d4 and
1.Nc3 a lot too, but I digress.
Would we play a Ruy Lopez or Sicilian? No, my opponent played 1...c6. This
Caro-Kann proceeded 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4. Normally I play 4.Nxe4 which I
know well as a long time Caro-Kann player.
I was in a festive mood. I played 4.f3!? Because Black delayed ...Nf6, it did
not immediately transpose to a BDG Teichmann. But it was close enough.
White had pressure on the f-file.
We reached a bishop and pawn ending. My winning strategy was to create

passed pawns on both wings. Black's bishop and king could defend either
side together, but they could not defend both. Black gave up his bishop on the
kingside at move 50 and was mated on the queenside a few moves later.
Sawyer (2034) - guest1296, ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club, 01.01.2016

begins 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Be3 Nf6 7.h3
Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ne5 Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bg2 [11.g5!?] 11...e6 12.0-0
[12.Qf3 Bb4=/+] 12...Nd5 13.Qf3 [13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Qf3=] 13...Qf6
14.Nxd5 Qxf3? [14...cxd5 15.Qe2 Qe7 16.Rae1+/=] 15.Nc7+ Kd8 16.Nxe6+
[16.Rxf3+/-] 16...fxe6 17.Rxf3 Bd6 [17...Be7 18.Re1+/-] 18.Raf1 Nf6 19.c3
Ke7 [19...Re8 20.Bg5 Be7 21.Bd2+/-] 20.g5 Nd5 21.Rf7+ Ke8 22.Bxd5
cxd5 23.Kg2 Rf8 24.Rxf8+ [24.Rxg7 Rxf1 25.Kxf1+-] 24...Bxf8 25.Bf4 Be7
26.h4 Kd7 27.Be5 Rg8 28.Rf7 Ke8 29.Rxg7 Rxg7 30.Bxg7 Kf7 31.Be5 a6
32.Kf3 Bf8 33.a4 Be7 34.Kg4 Bf8 35.b3 Be7 36.c4 Bf8 [36...Bb4 37.h5+-]
37.c5 Be7 38.b4 Bf8 39.b5 axb5 40.axb5 Be7 41.h5 [41.c6 bxc6 42.b6+-]
41...gxh5+ 42.Kxh5 Bf8 43.c6 bxc6 44.bxc6 [44.b6+-] 44...Ke7 45.c7 Kd7
46.Kg6 Be7 47.Kh6 Bf8+ 48.Kh7 Be7 49.g6 Bf8 50.g7 Bxg7 51.Kxg7 Kc6
52.Kf7 Kb7 53.Kxe6 Kc8 54.Kxd5 Kb7 55.Kd6 Kc8 56.Bf6 Kb7 57.Kd7
Ka7 58.c8Q Kb6 59.Qc7+ Kb5 60.d5 Kb4 61.Qc3+ Kb5 62.Bd4 Ka6
63.Qb3 Ka5 64.Ke8 Ka6 65.Qb6# Black checkmated 1-0
341 - Nagaru in Retreat
Bill Wall tries 7.Bc4 in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann after the
retreat continuation of 6.h3 Bh5. In his game vs Nagaru, Bill obtains a
reasonable game.
Like my own Internet blitz games, White sometimes misses the strongest
moves and gets into a little trouble. However, Bill Wall was able to work out
of the trouble and into a win.
Wall - Nagaru, Internet .12), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.Bc4 [The main line is 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5] 7...h6
8.0-0 e6 9.Bf4 Bb4 10.Nb5 Na6 11.a3 Ba5 12.c3 Bb6 13.Qe2 Qd7? [13...0-
0 14.Bd3+/=] 14.Rae1 [14.g4! Bg6 15.Ne5+- or 15.Nd6+ cxd6 16.Bb5+-]
14...0-0-0 15.Qe5 [15.g4+/=] 15...Bxf3 16.gxf3 Nb8 17.a4 Nc6 18.Qe3 a6
19.Na3 g5 [Black is winning after 19...Nxd4!-+] 20.Bg3?-+ Nh5 21.Bf2
Rhe8 22.b4 f5? [Last chance was 22...e5!-+] 23.Bxe6 Rxe6 24.Qxe6 Qxe6
25.Rxe6 Nf4 26.Rxh6 Ne2+ 27.Kg2 Nxc3 28.Nc2 Nxa4 29.Rg6 Nc3
30.Rxg5 Nd5 31.b5 axb5 32.Rxf5 Rg8+ 33.Kh2 b4? 34.Rxd5 1-0
342 - No Can Defend!
In the 1984 Karate Kid movie, Mr. Miyagi is teaching a skill to young Daniel
when he says, "If do right, no can defend." That’s a classic line that teaches a
positive truth!
Peter Mcgerald Penullar demonstrates that truth in today's Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit game. His opponent plays the tempting knight sacrifice 7...Nxg4. It
works in some openings, but here it is extremely risky. The White army
springs into action.
This is one of those rare games where White got it right. No mistakes. Peter
even finds an improvement with his 9.Bh3! move. This move in the BDG
Teichmann has been played a few times before. Now I see that it is really
good! Penullar plays a beautiful game.
Added comment by Peter Mcgerald Penullar: "I find the pin on my knight
irritating; that's why I decided to play Bh3 to force an immediate exchange:)"
Penullar - mircea_1956, Team 54 Open Challenge - Board 3 Chess.com,

05.01.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 [Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit] 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 [Teichmann Variation] 6.h3! Bh5 7.g4 [If you
push this pawn right here against 40 players, one of them will play...]
7...Nxg4? 8.hxg4 Bxg4 9.Bh3! [Hardly anyone plays 9.Bh3!, but Junior 12
loves it! The normal continuation is 9.Bb5+ c6 (Taking away Nc6) 10.Bc4 e6
11.Qd3+/- Bxf3?! 12.Qxf3 Qxd4 13.Rf1 Qxc4? (Allows mate in 6) 14.Qxf7+
Kd8 15.Bg5+ Be7 16.Qxe7+ Kc8 17.Rf8+ Rxf8 18.Qxf8+ Kc7 19.Qd8#]
9...Bxh3 10.Rxh3 h6 11.Be3 e6 12.Qd2 Bb4 13.0-0-0 [White has developed
1 bishop, 2 knights, 2 rooks and 1 queen. Black has developed 1 bishop. "If
do right, no can defend."] 13...Nc6 14.Qg2 g5 15.Bxg5 f6?! 16.Bxh6 Kd7
17.d5 exd5 18.Qg4+ Kd6 19.Rxd5+ 1-0
343 - Powerful New Move
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit has many variations that can quickly lead to
wide open tactics at a moment's notice. Here in the BDG Teichmann, Black's
8th move allows me to illustrate a move that I found while writing my BDG
Theory & Practice book.
Chess engine analysis reveals that White has 9.Rh2! which a new and
powerful response that leads to a big advantage. I missed it in this blitz game,
but I can still pass it on to you.
Sawyer (2074) - dcmarty (1714), ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club, 15.03.2015

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4
Bg6 8.Ne5 Be4 [8...e6=] 9.Nxe4 [9.Rh2!+-] 9...Nxe4 10.Qf3 [10.Bg2+/-]
10...Nf6 [10...Nd6 11.Bg2+/-] 11.g5 [White should grab the b-pawn
immediately. 11.Qxb7!+-] 11...Qxd4 12.Nxf7 [I saw 12.Qxb7 Qxe5+ 13.Be2
Qd5 but missed that White now has 14.Bf3!+-] 12...Kxf7 13.gxf6 gxf6
14.Be3 [14.Qh5+!+-] 14...Qxb2 15.Rd1 [15.Qh5+!+-] 15...Nc6 [15...Qb4+
16.c3 Qxc3+ 17.Kf2+/-] 16.Bc4+ Ke8 17.Qh5# Black checkmated 1-0
344 - Penullar Wins BDG
Peter Mcgerald Penullar recently won another game playing the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit. The game ends quickly when his opponent misses a mate
threat.
The defense chosen in the BDG Teichmann Variation after 8...Ne4 gave
White better than normal attacking chances. In my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Keybook II from 1999, I recommended 9.Nxg6 which Peter played.
Now it is clear 9.Qf3! is even stronger. Here I give some analysis in what
seems to be a pretty much forced line.
Penullar - ivanm, FIN Chess.com, 20.03.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4
dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Ne4 9.Nxg6 [The
strongest line is 9.Qf3! Nxc3 10.bxc3 Nd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bc4 e6 13.0-0
Qf6 14.Qxb7 Rb8 15.Qxc7+- and White has an extra pawn in a sharp
position.] 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 hxg6 11.Qf3 [White can also try 11.Bg2 c6
12.Qf3+/=] 11...Nc6 [11...c6 12.Bg2 e6 13.Rb1+/=] 12.Bc4 [Better is
12.Rb1!+/-] 12...e6 13.0-0 Bd6? [Black misses a threat. Probably he can hold
the position with 13...Qf6 14.Qe3 Qe7=] 14.Qxf7# 1-0
345 - USCF Postal Master
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann was the variation that made me a
USCF Postal Master for the first time. In this Retreat Variation, White
usually occupies the center in much the same fashion as in the Gunderam
Variation (5...Bf5 6.Ne5). The point is to be able to capture the bishop on g6
doubling Black's pawns, as well as to free f3 for the White queen or to play
Bg2 hitting b7.
Theory favors White in most lines after 8.Ne5:

"+=" [Euwe].
"with excellent prospects for White." [Horowitz]
"White has considerable space and piece-activity for his pawn.'' [Maddox]
My opponent was John Blood, Sr. Usually he was rated over 2000, but I
caught him here at a slightly lower point. We find his choice of 8...Ne4 is
risky compared to the normal 8...e6.
The most curious move was the recapture on g6 with 10...fxg6?! Fortunately
for me, this game is a good example of catching a Black king in the center
with an unmoved isolated pawn on e7!
Sawyer (2200) - Blood (1966), corr USCF 89N214, 16.04.1990 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5
Ne4? 9.Nxg6 [This can transpose to lines with 9.Qf3 but even stronger is
9.Bg2! Nxc3 10.bxc3 c6 11.Rb1+-] 9...Nxc3 10.Qf3 fxg6? [Black was trying
to avoid 10...hxg6 11.bxc3+/-] 11.bxc3 c6 12.Bc4 Qb6 13.0-0 Nd7 14.Bf7+
[14.Bf4+- also gives White a very strong attack, however there is a great
practical advantage is keeping Black from castling.] 14...Kd8 15.Be6 Qa5
16.Rb1 Qa6 17.g5 b5 18.Bf4 Qb6 [18...Qb7 19.c4+-] 19.Bg3 Rc8 20.Rf2 c5
21.d5 [21.Bxd7+-] 21...c4 22.Kg2 Rc5 23.Rbf1 Nf6 24.gxf6 [24.Be5! wins
more material since 24...Nd7 25.Qxf8+! mates in two.] 24...exf6 25.d6 Rc6
[25...Qc6 26.Re1 Qxf3+ 27.Kxf3 h5 28.Rd2+-] 26.Rd1 h6 27.Be5! Rxd6
28.Qa8+ Ke7 29.Bxd6+ [This BDG win put my USCF correspondence
rating to 2200 (master level) for the first time.] 1-0
5.2 – 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7
The main line in this section continues with 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7.
The delay of 8…e6 leads to some subtleties.
346 - Quentin Mason Wins

Quentin Mason sent me the following: "Here is a game I played today with
the Teichmann variation. I won the game but my play was sloppy. I forgot to
mention that I still use your keybook on the BDG that came out years ago. I
never got the second one, but I am still having fun going over games in the
first. I took {an 11 year?} break from chess and am now back playing
whenever I can, so the games in the keybook are like brand new again :)
Knaaky is my FICS handle. Hope you enjoyed the game."
The line Quentin Mason plays is similar to 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 10.g5. White's
soundest continuation after 8...Nbd7 is 9.Qe2, even though most of the time
White plays 9.Qf3.
Knaaky - JustPrince, FICS 2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7 9.Qf3 [9.Qe2] 9...c6
10.Bg2 [Normal is 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.g5 Nh5 12.Bc4 e6 13.Rf1 or 13.0-0]
10...e6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.0-0 g5 13.Ne4 Qb6 14.c3 0-0-0 [14...c5 15.Be3]
15.Nxg5 Rh4 16.Nxf7 Re8 17.Qg3 Rh7 18.a4 a5 19.g5 Nd5 20.g6 [White
can catch the rook with 20.Be4!+-] 20...Rh5 21.Qg4 [21.Bg5!+-] 21...N7f6
22.Qg3 e5 23.Kh1 exd4 24.Nd6+? [White over does it. He could keep the
advantage with 24.Bf3+/-] 24...Bxd6 25.Qxd6 dxc3 26.bxc3 Ne3 [26...Qb3!?
-/+] 27.Bxe3 Qxe3 28.Rae1 Qxe1 29.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 30.Kh2 Rhe5!? 31.Qf8+
Kc7? [Black misses 31...Ne8!=] 32.Qxg7+ Nd7 33.Qh6 Re6 34.Qf4+ Kb6
35.g7 Nf6 36.Qd4+ Ka6 37.Qd8 [When I first saw this game I thought, turns
out correctly, that White should play 37.Bf1+! Rxf1 38.Qc4+ and one of the
rooks will disappear.] 37...R1e2 38.g8Q Nxg8 39.Qxg8 R6e3 40.Qa8+ Kb6
41.Qd8+ Kc5? 42.Qd4# 1-0
347 - Iturbide Arnedo Wins
For years Tom Purser analyzed recent Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games.
Some were found in TWIC (The Week in Chess) by Mark Crowther. Other
games were sent to him. Tom Purser is unable to continue. So, it is time for
me to step up. Let's get to work!
In this BDG an expert beats a master in a Swiss tournament from Spain. In

the BDG Teichmann 5.Nxf3 Bg4, the best 6th move is 6.h3 forcing a
decision. Here the bishop retreats.
After 6...Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5, Black usually chooses 8...e6 (60%); 8...Nbd7
(30%); or 8...c6 etc. (10%). This game follows the important line 8...Nbd7
9.Qe2!?
Iturbide Arnedo (2117) - Hernandez Estevez (2284), V Stadium

Casablanca Open Zaragoza ESP (8), 30.12.2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 [BDG] 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 [Teichmann Variation] 6.h3 Bh5
7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7 [Black chooses to immediately challenge the knight on
e5 before pushing another pawn. After 8...c6 White gets to choose between
9.Bg2, 9.h4, 9.g5 or 9.Qf3. The main line is 8...e6 with 9.Qf3 or 9.Bg2]
9.Qe2! [The queen gets off the d-file to avoid an early queen exchange. It
contains a bit of poison. Christoph Scheerer calls 9.Qe2!? "more interesting".
By far the most common line is the playable 9.Qf3 c6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.g5
Nh5 12.Bc4 e6 13.Rf1 or 13.0-0] 9...Nb6 10.Bg2 c6 11.Qf2 e6 12.0-0 Bd6?
13.Nxg6! [White removes the protection for f7.] 13...fxg6 14.g5 0-0 15.gxf6
Rxf6 [By taking on move 13 with the f-pawn, Black has activated his rook.]
16.Qe2 Rxf1+ 17.Bxf1 Bc7 [Black could try to sacrifice the pawn on his own
terms with 17...e5 but after 18.dxe5 Bc5+ 19.Kh1 Qd4 20.Qg4 Qxe5
21.Bf4+- White has all the important squares covered. The extra bishop
should win in the end.] 18.Be3 [White could accept the sacrifice with
18.Qxe6+ Kh8 19.Be3 Qf8 when Black has the threat of ...Re8, possibly
followed by ...Qd6. But Junior 12 likes White after 20.h4!+-] 18...Nc4? [A
desperation sacrifice hoping for a cheapo. 18...Nd5 19.Nxd5 exd5 Black
could try to get into an endgame where his kingside pawns might compensate
for a bishop. That does not look promising. 20.Re1+-] 19.Qxc4 Qd6 20.Qe2
Qg3+ 21.Kh1 [Only 21.Qg2? gives Black any hope. 21...Qxe3+ 22.Qf2+/=]
21...Rf8 22.Ne4! [Forcing a queen swap.] 1-0
348 - Butrint Chess in BDG
I have written before that the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann Retreat
8.Ne5 Nbd7 variation is best met by 9.Qe2. Here is another example.
My opponent "butrint-chess" accidentally gave away a knight on move 12.

This made my job quite easy for a change. I provide a suggestion for Black
on move 12 that would have led to an interesting ending.
Sawyer - butrint-chess, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 15.12.2012 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6
8.Ne5 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Nd5 11.Bg2 c6 12.h4 Nf4? [12...Nxc3
13.bxc3 Qa5 14.Rb1 0-0-0 15.h5 Qxc3+ 16.Bd2 Qxc2 17.Rc1 and White
wins a bishop for a bunch of pawns.] 13.Bxf4 h5 14.g5 Qb6 15.0-0-0 e6
16.Be4 Bb4 17.Qd3 Bxe4 18.Nxe4 Rd8 19.Qxd8+ [Or 19.Nd6+ Bxd6
20.exd6+-] 19...Qxd8 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Nd6 Bxd6 22.exd6 Kd7 [22...f6
23.gxf6 gxf6 24.Rg1+-] 23.Be5 f6 24.gxf6 gxf6 25.Bxf6 Kxd6? 26.Bxh8
Black resigns 1-0
349 - Attack Bombilla g6
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is often met by the Teichmann Variation
5.Nxf3 Bg4. Sixty years of experience and analysis has shown that White's
best move is 6.h3! This forces Black's bishop to exchange (6...Bxf3) or
retreat (6...Bh5 as here).
White's standard follow-up to the retreat is 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5. From this central
outpost the knight attacks g6, f7, d7 and c6. After this White will usually
follow-up with Bg2/h4 or Qf3/Bd3. Both may be playable, but the details
depend on what Black is doing starting with move 8.
In my BDG Teichmann blitz game vs "BomBilla" (rated 1849). He played

8.Ne5 Nbd7 against which 9.Qe2 seems best. It avoids the queen swap threat
of 9...Nxe5 10.dxe5 Qxd1+. From e2 the White queen eyes key squares e5,
e4, g4 and c2.
Below I continued with a standard set-up 10.Bg2 and 11.h4 which puts a
pressure on the Black's Bg6. He responds naturally by moving his h-pawn
allowing me to double his g-pawns.
Black is stuck with an isolated e-pawn. The holes at e6 and g6 become

targets. The push g4-g5 leaves Black's pawn structure in hot water. As he
drinks in my attack on g6, the threat of mate proves to be the last bombilla
straw.
Sawyer - BomBilla, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 04.02.2013 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7
9.Qe2 e6 10.Bg2 c6 11.h4 h5? [11...Bb4 12.h5+/=] 12.Nxg6 fxg6 13.Qxe6+
[13.g5+-] 13...Be7? [13...Qe7 14.Qxe7+ Bxe7 15.g5+/-] 14.g5 Ng4 15.Be4!?
Black resigns 1-0
350 - Interesting 9.Qe2!?
I like the 2011 book by Christoph Scheerer on "The Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit". On page 234 and following, Scheerer covers the BDG Teichmann.
After 8.Ne5 Nbd7 line, he notes that 9.Qf3 is "The usual move but not the
only one".
One option he cites has been the subject of some of my personal analysis.
Scheerer writes on page 238:
"9.Qe2!? is more interesting. White removes his queen from the d-file and
supports his knight, while keeping the c-pawn protected. This allows for
possible attacks on the light squared bishop by pushing the h-pawn forward."
This method was demonstrated well in a three minute Internet Chess Club
blitz game played May 12, 2012. Playing at two seconds per move, I missed
many of the "best" continuations. Fortunately I found a nice mating idea with
22.Qxc6!
Sawyer - clang, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 12.05.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7
9.Qe2 e6 10.h4 [According to plan.] 10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd5 12.h5 Nxc3
13.bxc3 Bxh5 [Black gives up the lost bishop in an effort to open the
position. He can try to get three pawns for the bishop with 13...Bxc2 14.Qxc2
Qd5+/- but White has 15.Rh3 or first 15.Qa4+ +/-] 14.gxh5!? [14.Qb5+! c6
15.Qxb7 Rc8 16.Rxh5+-] 14...Be7 15.Be3 c6 16.Bg2 Qa5 17.Bd2 0-0-0
18.0-0 f6 19.exf6 Bxf6 20.Qxe6+ Kb8 21.Bf4+ Ka8 22.Qxc6! [After several
second rate attacking moves, I finally find a brilliant resource.] 22...Qb6+
23.Qxb6 axb6 24.Rf3 g6 25.hxg6 hxg6 26.a4 Rc8 27.a5 Bxc3 28.Rxc3
[Black resigns. Even better would have been 28.axb6+! mates next move.] 1-
0
5.3 -.7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6
This section covers the main Teichmann Retreat Variations without 9.Qf3.
The popular options are 9.Nxg6 and 9.Bg2.
351 - BDG Darkside Teichmann

This is an addendum to my three part series. This time Bill Wall plays the
dark side of a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann.
After 6.h3, Black is faced with the question regarding the bishop, whether to
exchange (6...Bxf3) or to retreat (6...Bh5). Personally I have played both
moves as Black many times.
I noticed the other day that my performance with 6...Bh5 is a little higher at
the moment. Here White chooses 9.Nxg6 but play follows normal lines.
Black took some reasonable risks. White could have had a small advantage.
Wall won when White fell for a mating combination.
Guest7740 - Wall, Internet .26), 2006 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Bg2 c6
11.Bg5 Nbd7 12.Qd2 Qb6 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.Be3 Qa5 15.Qf2 Bb4 16.g5
Nd5 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.a3 Bd6 [18...Bxa3! 19.bxa3 Qxa3+ 20.Kb1 Qb4+
21.Ka2 with a perpetual check draw.] 19.Qxf7 Nb6?! 20.Qxg6 [20.Bd2! Qb5
21.Bf1+/=] 20...Bxa3 21.Bd2? [One blunder and it's over! 21.Rd3=]
21...Bxb2+ 22.Kxb2 Nc4+ 23.Kb1 Qb5+ 0-1
352 - When NOT to Resign
In the Maine State High School Championship for the year 1971-72, I
finished 3-1-1. One of my wins was against Ray Haines. My lone draw was a
pawn ending where I had a queen. He had just a b-pawn on the 7th rank. I
could not figure out how to stop him from queening. Eventually I gave up. I
thought the position could not be won; I let him queen and we swapped
queens to draw. A few months later I was lying in bed one morning before
school when all of a sudden the winning method came to me.
Ever make a really bad move only to have your opponent resign? Yes, my
games sometimes conclude in the most interesting ways. I have resigned in
drawn positions and taken draws in winning positions. These blunders
happen when players do not think the game can be saved or can be won. It is
always a little embarrassing to find this out later on. I once played a BDG
where we were both embarrassed.
My opponent was Mr. Bender. Back in the 1970s there were two Benders in
APCT. I played a King's Gambit vs Sam Bender who was rated about 100
points below me. On his last postcard, after making his move he wrote,
"Looks like you got me." Friendly chit-chat or banter was common on
postcards during games. A week or two later I got a card from his wife
informing me that Sam had died.
It is rare in the USA to win a chess game because your opponent dies.
However it was certainly more common during old postal chess games that
might take a year compared to over-the-board games that might take hours. I
seem to recall an old tale of a postal player in Connecticut who died without
informing his opponents. The longtime postal chess tournament director I.A.
Horowitz secretly took over the games and won the tournament!
My BDG Bender was against Fred Bender. We met in various Master/Expert

sections. Eventually Fred became a very strong postal master. I was the
expert. We were paired together in four events over the span of a dozen
years. The first game I lost as Black in a Sicilian Rauzer Defence. The second
game I was White in a hard fought Sicilian Dragon draw. The final game I
was Black; he outplayed my Caro-Kann Defence.
Our third meeting is this BDG. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 (While somewhat illogical, this retreat is theoretically
sound.
In Purser's BDG WORLD, March 1989, I wrote that "6...Bh5 is the best
move here, although Gunderam recommends 6...Bxf3 in his 1986 book on the
BDG."
Black may think he is tempting White to weaken himself, but he is usually in

for a surprise.) 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 ("with excellent prospects for White."
[Horowitz]) e6 9.Bg2 (9.Qf3 is played twice as often, but both moves are
good.) and now with 9...Nd5 Bender leaves the worn path of 9...c6.
For the rest of the game, my favorite move was 13.Bg5!? I wish I thought of
moves like this in every game! Gradually I got the better position and wore
Bender down. By the time I played my final move 24.Rff7?? (24.h4 wins), he
had probably figured the game was over. He resigned without noticing that he
wins after 24...Qxf7! "No one ever won a game by resigning." I.A. Horowitz
Sawyer - Bender, corr APCT, 1985 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Bg2 Nd5 10.0-0 c6
11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qf3 f6 13.Bg5 Qb6 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Bxf6 Qc7 16.Be5
Qd7 17.Qd3 Nc6 18.Qxg6+ Kd8 19.Rf7 Ne7 20.Qg5 Rg8 21.Raf1 Qe8
22.Bxg7 Bxg7 23.Rxg7 Kd7 24.Rff7 1-0
353 - White Out Chess
During the holidays in America, people shop in stores and online to buy gifts
for those they love. Lights, trees and decorations appear everywhere.
Christmas programs, parades and parties mark the month. People are busy but
happy. I love Christmas movies and television shows and being with friends
and family.
In December 2011 for my part of the world it got noticeably colder. The heat
came on briefly in my house on December 1st for the first time this fall.
Usually we have a short cold snap in November, but that year we were
blessed.
I do not dream of a White Christmas. I moved to Florida to have a Green

Christmas. We had snow in town one day, but it was "trucked in" snow for
kids to play with in the cool evening of a beautiful sunny day where the
temperature had been in the 70s.
Snow can cause dangerous "White Out" conditions. Up North I drove on

country roads with tall banks of loose snow on each side. Big trucks kick up
large amounts of snow in much the same way that dust kicks up on a dirt
road. When you meet such an oncoming truck, and drive into a cloud of
snow, there is a point where you drive blind. You cannot see what is ahead.
After a bit, everything clears. But in that "White Out", you are in real danger.
In chess there are times I experience chess blindness. My opponent kicks up a

cloud of snow, and it is unclear to me what is ahead. Before my vision clears,
I get into deep trouble. Sometimes I find myself not even looking for clarity,
because I am so sure that I cannot see ahead. I ran into that problem in this
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game.
My opponent is David Hammel; I was rated about 200 points above him. We
played the popular BDG Teichmann where David chose to Retreat instead of
Exchange on move six.
I followed a line GM Dragoljub Velimirovic won with in the 1984
Yugoslavian championship. Alas, my opponent clouds the situation with an
improvement. I got outplayed and lost. I did have one good way to go on
move 15, but apparently I had stopped looking.
Sawyer - Hammel, corr USCF 88N12, 1988 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 [2.Nc3 is
another way to transpose into the normal BDG which usually begins 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3] 2...d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 [The
Teichmann Variation is the most popular response to the BDG] 6.h3! Bh5
[6...Bxf3 7Qxf3 is the main line.] 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Bg2 [More often I
have played 9.Qf3 intending 9...c6 10.g5.] 9...c6 10.0-0?! [Velimirovic
played this and won, so I thought I'd give it a try. Fortunately for him, his
opponent did not play so well as mine. The alternative is 10.h4 reaching a
position found in the Gunderam Variation (5...Bf5) with both sides reaching
this exact position one move earlier.] 10...Bd6 11.Qe2 Bxe5! [This simple
capture should bury this variation.] 12.dxe5 Qd4+ [Here I was convinced that
White must be lost, and probably stopped looking hard for good moves. Also,
12...Nfd7-/+ looks solid and strong.] 13.Kh1 Nd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Rf4
[White actually has a good continuation: 15.e6! 0-0 16.c3! Alas, I missed it.]
15...Qb6 16.c4 d4 17.b4 Na6 18.c5 Qxb4 19.Bxc6+ bxc6 20.Qxa6 0-0
21.Ba3 Qc3 22.Raf1 Qxh3+ 23.Kg1 Qg3+ 24.Kh1 Bd3 0-1
354 - Iturbide Arnedo Crushes
Here Iturbide Arnedo plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in a Teichmann
Variation. This defense to the BDG after 5.Nxf3 is 5...Bg4, which is by far
the most popular choice for Black. It has been seen twice as often as 5...e6
and 5...g6, three times as often as 5...Bf5, five times as often as 5...c6, and
twelve times as often as 5...Nc6.
This game from Spain is Oscar Iturbide Arnedo vs Francisco Jose Martin
Perez. After 5.Nxf3 Bg4 White challenges the bishop immediately by 6.h3.
The exchange line 6...Bxf3 is slightly more common than the retreat line
6...Bh5. White's logical continuation is to chase the bishop with 7.g4 Bg6
8.Ne5 e6 with targets on f7 and b7.
Now there is a fork in the road where White will choose either 9.Qf3 and
maybe 10.Bd3, or 9.Bg2 and maybe 10.h4. Iturbide Arnedo went with this
second option and quickly ripped apart the Black kingside.
Everything collapsed when Black misses the equalizing move 10...Bb4!

which pins Nc3 and makes e4 available for a minor piece. This is a good
example of how quickly Black can be crushed in the BDG.
Iturbide Arnedo (2168) - Martin Perez (1829), I Centro Goya Open 2014
Las Palmas ESP (7.10), 06.12.2014 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Bg2 [Another critical line is
9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Nh5 11.Bd3 Qxd4 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Rf1 Qh4+ 14.Kd1 f5
15.gxf6 Nxf6 16.Bxg6+] 9...c6 10.h4 h6 [10...Bb4! 11.Bg5 (or 11.0-0 Nbd7
12.Qe2 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nd5 14.h5 Bc5+ 15.Kh2 Qh4+ 16.Bh3=; but not
11.h5?! Be4 12.Bxe4 Nxe4 13.Qd3 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Bd6=/+) 11...h6 12.Nxg6
fxg6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Qd3=] 11.Nxg6 fxg6 12.Qd3 Qe7 13.Qxg6+ Qf7
14.Qxf7+ Kxf7 15.0-0 Ke8 16.g5 hxg5 17.Bxg5 [17.hxg5+/-] 17...Nbd7
18.Rae1 Kf7 19.Bh3 Re8 20.Ne4 b6 [20...Kg6 21.Nd2!+-] 21.Bxf6 Nxf6
22.Bxe6+ 1-0
355 - Quinones vs Hauswald
The most popular Blackmar-Diemer Gambit accepted line is where Black
pins the knight with the move 5.Nxf3 Bg4. Usually White immediately puts
the question to the bishop with 6.h3. Sometimes Black chops off the knight
with 6...Bxf3 and other times the bishop retreats.
The Teichmann Retreat 6.h3 Bh5 gives White choices as to which playable
variation he prefers. Jorge Quinones sent me several well played BDG games
and today we look at one in this Teichmann line.
In the game Jorge Victor Quinones Borda vs Frank Hauswald, White chose
after 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 to play 9.Bg2 and 10.h4 (favored 30% of the time).
This may be slightly stronger per computer analysis.
The major alternative is 9.Qf3 and 10.g5 (favored 70% of the time). Below
Quinones gets a good position and manages to outplay his opponent. In the
endgame White is up a queen for a rook when Black resigns.
Quiñones - Hauswald, RSS7E basic-63 www.remoteschach.de, 27.02.2013

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4
Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Bg2 c6 10.h4 Bb4 11.0-0 [11.Bg5!?] 11...Bxc2 [11...Nbd7!?]
12.Qd2 0-0 13.Rf4 Ba4 14.Qf2 [14.Qe3!? Bxc3 15.bxc3 Nbd7 16.Ba3=]
14...Bxc3 15.bxc3 Qe7 16.g5 Nd5 17.Rf3 Bd1 18.Rh3 f6 [Better is 18...Nd7
19.c4 Nxe5 20.cxd5=] 19.gxf6 Nxf6 20.a4 Ng4? [20...Nfd7 21.Qg3 Bc2
22.Ba3 Qe8 23.Bxf8 Nxf8 24.Nc4+/-] 21.Qg3 Nxe5 22.Ba3 Qf7 23.Rxd1
Ng6 [If 23...Ned7 24.Bxf8 Nxf8 25.Rb1+-] 24.Rf1 Qd7 [Even 24...Nf4 fails
to 25.Kh2 Nd7 26.Bc1+-] 25.Bxf8 Nxf8 26.Qg5 Na6 27.Rhf3 Ng6? 28.h5
Nh8 29.Rf6 Nc7 30.Be4 Nd5 31.Rh6 Nf7 32.Bxh7+ Kh8 33.Rxf7 Qxf7
34.Bg6+ gxh6 35.Qxh6+ Kg8 36.Bxf7+ Kxf7 37.Qh7+ Kf6 38.Qg6+ Ke7
39.c4 Nc3 40.Qg7+ Kd6 41.Qg3+ Ke7 42.Qxc3 1-0
5.4 -.8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3
This section covers the main Teichmann Retreat Variation with 9.Qf3.
356 - Theory vs Del Campo

I played in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit thematic e-mail event in 2005. There
were five contestants playing a double round. The event was set-up by a
correspondence chess organization from Argentina. Someone asked if I
wanted to play. I agreed.
My opponents were all from different countries and wrote some English. The
players are paired randomly regardless of strength.
In this event, I spent maybe a half an hour on every move. It paid off. I won
this section going 7-1. I started to play the next round a year or so later, but I
dropped out soon after getting the pairings. I was just burned out. My
opponent in this game was Roberto Del Campo. He chooses the popular
Teichmann (5.Nxf3 Bg4).
Sawyer - Del Campo, BDG GRUPO 08/2005 (1.2), 30.01.2005 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3! Bh5 [Equally popular is
6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 when White has 8.g4, 8.Qf2 or 8.Be3.] 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6
9.Qf3 Nd5 [Tim McGrew who wrote the Forward to my Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Keybook II made this comment about a game where he was in this
position: "Obviously Black has ideas of ...Qf6 or ...Qh4+ in here, so I evolved
a plan to accelerate my development." (McGrew - BDG WORLD, Nov-Dec
1996)] 10.Bc4 [This unusual move is one of at least five good options that
White has. Almost everyone plays 10.Bb5+ c6 11.0-0 (A funny line is 11.Rf1
Qh4+ 12.Kd1!? Qf6 13.Qh1!? Qd8 14.Qf3 with a possible repetition of
moves.) 11...Nf6 12.Be3!? or 12.Nxg6] 10...Bb4? [Either 10...Nb6 or
10...Qh4+ seem better, although White has good play for the pawn.] 11.0-0 0-
0? [Losing a pawn.] 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Bxd5 c6 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.Bxf7+ Kh8
16.Qe4 [A multipurpose move that unpins the Bf7, protects the pawn d4, and
attacks the pawn g6.] 16...Qh4 17.Rf3 [White is trying to get the Black queen
to leave the defense of her king and to check on e1.] 17...Nd7 18.Qxg6 Qe1+
19.Kg2 Qh4 20.Rf5 [The threats against Black's king will cost him more
material after 20...Nf6 21.Bg5.] 1-0
357 - Blackmar vs Budapest
Someone asked me for advice on how might a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
player prepare to meet someone who plays the Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e5!?). That is a good question.
When I am in Blackmar-Diemer mode, I avoid 2.c4 with 2.Nc3 or 2.f3. The

Budapest Gambit continues 3.dxe5 when Black has 3...Ng4 or 3...Ne4. So the
BDG player cannot face a Budapest.
Because I do not always play the BDG, I do face it sometimes, just not in this
book. Also the Budapest is not extremely popular.
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4, Black is most likely to choose as follows:
42% of the time: 2...g6 (King's Indian / Gruenfeld)

40% of the time: 2...e6 (Nimzo-Indian / Queen's Indian / Catalan)
13% of the time: 2...c5 (Benoni / Benko Gambit)
2% of the time 2...e5!? (Budapest Gambit)
3% of the time (2...d6; 2...d5; 2...c6; 2...Nc6 2...b6; 2...a6)
The BDG player goes after e4 on with 2.Nc3 or 2.f3. What if Black tried
2...e5? Consider: 2.Nc3 e5 3.dxe4 Ng4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bf4. Or 2.f3 e5 3.dxe4
Nh5 (with ...Qd8-Qh4+ threat) 4.Nh3.
The game below avoided a Budapest Gambit. It began 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3. Black
responded to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit with a Teichmann Retreat
variation in a three minute blitz game.
I missed the obvious 10.Nxc6 (see next game) winning back the gambit pawn
with a better game. Fortunately I won anyway.
Sawyer - killer100, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 11.12.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 [2.f3 e5 3.dxe5 Nh5 4.Nh3] 2...d5 [2...e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Nf3 Nc6!
5.Bf4] 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3
Nc6 10.Bb5 [10.Nxc6! bxc6 11.Qxc6+] 10...Qxd4 11.Nxc6 Qb6 12.Ne5+
Kd8 13.Be3 Bc5 14.0-0-0+ Ke7 15.Bxc5+ Qxc5 16.Nxg6+ hxg6 17.Qxb7
a6 18.Bd3 Rhb8 19.Qf3 Rb4? [19...Qb4 20.Kd2 Qxb2 21.Rdf1+-] 20.Qxa8
Black resigns 1-0
358 - Toenies Tackles Teichmann
Frederick Toenies of Alaska sent me this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit victory.
Very nice!
"A recent BDG accepted where the missed 9...c6 was a costly mistake.
Thought you might enjoy it." - Rick Toenies
Thanks! Rick and I played a postal chess game 20 years ago. Below Rick
uses the handle "alaskanbruin". Sounds like a sports team.
It reminds me of when I traveled Southeast Alaska in 2014. I saw Sawyer

Glacier. Ice sliding downhill very slowly. Cool.
This popular BDG Teichmann sees White play 9.Qf3. This queen attacks b7
and f7. Below Black covers b7 by developing 9...Nxc6. This sounds nice
until one realizes that Black drops a pawn. The Blackmar-Diemer is stronger
when it is not a gambit!
White had a little quicker mate at the end. I read once someone (maybe
Bobby Fischer) say, "The mate you see is better than the one you don't."
alaskanbruin - julien999, Let's Play! Chess.com, 26.02.2016 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6
9.Qf3 Nc6? [9...c6 10.g5 is the normal continuation.] 10.Nxc6 bxc6
11.Qxc6+ Nd7 12.Bg5! f6 13.Qxe6+ Qe7 14.Qxe7+ Bxe7 15.Bf4 c6
[15...Nb6 16.Bb5+ Kf7 17.0-0-0+/-] 16.Bg2 Rc8 17.0-0-0 0-0 [17...Nb6
18.Rhe1+/-] 18.d5! cxd5 19.Bxd5+ Bf7? 20.Bxf7+ Rxf7 21.Rxd7 a5 22.Rc7
Ra8 23.Rd1 h6 [Or 23...Bf8 24.Rdd7+-] 24.Rdd7! Re8 25.a3 g5 26.Bg3 f5
27.Nd5 Kg7 28.Nxe7 Rexe7 29.Rxe7 f4 30.Rxf7+ Kg6 31.Bf2 f3 32.Rxf3
[Or 32.Bd4! h5 33.Rf6#] 32...h5 33.Kd2 a4 34.Ke3 hxg4 35.hxg4 Kh6
36.Rf6# 1-0
359 - Teichmann Retreat
Ever forget a line that you used to know very well? It happened to me here.
In a three minute Internet Chess Club blitz game, we reached the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Teichmann Retreat variation were I played 9.Qf3. Then I
completely forgot 10.g5!
I have written about and actually played this move many times since the
1980s. A quick check shows the first time I played 10.g5 was in 1989. I have
reached this position 117 times, including every year from 2005 through
2012.
Fortunately I did not forget how to play chess. I came up with a good plan
and developed a decent attack.
Sawyer - justryin, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 05.05.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3
c6 10.Nxg6 [My plan was to castle kingside, push g4-g5, and if Nf6 moves,
take pawn on f7. The normal move is the immediate push 10.g5] 10...hxg6
11.Be3 Bb4 12.Bd3 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Nbd7 14.0-0 Qa5? [Black should play
14...0-0 or 14...Qe7] 15.g5 Nd5 16.Qxf7+ Kd8 17.Bd2 Qc7 18.Kg2 Qd6
19.Qxg6 Kc7 20.Rae1 [20.Rf7!+-] 20...Rag8? [We both missed the tactical
shot 20...Rxh3! 21.Kxh3 Rh8+ forcing 22.Qh7 (Not 22.Kg4? Qh2!-+)
22...Rxh7+ 23.Bxh7 e5=] 21.c4 Ne7 [21...Rxh3 still works, but it is not as
strong due to the eventual Bf4 threat in some lines.] 22.Qxe6 Qxe6 23.Rxe6
Nc8 24.Rf7 Rd8 25.Rg6 Kb8 26.Rgxg7 Ndb6 27.Rxb7+ Ka8 28.c3
[28.Bf4!+-] 28...a5 29.Bf5 Rhf8 30.Bg4 Nxc4 31.Bxc8 Rxc8 32.Ra7+ Kb8
33.Rgb7# Black checkmated 1-0
360 - Brilliancy Botched
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann gives White many winning
chances. You have to find them to notch a victory!
Twenty years ago in a game vs Sam Botshon I missed a brilliant piece

sacrifice which could have won the game. How annoying it is to have a
Brilliancy Botched.
In the BDG Teichmann retreat line, White chooses between 9.Bg2 and 9.Qf3.
The queen sortie leaves c2 hanging. If Black grabs the pawn, White may pick
off the Nf6 and get a lot of pressure on the kingside.
The moves were there and I missed one after another. Botshon hung in there
and made me pay for my poor play in this later round game from the 1989
USCF Golden Knights Postal Chess Tournament.
Sawyer - Botshon, corr USCF, 1992 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Bxc2!?
[10...Nd5 or 10...Nh5!] 11.Qf2 Bf5 12.gxf6 gxf6 13.Nf3 Rg8 14.Nh4 Bg6
15.Bf4 [15.Nxg6+/-] 15...Nd7 16.0-0-0 Bb4 17.Qf3 Qb6 18.Nxg6 hxg6
19.Bc4 Rh8 [19...g5 20.Bh2+/-] 20.h4 Be7 21.Bg3 f5 22.Kb1 Rd8 23.d5
cxd5 24.Bxd5 Nc5 25.Bc4 [25.Bf2+/-] 25...Rxd1+ 26.Rxd1 Bxh4? [26...Kf8
27.Qe2+/-] 27.Bxh4 [I missed the brilliant winning piece sacrifice 27.Nd5!
exd5 28.Qxd5 Ne6 29.Qd7+ Kf8 30.Bd6+ Kg7 31.Bxe6+-] 27...Rxh4
28.Bb5+ Kf8 29.Qg3 Rh6 30.Qb8+ [30.Qf4+/-] 30...Kg7 31.Rd8 Rh3?
32.Rg8+? [32.Qe5+! f6 33.Qb8+-] 32...Kf6 33.Qd8+ [33.Kc2=] 33...Qxd8
34.Rxd8 g5 35.Rc8 b6 36.Ra8 g4 0-1
361 - Becker Teichmann
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann 9.Qf3 variation with 10.g5 is
similar to the BDG Gunderam 8.Qf3 variation with 9.g5. The difference is
White's h-pawn is on h3 instead of h2; Black pieces are on the exact same
squares. The difference is subtle.
Back in the days when I played Allen J. Becker in the USCF 1989 Golden
Squires Postal Chess Tournament, we struggled to evaluate most of the BDG
lines. Today's computers make it much easier.
Now we can see that after 10.g5 Bh5, White should play 11.Qf2! 12.Be2 and
here 13.Nxd5! Instead, below I played 13.Bd3 which only leads to equality.
Sawyer (2015) - Becker (1914), corr USCF 89SS66, 06.03.1992 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 [The cousin to this line is
5...Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3 c6 9.g5 Bh5 10.Qf2 (Here White usually
prefers 10.Qf4=) 10...Ng4 11.Nxg4 Bxg4 12.Bd3 Be7 13.0-0 0-0 but here
White has 14.Bxh7+! Kxh7 15.Qh4+ Kg8 16.Qxg4= and White has regained
his gambit pawn.] 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Bh5 11.Qf2!
Nd5 [11...Nfd7 12.Be2+/-] 12.Be2 Bg6 [White would love 12...Bxe2?
13.Qxf7#] 13.Bd3?! [This loses the edge. White is better after 13.Nxd5!+/-]
13...Nd7 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.0-0 [15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Rf1=] 15...Qe7 16.Nxd5
cxd5 17.Kg2 Rc8 [17...e5! 18.dxe5 Qe6=] 18.c3 a6 19.Bd2 [19.Bf4+/=]
19...e5 [19...Nb6 20.Bf4=] 20.dxe5 Qe6 21.Qg3 Bc5 22.Be3 [22.Be2 0-0
23.Bf4=] 22...Bxe3 23.Qxe3 Nc5 [23...0-0 24.Rae1 Rfe8=/+] 24.Be2 Qc6
25.Bg4 Ne6 26.Bxe6 [Or 26.Kg3 0-0 27.Rad1=] 1/2-1/2
362 - 9.Qf3 Attack on f7
The retreat variation of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann following
8...Bg6 is very similar to the BDG Gunderam 7...Bg6. The only difference is
that in the Teichmann, White has a pawn on h3 for which both sides have lost
one tempo over the Gunderam where the White pawn is on h2.
White's potential weakest points are d4, g5, and h3 in the Teichmann. Black
has plans to castle kingside in the retreat variation, but often that is
impractical due to the weaknesses.
Black dreams of Bg6/Nf6/0-0, but often f7 becomes very weak. The Nf6 is
kicked away by g4-g5; the Bd3 attacks the Bg6, and the Ne5 supports a
possible mate by Qxf7.
In this ICC blitz game vs "killer100", I was too slow in playing Bd3xg6 and
could have lost as a result. After my opponent missed that one moment,
things went downhill for him.
Sawyer - killer100, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 04.12.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6
9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Bd3 Qe7 12.0-0 [12.Bxg6 fxg6 13.0-0+-] 12...Nxc3
[12...Nd7 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.c4+/=] 13.bxc3?! [13.Bxg6!+-]
13...Nd7 14.Bxg6? hxg6? [14...Nxe5!-/+] 15.Nxf7 Rh5 16.Bd2 Nf6 17.Ne5!
Nd5 18.Nxg6 [18.Qg4!+-] 18...Qd6 19.Qxf8+ Qxf8 20.Rxf8+ Kd7 21.Ne5+
Kd6 22.Rxa8 Rxh3 23.Kg2 Black resigns 1-0
363 - Advantage Andre
In response to my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit index on my blog (which I have
not updated for a long time) Andre writes:
Hello Tim,
The last 2 variations with 10. Nd5 11. Qe7? and Qc7?! are not really playable
for Black. White gets a big Advantage. Nd7 is the only move with a slight
plus for white. I send 2 games, if you are interested have a look at it.
Wish you all the best
Greetings from Germany
Andre
Thanks Andre. It is true those moves are not the best for Black, though they
do get played by good players. I appreciate this opportunity to show another
critical game where White can play even better than I did in a BDG
Teichmann 11...Qe7 game I won.
I will consider 11...Nd7 the main line. The game below Andre is playing
White. The notes are his except for the one I note.
Ichsehnix (2105) - Nikopiko1 (2126), Freundschaftspartie, 3 min Grosser

Spielsaal, 13.04.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3
Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Bd3 Qe7?
[11...Nd7 12.Nxg6+/= Sawyer] 12.Bxg6 hxg6 [12...fxg6 13.0-0 Nd7
(13...Na6 14.Nf7+-) 14.Nf7 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Rg8 16.Rb1 Nb6 17.Qg4+-] 13.0-
0 Nd7 14.Nxf7 Rh4 15.Ne4 [15.Qf2!+-] 1-0 [Notes by Andre]
364 - BDG Keeps Winning
In this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann variation blitz game we backed
into the gambit by 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. Very quickly I was able
to put significant pressure on f7.
First I gained time attacking the Black pieces with 7.g4 and 10.g5. Note this
line is similar to a Gunderam 7...Bg6 after 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6
8.Qf3 c6 9.g5 with the same position except White h-pawn is on h2 instead of
h3.
After 10.g5 attacking the Nf6, I have seen 8 different replies. Half the time
Black plays 10...Nd5. In my game vs "pyrrhonicus" I focused directly on
checkmate possibilities on f7. My knight on e5 also hits g6 as well as f7.
The threats seemed to confuse my opponent in a three minute blitz game. In a

desperate need to develop, Black succumbed to a knight fork on f7 where I
picked off a rook.
Yes, it's another fast victory with my BDG. I do not always play it, and the
BDG does not always win, but its sure fun when it does!
Sawyer - pyrrhonicus, ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club, 30.04.2013 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6
8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Bd3 Qc7 12.0-0!? [The more common
more order is 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.0-0 Bd6] 12...Bd6 [Black should play
12...Bxd3 and after 13.Qxd3+/- White has an attack up the f-file.] 13.Bxg6
hxg6 14.Qxf7+ [In my database, this move have been played 10 times, with
White winning every game.] 14...Qxf7 15.Nxf7 Bc7 16.Nxh8 [Black resigns
1-0
365 - Andre Improvement
Improvement is necessary in any meaningful endeavor. In his excellent book
"Sometimes You Win-Sometimes You Learn: Life's Greatest Lessons Are
Gained from Our Losses" the author John C. Maxwell devotes chapter 5 to:
Improvement: The Focus of Our Learning. For years I delayed starting my
blog. I feared I would start and then stop. Now I just keep writing, day after
day, year after year, I like to do what Maxwell says on page 116:
"If you are just beginning your improvement journey, don't be discouraged.
Your starting point doesn't matter. Everyone who has gotten to where he is,
started where he was. What matters is where you end up. And you get there
by continuing to fight the improvement battle. As you do, make this your
motto:
“I'm not where I'm supposed to be,

“I'm not what I want to be,
“But I'm not what I used to be.
“I haven't learned how to arrive;
“I've just learned how to keep on going."
John Maxwell is motivational speaker and author. I heard him at a conference

in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996, before the Olympics.
Andre sent me a game where he defeated a 2480 in a BDG Teichmann line

that I also won. Those games are identical (except for Andre's better move
order) until Black's 15th moves. The notes are by Andre except for two given
by Houdini.
Ichsehnix (2016) - Pisica-Lesinata (2480), Freundschaftspartie, 3m + 0s

Grosser Spielsaal, 02.10.2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Bd3 Qc7?
12.Bxg6 hxg6 [12...fxg6 13.Qg4 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Nd7 15.Qxe6+ Be7 16.0-0
Nxe5 17.dxe5 Rd8 18.Ba3 Rd5 19.Bd6 Qd7 20.Qf7+ Kd8 21.c4+/-] 13.0-0
Bd6 14.Qxf7+ Qxf7 15.Nxf7 Rxh3 16.Nxd6+ Ke7 17.Nxb7 [17.Rf7+!+-
Houdini] 17...Nd7 18.Nxd5+ cxd5 19.Bf4 e5 20.dxe5 Ke6 21.Kg2 Rh4
22.Kg3 Rah8 23.Rae1 Rh2 24.Kf3 Rxc2 25.Rf2 Rh3+ 26.Kg2 Rxf2+
27.Kxf2 d4 28.Nd6 d3 29.Ne4 Rh4 30.Kg3 Rh8 31.Rd1 Rb8 32.Rd2 Rb4
33.Nc3 Nc5 34.a3 Kf5 35.Be3 [35.axb4!+- Houdini] 35...Nb3 36.Rf2+ Kxe5
37.Bf4+ 1-0
366 - Samy Robin in BDG
For this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game I selected a game which was won by
the French player and FIDE Master Samy Robin rated 2254 vs Eduardo
Aguila Hernandez who was rated 1871.
This BDG Teichmann is the main line for the Teichmann Retreat (6...Bh5)
variation. An active BDGer might play it several times per year.
The Teichmann Retreat variation allows White to gain time by attacking

Black pieces with the g2-g4-g5 pawn push. Combined with the Ne5, Black is
very weak on f7 and the e-file.
Here the Black monarch is stuff in the middle as the position opens up for
White's heavy material (queen and rooks). It's a very well-played attack.
Robin (2254) - Aguila Hernandez (1871), 6th Montalvo Open Las Palmas
ESP (2.13), 26.03.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3
Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Bd3 Nd7 12.Nxg6
hxg6 13.0-0 Qe7 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Kg2!? [15.c4 is the main line.] 15...Rg8
[Black might redeploy the knight and castle with 15...Nb8 16.Bf4 Nc6 17.c3
0-0-0=] 16.Bd2 f5 17.c4 Nb6 18.c5 Nd7 [18...Nc4 19.Bxc4 dxc4
20.Rac1+/=] 19.Rfe1 Kf7? [19...0-0-0+/-] 20.Re2 Re8 21.Rae1 Nxc5
22.dxc5 Qxc5 23.Bxf5 gxf5 24.Rxe6 Re7 25.Qxf5+ Ke8 26.Rc1 1-0
5.5 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3
Black exchanges a minor piece and moves one step closer to an endgame
with his extra pawn. But White now has two bishops for attack.
367 - Sleep Dirt Dozing

Experience shows it is potentially fatal to sleep and drive. It can lead to a dirt
nap for anyone involved.
About twenty years ago I fell asleep while driving on Interstate 84 near where
New York and Pennsylvania meet.
I can still hear my wife screaming "Tim!" I awoke to find myself moved two
lanes over and headed off the road. A quick course correction by me and a
very stern lecture from her followed.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann game Bill Wall vs SleepDirt,

Black is riding on horseback when his knight leaps across the center line to
fatally land on e3. Game over.
Wall - SleepDirt, Internet .31), 1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.gxf3? [Very dubious. 7.Qxf3 is given in
the previous post.] 7...e6 8.Rg1 Nc6 9.Bb5 a6 [9...Qd6! makes things
uncomfortable for White.] 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Rg3 Nd5 12.Ne4 Ne3? [Black
fell asleep. Maybe 12...h6!?] 13.Bxe3 1-0
368 - Punish Early Blunder
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is a complete system of attack more than it is
a set of traps. However, there are some traps.
Black fell for a trap in the Bill Wall-Roy Olson game. This trap is in the BDG
Teichmann 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 line when Black sees he can pick off the d4-
pawn and plays 7...Qxd4?
Grabbing this pawn gives White time to take on b7 and attack the rook on a8.
Black is only left with a few ineffective checks.
Wall - Olson, Marysville, CA, 1972 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Qxd4 [7...c6] 8.Qxb7 Qe5+ 9.Be2
Qg3+ 10.Kd1 Qd6+ 11.Bd2 1-0 [Notes by Wall]
369 - Tim Just vs Bachler
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit player Tim Just talks about being a tournament
director at the Winter Open in a post from the Illinois Chess Association:
"The original event was organized by myself and Kevin Bachler. Kevin was
my first TD trainer. Now Wayne Clark and I organize and direct the event. I
trained Wayne and together we try to train others. Over the years in chess I
have had the opportunity to work with and learn from the giants of directing
and organizing: Helen Warren, Fred Gruenberg, Walter Brown, and Dick
Verber."
Years ago, Tim Just took on Kevin Bachler in Zion, Illinois. Black chose to
accept the gambit with the most popular variation known as the BDG
Teichmann.
This game sees Black pin and capture both knights with his bishops. White
obtains a very strong attack, but Black managed to escape with a draw at the
end.
Kevin Bachler became a master and a very tough opponent as I came to find
out in our own game later.
Just - Bachler, Zion, IL 1979 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 e6 8.Be3 Bb4 9.Qxb7 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Nbd7
11.Bd3 [This looks logical, but it is safer to retreat the queen first with
11.Qf3! 0-0 12.Bd3+/=] 11...0-0 [11...Nd5!=] 12.0-0 Nd5 13.Bd2 Qe7
14.Qb1 [14.c4!+/-] 14...Rab8 15.Qe1 c5 16.Qg3 N7b6 [16...Rfc8 17.Bh6 g6
18.Ba6+/=] 17.Bh6 [17.c4! Nf6 18.Bg5 Nbd7 19.Rxf6 Nxf6 20.Rf1+-]
17...f6 18.Rae1 Kh8 19.Bf4 [19.Rxe6!+/-] 19...Nxf4 20.Rxf4 Nd5 21.Rh4
h6 22.Rhe4 Rb6 [22...e5 23.dxe5+/-] 23.Qh4? [23.Qg6!+-] 23...Nxc3
24.Re5 cxd4 25.Rh5 e5? [25...Qd7! 26.Rxh6+ gxh6 27.Qxh6+ Kg8 28.Qg6+
Qg7 29.Qh5 Rfb8-+] 26.Rhxe5 Qxe5 27.Rxe5 fxe5 28.Qe7 Rbf6 29.Qxe5
Nxa2? [29...Rd8!?] 30.Qe4 g6 31.Qxd4 g5 32.Qb2 Nb4 33.Bg6 [33.Qxb4!+-
] 33...Kg7 34.c3 Kxg6 1/2-1/2
370 - Rook Out Mouse Slip
What fun it is to play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann and have
your opponent choose a weak line. This was the case in a three minute blitz
contest. My opponent missed the fact that after 6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3, the b7 pawn
is hanging.
I have played blitz games online for 20 years at the Internet Chess Club. I am
not as fast as I used to be, but I still love it. Normally I use a standard desktop
computer with an old wired mouse. In this game a funny thing happened
allowing Black to squeak out a win.
After 7...e6? 8.Qxb7 Nbd7, I pinned and captured both his knights, trying to
get him to forget about his rook on a8. It is probably not as strong as simply
9.Bd3, but my plan worked.
Black blundered by recapturing on d7 with his queen leaving the rook

hanging. At this point, a strange thing happened.
As I tried to play Qb7xRa8, my mouse cord was temporarily stuck and would
not go to the a-file, allowing only Qb8. I was still holding the queen with my
finger on the mouse. I moved my hand around in a circular motion to free the
cord to play Qxa8.
All of a sudden to my horror I accidentally dropped the queen on b6 where it

is en prise to two pawns. This is very funny when it happens to someone else.
Now I prefer a wireless mouse!
Sawyer - addled, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.06.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 e6? 8.Qxb7
Nbd7 9.Bb5 [9.Bd3] 9...Bd6 10.0-0 Bb4 11.Bg5 Bxc3 12.bxc3 h6 13.Bxf6
gxf6 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7? 15.Qb6?? White resigns 0-1
371 - 7...e6 Teichmann
When is a poisoned pawn not really deadly? Bobby Fischer was famous for
playing the Poisoned Pawn Najdorf Sicilian Variation with 7...Qb6.
Fischer reasoned that if Black grabbed the pawn and survived, he would then
have a won ending. This he proved many times, but he did get crushed once
famously by Boris Spassky.
Bill Wall vs Rafe gives us another example of Black playing a common move
that misses the hanging b7-pawn in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann
7.Qxf3 line.
White wisely castles quickly. I learned from personal experience that

although the line is bad for Black, White can get careless. Bill Wall does
well.
Black loses several queenside pawns and mounts a winning advantage at the
end. I assume that Black resigned but White might also have won on time.
Wall - Rafe, Internet .13), 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 e6 8.Qxb7 Nbd7 9.Bb5 Bd6 10.0-0 0-0
11.Bc6 Nb6 12.Qa6 Rb8 13.Qxa7 Bg3 14.Nb5 Nh5 15.Qa3 Nd5 16.Bd2
[Better 16.c4! Ndf4 17.Qf3+/-] 16...Rb6 17.Qc5 Qh4 18.Bxd5 exd5 19.Rf3
Rf6 20.Raf1 Rg6 21.Bb4 Bd6? [There is a possible drawing line for Black
right here. 21...Rb8 22.Rxf7 Bh2+ 23.Kh1 Bd6 24.Nxd6 Ng3+ 25.Kg1 Ne2+
26.Kh1=] 22.Nxd6 cxd6 23.Qxd5 1-0
372 - Knight Mistake
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann Exchange Variation Black
makes some common mistakes. Sometimes he ignores b7 and the other he
defends it ineffectively.
After 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3, the White queen threatens Qf3xb7xRa8
winning a rook. If the Black queen wanders off, after 7...Qxd4 8.Qxb7 Qe5+
then White has the threat of Qb7-c8 mate! The only good to cover b7 with the
c-pawn: 7...c6.
Below is another common mistake: 7...Nc6. Developing a piece in this way is

tempting, but 8.Bb5 has the duel threat of a double capture on c6 and the d4-
d5 move attacking the pinned Nc6. This is a 3 0 blitz game I played on the
Internet Chess Club.
Sawyer - markie06, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 09.05.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Nc6? [7...c6 is
the only good move.] 8.Bb5 Qd7? [Best is 8...Qd6 9.d5 a6 when White has
two good continuations with some advantage: 10.dxc6 (10.Bf4 e5 11.dxc6)
10...axb5 11.cxb7 Rb8] 9.d5 Nxd5 [White wins a piece since if 9...a6
10.dxc6 and the pawn attacks the queen. 10...Qe6+ 11.Be2+-] 10.Qxd5 Qxd5
11.Nxd5 0-0-0 12.Nc3 Nd4 13.Bd3 e5 14.Be3 Ne6 15.0-0-0 f6 16.Bf5 Re8
17.Rd3 Kb8? 18.Bxe6 1-0 Black resigns 1-0
373 - Easy Way or Haddaway
I played 40 games from 2003 to 2005 in Orlando, Florida at the times I
visited a Borders Bookstore. I faced any chess players who showed up. We
played in the open coffee shop of the store.
My opponent for this game Doug Haddaway. I am not sure if I spelled his
name correctly. I do remember him to be a friendly opponent. I think this was
the first time I played him. It is very tempting to try my beloved BDG when I
meet a new opponent.
This is an example of how White gets an advantage if Black fails to play

5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6. Black played 7…Nc6.
Haddaway played pretty well for the first 21 moves, except for his serious
blunder on move 8 that really cost him the game because he had only two
extra pawns for the knight he lost. When Black has played 8...Qd7? White
has scored 84%.
Sawyer - Haddaway, Orlando, FL, 20.11.2003 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3! [This is proven to be the best line.]
6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Nc6? [7...c6! is correct. If 7...g6? Black adopts a setup
similar to the Bogoljubow (5...g6). In doing so here he gives back the pawn
advantage while leaving White with an active position. 8.Qxb7 Nbd7 9.Nb5
Rc8 10.Bf4+-; 7...Qxd4?? The d-pawn is poisoned. The capture of this pawn
loses outright for Black. 8.Qxb7 Qe5+ 9.Be2 With the threat of Qb7-c8 mate,
Black cannot protect his king and rook at the same time. 9...Qg3+ 10.Kd1 e6
11.Qxa8 Qd6+ 12.Bd2 Qd8 13.Kc1+-] 8.Bb5 Qd7? [This is fairly common,
but it fails tactically because after dxc6 in critical lines, the pawn attacks the
queen. 8...Qd6 This is relatively best. 9.d5! (Not 9.Bf4? Qe6+ 10.Be3 0-0-0=
and Black is okay.) 9...a6 10.dxc6 axb5 11.cxb7 Rb8 12.Be3+/-; 8...Rb8 9.d5
a6 10.dxc6 axb5 11.Be3 e6 12.Rd1+/-; 8...e6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qxc6+ Nd7
11.Bg5!+-] 9.d5! [The obvious good move.] 9...Nxd5 10.Qxd5 Qxd5
11.Nxd5 0-0-0 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.Nb4 Kb7 14.Be3 [The knight is worth more
than Black's two extra pawns.] 14...e6 15.Nd3 Bd6 16.0-0-0 f5 17.Bf4 h6
18.Be5 Rhg8 19.Rhe1 g6 20.Bxd6 Rxd6 21.Nc5+ Kb6 22.Rxd6 Kxc5?
23.Rdxe6 h5 24.Re8 [Forcing his rooks off the board, but he forgets to
swap.] 24...Kb6? 25.Rxg8 1-0
374 - Win BDG in 13 Moves
I took a break from writing on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit to actually play
one on the Internet Chess Club. Naturally a blitz game is fast, but I won this
game using only 20 seconds on my clock.
I found the new move 11.d5! that worked beyond my wildest dreams. My
opponent for this quickie was "erickenn1" whom I had played once before
winning a French Defence Exchange Variation 3.exd5 in 2012.
Our game below begins in the popular BDG Teichmann 5.Nxf3 Bg4. After
the normal 6.h3 Black chopped off my knight with 6...Bxf3 following the
principle that when you are up material you should swap off pieces. I
recaptured 7.Qxf3 attacking b7.
Black should defend with the solid 7...c6! but here he played more
aggressively 7...Nc6. This is very risky as the pin by 8.Bb5 follows. Black
replied 8...Qd6.
This position after 8 moves I have reached a dozen times. Eight times I have
played 9.Bf4 and four times I have played 9.d5! This is recommended by
Stockfish, Houdini and Komodo. In my first book (1992) I only mentioned
games with 9.Bf4 but I did add some analysis on 9.d5 in my second book
(1999).
In 1989, after 9.Bf4 Qe6+ 10.Kf2 a6? I kicked the Black queen again with
11.Rhe1. In 2015 I found 11.d5! This won a piece and soon after, the queen
as well. I thank my opponent for resigning when he did.
Sawyer (2040) - erickenn1 (1502), ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club,

25.01.2015 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3
Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Nc6 [If 7...c6 then 8.Be3, 8.g4 or 8.Qf2] 8.Bb5 Qd6 9.Bf4
[Better is 9.d5! a6 10.dxc6 axb5 11.cxb7 Rb8 12.a4+-] 9...Qe6+ 10.Kf2
[10.Be5+/=] 10...a6? [Natural but fatal. 10...0-0-0 11.Rhe1+/=] 11.d5! Qc8
12.dxc6 axb5 13.cxb7 [Black resigns. Clocks: 2:40-1:43] 1-0
375 - Bill Wall vs JusGeode
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann 7.Qxf3 game Bill Wall vs
JusGeode, Black gets into trouble with 7...Nc6? This allows the strong pin
8.Bb5.
Black tries to defend by castling queenside. White castles kingside and brings
out his army quickly. The Black king is flushed out of the pocket back to the
e-file where he is mated.
Wall - JusGeode, www.chess.com .06), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Nc6? 8.Bb5 Qd6 9.d5 0-
0-0? [Black drops a piece and things go downhill from there. 9...a6 10.dxc6
axb5 11.cxb7 Rb8 12.Be3+/-] 10.dxc6 b6 11.0-0 Qd4+ 12.Be3 Qb4 13.Rad1
Rxd1 14.Ba6+ Kd8 15.Rxd1+ Ke8 16.Nb5 e6 17.Qxf6 gxf6 18.Nxc7+ Ke7
19.Rd7# 1-0
376 - Typical Mistake 7…Nc6
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann game below, Black found a new
way to blunder. Not wanting to retreat the knight from f6 and making sure his
queen protected the rook on a8, Black simply moved out of check with
10...Ke7.
This allows White the tactic of a devastating bishop check from a direction
unusual in the BDG. The check bishop check from a3 reminds me of lines in
the Evans Gambit.
In my database, White has played 7.Qxf3 about 3600 games. Approximately

90% of the time Black played the correct 7...c6. The rest of the games tend to
be like the one below.
Sawyer - meuego, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 27.12.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Nc6? [7...c6]
8.Bb5 e6 [8...Qd6 9.d5 a6 10.dxc6 axb5 11.cxb7 Rb8 12.a4+/-] 9.Bxc6+
bxc6 10.Qxc6+ Ke7 [Black should play 10...Nd7 11.Bg5 Qc8 12.0-0 Bd6
13.Ne4 0-0 14.c4+/-] 11.b3 Rb8 [11...Qc8 12.Ba3+ Kd8 13.Bxf8 Rxf8
14.d5+-] 12.Ba3+ Black resigns 1-0
377 - Bill Wall with 8.Qf2
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann Bill Wall played the move 8.Qf2
vs Dobbysok. This was my recommendation in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Keybook II.
Black takes both the White knights with the Black bishops. This wastes too
much time. These captures only speed up White’s attack when he is forced to
recapture. Think about it.
The White queen has to go from d1 to f3 where she aims at both f7 and b7.
Also Black forces White to protect the weak d4 pawn with 11.bxc3. And this
gives White another open file. It is not surprising that the Black king is
quickly mated.
Wall - Dobbysok, www.chess.com .23), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Qf2 e6 9.Bd3 Bb4
[9...Be7 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Bg5 or 11.Qg3] 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.Rb1!
[12.Qg3!?] 12...Qc7 13.Bf4 Qc8 14.Bd6 Nb8 15.Qg3 Kd7 16.Bc5 Qc7
17.Qxg7 Qd8 18.Qxf7+ Kc8 19.Qxb7# 1-0
5.6 – 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4
This variation 8.g4 is known at the Seidel-Hall Attack. The most critical line
here is when Black grabs a second gambit pawn with 8…Qxd4. The solid
8…e6 is covered in the next section.
378 - Pieces of Apocalypse

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is best met by Black with sound development
principles such as bringing each minor piece into the action quickly, moving
it only once until all four minor pieces are active. The knights can move on
their own, but Black must move two pawns fairly quickly to allow the
bishops to join in.
My opponent's handle "Seventh-Seal" implies interest in the Apocalypse

where prophecy mentions seven terrible future events called seals. Each is
described in the final biblical New Testament book called "The Revelation of
Jesus Christ". The Bible teaches it is best to be on His side when all hell
breaks loose. The Third Seal features a black horse.
In a BDG Teichmann, Seventh-Seal moves his Black horse a second time

prematurely. Normally Black pushes a pawn with 8...e6 before 9.g5 Nd5. So
here White gets an extra tempo for attack. An extra move is great help for a
BDGer or any player!
Sawyer (2062) - Seventh-Seal (1881), ICC 5 0 u Internet Chess Club,

Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 Nd5?! [It is better to make White waste a tempo and
first play 8...e6 9.g5 Nd5=] 9.Bd3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 e6 11.0-0 f6 12.Bd2 [White
plays to use his queenside rook on e1, but the kingside rook arrives faster
with 12.Re1!+-] 12...Be7 [12...Nd7 13.Rae1 Qe7 14.Bf5 e5 15.Bf4!+-]
13.Rae1 0-0 14.Rxe6 [In my haste to pick off the pawn, I missed the
crushing move 14.Qe4!+-] 14...Nd7 15.Bc4 [Again White has 15.Qe4!+-
which I notice a moment later and return.] 15...Kh8 16.Bd3 Rc8? [16...Rf7
17.Rfe1+/-] 17.Qe4 g6 18.Rxe7 Ne5 19.Rxe5 fxe5 20.Qxe5+ Black resigns
1-0
379 - Sawyer Beats Purser
Thirty years ago I was thinking about giving up chess. Then I found Tom
Purser's magazine entitled BDG World. I subscribed and the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit changed my chess career for good. I tried the opening in my
own games with success.
When Purser lived in Germany, he spent a day with the famous E.J. Diemer. I
never met Purser personally but we have emailed each other many times.
Purser got me interested in the Internet Chess Club.
We discovered one curious connection. Both of us lived in the same

Tennessee town 15 years apart. We worked for the same business.
Twenty years ago Tom Purser and I were paired against each other in four
correspondence chess games in APCT. The first two were in a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit thematic event.
Tom Purser defeated me with the BDG Bogoljubow as Black in the first
game. I played the BDG Teichmann as Black here. It is funny that both of us
misplayed the White pieces and lost.
Below he played the 8.g4 Seidel-Hall Attack. My philosophy is to grab the

material and dare my opponent to beat me. I got away with this one when
White missed the winning move 15.Rxd7! We also played two non-BDG
games.
Purser (2097) - Sawyer (1992), corr APCT BDG-2 (3.1), 05.1995 begins
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6
8.g4 Qxd4 [8...e6] 9.Be3 Qd8!? [9...Qd6] 10.Rd1 [The main line here is
10.g5 Nd5 11.0-0-0 e6 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Bb5+ Nc6 14.c4=] 10...Qa5
[10...Qc7] 11.Bc4 [Or 11.g5= immediately.] 11...e6 12.g5 Nfd7 13.0-0 Ne5
14.Qf4 Nbd7? [14...Bb4 15.Ne4=] 15.Ne4 [Correct is the brilliant
continuation 15.Rxd7! Kxd7 16.Nb5!+-] 15...0-0-0 16.Be2 Be7 17.b4 [White
is hoping to open lines to the Black king, but nothing works at this point.
17.Nd6+ Bxd6 18.Rxd6 h6-+] 17...Bxb4 18.Bd2 Bxd2 19.Nd6+ Kb8
20.Rxd2 Rhf8 21.Rfd1 Ng6 22.Nxb7+ Nxf4 23.Nxa5 Nxe2+ 24.Rxe2 Kc7
0-1
380 - Second Gambit Pawn
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann move 8.g4 offers a second gambit
pawn to increase White’s lead in development. Naturally this improves
White’s attacking chances.
In my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook, I recommended 8.Be3. In my

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II, I went with the then trendy 8.Qf2. All
three eighth moves are playable for White.
After 8.g4!? Qxd4. White gains time with 9.Be3. After the most common
continuation 9...Qb4 10.0-0-0 the White army is ready for action. Black still
has issues with his king. Note that the game transposes into a BDG after 1.d4
Nf6.
Sawyer- elcirujano22, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 12.11.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4
Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 [This is rare. Black normally plays 10...e6
11.Nb5?! (White has often played this speculative line, however 11.Rd4!+/=
seems much better to me.) 11...Qa5 12.Bf4 Na6 13.Bc4 Rd8 14.Rxd8+ Qxd8
15.Rd1 Nd5 16.Nxa7 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Bxa6 bxa6=/+ and I doubt
White has enough compensation for the pawn.] 11.a3!? [11.g5 Ne5 12.Qg3
Nfd7 13.Rd4 Qa5 14.Bf4+/=] 11...Qa5 12.Bf4 e5 13.Bg5 0-0-0 14.Bc4
Bxa3! 15.bxa3 Qxa3+ 16.Kb1 Qb4+ 17.Bb3 Nc5? [17...e4!=] 18.Na2 [This
throws away the advantage. See 18.Qf5+ below on move 20.] 18...Qb5
[18...Qe4 19.Qc3+/=] 19.Nc3 [I am repeating moves because Black is behind
on time. 19.Qf5+ Ne6 20.Nc3+/-] 19...Qb4 20.Na2 [White stands well after
20.Qf5+ Kb8 21.Qxe5+ Ka8 22.Kb2!+-] 20...Qb6 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Rhf1 a5
23.Rxd8+?! [Better would be 23.Kc1 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Rd8=] 23...Rxd8
24.Kc1? a4? [Tempting, but Black missed the winning chance 24...Nd3+!
25.cxd3 Qxb3-+] 25.Bxf7 e4 26.Qc3 e3 27.Qb4 [27.Re1+/-] 27...Qa6?
[27...Qxb4 28.Nxb4=] 28.Re1 a3? [Black is in deep time trouble. 28...Qa7
29.Qc3+/- Clocks: 1:19-0:19] 29.Qxc5 Rd2 30.Be6+ Kc7 31.Qe7+ Kb6
32.Qb4+ Ka7 33.Qc3 Black forfeits on time 1-0
381 - New in Teichmann
I voted for John F. Kennedy. What was not to like? Kennedy was pro-life,
pro-America, pro-military, pro-low taxes, and pro-high business profits.
When I was in school in 1960, my teacher held up two pictures: one of JFK
and one of Richard Nixon (whom I voted against in 1972 for real). I voted for
the good looking one. I remember my teacher crying when she heard that
JFK had been killed. The communist Lee Harvey Oswald shot him. Who
knows if anyone else was involved? Does it matter today? Probably not.
I did not care about chess as a child, but I enjoy it as an adult. On to the
BDG. Consider anew the Seidel-Hall line 8.g4 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4 10.0-0-0 e6.
There are many 11th move possibilities.
I had tried three different moves: 11.Kb1 (my line), 11.Nb5!? and 11.Rd4?!
Gary Lane also discusses 11.Bd3, while Christoph Scheerer suggests 11.g5
with the David Zimbeck idea of 11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.c4!? What's the
best move?
I decided to have Houdini ponder these options while I was sleeping. After I
got up, I found the top choice of 11.g5 Nd5 with a new idea of 12.Bd4!?=.
Had anyone ever played that 12th move before? I searched my database.
Voila! One game.
But not only that, years ago I had annotated this game to use in any future
BDG book. Then I promptly forgot it. Here is a hard fought ICCF game
between Arild Haugen and Jerry Weisskohl.
Haugen (2556) - Weisskohl (2522), North Atlantic Team Tournament VI

2008 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3
7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4 10.O-O-O e6 [Two correspondence GM's
duke it out in a rare BDG line.] 11.g5 Nd5 12.Bd4 Nd7 [12...Be7 13.Bxg7
Bxg5+ 14.Kb1 Rg8 15.Bd4 Nd7 16.Nxd5 cxd5 17.Rg1 with obvious
compensation for the two pawns.] 13.h4 [Houdini 3 analyzed through move
29 beginning with 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Kb1 h6 15.g6 f6 16.Qe2 Qd6 17.h4 Be7
18.Bh3 e5 19.Bf2 O-O 20.Bg2 d4 21.c3 f5 22.Bxd4=] 13...Qd6 14.Kb1 O-
O-O 15.Bg2 Qf4 16.Qh3 N7b6 17.Nxd5 cxd5 18.b3 Qc7 19.Rhf1 Kb8
20.Rf3 Nc8 21.Rc3 Qd6 22.Qe3 Qd7 23.Be5+ Nd6 24.Bh3 Qb5 25.a4 Qe8
26.Rcd3 h6 27.gxh6 Rxh6 28.c4 Rxh4 29.cxd5 f5 30.dxe6 Qxe6 31.Qg5
Be7 32.Qxf5 Qxf5 33.Bxf5 Rh5 34.Rxd6 1/2-1/2
382 - Zilbermints vs Gagan
Lev Zilbermints played a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in an Internet Chess Club
blitz game vs "Gagan". Black chose the popular BDG Teichmann 5.Nxf3
Bg4 variation. Here White grabbed a second pawn with the 8.g4 Qxd4
Seidel-Hall Attack. When my friend Lev Zilbermints plays a Seidel-Hall
8.g4, I think of Seton Hall which is a New Jersey University founded in 1856
back in the days of Paul Morphy.
The Seidel-Hall Attack is named after two players. First is Norbert Seidel of
Germany who played from the 1950s through the 1970s. Second is Arthur
Hall of England who played about 100 published BDG games from the 1960s
through the 1990s. Reportedly Arthur Hall wrote a book on the BDG,
although I never saw it published in print. I know how that goes, because I
have written a lot that has never been in print.
White offers a second pawn. When Black grabs it by 8...Qxd4, White counter
attacks. This game is a good example of how complicated the BDG is to play
in blitz.
Good players will miss tactical shots, and thus they can be defeated from
either side. Both sides come close to winning, but in the end Lev Zilbermints
finds a mate!
Zilbermints (2072) - Gagan (2170), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

25.11.2014 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3
Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4 10.0-0-0 e6 11.g5!? [11.Nb5; 11.Rd4;
11.Kb1; 11.Bd4!?] 11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 [12.Bd4=] 12...cxd5 13.Rd4?
[13.c4!=] 13...Qa5 14.a3 Nc6 15.Rd1 Bxa3?! [15...Bc5-/+] 16.bxa3 Qxa3+
17.Kd2? [17.Kb1 Rc8=/+] 17...Rc8? [17...d4!-+] 18.Bd3 Ne5 19.Qf4 Nxd3
20.cxd3 0-0 21.Ke2 e5 22.Qf5 g6 23.Qf6? [23.Qxe5+/=] 23...d4 [23...Rc2+!-
/+] 24.Bd2 e4 25.dxe4 Rfe8 26.Qxd4 Rcd8 27.Qe3 [27.Qc3 Rxe4+
28.Kf2=] 27...Qa4 28.Kf3 Rd4 29.Ra1? [29.Kf2 Red8-/+] 29...Qc6
[29...Qd7!-+] 30.Rac1 [30.Qxd4+-] 30...Qd7 31.Rc7 Qd6 32.Qf4 Rd3+
[32...Qe6=] 33.Be3 Qe6 34.Qg4 [34.Rb1+-] 34...Qe5 [34...Rxe3+! 35.Kxe3
Qb6+!-+] 35.Qf4 Qe6 36.Qg4? [36.Rb1!+-] 36...Qxg4+ [again 36...Rxe3+!-
+] 37.hxg4 b6 38.Rhc1 Re6 39.Rc8+ Kg7 40.R1c7 h6 41.Rb8 hxg5
42.Rbb7 Kf8 43.Rxf7+ Ke8 44.Rh7 Kf8 45.Rh8# Black checkmated 1-0
5.7 – 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6
This variation is known at the main line of the Seidel-Hall Attack.
383 - Marder Wins vs Bjorn

The Blackmar-Diemer made a Scandinavian appearance when Simon Marder
of Sweden defeated Lasse E. Bjorn of Norway in a game played in Denmark.
Black defended with the 5...Bg4 BDG Teichmann Exchange Variation 6.h3
Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6.
White continued with the aggressive Seidel-Hall Attack 8.g4 e6 9.g5 Nd5. In
this popular sharp chess opening line, White took aim from a different
diagonal. Marder went his own way with 10.Bg2!? Instead the normal move
is 10.Bd3.
The focus was more on the center than merely a kingside attack. White's rook
move ideas of 14.Rf5 and 15.Rxd5 were interesting.
The position became tense and both sides miss chances. White maintained
the attack and, in the end, found a checkmate on f7.
Marder (2082) - Bjorn (1910), Politiken Cup 2014 Helsingor DEN (10.94),
Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bg2!? [Almost everyone plays 10.Bd3
here.] 10...Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Qg4 c5 [12...Nd7 13.h4 Qc7=/+] 13.Nxd5 exd5
14.Rf5 [14.c4!?] 14...Nc6 15.Rxd5 Qa5 16.c3 Rad8 17.b4 Qa4 18.bxc5 Qc2
19.Qg3? [19.Rxd8 Bxd8 20.Bf4 Qxc3 21.Rd1 Nxd4 22.Bd6+/=] 19...Qd1+
[Black is better after 19...Rxd5! 20.Bxd5 Nxd4 21.cxd4 Qd1+ 22.Kg2 Qxd4-
+] 20.Kh2 Rxd5 21.Bxd5 Nxd4 22.Qf2 Bxc5? [22...Ne6-/+] 23.Ba3?
[23.cxd4! Bxd4 24.Bb2+/-] 23...Qxa1? [Better is the drawish line 23...Nf3+
24.Qxf3 Qxf3 25.Bxf3 Bxa3=] 24.Bxc5 Rd8 [24...Qxc3 25.Bxf8 Qc7+
26.Kg2+/-] 25.Bxf7+ Kh8 26.Bxd4 Qc1 27.Bxg7+ Kxg7 28.Qf6+ Kf8
29.Be6+ Ke8 30.Qf7# 1-0
384 - 8.g4 vs Harald Klett
The correspondence game played simultaneous to my game vs Harald Klett
which was quoted in Avrukh's book was a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Teichmann. I chose the 8.g4 variation known as the Seidel-Hall Attack.
Black worked hard to stop my attack on the light squares. That worked fine,
but then he lost the Exchange by a skewer on the dark squares.
Sawyer - Klett, corr BDG thematic, 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bd3
Nxc3 11.bxc3 g6 [11...Bd6 12.0-0 Qe7 13.Rb1 0-0 14.Qe4! g6 15.h4=] 12.0-
0 [12.Rf1!+/=] 12...Qc7 [12...Qd7=] 13.Bf4 Qe7 14.Rab1 Bg7 15.Qg3 0-0
[15...e5 16.dxe5+/=] 16.Bd6 Qd7 17.Bxf8 Bxf8 18.Rf3 Bd6 19.Qh4 b5 [If
19...Na6 20.Qe4+-] 20.Rbf1 1-0
385 - 7th Time Is Charm
The blunder 11...Nxc3? in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann
variation has been played seven times in my database. Often the winner as
White was our BDG friend Lev Zilbermints.
In 2008 our ICC hero Zilbermints defeated "Jairna2" with 12.Qxf7 mate!
Four years later in 2012, I defeated the very same player with the same line in
the same position with the same mate!
I would be the first to admit that in blitz chess gambit play it is easy for me to
lose quickly the exact same way more than once. I do not fault my opponent
"Jairna2" because I do not remember much of what, or even who, I played in
2008.
Sawyer - Jairna2, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 29.12.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6
[8...Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4 10.0-0-0] 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bd3 Bb4?! [This is a wasted
tempo since later the best move is to return with 12...Be7. Better is 10...Be7]
11.0-0 Nxc3? [Christoph Scheerer gives 11...0-0 12.Ne4 Be7 13.c4! Nb4
14.Nf6+! Bxf6 15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Qh5+ Kg8 17.gxf6 Qxd4+ 18.Kh2!+/-]
12.Qxf7# Black checkmated 1-0
386 - Fleischmann Teichmann
Andre Fleischmann writes:
Hello Mr. Sawyer,
Every day I have a look on your wonderful website about the Blackmar
Diemer. I learned a lot. In the Teichmann I tried a not accurate but interesting
sacrifice with the bishop on h7. Greetings from Germany and a big Fan of our
Gambit
Andre
The most popular defense against the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is to take

two pawns for one with 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3. Quite
frequently the game continues 5.Nxf3 Bg4 known as the Teichmann
Variation.
After the normal moves 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6, Andre Fleischmann played
8.g4!? This is an excellent aggressive approach.
Against this Caro-Kann type defence, Andre gets too bold with 12.Bxh7+?!
Fleischmann illustrates a valuable lesson: When your king is attacked, play
carefully or you might lose quickly.
Andre's opponent missed the correct defense. Then the White army came
crashing through for a win.
Ichsehnix (2092) - Kesaris (1959), GroÃŸer Spielsaal GroÃŸer Spielsaal,

27.05.2015 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3
Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bd3 Bb4 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bxh7+?!
[12.Ne4!=] 12...Kxh7 13.Qh5+ Kg8 14.Ne4 f5? [This loses. Black is
winning after 14...Nd7! 15.Rxf7 Rxf7 16.g6 Rf1+! 17.Kxf1 N5f6!-+] 15.g6
Nf6 16.Nxf6+ Rxf6 17.c3 [17.Qh7+ Kf8 18.Qh8+ Ke7 19.Qxg7+ Ke8
20.Bg5+- Andre] 17...Rxg6+ [Or 17...Nd7 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Bg5+-] 18.Qxg6
Be7 19.Qxe6+ Kh8 20.Rxf5 1-0
387 - Sawyer on the Darkside
When I have the Black pieces against the Blackmar-Diemer, I face a
dilemma: What should I play? I have played against the BDG hundreds of
times. I play just about every line.
In a three minute blitz game, there is no time for deep reflection and
planning. I go with my gut at the moment and hope to win.
I chose a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann. White surprised me with that

8.g4 line. I know it is good for White, but historically I have usually played
8.Be3 or 8.Qf2 myself.
White played well. I missed my chances to play good moves. My opponent

"alexandros" polished me off with a nice checkmate.
alexandros -Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 31.10.2012 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6
[8...Qxd4!?] 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Be4 Nxc3?! [12...Nd7=/+]
13.bxc3 Nd7 14.h4 Qe7 15.Rb1 Nb6 16.Bd3 Nd5? [16...e5!=] 17.c4 Nb4
18.Be4? [White wins a piece for two more pawns with 18.c5! Bxc5 19.dxc5
Nxd3 20.Qxd3 Qxc5+ 21.Be3+-] 18...Na6? [This is a serious mistake.
Correct was 18...f5=/+] 19.c5 Bb8 20.Be3 e5 21.d5 Nxc5 22.Bxc5 Qxc5+
23.Kg2 cxd5 24.Bxd5 Qxc2+ 25.Kh3 Bd6 26.Rxb7 Qg6? [The fatal
blunder. The game is even after 26...Rac8 27.Rxf7 Rxf7 28.Qxf7+ Kh8
29.Rf2 Qc5=] 27.Rxf7 Kh8? 28.Rxf8+ Bxf8 29.Qxf8+ Rxf8 30.Rxf8# 1-0
388 - Junior 10 for Training
One training method I liked was to create a ChessBase opening book file on
whatever I am studying. I played vs a chess engine program and focus on that
opening, and maybe for both sides.
Popular chess engines are very strong. If I hope to practice winning, it is

ridiculous to play a strong engine at the maximum setting. That is like having
a weight lifting contest against a fork lift. When training, it was more fun to
play an opponent close to my own rating.
Junior 10 was one of my favorites. I liked Junior 12 for deeper analysis, but I
like to actually play vs Junior 10. Junior gave more generous material
compensation evaluations for piece activity and attack while it punishes
passive positions more seriously.
For a match I set its rating near mine and played what it called rated games.
When the rating it gave me went up or down significantly, then I change the
setting of the engine to be approximately the same as mine.
Like most engines, it tended to play the same lines frequently if it was
winning all the games. When the engine failed to win, it backed up and tried
some other variation next game.
This game is a quickie vs Junior 10. It fell for a trap that it did not allow in
further games, but it was fun the first time! White had a classic kingside
mating attack.
Sawyer - Junior 10, Florida 02.03.2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bd3 Bd6
11.Ne4 0-0 12.0-0 Nb4 13.Nf6+ [A very promising sacrifice. White is fully
ready to attack and Black is not ready for defense.] 13...gxf6 14.Bxh7+ Kxh7
15.Qh5+ Kg8 16.gxf6 [At this point Junior 10 sees forced mates and drags it
out as long as possible.] 16...Bh2+ 17.Kxh2 Qc7+ 18.Bf4 Qxf4+ 19.Rxf4
Rc8 20.Qh6 e5 21.Rg4# 1-0
389 - Christmas Checkmate
Christmas week in 2012 seemed to be a joyous time to celebrate with a pretty
short victory. I chose the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann 8.g4
variation.
This line presents some very tricky and dangerous threats that Black often
misses. The tactics behind 14.Bxh7+ and 16.g6 are sound and strong. Black
did have better early moves available than those chosen, but that often
happens.
Enjoy the successful mating attack. Have a blessed day!
Sawyer - Rustaveli, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 22.12.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4
[8.Be3] 8...e6 [8...Qxd4 9.Be3 with a lot of compensation for the two
sacrificed pawns, such as open lines and development tempi.] 9.g5 Nd5
10.Bd3 Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Ne4 [12.Qe4 g6 13.h4 c5-/+ Christoph Scheerer
calls this a "serious test". Houdini 3 at 27 ply rates it as -0.86.] 12...Nd7
[12...Qb6 13.c3 Nd7=/+] 13.Nf6+ gxf6 14.Bxh7+ Kxh7 15.Qh5+ Kg8 16.g6
fxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.Qh5+ Kg8 [18...Kg7 19.Kf2+-] 19.Bh6?! [As soon
as I played the bishop, I realized that moving my king off the g-file was a
better move. For example 19.Kh1! Rf7 20.Rg1+ Rg7 21.Rxg7+ Kxg7
22.Bh6+ Kh7 23.Bd2+ Kg8 24.Rg1+ Kf8 25.Bh6#] 19...Qe8? [An
understandable blunder in a blitz game. Black can save the game with
19...Rf7 20.Kf2 Bf8 21.Rg1+ Bg7 22.Bxg7 Rxg7 23.Rxg7+ Kxg7 24.Rg1+
Kf8 25.Qh7 Ke8 26.Rg7 Qe7 27.Rxe7+ Nxe7 28.Qh5+ Kf8 29.h4=] 20.Qg4+
Black resigns 1-0
390 - Birchbeer Novelty 11.h4
Birchbeer played a theoretical novelty in ICC. Old rules allowed humans to
use computer chess engines during the game. What Birchbeer did was legal at
the time, like in ICCF correspondence. When the rules changed, he stopped
playing as Birchbeer.
Birchbeer was an international master. He played blitz with longer

increments (like 15 seconds). Birchbeer's ICC rating was usually around
2600. The IM knew when to follow and when to ignore the computer in his
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games.
Who was "Birchbeer"? I do not know. Over the years I have learned some
things, but I will not dig or speculate further. I will honor the desire of
"Birchbeer" to play anonymously. It is enough for me to simply enjoy his
games.
In 1995 Birchbeer played a BDG where he introduced a novelty given in this

game as 11.h4! which I mentioned in my Keybook II. Now 11.h4! appears
stronger than other tricky but flawed lines.
Birchbeer (2516) - Recife (2221), ICC 2 15 Internet Chess Club, 06.01.1995

begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3
c6 8.g4 e6 [8...Qxd4 9.Be3 with compensation for sacrificed pawns, open
lines and development tempi.] 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bd3 Be7 11.h4! [Normally
White plays 11.0-0 or; 11.Rf1 but I believe that White's best move is 11.h4!]
11...h6 [Houdini 3 provides the following critical lines: 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3
Nd7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rb1 Nb6 15.a4 Rb8 16.a5=; 11...Qb6 12.Bd2 Qxd4
13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.Be4 Qc4 15.0-0-0 Qxa2 16.Bc3=; 11...Nb4 12.Bf4 Qa5
13.Be4 Nd7 14.a3 Nd5 15.Bd2 Qb6 16.Rf1=] 12.0-0 f5 13.gxf6 gxf6
[13...Bxf6 14.Qg4+/=] 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 [14...Rg8+ 15.Kh2 Qxd5 16.Bf4 Nd7
(16...Qxd4? 17.Qh5+! Kd7 18.Rad1+-) 17.Qxd5 cxd5 18.Rae1+/=] 15.Qg4
f5 16.Qg7 Rf8 17.Bxh6 Rf7 18.Qh8+ [18.Qg8+! Bf8 19.c3 Nd7 20.Rae1+-]
18...Kd7 19.c4?! Na6 [19...Qd6! 20.Bf4 Bf6 21.Qxf6 Rxf6 22.Bxd6 Kxd6=]
20.cxd5 Rxh8 21.dxe6+ Kxe6 22.Bc4+ Kf6 23.Bg5+ Kg7 24.Bxf7 Bxg5
25.hxg5 Kxf7 26.Rxf5+ Kg6 27.Raf1 Rd8 28.R1f4 Nb4 29.Ra5 Nd3
[29...Nd5 30.Re4+/-] 30.Rf6+ Kg7 31.Rxa7 Rxd4 32.Rxb7+ Kg8 33.Rxc6
Rg4+ 34.Kh2 Rh4+ 35.Kg3 Rc4 36.Rxc4 Black resigns 1-0
5.8 – 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3
This classical variation of the Teichmann develops the bishop with 8.Be3.
This is traditionally the main line.
391 - How Is Your Vision?

Proverbs 29:18 reads, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Permit
me to pull that phrase out of context and apply it to chess.
Every move you make changes the position you saw on the board just before
you moved. The ability to visualize what the future new position will look
like after your prospective move is critical to the results of your calculation,
analysis and evaluation.
My Blackmar-Diemer Gambit was successful at a three minute speed vs my

opponent with the handle "Vision". He chose a BDG Teichmann variation
8.Be3 Nd5 which I encounter from time to time.
At this point Black had moved only two minor pieces, and both of them
twice. When he moved his knight a third time, he did not see my coming
check.
Sawyer - Vision (1759), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 01.11.2014 begins

8.Be3 [8.g4!?] 8...Nd5 [Almost everyone plays the main line with 8...e6
9.Bd3=] 9.Bc4 [Houdini likes an idea that I have never seen played: 9.Bg5
Nd7 10.Bc4+/=] 9...Nxc3 [Correct is 9...e6 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Ne4=] 10.Qxf7+
[Black resigns. A possible continuation could be 10.Qxf7+ Kd7 11.Be6+ Kc7
12.bxc3+-] 1-0
392 - Gregory Vaserstein
Gregory Vaserstein was having one of those days where just about everything
was going right. I am not sure, but I think he won this tournament. He was
rated in the 1800s at the time, but that went up. As I recall everyone above
him was knocked off.
He was from Pittsburgh. He knew Hans Berliner, former ICCF World

Champion. Berliner had competed for the regular US Championship and
played Bobby Fischer a long time ago.
When I tried to play a BDG in a tournament, I got a French, Pirc or Benoni.

This was one of those rare games where I got to play a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit in a rated live tournament, albeit at a rather fast time. I played better
at a fast time anyway.
The fact that I had not memorized many BDG lines (no need to do that for
postal chess) put me at a slight disadvantage for over the board, if my
opponent had time to analyze.
The variation was a BDG Teichmann. I chose the classical 8.Be3 line instead
of 8.Qf2 or 8.g4. Vaserstein left the normal book line with 8...Nd5. As it
turns out, I simply missed four good moves in the game. The best was
16.Rf6! which would have given me a clear advantage. After that I missed
two chances to equalize. The bottom line is that Greg Vaserstein outplayed
me. I lost. This is Game 654 in my Blackmar-Diemer Keybook.
One good thing was that at least I would get White vs a master in the final
round. There I would draw in a Pirc Defence.
Sawyer - Vaserstein, Penn State University, State College PA 1990 begins

8.Be3 Nd5!? 9.Bc4 e6 10.0-0 Qd7 11.Ne4 [11.Rae1 with compensation]
11...Nxe3 12.Qxe3 Be7 13.c3 0-0 14.Bd3 Qd5 15.g4 h6 16.Nf6+ [16.Rf6!
gxf6 17.Qxh6 Nd7 18.Ng5+-] 16...Bxf6 17.Rxf6 Qg5 18.Qe4 g6 19.Raf1
Nd7 20.R6f3 Rad8 21.Kh2 Qd5 22.Qe3 Qd6+ 23.Kg2 [23.Kg1 Kg7 24.g5
hxg5 25.Qxg5 e5 26.Rxf7+ Rxf7 27.Rxf7+ Kxf7 28.Qxd8=] 23...Kg7 24.h4
e5 25.g5 h5 26.Rf6 Nxf6 27.gxf6+ Kh7 28.Qg5 [28.Rf5! Qd5+ 29.Kg1 exd4
30.Qf4 dxc3 31.Rxd5 Rxd5 32.Qb4 Rfd8 33.Bc2=] 28...Qd5+ 29.Kg1 e4
30.Bc2 Qxg5+ 31.hxg5 Rfe8 32.Re1 e3 33.Kg2 Rd5 34.Kf3 Rxg5 0-1
393 - Dark Squared Bishop
A key decision Black must make in any opening is how to develop the dark
squared bishop from f8. Does Black opt for a classical approach moving the
e-pawn and playing the bishop to e7, d6, c5 or b4? Or does Black fianchetto
the bishop at g7?
The game Tom Katsampes vs Bill Wall begins as a BDG Teichmann.

Typically in this variation where Black plays an early 5...Bg4, the other
bishop usually goes to Be7, but sometimes Bd6 or Bb4.
Bill Wall chooses to play for ...Bg7. White castles queenside, targets f7, and
uses the d-file. However, White messes up the tactics and gets checkmated on
the back rank.
Katsampes - Wall, San Antonio, TX, 1994 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 [6.Bg5] 6...Bxf3 [6...Bf5] 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3
Nbd7 9.0-0-0 g6 10.Bc4 Bg7 11.g4 Nb6 12.Bxf7+ Kxf7 13.g5 Nbd5 14.gxf6
exf6 15.Ne4 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 Re8 17.Rhf1 Kg8 18.Qf3 f5 19.Nc5 Qg5+
20.Kb1 Re3 21.Qh1 Rd8 22.Nxb7 Rxd4 23.Qxc6 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Qh4
[24...Qe7] 25.Rd8+ [25.Qd5+] 25...Qxd8 26.Nxd8 Re1# 0-1 [Games Notes
by Wall]
394 - Scary Halloween BDG
I won a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit that got scary in a three minute blitz game
played on Halloween. In a BDG Teichmann White can develop a bishop with
6.Bf4 or 6.Bc4. I played 6.h3! I pulled off a trick and got a treat. Black
played 9...Bd6 which allowed White to gain time attacking the bishop with
11.Ne4.
I started an early queenside attack to encourage Black to castle kingside. All

my pieces were aimed in that direction. We played logical moves quickly, but
we missed a couple moves.
To keep from losing the Exchange, Black played 17...f5 and suffered a worse
fate. It was short and sweet as chocolate candy from Hershey, where once I
won a chess tournament.
My opponent "Pawnivore" is someone that I have played once a year for

three years. Before I won this BDG game, I won a 1.e4 c6 Caro-Kann
Defence as Black in 2012. Later in 2014 I would win as White with 1.Nc3 c5
Queens Knight Attack without transposing into the Sicilian Defence.
Sawyer (2133) - Pawnivore (1773), ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club,

Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Ne4 Be7 12.c3 Qc7
13.b4!? [While 13.Bf4 was tempting and is good, my idea was to begin
action on the queenside to talk Black into castling kingside.] 13...0-0
14.Bg5?! [14.Bf4 e5=] 14...Rae8 [14...Nd5!=/+] 15.Rae1 [15.Nxf6+! Nxf6
16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Qe4 and with the mate threat White wins a piece, since
17...g6 18.Rxf6+-] 15...Nxe4 16.Qxe4 g6 17.Bh6 f5? [17...Nf6 18.Qf3+/=
and White will pick up the Exchange.] 18.Qxe6+ Rf7 19.Bc4 [A more
efficient mate follows 19.Qxf7+! Kxf7 20.Bc4+ Kf6 21.Re6+ Kf7 22.Rxc6#]
19...Ne5 20.Rxe5 Black resigns 1-0
395 - Opposite Color Bishops
Ideally in a Blackmar-Diemer, White plays accurately. Black fails to defend
and White wins the middlegame. But if Black defends well, White needs to
head for an ending that is very hard to win.
I played a line vs the blik computer where I chose a certain set of 14 moves.
Black covered his weak f7 square with 14...Qe7. After failing to find the best
moves for White, I headed for the best endgame I could find: a bishops of
opposite color. Even though I was down two pawns, I manage to draw by the
50-move rule.
Sawyer-blik, Internet Chess Club 2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.0-0 0-0
11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 g6 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Bc4 Qe7 15.Rae1 [The critical line
is 15.Qg4! Nd7 16.Bg5! Qf8 17.Rae1 Qg7 18.Rxf7 Qxf7 19.Rxe6 Rf8
(19...Kg7 20.Rxd6! Qxc4 21.Bh6+! winning for White) 20.Rxg6 hxg6
21.Be7! Qxc4 22.Qxg6+ Kh8 23.Qh6+ with a draw by perpetual check.]
15...Nd7 16.Qg4 Nb6 17.Bb3 c5 18.dxc5 Bxc5+ 19.Kh1 Qc7 20.Bf4 Bd6
21.Be3 Be5 22.Bxb6 axb6 23.c3 Ra5 24.Qc4 Rc5 25.Qe4 f6 26.Rd1 b5
27.Rd3 Qb6 28.Rfd1 Rc7 29.Qe3 Qxe3 30.Rxe3 Kf8 31.Red3 Ke7 32.Kg1
h5 33.Kf1 Rh8 34.Re3 Rhc8 35.Rf3 b4 36.cxb4 Bxb2 37.Rfd3 Be5 38.Ke2
Ra8 39.R1d2 b5 40.Rd1 h4 41.R1d2 Ra6 42.Rd1 Ra8 43.R1d2 Ra6
44.Rd1 Rca7 45.Rc1 Ra8 46.Rc2 Bd6 47.Rcd2 Bxb4 48.Rc2 Bd6 49.Rcd2
Rc6 50.Rb2 Rc1 51.Rd1 Rxd1 52.Kxd1 Rd8 53.Ke2 Bf4 54.Rc2 e5 55.a4
bxa4 56.Bxa4 e4 57.Bc6 e3 58.Rb2 Rd2+ 59.Rxd2 exd2 60.Bf3 f5 61.Kd3
Ke6 62.Kd4 Kf6 63.Kd3 Ke5 64.Be2 g5 65.Bf3 Kd6 66.Ke2 Ke6 67.Bh5
Ke5 68.Bf3 Kd4 69.Kd1 Kc3 70.Be2 Be3 71.Bf3 Bc5 72.Be2 Be3 73.Bf3 f4
74.Be2 Bd4 75.Bf3 Be3 76.Bg4 Bc5 77.Bf3 Bd4 78.Be2 Bc5 79.Bf3 Bf2
80.Be2 Bb6 81.Bf3 Bc7 82.Be2 Ba5 83.Bf3 Bb6 84.Be2 Be3 85.Bf3 Kb2
86.Be2 Kc3 87.Bf3 Bc5 88.Be2 Bb4 89.Bf3 Bc5 90.Be2 Bd6 91.Bf3 Bb4
92.Be2 Kb2 93.Bf3 Kc3 94.Be2 Kb2 95.Bf3 Bc3 96.Be2 Kb1 97.Bf3 Kb2
98.Be2 Kb1 99.Bf3 Ba5 100.Be2 Bb4 101.Bf3 Kb2 102.Be2 Bc3 103.Bf3
Ba5 104.Be2 Bc3 105.Bf3 Bb4 106.Be2 Kc3 107.Bf3 Kd4 108.Ke2 Ba5
109.Bg4 Kd5 110.Bf3+ Kd4 111.Bg4 Kc3 112.Kd1 Kc4 113.Be2+ Kc5
114.Bf3 Bb4 115.Be2 Kd5 116.Bf3+ Kc5 117.Bg4 Ba5 118.Bf3 Kc4
119.Ke2 Bb4 120.Bg4 Kb5 121.Bf3 Kc4 122.Bg4 Kc3 123.Kd1 Kd3
124.Bf3 1/2-1/2 Game drawn by the 50 move rule 1/2-1/2
396 - Kick blik Teichmann
This Kick blik Day was actually two games, both in the Blackmar-Diemer
Teichmann. “blik” frequently played through move 13, if it did not vary at
moves 4 or 5. It never varied from moves 6-13 if I remembered to play these
exact moves. Sometimes I forgot.
This game began 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3. I hoped to reach a BDG. 2.Nc3 is another
option I also played, but blik did not head to the BDG from that move order.
There followed 2...Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4. Thus we reached a
popular Teichmann.
As White I played the normal 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Bd6. This
blik variation was not all that popular, but blik liked it. Humans often played
9...Be7, 9...Nbd7 or 9...Bb4.
We moved on with 10.0-0 0-0 11.Ne4 (Attacking the Bd6) 11...Nxe4

12.Qxe4 (Threatening mate on h7.) 12...g6 13.Bh6 (Hitting the rook.)
13...Re8 (All this is very natural. Now comes a move that took me a while to
find in my early blik games years ago.) 14.Bc4! (Hitting at e6 / f7) 14...b5
(blik likes many other moves here, but not this day.) 15.Bb3 a5.
Now comes the thematic move of this variation 16.Rxf7! (Ripping the
kingside apart.) 16...Kxf7 17.Rf1+ Kg8 18.Bxe6+ Kh8 19.Rf7 Rg8 20.Qe3!
This was another tough move to find immediately. The point is to threaten
the winning continuation of Bh6-Bg5-Bf6+. Black made the decision to
sacrifice its queen in two different ways in these games. It just took the skill
to hold on for a win. It was not that hard here once I made it to move 20!
Sawyer-blik, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 01.09.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3
Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 g6 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Bc4 b5 15.Bb3 a5
16.Rxf7 Kxf7 17.Rf1+ Kg8 18.Bxe6+ Kh8 19.Rf7 Rg8 20.Qe3 b4 [20...Qh4
21.Bg5 Rg7 22.Bxh4 Rxf7 23.Bxf7 Nd7 24.Qe6 Black resigns 1-0 Sawyer –
blik, Internet Chess Club 2011] 21.Bg5 Qf8 22.Bf6+ Rg7 23.Rxf8+ Bxf8
24.Qe5 Na6 25.c4 Re8 26.b3 h6 27.d5 cxd5 28.cxd5 Kh7 29.Bxg7 Bxg7
30.Qd6 Nb8 31.Bf7 Rc8 32.Bxg6+ Kh8 33.g4 Rf8 34.Kg2 Rc8 35.Bf5 Rf8
36.Qc7 a4 37.bxa4 Re8 38.a5 Re2+ 39.Kf3 Re8 40.d6 Rg8 41.d7 Nxd7
42.Qxd7 Rb8 43.a6 Black resigns 1-0
397 - Memorized Opening Win
In ICC blitz games vs the computer cousins "blik" and "Rookie", I used to
play a line that "blik" fell for each time I tried it. It met my Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Teichmann variation. The same 14 moves were played every time
before Black would vary.
The games usually involved a Rxf7 sacrifice to open up the Black king. I
played 213 games with 14.Bc4 over several years and thus naturally
memorized the continuations that gave White the best chance to win.
The best players all memorize their openings. When I memorize, my rating
goes up 100 points. When I do not, it goes down 100 points. Memory work
increases accuracy, saves time and builds confidence.
In 2012 I had not played the first 14 moves of this line in seven months. Then
my ICC blitz opponent "Jairna2" trotted down the same path.
The move 15...Bc7 was new to me, but my experience in that line instantly
helped me choose the rook sacrifice. Black tried to threaten a checkmate, but
White's mating attack was too fast with a queen, rook and 2 bishops
surrounding the Black monarch.
I used only 36 seconds for the first 20 moves; the clocks stood at: 2:24-1:38.
Then I thought carefully for 44 seconds before selecting the mate in 2.
Sawyer - Jairna2, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 01.09.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6
9.Bd3 Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 g6 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Bc4 b5
15.Bb3 Bc7 16.Rxf7 Kxf7 17.Rf1+ Kg8 18.Bxe6+ Kh8 [18...Rxe6
19.Qxe6+ Kh8 20.Rf8+ Qxf8 21.Bxf8 Nd7 22.Bh6!+-] 19.Rf7 Qd6 20.Bg7+
Kg8 21.Re7+ Qxe6 22.Qxe6# Black is checkmated 1-0
398 - Rook Sacrifice Mate
Do you want to see a sweet Blackmar-Diemer Gambit checkmate? I sacrifice
with my first rook on f7 and checkmate him with my second rook.
The line is the popular BDG Teichmann which Christoph Scheerer calls the
"Classical Variation". In an Internet Chess Club 3-minute blitz game vs
Jairna2, I forgot when sacrificing my rook on 14.Rxf7 that I had not first
played 14.Bc4, which I have played in similar positions.
Playing at 2 seconds per move in what was for me a new position, I missed
the most powerful continuation 15.Qe5! Fortunately Black did not find the
one line of perfect defense. He kept pace with me and also played at 2
seconds per move. A pretty checkmate followed.
Normally 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 is played, followed by a Black bishop to 9...Be7,

9...Bd6, or 9...Bb4. Black usually plays 9...Nbd7 on moves 8, 9, or 10 and
transposes to one of the bishop moves. The focus is on where the bishop
goes, not just whether it is actually played on move 9.
Sawyer - Jairna2, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 29.01.2013 begins 1.e4 d5

2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6
9.Bd3 Bb4 10.0-0 0-0 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 g6 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Rxf7! Kxf7
15.Rf1+?! [15.Qe5! Qf6 16.Rf1+-] 15...Kg8 16.Bc4 Qe7 [The correct and
only defense is 16...Nd7! 17.Bxe6+ Kh8 18.Rf7 Bf8 19.Bxf8 Rxf8 20.Rxd7
Qf6 21.Qe5 Qxe5 22.dxe5 Rfe8=/+] 17.Qe5 Qd7 18.Rf6 Bd6 19.Rxe6 Rf8
20.Rxg6# Black checkmated 1-0
399 - Brunold Teichmann
Guenter Brunold is back with another Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game. He
played vs Rolf Mueller in the popular BDG Teichmann variation.
Here our friend Gunter plays a nice attacking game that led to checkmate on
move 25. White has many options vs this logical defense to develop his
bishops.
Other creative ideas after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5:Nxf3 Bg4
include 6.Be3, 6.Bf4, 6.Be2, 6.Bc4 Nc6 and 6.Bc4 e6
Most prefer to challenge the Black bishop with 6.h3! Brunold does that here.
This Teichmann Exchange 6...Bxf3 game below features Black playing

9...Bb4 rather than 9...Be7. Black was slow to castle.
Brunold - Mueller, Kempten (Vereinsturnier 2001/2002) "Haus Hochland"

(9), 31.01.2002 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4
6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qd5 12.Qg3
Nh5 13.Qh4 Nf6 14.c4 Qd8 15.Rab1 b6 16.Rbe1 Nbd7 17.Bg5 h6 18.d5
cxd5 19.cxd5 e5 [19...0-0 20.Bxh6 gxh6 21.Qxh6 Re8 22.Rf4 Nf8 23.Rh4
N6h7 24.Bxh7+ Nxh7 25.Ree4+-] 20.Bb5 0-0 21.Bxh6 a6 [21...gxh6
22.Qxh6 Nh7 (22...e4 23.Rf5 Ng4 24.hxg4 Re8 25.Re3+-; 22...Qe7 23.Re3
Qc5 24.Rff3+-) 23.Re3 Qg5 (23...f6 24.Rg3+ Ng5 25.Bxd7 Qxd7 26.Rxf6
Rxf6 27.Rxg5+ Kf7 28.Qg7+ Ke8 29.Qxf6 Qf7 30.Rxe5+ Kf8 31.Qh6+ Qg7
32.Rf5+ Kg8 33.Qe6+ Kh8 34.Rh5+ Qh7 35.Qf6+ Kg8 36.Rg5+ Qg6
37.Rxg6+ Kh7 38.Qg7#) 24.Qxg5+ Nxg5 25.Bxd7 Rad8 26.Rxe5 f6 27.Re7
Rf7 28.Re8+ Rf8 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Bc6+-] 22.Bxd7 [22.Bxg7 Kxg7
23.Qg5+ Kh8 (23...Kh7 24.Bxd7 Nxd7 25.Qh5+ Kg7 26.Re3+-) 24.Bxd7
Nh7 25.Qxe5+ f6 26.Qe7+-] 22...Nxd7 23.Qg4 g6 24.Rxf7 Kxf7 [24...Rxf7
25.Qxg6+ Kh8 26.Qxf7 Qf6 27.Qh5 Qe7 (27...Kg8 28.Re3+-) 28.Rf1 Nf6
29.Rxf6+-] 25.Qe6# 1-0 [Game Notes by Günter Brunold]
400 - Escape Sarmiento
I had a close call vs CID Anthony Sarmiento in the 1989 USCF Golden
Knights Postal Chess Tournament. I do not know what the "CID" stands for,
but his official mailing address began "CID Anthony Sarmiento".
He has not been active in USCF for about 10 years, but he played in several
events in the western USA. His final postal rating was 2100.
"CID" sometimes stands for the military Criminal Investigation Division.

However it might have just been his name or used to differentiate from others
with the same name.
Black chose the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann 9...Bb4 variation.

Black's dark squared bishop is better utilized on Be7 adding helpful support
to Nf6.
After I missed good opportunities with 12.Rab1 and 19.Rxh5, Black got the
better game. On move 25 Black wrote his move as 25.Kh1 Rf2, though
probably he meant Rf3.
The written move in rated postal chess games is as binding a touch move is in
over-the-board play. My escape from a bad position was almost a crime. I
really dodged a bullet.
Sawyer (2107) - Sarmiento (1995), corr USCF 89N261, 04.09.1990 1.d4 d5

9.Bd3 Bb4 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.g4 [12.Rab1+/-] 12...0-0 13.Rf2
Qa5 14.g5 Ne8 15.Raf1 g6 16.h4 Qxc3 17.h5 Ng7 18.Rh2 gxh5 19.Qe4
[White does well with 19.Rxh5 f5 20.gxf6 Rxf6 21.Qg3+/=] 19...f5 20.gxf6
Nxf6 21.Rxf6 Rxf6 22.Qxh7+ Kf7 23.Rg2 Rg8 24.Bh6 [24.Kh2 Qe1
25.Bg5 Rf2-/+] 24...Qxd4+ 25.Kh1 Rf2? [I believe that Black meant to play
25...Rf3 when he would be easily winning after 26.Kh2 Qe5+ 27.Kg1 h4-+]
26.Bg6+ Kf8 27.Rxf2+ 1/2-1/2
401 - Sawyer vs Owens
I began my correspondence chess career on 7/7/77. I played over 1000
correspondence games. About half of them were in APCT (American Postal
Chess Tournaments) owned and operated by Helen & Jim Warren.
Throughout her entire life Helen Warren has been an awesome ambassador
for chess, promoting and writing. Jim ran the money business, handling the
finance numbers and computer Elo rating numbers. Good folks. Generous
people. Great couple! During my 20 APCT years, I played in every type of
event they offered.
This game is a little known contest in a thematic event with my friend Johnny
Owens. We played 16 games in the 1990s and Johnny had a winning record
against me 8.5-7.5. He won more of the games that were not BDGs.
Sometimes I include a game that Johnny won, but not this time. Here is a
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann.
Sawyer - Owens, corr APCT BDG-1 (1.1), 01.1995 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 [This is
the old main line which has been my normal choice. About 10 years ago, I
usually played 8.Qf2; nowadays I often play 8.g4.] 8...e6 9.Bd3 Bb4?! [The
bishop needs to be developed, but it seems much better placed on Be7 to
provide more protection for the Nf6. Indeed overall 9...Bb4 typically scores
more poorly that 9...Nbd7 or putting the bishop at d6 or e7.] 10.0-0 Bxc3
[10...0-0 11.Ne4+/=] 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.Rab1 [White simply attacks the b-
pawn while the Qf3 still eyes c6.] 12...Qc8 13.Qg3+- 0-0 14.Qh4 [14.Bh6!+-
is also good.] 14...c5 15.Rxf6! Nxf6 16.Bg5 c4 [16...h6 17.Bxf6 gxf6
18.Qxh6 f5 19.Rf1 Qc7 20.Qg5+ Kh8 21.Rf4 Qxf4 22.Qxf4+-] 17.Bxf6 1-0
402 - Find Forcing Moves
Canadian player Jocelyn Bond switches to 5.Nxf3 in Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit. Bond chooses forcing moves making continual threats leading to a
crisp win in 25 moves.
His opponent "NirKlar" (rated 1971) plays the exchange BDG Teichmann
variation, the main line of my first book. Black pins the Nc3, only to help
White by later taking the knight. After 11.bxc3, White has an open b-file and
the c3 pawn strengthens d4.
Bond writes: "Hi master Tim, I've played a 5 minutes blitz against a strong
player on chess.com. Here is my game. This was an easy win... and I think
playing 5.Nxf3 and no more 5.Qxf3 (Ryder) I recall you that I'm almost an
expert in chess game."
The notes to the game below are based largely on the Deep Fritz analysis that
Jocelyn Bond sent me.
Bond - NirKlar, Live Chess.com, 12.06.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Bb4
[9...Nbd7 10.0-0 is the main line] 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.Rab1 Nb6
13.Qg3 Kf8 [13...Nh5 14.Qe1+/-] 14.Bg5 h6 [14...Qd7!?+/-] 15.Qh4 Rb8?
[15...Ke8 16.Rxf6+-] 16.Rxf6! gxf6 17.Bxf6 Qd5 18.Bxh8 [18.c4 makes it
even easier for White] 18...Qxa2 19.Qxh6+ Ke7 20.Qf6+ Ke8 21.Rf1 Nd5
22.Qxf7+ Kd8 23.Qg8+ [The fastest mate is 23.Qf8+! Kc7 24.Be5+ Kd7
25.Rf7+ Ne7 26.Rxe7#] 23...Kc7 24.Be5+ Kb6 25.Qxb8 1-0
5.9 – 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7
Both sides are ready to castle. A clash in the center or on the kingside is
likely.
403 - Leisebein vs Quinones

Peter Leisebein is one of the leading Blackmar-Diemer Gambit theoreticians
in the world and a very prolific correspondence player over the past 30 years.
ChessCafe had some interesting comments about him.
We both played separately in ICCF a long time ago with similar ratings:
Sawyer 2157 and Leisebein 2153. Neither of us have played there much at all
during the past 20 years.
I always like to see Peter Leisebein games with the BDG. Here was have
Jorge Victor Quinones Borda vs Peter Leisebein in a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Teichmann by way of a transposition from the BDG Ziegler.
The key point of this game is that Jorge Quinones held back his dark squared
bishop, not moving it until move 15. White castled queenside and ended up
fleeing to the kingside. Jorge's move 23...Qh2 kept White from castling by
hand with 24.Kg1, thus a repetition of moves was reasonable.
Leisebein - Quiñones, RSX 4D Blackmar-Diemer Gambit-1

exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bd3 [6.Bc4] 6...Bg4 7.Be3 e6 8.h3 Bxf3 [Transposing
directing into a Teichmann. Otherwise, 8...Bh5] 9.Qxf3 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 [10.0-
0] 10...Nb6 [10...Be7 11.g4 and White is ready for a kingside attack.]
11.Rhf1 Nbd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Qg3 Qxa2 14.Qc7 Qa1+ 15.Kd2 Bb4+
16.Ke2 Qa5 17.Qxb7 0-0 18.c3 Rab8 19.Qxc6 Be7 20.Bc1 Rfc8 21.Qa6
Qc7 22.Kf2 Rb6 23.Qa2 Qh2 24.Rh1 1/2-1/2
404 - Good Quick Moves
Sometimes I have played a little better in blitz than other times. One of the
nice things about the BDG is that one does not have to play perfectly to win.
Good moves played quickly usually work better than searching slowly for a
perfect move. Although obviously there are positions that do require the one
exact move.
Here is a game I played were I just played natural moves quickly and won a
nice blitz game. Suddenly we have passed through the Ziegler to a position
that I have played hundreds of times.
Sawyer - raisa, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 30.06.2011 begins 1.d4 c6 [As
of 2011, I plan to cover anything White might face when hoping to reach a
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.] 2.e4 [We are off to the Caro-Kann.] 2...d5 3.Nc3
dxe4 4.f3!? [Perfect for those of us in a BDG mood.] 4...Nf6 5.Be3!? [5.Bc4
Scheerer, could transpose to the Ziegler.] 5...exf3 6.Nxf3 Bg4 [6...Bf5!?]
7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.0-0 Nb6 [A rare move that can easily
transpose.] 11.Ne4 [11.Rf2 Be7 12.Raf1 0-0 transposes to common lines.]
11...Be7 12.c3 Nbd5 13.Bd2 0-0 14.Rae1 [It seemed practical to activate this
rook to the e-file. Here 14.Rf2!? doubling rooks could lead to a thematic
attack on the f-file typical of how Diemer used to play this variation.]
14...Nxe4 15.Qxe4 g6 16.Bh6 Re8 17.Bc4 [17.Rxf7!+-] 17...Bg5 18.Bxg5
Qxg5 19.Rf3 [19.Qf3! Rf8 20.Re5 with an attack.] 19...Re7 20.Ref1 [20.h4!]
20...Rae8 21.a3 [Here I did not see an immediate breakthrough, nor did I see
an immediate threat. So I quickly added an extra retreat square for my bishop
and let my opponent think of something to do on his time.] 21...e5+/-
22.Bxd5 exd4?+- [22...cxd5 23.Qxd5 Rf8 24.Re1+/-] 23.Bxf7+ Kg7
24.Qxd4+ [White will be up a full rook.] 24...Qe5 25.Bxe8 Qxd4+ 26.cxd4
1-0
405 - Celebrate Recovery
Six of my friends went with me to the movie "Home Run" where we heard
the line, "Nothing great happens when you hold back." This film shows the
value of the Celebrate Recovery program in the life of a baseball player. His
family relationships were very screwed up.
We all have our own hurts, habits, and hang-ups. The Celebrate Recovery
program helps anyone deal with life's disappointments. You can go from a
loser to a winner in life.
In chess one of my bad habits is to play risky three minute blitz games and
dare people to attack me. It had been over two years since I last was Black in
a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann.
I got into deep trouble when we reached a BDG Teichmann by transposition

from my Alekhine Defence. Here "diams" got a strong attack.
I was blessed to be given a second chance. In the end I could celebrate my

recovery.
diams - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 20.04.2013 begins 1.e4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.Bd3 e6 7.Be3 c6 8.h3 Bxf3
9.Qxf3 Nbd7 10.0-0 Be7 11.a3 0-0 12.Qf2 Nb6? [12...Qc7 13.Qh4 Rfe8
14.Rae1 Nf8=] 13.Qh4 Nbd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5? [14...cxd5 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bxh6
Ne4 17.Qg4 Bg5!=] 15.Bg5 [15.Rxf6!+/=] 15...h6 16.Bxh6 Rad8 [16...gxh6
17.Qxh6 Qxd4+ 18.Kh1 Ne4 19.Rf4 Qg7 20.Qxg7+ Kxg7 21.Rxe4=] 17.Bg5
Qxd4+ 18.Kh1 Qxh4 19.Bxh4 Nd5 20.Bg3 Bf6 21.c3? [21.Rab1 Nb6-/+]
21...Rfe8 [21...Ne3!-+ with a double attack on the Rf1 and Bd3.] 22.Be4 Ne7
23.Rad1 Nc8 24.Rde1 Kf8 25.Bf3 Nd6 26.Bf2 a6 27.Bc5 Kg8 28.Bg4 Nc8
[28...Nc4-/+] 29.Bf2 Ne7 30.Bb6 Rd2 31.b4 Nd5 32.Bc5 Nxc3 33.Bb6 Nd5
34.Bc5 Rd3 35.a4 Rb3 36.a5 Nxb4 37.Re4 Nd3 38.Rd4 Nxc5 White resigns
0-1
406 - Penullar Attack
Peter Mcgerald Penullar plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit well. It is
clearly one of his best openings.
Penullar presses the attack no matter how Black chooses to defend. Here we
see him facing the BDG Teichmann where he chooses the traditional main
line move 8.Be3.
His opponent is Janagelin rated 1721. Peter was rated exactly 100 points
higher for this game.
Penullar - Janagelin, TCP vs PF CC, Friendly, 3 days/move, 10 Chess.com,

Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Be7 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Qg3 [11.Rf2] 11...g6
[11...0-0!? 12.Bh6 Nh5 13.Qf3! with possibilities for both sides, but not
13.Qg4? Ndf6 14.Rxf6 Bxf6 15.Qxh5 Qxd4+ 16.Kh1 gxh6-+] 12.Rf2 0-0
13.Raf1 Nh5 14.Qf3 f5 15.Bc4 [15.Bh6] 15...Ng7 16.Bh6 Rf6 17.Bg5 Rf7
18.Bh6 Nf8? [18...Nb6=/+] 19.Ne2 Bf6 20.c3 Re7 21.g4 Ne8 22.gxf5 gxf5
23.Qxf5 [White wins the pawn back with an awesome attack.] 23...b5
24.Qg4+ Kh8 25.Bd3 Nd7 26.Rg2 Ng7 27.Rxf6 Nxf6 28.Bxg7+ 1-0
407 - Brown Requests BDG
The Carlisle tournament was directed by USCF expert Richard P. Brown.
When we came to the final round, we were paired vs each other. Richard
Brown and I entered that final round tied at 1.5 points with Russell Palkendo,
whom I drew in round 2.
Richard Brown was a fan of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. He noticed that I

was playing 1.e4 as White instead of the 1.d4. Thus he made me an offer:
We could agree to an unrated 1/2 point bye in the third round if during that
round I would agree to play him an unrated BDG. Here I would be White,
and Brown would be Black. I agreed.
We played a BDG Teichmann following the main line for 10 moves. Then I
got sidetracked and misplayed the attack failing to find the good moves that
were there.
Brown was a higher rated USCF expert and I was. He outplayed me and won
easily. As for the tournament, Russ Palkendo won his final round, so Brown
and I tied for second. We probably won $5 or so for 2nd place. I dropped one
rating point.
Sawyer - Brown, 4th Saturday Carlisle Open (3), 25.05.1996 begins 1.d4 d5
9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.0-0 Be7 11.g4 [Here I deviate from the traditional main line
of the Teichmann Exchange Variation which is to double the rooks with
11.Rf2 0-0 12.Raf1; Another common idea is 11.Ne4] 11...0-0 12.g5
[Consistent. Or 12.Rf2 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Raf1] 12...Nd5 13.Qe4?!
[Correct is 13.Nxd5! keeping the Be3 instead of the Nc3. White can follow
up with 14.h4 with good attacking chances.] 13...g6 14.h4 [14.Nxd5 is still
good.] 14...Nxe3 15.Qxe3 c5! [White is trying to keep things closed, but it
fails tactically.] 16.d5? c4! 17.d6 Bxd6 18.Ne4 Bc7 19.Kg2 [Saving the
bishop with 19.Bxc4? costs White the queen after 19...Bb6-+] 19...cxd3
20.Nf6+? [White is busted. The alternative also loses: 20.Qxd3 f5 21.gxf6
Nxf6 22.Qxd8 Bxd8-+] 20...Nxf6 21.gxf6 Qd5+ 22.Rf3 Be5 23.Kh3 Bxb2
[23...dxc2!-+] 24.Raf1 dxc2 25.Qh6 Bxf6 26.Rxf6 Rac8 27.Qf4 Rc4 0-1
408 - T.K.O. vs Timko in BDG
One of my favorite early Blackmar-Diemer Gambit wins was against James
Timko. It was in the USCF Golden Knights postal tournament that marked
my comeback to competitive chess in 1988. In this game I was rated 2093
and my opponent had been given a postal rating of 1800.
Inspired by this and a few other BDG wins, I spent three years 1989-1991
writing my first Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook of 700 games.
This was Game 678, which means it was close to the main line of the most
common variation in the entire BDG. A few years ago I did a complete re-
analysis of all the original 700 games.
In this game White works up a mating attack against the Black kingside. Just
as the attacker prepares to give the Knock Out punch, Black throws in the
towel. This pretty short game is both pretty and short.
Sawyer - Timko, corr USCF 88N12, 1988 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.0-0
Be7 11.g4!? [This usually will transpose to 11.Rf2! but not always. If 11...0-
0 then the most accurate move order would transpose to the game after:
12.Raf1 Nb6 13.g4! Nbd5 14.Nxd5! cxd5] 11...0-0 12.Rf2 Nd5 13.Nxd5
cxd5 14.Raf1 Nf6 ["White successfully pinpointed h7 for a winning attack."
Gary Lane] 15.Rg2 [White's alternative is 15.c3!? Rc8 16.g5 Ne4 17.Rg2
Nd6 18.h4 and the attack moves forward.] 15...Qd6 [15...Qb6!? 16.c3 and
White has compensation for the pawn in the form of pressure on the
kingside.] 16.g5 Nd7 [Black should return the extra pawn via 16...Ne4
17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.Qxe4 with equal chances. Hodgson in Trends 1992 wrote:
"White wins with the classic combination 17.Bxh7+.] 17.Bxh7+ Kxh7
18.Qh5+ Kg8 [Timko wrote: "I think I got a pair against a full-house. So
19.Rf4! Resign.”] 19.Rf4! [White wins as follows: 19.Rf4 g6 20.Qh6 Ne5
21.Kh1! Nf3 22.Rgg4! Bxg5 23.Rxg5 Nxg5 24.Rh4 Qh2+ 25.Kxh2 Nf3+
26.Kg3 Nxh4 27.Kxh4 Rac8 28.Bg5 f6 29.Qxg6+ winning.] 1-0
409 - First BDG 20 in Years
Twenty years ago I used to play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit all the time.
Since then in tournaments I had played three opening systems: 1.e4 main
lines, 1.d4 London, and 1.Nc3 Van Geet.
In 2012 I decided to whip out a BDG for the first time in 20 years (though I
have played it in blitz games and skittles games).
My opponent was Jason Kammerdiner, a young man in his 20s who now
lives in New Mexico but he went to college in Florida. Jason was travelling
on a summer chess vacation.
Kammerdiner was very glad I played a gambit. After the game Jason
excitedly said, "It's great to see an old man play risky chess!" Ah yes. Great
for whom...?!
My original Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook was published in February

1992. As to my Kammerdiner game, we played the BDG Teichmann main
line for 10 moves. I knew the next move was 11.Rf2 or 11.Ne4; I usually
play one of those.
During this game I had a fond memory of my old game vs James Timko
where I played 11.g4. I now see that I had scored 5 of 6 with 11.g4. All
opponents replied with the co-operative 11...0-0?!
Fast forward to the 2011 BDG book by Christoph Scheerer who recommends
11.Rf2!:
"At this moment 11 g4?! is incorrect due to 11...h6!, when the black king can
still go long, whereas the white king is already committed to the kingside.
Then the direct 12 h4 is refuted by 12...Qc7! not 13 g5 hxg5 14 hxg5 Qh2
mate!"
When Black played 11...h6! I then saw Scheerer's 14...Qh2 mate. Whoops. So
11.g4 is not so good after all. This is a fine time to discover that! London
System, anyone?
The only way I could play the BDG successfully, like I used to, was to play
the gambit practically all the time. The stress of playing in tournaments
proved too much for me. That week I got very sick. Medically that required
changes in my life. So I retired.
Sawyer - Kammerdiner, Southern Open Orlando FL (3), 28.07.2012 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6
8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.0-0 Be7 11.g4?! [On a whim I decide to follow my
Timko game instead of the main line 11.Rf2 0-0 12.Raf1 Nb6 13.Ne4 Nbd5
14.Bg5=; or 11.Ne4] 11...h6! [11...0-0 Sawyer-Timko, corr 1988] 12.a3 [At
this point I realized I was in big trouble. I decided to prepare for his
queenside attack. The line given in my book was 12.Ne4 Qc7 (12...0-0 13.g5)
13.Kg2 (13.Bf4 Qb6 14.c3 Nxe4=/+) 13...0-0-0 14.c4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Nf6
16.Rad1 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Bg5 18.Bf2 Rd7? (18...Bf4 Clauser) 19.Bg3 Qa5
20.b4? (20.d5!) 20...Qd8? (20...Qxa2+!-/+) 21.Qe5 Rc7 22.Qxc7+ 1-0.
Clauser-Andruschak, corres 1985] 12...Qc7 13.b4 Nb6 14.Ne4 Nbd5 15.Bd2
0-0-0 16.Nc5 g5! 17.c4 h5! 18.cxd5 hxg4 19.Bf4? [If 19.Qg2 Rxh3 20.Bxg5
Bxc5-+] 19...gxf4 20.Qxf4 gxh3 [Better seems to be 20...Rxh3! 21.Qxc7+
Kxc7 22.dxe6 b6-+] 21.Qxc7+ Kxc7 22.dxe6 Rdg8+ [Here 22...b6! 23.Ne4
Nxe4 24.Bxe4 fxe6 25.Rf7 Rd7-+] 23.Kh1 fxe6 24.Nxe6+ Kd6 25.Nf4
[From here to the end, every line comes up short for me. Some are close, but
I cannot survive anything with good play. 25.Rae1 Nh5-+] 25...Nd5 26.Rae1
Nxf4 27.Rxf4 Rg3 28.Bf5 Rh6 29.Rfe4 Bg5 30.Re6+ Rxe6 31.Rxe6+ Kd5
32.Rg6 Bf4 33.Rxg3 Bxg3 34.Bxh3 Kxd4 35.Bc8 b5 36.Bd7 Kd5 37.a4
[37.Bg4 Be5-/+] 37...bxa4 38.b5 a3 39.Be8 cxb5 40.Bxb5 a2 0-1
410 - Gotta See This Finish!
I played a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann with a great queen sacrifice
at the end. In my game vs "alaoravi", Black sees White's build-up aiming at
the kingside and decides to seek shelter on the queenside.
White's new plan then is to push queenside pawns and combine Bf4, queen
and rooks in an effort to mount a winning attack. In this 3 minute blitz game,
it took me a while to come up with something.
When Black picked off my a+b pawns, it gave me files for my rooks. Just as
Black takes aim at the center, my queen crashes through to force checkmate.
Sawyer - alaoravi, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 04.10.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 Nbd7
9.Bd3 e6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Rf2 Qa5 12.Raf1 [Scheerer quotes from a game that
continued 12.Ne4 0-0-0 13.c3 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Nf6 15.b4] 12...0-0-0 13.a3
[Years ago I did a chess engine study on this line and came to the conclusion
that White usually does well to answer ...Qa5 with a3.] 13...Nb6 14.Ne4
Nbd5 15.Bd2 Qc7 16.c4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Nf6 18.Be3 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Bf6
20.g4? [Wrong knight pawn. White should try 20.b4 Rd7 21.b5] 20...h6
[20...Qg3+! 21.Rg2 Qxh3 22.g5 Qxe3+ 23.Qxe3 Bxd4-/+] 21.Kg2 Rd7
22.b4 Rhd8 23.Bf4? [23.Rxf6 gxf6 24.Rxf6 Qd6 25.Rxh6=] 23...Qb6 24.c5
Qa6 25.Bd6 Qxa3 26.Rb1 Qc3 27.Rd1 Qxb4 28.Ra2? [28.Rb1] 28...a6?
[Correct was 28...Rxd6! 29.cxd6 Rxd6-+] 29.Rb1 Qxd4? [This allows a
prettier finish. 29...Qxb1 30.Qxb1 Rxd6 31.cxd6 Rxd6 32.Qb4+-] 30.Qxc6+!
1-0
411 - Kasparov Wins in BDG
Grandmaster Kasparov wins in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Now the rest of
the story. Kasparov played the black pieces defeating the BDG. This was not
former World Champion Garry Kasparov, but rather Grandmaster Sergey
Kasparov from Belarus.
Sergey Kasparov was rated 2503 and chose the Scandinavian Defence after
1.e4 d5. His opponent was FIDE master Jesper Morch Lauridsen from
Denmark rated 2269.
FM Lauridsen usually plays 2.exd5. For today's game, White decided to

transpose into the BDG with 2.d4!? probably in an effort to catch GM
Kasparov in lesser known territory. Clearly Lauridsen knew traditional BDG
Teichmann theory.
Black responds by castling queenside after completing his development.

Lauridsen had some chances. Alas, his grandmaster opponent did not provide
many targets.
White chose to sacrifice his d4-pawn to open lines toward the Black king.
However, this approach opened lines toward the White king. Things went
downhill from there.
Lauridsen - Kasparov, Norsk Sjakkfestival Fagernes NOR (4), 30.04.2012

begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3
c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.0-0 Be7 11.Rf2 Nb6 12.Raf1 Qc7 [12...0-0
transposes to a standard BDG Teichmann position where White usually plays
13.Ne4 or 13.g4] 13.Bf4 Qd7 14.g4!? [White might could try 14.Be5! as a
waiting move. If now 14...0-0-0 then 15.a4 with some attacking chances on
the queenside.] 14...0-0-0 15.a4? [There's no need to sacrifice the d-pawn.
Simply 15.Be5 and White has some compensation.] 15...Qxd4 16.Rd1 Nbd5
17.Bg3 Qe3 [17...Bc5!-+] 18.Qg2? [White last chance seems to be 18.Nxd5
Nxd5 19.Qxe3 Nxe3 20.Re1 Bc5 21.b4 Bd4 22.c3 Nxg4 23.cxd4 Nxf2
24.Bxf2 although Black has a rook and three pawns for White's two bishops.]
18...Bd6 19.Bxd6 Rxd6 20.Kh1 Nf4 [Black is up two pawns and has taken
over the initiative. From here on things just get worse and worse.] 21.Qh2
Nxd3 22.cxd3 Rhd8 23.g5 Qxg5 24.Rg1 Qh6 25.Nb5 cxb5 26.Rc2+ Rc6
27.axb5 Rxc2 28.Qxc2+ Kd7 29.Rc1 Qxh3+ 30.Kg1 Qg3+ 31.Kh1 Ng4
32.Rf1 Qh3+ 0-1
412 - Wheatley Trial & Error
My run to become a USCF Postal Master was back in the B.C. days (Before
Computers had chess engines stronger than humans). Correspondence players
were pretty much on their own. Databases then were small and of little help. I
was feeling my way in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
This was during the time I was writing my first BDG Keybook. While my
opponents could not find much information on the BDG, I had the advantage
of the four-volume set in German (Diemer/Freidl/Studier/Freidl), Eric
Schiller's monograph from about 1986 and Tom Purser's BDG WORLD
magazine.
My Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Teichmann vs Daniel Wheatley is considered

the main line. Nowadays a computer would pick right up on the powerful
16.Qe5! This move wins material.
Every day I got a stack of postcards in the mail, played through the games,
made new moves and sent them off. Each move was played about one week
apart. Some days when I was busy with other stuff in life, I just played
quickly. No doubt playing postal chess in haste kept me from reaching the
heights of the truly great correspondence players.
I was usually rated an expert, and sometimes a master. Rarely, but once in a
while I did make a big blunder, like here 19.Bc4? Hopefully you will learn
from my mistakes and play better!
Sawyer (2153) - Wheatley (2001), corr USCF 89N260, 07.08.1990 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6
8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Be7 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Rf2 0-0 12.Raf1 Nd5 13.Qe4 g6 [Black
will be down the Exchange for a pawn, but the position remains
complicated.] 14.Bh6 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Nf6 16.Qf3 [16.Qe5!+- and White wins
significant material due to the mate threat on g7.] 16...Qd5 17.Bxf8 Rxf8
18.Qxd5 Nxd5 19.Bc4? [Ugly. After this blunder, everything goes downhill.
White's best chance is 19.c4 Nc3 20.Rf3=] 19...Ne3 20.Rb1 Nxc4 21.Rxb7
Bd8 22.Rxa7 e5 23.Ra6 Bb6 24.Kh1 f5 25.Rf1 e4 26.Rb1 Bd8 27.Rxc6
Nd2 28.Re1 Bh4 29.Re2 Nf1 30.Kg1 Ng3 31.Re1 f4 0-1
Book 1: Index of Players to Games
A103 – 154
abcd2006 – 293
addled – 370
Aguila Hernandez – 366
Ahrends – 172
Aker – 96
alaoravi – 410
Albesa – 288
Alekhineim – 312
alexandros – 387
AnomicPawn – 180
ArasanX – 273
Arto – 12
Asashoryu – 230
Asce – 327
Ashkeef – 238, 253,
ATtheGreat – 265
AWP – 63
Bachler – 81, 369
Bajer – 209
Bakker – 301
Barkemeyer – 121
BarkingDog – 331
Bdgrules – 245
Becerra – 291
Becker – 361
Bender – 352
Bennett – 301
Berczy – 17
Berthelsen – 168
Bhopal – 144
BigBrother – 40
BigH – 291
Birchbeer – 390
Bjorn – 383
BlackDragon – 295, 308
Blackmar – 269
BLACKTH0RN – 182
Blair – 210
blik – 223-224, 395, 396
Blood – 345
BobbyJim – 89
Bobnut – 322
BomBilla – 349
Bond – 30, 32-33, 59, 64, 86, 275, 402
Botshon – 360
BountyHunter – 273
BraveKing – 42
Brown, Richard – 280, 407
Brown, Thomas – 290
Brunold – 399
Bubblerock – 55
Burk – 23, 192
Butler – 211
butrint-chess – 183, 348
Caliguire – 270
CameraObscura – 11
Cameron – 203
Campelli – 69, 329
Camper – 25
cashout – 229
Cavicchi – 105, 236, 314,
Cedmaster – 47
Cesareo – 18
Chandler – 121, 159
charger2153 – 102
Charvando – 110
Cheryl – 29
Chess Titans – 299
Chessbases – 318
Chess-Dream – 104
chessnight – 274
ChessNightmares – 179
chessrex – 204
Chesterfields – 303
ChickenBot – 164
Chris – 54
Cinar – 321
clang – 350
Cole – 73
Correa De Almeida – 130
Corrie – 82
counterplay – 261
Crisler – 79
Cross – 140, 220
Curtis – 126
Dahl – 168
DARAKAN – 216
dcmarty – 343
deaf – 307
Degli Eredi – 94
Del Campo – 138, 356
diams – 202, 405
Diemer – 31, 67, 185, 227, 231, 264,
Dobbysok – 377
Doctorr2 – 193, 263
Doesun – 325
don007 – 194
Drill - 172
DrModel – 278
DrPepper – 112
DublinJohn – 262
Dufour – 275
Dunne – 65
Eckhardt – 124
edikmgdl – 204
elcirujano22 – 380
elmuthalleth – 253
Elowitch – 173
Enekui – 305
erickbr – 157
erickenn1 – 374
Erkepoet – 149
ermintrude – 163
Espiritosanto – 254
Esposito – 129
Estenger – 311
Euwe – 91
excologne – 152
Eyssette – 43
Faff2 – 21
Fantini – 217
Faydi – 151
fb_mehmet1992 – 337
Fidelity – 65
Firestorm – 316
Fivethousandguilders – 43
Flayy – 228
Flude – 246, 285
Foust – 205
Franchini – 105, 236
Freitag – 134
Frings – 85
Fuster – 15
Gagan – 382
Gallagher – 156
Gallant – 49
GambitBandit – 272
GameAllStar – 78
Gara – 259
Garris – 141
GCMS – 44
Geer – 27
Gegner – 98
GGalilei – 294
Ghen – 330
Giles – 240
GiorgosY – 108, 128
Glasscoe – 84
gmgattass – 297
Gonzalez – 170, 174
Gorm – 215
gostaggerlee – 145
Gray – 257
Greene – 306
Greenwalt – 70
Guest – 304
Guest1091398 – 87
guest1296 – 340
Guest1408 – 20
Guest4867 – 222
Guest5093 – 5
Guest5694 – 206
Guest7140 – 332
Guest7740 – 351
Guest8673 – 76
Guest9937 – 320
Haddaway – 373
Hallenberg – 280
Hammel – 353
Hansen – 173
Happel – 139
Harbutt – 165
Harimau – 282
HarveyD – 117
Hatch – 178
Haugen – 381
Hauswald – 355
Hecarder – 198
Herbold – 144
Herm – 93
Hernandez Estevez – 347
heusen – 196
Holleland – 209
Honfi Jr – 15
Honfi Sr – 17
Hoogendoorn – 264
Hoskavich – 66
Hudson – 68
Hutchings – 256
hyperduncs – 238
Icantlos – 119
Ichsehnix – 363, 365, 386
Iriarte – 107, 187
Iturbide Arnedo – 347, 354
ivanm – 344
Jaber – 127
Jagger – 14
Jairna2 – 385, 397, 398
Jamesrbmw – 35, 135
Jamesrf – 239
Janagelin – 406
JediKnight – 314
Jego – 260
Jin – 2
Johansson – 16
Johnson – 310
Jukilop – 74
julien999 – 358
Junior 10 – 207, 387
Jurij_Vojska – 146
JusGeode – 375
Just – 81, 111, 369
JustPrince – 346
justryin – 359
JVV – 321
Kakhan – 339
Kammerdiner – 409
Kasparov – 411
Kasprik – 84
Katsampes – 393
Katwoman – 333
keka – 218
Kesaris – 386
killer100 – 357, 362
king12 – 190
Kinnaird – 313
Klett – 100, 384
Kloss – 227, 231
Kokholm – 284
Koons – 111
Korduban – 150
Kostic – 169
KSRX – 37
Kuiper – 241
Kuzmin – 151
Laflamme – 309
Lagland – 99
Lane, Alex – 97
Latinlover – 61
laura00 – 199
Lauridsen – 411
Leisebein – 232, 237, 403
Lemchess – 51
Lethgo – 136
Lingsell – 252
LinuxKnight – 286
Lisu – 197
Lou – 122
Louden – 186
LuckyEddie – 8
Lunney – 233
Makrameba – 57
Manzo – 148, 155
Marder – 383
markie06 – 371
Martin – 92, 142, 153
Martin Perez – 354
Mason – 56, 197, 346
MasterJA – 315
Matti – 52
maximinus – 282
MBZG – 336
McCarty – 335
McKone – 241
Meak – 4
Means – 328
Mephisto – 67
Merk1 – 28, 113-114
meuego – 376
michaelshahade – 30
MikeQ – 71
Miladinovic – 248
Millimaci – 77
mircea_1956 – 342
Moes – 160
Monemi – 280
Mont-Reynaud – 60
Morin – 268
Morrison – 298
mscp – 158, 162
Mueller, Gottfried – 234
Mueller, Rolf – 399
Mui – 101
Mustafagalal – 86
Myers – 258
MyWin – 279
Nagaru – 341
Nakajo – 153
Naroditsky – 307
Nereus – 46
Neubauer – 250
NickR – 120
Nicoara – 334
Nielsen – 284
Nikopiko1 – 363
NIMZO81 – 159
NirKlar – 402
Nixonmustang – 26
NN – 90, 201, 251
Nolte – 85
Nombar – 3
Nora – 195
Novag – 260
Nuchess – 68
O'Connell – 219
Olson – 368
Ornolfsson – 247
Ortiz – 48
Oscarsson – 16
Overman – 249
Owens – 401
OZDENOZ – 132
Pablo393 – 19
Pabon – 45
Pagnutti – 217
PapavonFelix – 133
Pape – 234
Partsi – 203
Pati – 75, 118
Pawnivore – 394
pawnstar3 – 214
Pedrorojas – 33
Penullar – 143 145-147, 337, 342, 344, 406
Petre – 72
Philipp – 66
Phosphorus – 272
PingPawn – 38
Piruleto – 9
Pisica-Lesinata – 365
Pitasakk – 13
PoisonPawn – 287
PrinceBuster – 226
Purser – 91, 240, 266, 312, 379
pyrrhonicus – 364
Quinones, Jorge – 124, 130, 171, 232-233, 235, 237, 288-289, 355, 403
Rafe – 371
raisa – 404
raminchik – 143
Ravn – 276
RDF – 58
Recife – 390
Redman – 160
Regan – 255,
Reynolds – 166
Riand – 184
RichardH – 125
Riley – 213
Ripley – 304
rjml – 177
RMT – 167
Robertb –
Robin – 366
Roos – 99
Runarsson – 247, 317,
Rustaveli – 389
Ryder – 90
Salahelden – 106
Samuel – 7
Sanchez Guirado – 208
Sarmiento – 400
Sawyer – 34, 97, 100-104, 107-109, 119, 122-123, 125-129, 131-132, 138,
148-149, 152, 155-158, 161-166, 170, 174-184, 186-191, 193-194, 196, 198-
200, 202, 205, 207, 211-216, 218-219, 223-226, 228-230, 242, 244, 246, 249,
252, 254-256, 258, 261-263, 265-266, 268-269, 271, 278, 282-283, 285-287,
293, 295-296, 298-300, 302-303, 305, 308-311, 313, 338, 340-341, 343, 345,
348-305, 352-353, 356-357, 359-362, 364, 370, 372-374, 376, 378-380, 384-
385, 387-389, 391-392, 394-398, 400, 401, 404, 405, 407-410, 412
Scal – 320
Schrade – 300
Schrecongost – 103
Schuetzbach – 171
Seventh-Seal – 378
Sheldrick – 201, 251
Shocron – 109
Sidrys – 242
Siger – 289
Sigurdsson – 317
siljan_strkot – 147
Simons – 290
Sinanyan – 137
SleepDirt – 367
Smith – 10, 24
Snappy – 83
Sneiders – 270
Snuverink – 150
Snyder – 244
solidernas – 274
Solitude – 88
soltro – 16
Soltz – 95
Sorensen – 292
Spamsky – 225
Spartakus – 277
Spicechess – 306
Spitzl – 250
Sponz – 142
stemli – 131
Steveo – 221
stiff – 188
stin – 181
Stotsky – 62
Strate – 139
Strum – 6
Strumidlowski – 271
Swazey – 34
Tabukashvili – 36
Taguinod – 53
Takalo Eskola – 281
Tartakower – 169, 195, 276
TassieDevil – 176
Taylor – 212
TeamCanada – 41
Tejler – 72, 134, 302
Ten Have – 31
Terraz – 18
Terzi – 185
TheDiddler – 64
Timko – 407
Tinke – 50
Toenies – 358
Tracer – 115
Trumpf – 267
Tunafish – 22
usafchamp – 191
Van der Lagemaat – 241
Van Hoolandt – 248
Vartanovich – 123
Vaserstein – 392
Vasiliev – 92
Vestergaard – 267
viknw – 59
Vision – 391
vonpaulus – 189
vsathiya – 175
Wall, Bill – 1-10, 12-14, 19-29, 35-42, 44-55, 57-58, 60-63, 69-71,
73-80, 82-83, 87-89, 93, 95-96, 106, 110, 112-118, 120, 135-137,
140-141, 154, 167, 192, 206, 210, 220-222, 239, 243, 245, 257,
277, 279, 315-316, 318-333 ,335-336, 339, 340, 367, 368, 371,
375, 377, 393
Wall, Brian – 11
Wall, Jerry – 326
Weber – 98
Weisskohl – 381
Weltschiedsrichter – 133
Wheatley – 412
Whitewood – 200
Wieder – 338
Wildtiger – 116
Willstock – 94
Winter – 296
xorigueres – 32
Yeks – 39
Young – 324
Yoush – 80
Zickelbein – 259, 334
Zidu – 235
Zilbermints – 208, 292, 294, 297, 381,
Zlikovski – 56
Book 2: Blackmar-Diemer Games 2
Declined 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 and 1.d4 Nf6
By Tim Sawyer
Welcome to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined and Avoided! Tim
Sawyer analyzes 225 games. This revised version matches the 2016
paperback edition. It includes a new BDG classification, updated
commentary, and an Index of Names to Games. The author tells stories and
explains the chess opening strategy.
This book contains Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Avoided lines after 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 such as: Blackmar Gambit 3.f3, 3.Nc3 lines without 3…Nf6,
Poehlmann 3.Nc3 f5, and Lemberger 3.Nc3 e5. The BDG Declined lines
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 (without 4…exf3) include Caro-Kann O’Kelly 4.f3 c6,
Vienna Defence 4.f3 Bf5 and others. The final chapter has 1.d4 Nf6 BDG
Avoided lines such as the Sawyer Variation 2.f3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5 and the
Huebsch Gambit after 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4.
This is the second of the four Blackmar-Diemer Gambit volumes planned for
2016. These four books are intended to replace the old BDG Keybook.
Blackmar-Diemer Games 2 covers the gambit declined in five chapters each
with 10 sections. Several new games were added here. Some 1.d4 Nf6 games
(without 2...d5) were moved to the author's Indian Defences 1.d4 Nf6 book.
The games of Tartakower, Sawyer, Zilbermints, Quinones, and many more
players provide creative ideas. They demonstrate how to win bold chess
attacks with energy and success. We see many quick White wins and quick
Black wins due to a variety of mistakes. Short victories are common in the
Blackmar-Diemer. Have fun playing chess. Try it!
I quote: “The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is not a boxing jab; it is a knockout
punch. White gets to throw the first punch! Stop playing for the endgame;
start playing to end the game! Be a winner. Play the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit!” [BDG Keybook from 1992]
1.0 – 3.f3
We begin with the Blackmar Gambit 3.f3 without Diemer.
1 - Blackmar without Diemer

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit deserves its playability due to the efforts of
the German master E.J. Diemer. He played the BDG and wrote about it for
more than 40 years. Blackmar had the idea of 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 to
sacrifice a pawn for open lines and rapid development. Diemer's idea was to
play 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3.
The American composer Armand Edward Blackmar invented the move 3.f3.
He was born in Bennington, Vermont May 30, 1826. Blackmar moved to
Paul Morphy's home town of New Orleans in 1860 where he and his brother
ran a music publishing house. Copies of Blackmar's sheet music used during
the Civil War can still be found. Blackmar played his gambit in the 1880s. He
placed third in the New Orleans city championship in 1883.
The Blackmar Gambit begins 1.d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3.f3 ("White's 2nd and 3rd
moves make up the new gambit." - A.E. Blackmar [Brentanos Chess
Monthly, 1882]. This Blackmar Gambit 3.f3 was played a quarter century
before Diemer was born!
Here I played a dumbed down (1920 rating) version of Shredder. Black hits
back in the center with 3...e5! (If 3...exf3 Nxf3. “The alternative 4th moves:
Bg4, Nc6, Nf6, e6 and b6 open a wide field for analysis.” - A.E. Blackmar
[Brentanos Chess Monthly, 1882]) 4.dxe5 Qxd1+ 5.Kxd1 exf3 (or 5...Nc6
6.Bf4 Nge7 [MCO-15, 2008]) 6.Nxf3 Nc6 and Black has the better game.
Shredder - Sawyer, Florida 30.12.2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 e5

4.dxe5 Qxd1+ 5.Kxd1 exf3 [5...Nc6!=/+] 6.Nxf3 Nc6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Bb5 Bd7
9.Rf1 Nxe5 10.Bxd7+ Nxd7 11.Re1 f6 12.Bf4 0-0-0 13.Kc1 Nb6 14.Nc3
Bb4 15.Rd1 [15.Re4 Bxc3 16.bxc3 Nd5-/+] 15...Ne7 16.Nb5 Rxd1+
17.Kxd1 Rd8+ 18.Kc1 c6 19.Nxa7+ [19.Nbd4 g5-+] 19...Kd7 20.Nd4 Nbd5
21.Naxc6 Nxc6 22.Nxc6 Kxc6 23.Bg3 Ne3 24.c3 Rd1# 0-1
2 - Beat Blackmar with 3...e5!
The Blackmar Gambit 3.f3 is a speculative opening. Nonetheless the
Blackmar Gambit can give White great attacking chances. Black does well to
play 3...e5! It resembles the Lemberger 3.Nc3 e5 which avoids the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3.
Everyone knew Paul Morphy. He and Armand Edward Blackmar lived in

New Orleans for over 20 years. Blackmar was 11 years older than Morphy.
Blackmar outlived Morphy by four years. The two players probably played in
the same club but maybe not at the exact same time. Both actively supported
the Confederacy in the American Civil War. Blackmar and Morphy both
loved music.
Players and authors get confused when referring to the Blackmar Gambit.
Note similar e5 lines after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4. In the Blackmar
Gambit, Black can play 3.f3 e5. Playable is the Lemberger Counter Gambit
3.Nc3 e5. Bad for Black is the Elbert Variation of the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e5?
I had a winning position vs “stupy77” by move 36. But the clocks stood at 22
seconds each, so the game would be decided on time and not by checkmate. I
stopped looking for good moves and started looking for fast moves, possibly
even pre-moves.
stupy77 - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 16.09.2014 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 [This is the Blackmar Gambit. Stronger is 3.Nc3! Nf6 4.f3]
3...e5! 4.d5 exf3 [4...Nf6! 5.Bg5 Qxd5-/+] 5.Nxf3 Bd6 [5...Nf6-/+] 6.Nc3
Bg4 7.Bb5+ [7.h3!=] 7...Nd7 8.0-0 Ngf6 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Qe1 h6 11.Bh4 a6
12.Ba4 b5 13.Bb3 Qe7 14.Ne4 g5? [14...Bh5=/+] 15.Nfxg5 Nxe4 16.Qxe4?
[Right square. Wrong piece. White is better after 16.Nxe4!+/-] 16...f5 17.Qe3
hxg5 18.Bxg5 Bc5!? [18...Qh7!-+] 19.Bxe7 Bxe3+ 20.Kh1 Rfe8 21.Bh4
Kg7 22.h3 Bh5 23.Rxf5 Bg6 24.Rf3 Bh6 25.Raf1 Rf8 26.Rxf8 Rxf8
27.Rxf8 Kxf8 28.Bd8 Nc5 29.Bxc7 Nxb3 30.cxb3 e4 31.Bb6 Ke8 32.Kg1
Kd7 33.Bc5 Bg7 34.Kf2 Bxb2 35.g4 Be5 36.h4 Bd6-+ [Clocks: 0:22-0:22]
37.Bd4 a5 38.h5 Bf7 39.Ke3 Bxd5 40.g5 a4 [40...Bh2-/+] 41.bxa4 [41.h6!+-
and White is winning.] 41...bxa4 [41...Be7=] 42.g6 [42.h6+-] 42...Bf8 43.g7
Bxg7 [43...Be7-+] 44.Bxg7 Bxa2 45.Kxe4 Bg8 46.Kd4 Bh7 47.Kc5 Bc2
48.Kb4 Ke6= [White forfeits on time. Clocks: 0:00-0:13] 0-1
3 - Atomic Age Weapon
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit magazine had a rare Blackmar Gambit game
between Roscoe McPherren and Howard Crosbie found in the April 1962
issue. I quote a portion of an article in the February 1962 issue. The principal
editor was Nikolajs Kampars.
“The Latvian Chess magazine, "Chess World", which has been published
monthly in the United States for eight years, shall start a new column,
"Blackmar-Diemer Gambit", in February 1962.
“Eighty years ago the American chess champion Armand Edward Blackmar
from New Orleans, U.S.A. found a peculiar chess opening (1.d4 d5 2.e4!...)
in which White, while sacrificing a Pawn, gained a rapidly favorable
development and attacked the Black King's side magnificently.
“This controversial gambit has been analyzed in detail and completed in the
last 15 years by the German chess master Emil Joseph Diemer. He achieved
impressive victories in his practice during the tournaments in Germany,
Netherlands and Switzerland.
“Diemer's motto, ‘Try to force checkmate with the first move’ became very
popular in the chess world. Following his line many brave "chess knights"
refused the cautious maneuvering from the eternal draws, and created [a]
great number of brilliant games in the chess literature.
“Ignoring some critical observations which are not usually too convincing
anyway, the number of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit's supporters has increased
all over the world.”
McPherren - Crosbie, corr CCLA, 1961? Begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3
exf3 [3...e5-/+] 4.Nxf3 Bf5 5.Bc4 e6 6.0-0 Bd6 7.Ng5! Bg6 8.d5?! [8.Bxe6!
fxe6 9.Nxe6=] 8...e5 9.Qf3 f6? [Black needs to develop with 9...Nf6=/+]
10.Ne6 Qe7 11.Bb5+ [11.Nc3+/-] 11...Nd7 12.b4?! a6 13.Bxd7+ Qxd7
14.a3 Bxc2 [14...c6!=/+] 15.Nd2 Ba4 16.Ne4 c6? 17.Nxd6+ Qxd6
18.Nxg7+ Kf7 19.Nf5 Qxd5 20.Nh6+?! [Houdini 3 likes 20.Qh5+! Ke6
21.Be3 h6 22.Bc5+-] 20...Ke6 [Black has a chance to escape and run to the
queenside. 20...Ke7=] 21.Qg4+ Ke7 22.Qg7+ 1-0
4 – First Postal Blackmar
Gunter Brunold found the oldest known Blackmar Gambit played via
correspondence about 20 years before the birth of Diemer. Brunold provided
the following which I have edited for space:
“... published in the French weekly journal "Le Monde illustré" [Volume 34 /
Serial No. 1710 / January 4th 1890 / page 14]. The occasion of the game was
the 1st International Correspondence Tournament arranged by the "Monde
illustré". The antagonists were Monsieur Sgroi and Monsieur Hervé. I believe
this game is one of the oldest ever played with the Blackmar-Gambit in a
correspondence tourney. With kind regards, Günter Brunold” Later he sent:
“I identified the Christian name of Monsieur Sgroi.”
We are blessed by the research of Herr Brunold. Thank you! This gambit is
named after Armand E. Blackmar of New Orleans. It begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.f3. Blackmar was playing the Dutch Staunton Gambit by the 1876 and
the Blackmar Gambit by 1882. Here I annotate the Sgroi - Herve 1890 postal
game.
Blackmar was the New Orleans contemporary of Paul Morphy. During the
American Civil War (1861-1865), Morphy travelled to Paris and worked as a
liaison for the South. Armand Blackmar wrote music for the support and use
of the Confederacy.
In New Orleans after the war, Blackmar seemed to move on with his life.
Morphy practiced law, but Paul played little chess until his death July 10,
1884. Blackmar died October 28, 1888.
Sgroi - Herve, correspondence 1890 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 Nf6
4.fxe4 Nxe4 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.Nf3 e6 7.c3 [The pawn goes to c3. If 7.Nc3 Be7
8.Bg5 BDG Euwe] 7...Be7 [7...c5=/+] 8.0-0 b6 9.Ne5 0-0 10.Qf3 Qd5
11.Qg3 g6? [11...Nbd7=] 12.Bh6 Nh5 13.Qg4 [13.Qh3! Ba6 14.Bxf8 Bxf8
15.Bxa6 Nxa6 16.Rxf7+-] 13...Nd7 14.Be4 [14.Nxg6! fxg6 15.Bxf8 Ndf6
16.Be4 Qb5 17.Qh4 Bxf8 18.Bxa8 Qxb2 19.Nd2 Qxd2 20.Rxf6 Nxf6
21.Qxf6+/=] 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Qc5+ 16.Rf2? [Losing. Better is 16.Kh1 f5
17.exf6 Rxf6 18.Nd2=] 16...f5 17.exf6 Nxf6 18.Qf3 Nxe4 19.Bxf8 Nxf2
20.Bxe7 Nh3+ 21.Kf1 Ba6+ 22.Ke1 Qg1+ 23.Kd2 Qf2+ 24.Qxf2 Nxf2
25.Na3 Re8 26.Bh4 Ne4+ 27.Ke3 Nd6 28.g4 e5 29.h3 e4 30.Bg3 Bd3
31.Rc1 Rf8 32.Bf4 g5 0-1
1.1 – 3.Nc3
This section covers miscellaneous lines after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3.
5 - Ratings Affect Opening

Per Ostman wrote an excellent book entitled "Your Best Move: A Structured
Approach To Move Selection In Chess." On page 212 he deals with what to
do when your rating is much different than your opponent's rating. I quote
Ostman in part:
“When you face a player that is normally much weaker than yourself, the
most important thing is not to make any significant mistakes. ...your average
ability to choose stronger moves will probably decide that matter in the end.”
“On the other hand, if you play a stronger player... you need to increase the
likelihood of your opponent going wrong. To do this, you need to complicate
the position and be prepared to take more risks than you would normally do.”
Ostman's advice is to play good moves without undue risks vs weaker players
and to play sharper moves vs stronger players. My own chess experience
proves his theory correct.
My game vs “tomnoah” started toward a BDG. The move 3…a6 seems

playable but slow. What do I do now? I was rated a few hundred Elo points
above my opponent. I just recaptured on e4.
Sawyer (1956) - tomnoah (1567), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 13.09.2011

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 a6 4.Nxe4 [4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6] 4...e6
5.Bd3 b5 6.c3 [More accurate is 6.Nf3] 6...Bb7 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.0-0 Bd6 9.Re1
Ngf6 [Black allows me to have the two bishops.] 10.Nxd6+ cxd6 11.Bg5 d5?
[A serious error which cuts off Black's remaining bishop from hitting my
kingside. Black should play 11...h6=] 12.Qd2 0-0 [Now I can attack Black's
king in a BDG-style without much risk.] 13.Qf4 Qb6 14.Qh4 h6 [After the
bishop sacrifice, White still has a queen, bishop, knight and rook to use in the
attack.] 15.Bxh6 gxh6 16.Qxh6 Ne4 17.Ng5 Ndf6 18.Re3 [Checkmate
follows quickly on Qh7 or Qh8. Black resigns] 1-0
6 - Count on BDG Avoided
Years ago I found a statistic that said 85% of people think they are better than
average. In the US during an election year we are bombarded with political
commercials. They remind me of the old saying about statistics: Figures don't
lie, but liars figure.
I played three minute blitz games on Chess.com at the rate of about one game
per day. I went with the default setting where my opponents were always
within 200 points of my rating. That meant almost all my opponents were
rated below me, since most people want to "play up".
When my Chess.com blitz rating was at 1978, it was at the 99.4 percentile.
So much for figures. I continued to play there until my rating passed 2000.
I played “konakjan” rated 2 points below me. We headed toward a Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit. Black played 3...e3 just giving the pawn back a move before
I can offer the 4.f3 BDG pawn.
I just developed and built up at attack. I got a good position with great
chances, but then I let it slip into a draw.
Sawyer - konakjan, Live Chess Chess.com, 06.08.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 e3 4.Bxe3 [Almost everyone takes with the bishop, but also
interesting is 4.fxe3!? Nf6 5.Nf3+/=] 4...Nf6 5.Nf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0
8.0-0-0 c6 9.Bh6 Nbd7 10.h4 b5 11.Be2?! [I envisioned the bishop
supporting g4 and h5, but more accurate was 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Bd3 b4
13.Ne4+/=] 11...a5? [Black misses 11...b4! 12.Bxg7 bxc3-/+] 12.Bxg7 Kxg7
13.h5 Rh8?! 14.h6+ Kf8 15.Ng5+/- [The winning idea is 15.d5! b4 16.dxc6
bxc3 17.Qxc3+-] 15...Nb6 16.Nce4 [16.Qf4+/-] 16...Nbd5 17.Kb1 Bf5
18.Bd3 [18.f3!+-] 18...Bxe4 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Bxe4 f6 21.g4 Kf7 22.f4 e6
23.g5 [23.f5!+/-] 23...f5 24.Bxd5 exd5 25.Rhe1 Re8 26.Rxe8 Qxe8 27.Re1
Qd7 28.Qe3 [28.Re5+/-] 28...Re8 29.Qxe8+ Qxe8 30.Rxe8 Kxe8 31.a4 Kd7
32.Ka2 b4 33.Kb3 Kd6 34.c3 bxc3 35.bxc3 [Initially I thought I could play
35.Kxc3? but then I saw that it probably loses to 35...c5-+] 35...c5 36.Kc2
cxd4 37.cxd4 Kc6 38.Kd3 Kd6 39.Kc3 Kc6 40.Kd3 Kd6 41.Kc3 Kc6
42.Kd3 Kd6 43.Kc3 Kc6 44.Kd3 Kd6 45.Kc3 1/2-1/2
7 - BDG Not Avoided
I played a BDG Avoided game that almost transposed back into the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Bogoljubow 6.Bf4 variation. Black chose a
different move order so that we stayed in original territory.
My opponent stubbornly insisted on a certain set-up where he sacrificed the

e-pawn to open the f-file. Wait a minute. He was doing exactly what I often
do!?
I played “LeviRook” several times. It seems to me that every one of them

were interesting.
By move seven, he had only one piece developed. At the same time I had all
four of my minor pieces near the center.
We were playing fast. Then Black played what was probably the losing move
in 7...e5?
Two general principles proved to be true:

1. If you develop slowly, and
2. If you open the center while your king is still there,
3. Then these are recipes for disaster or at least for losing chess games
convincingly.
Sawyer - LeviRook, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 29.11.2012 begins 1.e4 d5

2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 g6 4.f3 [4.Nxe4] 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg7 6.Bf4 f6 [6...Nf6=
transposes to a BDG Bogoljubow] 7.Bc4 e5? [Black heads toward a lost
endgame. 7...c6 8.Qe2+/=] 8.dxe5 Qxd1+ 9.Rxd1 Bg4 10.exf6 Bxf6 11.Nd5
Bd8 12.Nxc7+ Bxc7 13.Bxc7 Nd7 [Or 13...Nc6 14.0-0+-] 14.0-0 Bxf3
15.Rxf3 Rc8 16.Re1+ Ne7 17.Bf7+ Kf8 18.Be6+ [18.Bd6!+- is very
powerful.] 18...Ke8 19.Bd6 Rc6 20.Bxe7 Kxe7 21.Bd5+ [21.Rf7+!+-]
21...Kd6 22.Bxc6 bxc6 23.Rd3+ Kc7 24.Re7 Rb8 25.b3?! Black resigns 1-0
1.2 – 3.Nc3 c5
Black challenges d4 with 3…c5.
8 - BDG Albin vs Kluge

From 1989-1990 in USCF postal chess I played the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit at every opportunity. I became a USCF Postal Master. Some games
were very long and others very short.
This was before e-mail was widely used and chess engines were rare and
weak. Mostly, correspondence players were on their own, except for an
opening book or two in their favorite lines.
1980s databases were limited. Only a few books covered the BDG. Almost
all of them were not in English, so I decided to write one my own.
Bob Long from Thinkers' Press / Chessco in Iowa offered me a contract. I

wrote the "Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook" over a three year period of
time, late 1988 to late 1991. I received my first copy in print late February
1992. I do not remember how many thousands of copies were printed, but
they all sold out.
The BDG Avoided 3...c5 is an Albin-Counter Gambit Reversed with an extra

tempo for the gambit player. Mark D. Kluge chose the move 4...e6? This
reminded me of the time in 1973 when I faced the Albin-Counter Gambit as
White in a simul I was giving. I made the same blunder with 4.e3? I learned
that lesson well.
In the first round of the 1989 USCF Golden Knights tournament as I recall, I
entered the maximum of 10 sections, each with six opponents. I did not
always record the section number, so I only know four of my opponents in
this 89N189 section.
Sawyer (2182) - Kluge (1726), corr USCF 89N189, 02.10.1989 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 e6? 5.Bb5+! Bd7 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.Qh5+ ["I don't
feel like playing with an exposed king. Good game!" - Kluge. Houdini gives
7.Qh5+ g6 8.Qe5 Nf6 (or 8...Qf6 9.Qxe4 Nc6 10.Nd5+/-) 9.Bg5 Be7 10.0-0-
0 0-0 11.Bxd7 Nbxd7 12.Qxe6+ Rf7 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nxe4+/-] 1-0
9 - Khlichkova Albin Reversed
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit can be avoided after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c5 3.Nc3 dxe4 or
2...dxe4 3.Nc3 c5 (3...Nf6 4.f3 = BDG). Consider the Veresov Opening with
2.Nc3 avoided by 2...c5 3.e4 dxe4.
In each case we reach the same position each time. The added moves 4.d5
Nf6 make it a reversed Albin Counter Gambit with an extra move for White.
It is nice to see so many girls playing chess these days. Females did not play
in many tournaments when I was an active player.
WFM Tatiana Khlichkova defeated vs IM Elena Zaiatz with the standard

continuation 5.Bg5, although 5.Nge2 also looks very playable. The BDG
approach with 5.f3 is more risky, as is the counterpart 5...f6 in the Albin
Counter Gambit.
In this contest between two high rated Russian women, youth triumphs over
experience. Black keeps her king in the center and attacks on the flanks.
The game is an example of how the bishops of opposite color middlegame

favors the attacker. White works up a checkmate.
Khlichkova (2249) - Zaiatz (2408), 64th ch-RUS HL w 2014 Vladivostok

RUS (3.6), 06.06.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 c5 3.e4 dxe4 [3...e6 4.exd5
exd5 5.dxc5+/-] 4.d5 [4.Bb5+!? or 4.Nge2!?] 4...Nf6 5.Bg5 [5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3
g6 7.Bf4 Bg7 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 BDG Long Bogo] 5...Qb6 6.b3 [6.Bb5+!?]
6...Nbd7 7.Nge2 g6 8.Qd2 h6 9.Be3 Bg7 10.Rd1 a6 11.Ng3 Qb4 12.Be2
[12.d6!?] 12...h5 [12...Ng4=/+] 13.0-0 h4 14.a3 Qxa3 15.Ra1 Qb4 16.Ra4
Qb6 [16...hxg3 17.Rxb4 gxh2+ 18.Kh1 cxb4 19.Na4=] 17.Ngxe4 Nxe4
18.Nxe4 f5 19.Ng5 Qd6 20.Ne6 Be5 21.f4 Bf6 22.Bb5 b6 23.Bc6 Rb8 24.c4
Kf7 25.Ra2 Nf8 26.Ng5+ Kg7 27.Nf3 Nh7 28.Qf2 Nf8 29.Bc1 e6
[29...Ne6=] 30.Re1 exd5 [30...Bb7 31.Bb2+/=] 31.Bxd5 Ne6 32.Bxe6 Bxe6
33.Rd2 Qc6 34.Ne5 Bxe5 35.Rxe5 Rbd8 36.Bb2 Kf7 37.Re1 [37.Re3 Rxd2
38.Qxd2+/-] 37...Rxd2 38.Qxd2 Rg8 39.Qc3 Bd7 40.Re5 Bc8 41.Rd5 Qe6
42.Qd2 Qe4 43.Rd6 Be6 [43...h3 44.gxh3+/=] 44.Qc3 Ke7 45.Rd1 Rf8
46.Qg7+ Rf7 47.Bf6+ 1-0
10 - Avoided 3...c5 Yang Hainan
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit players battle for the center in many ways.
Usually it involves pawns: the d-pawn and e-pawn, as well as the f-pawn and
c-pawn.
One line is a reversed Albin-Counter Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c5 3.Nc3

dxe4 4.d5. In a contest between Yang Hainan (2137) vs Chan Peng Kong
(2264), the players transpose to this same position using the Veresov
Opening move order of 2.Nc3.
The best continuation is 4...Nf6 5.Bg5. This game from the Hong Kong Open
in China is in a critical line. It is pretty well played by both sides.
White obtains a still edge which gradually grows as the game progresses. In
BDG nomenclature, this 3...c5 line is called the Dries Variation.
Yang Hainan (2137) - Chan Peng Kong (2264), Hong Kong Open 2014
(7.15), 04.10.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 c5 3.e4 dxe4 4.d5 Nf6 5.Bg5 Qb6
6.Qd2 Nbd7 7.0-0-0 a6 8.Re1 h6 9.Bh4 g6 10.f3 exf3 11.Nxf3 Bg7 12.Bc4
Qb4 13.Bd3 0-0 14.a3 Qa5 15.Rxe7 c4 [Correct is 15...b5! 16.d6 c4 17.Be4
Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Qxd2+ 19.Nexd2=] 16.Bxc4 Qc5 17.Qe2 Nb6 18.Bf2 Qxc4
19.Bxb6 Qxe2 20.Rxe2 Bg4 21.Re7 Nd7 22.Bc7 Bf6 23.Ree1 Bxc3 24.bxc3
Bxf3 25.gxf3 Rfe8 26.Kd2 Rec8 27.d6 Nc5 28.Re7 Kf8 29.Rhe1 Ne6
30.R1xe6 fxe6 31.Rxe6 Rxc7 32.dxc7 Kf7 [32...Rc8 33.Rxg6 h5 34.Rh6
Rxc7 35.Rxh5+/-] 33.Rb6 Rc8 34.Rxb7 g5 35.Ke3 Ke6 36.Ra7 Kd5
37.Kd3 Kc5 38.Rxa6 Rxc7 39.Rxh6 Rf7 40.Ke4 Re7+ 41.Kd3 Rf7 42.Ke3
Re7+ 43.Kf2 Ra7 44.Rg6 Rxa3 45.Rxg5+ Kd6 46.Rg2 [46.c4! Rc3 47.c5+
Kc6 48.h4 Rxc2+ 49.Kg3+-] 46...Rxc3 47.Kg3 Ke5 48.Kg4 Rc8 49.Re2+
Kf6 50.h4 Rg8+ 51.Kf4 Rh8 52.Rh2 Rg8 53.h5 Kg7 54.h6+ [Getting rid of
the rooks with 54.Rg2+! Kf8 55.Rxg8+ Kxg8 56.Ke5+- wins far more
easily.] 54...Kh7 55.Ke3 Re8+ 56.Kd2 Rd8+ 57.Kc1 Rf8 58.Rh3 Rc8 59.f4
Rc4 60.Rh4 Rc8 61.Kd2 Rd8+ 62.Ke3 Re8+ 63.Kf3 Rc8 64.Rh2 Rc4
65.Kg4 Rc5 66.f5 Rc3 67.Kg5 [67.f6!+-] 67...Rg3+ 68.Kf6 Kg8 69.c4 Rc3
70.Rh4 Rc1 71.Ke6 Re1+ 72.Kd6 Rd1+ 73.Kc6 Rf1 74.Rh5 Kh7 75.c5
Rc1 76.Kd6 Rd1+ 77.Kc7 Rc1 78.c6 Rc2 79.Kd7 Rd2+ 80.Kc8 Rc2 81.c7
Rc1 82.f6 1-0
1.3 – 3.Nc3 Nc6
This is a variation of the Queen’s Knight Defence which is sometimes called
the Nimzovich Defence.
11 - Penullar Christian Chess World

Christian Chess World is one of the groups at Chess.com. This group formed
January 29, 2009. Peter Mcgerald Penullar played a match and attempted to
play the BDG. The game began 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nc6, a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Avoided. The main line is 4.d5! Penullar against "ArthurSU"
chose 4.Be3.
Eric Schiller called this the Mieses Defense in his 1986 book the "Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit":
"To be perfectly truthful, Mieses was not the first to employ the system
against the Blackmar-Diemer. That honor belongs to Kipke, but his
destruction at the hands of Kurt Richter was so devastating that I passed him
over. One day the BDG crowd will straighten out the nomenclature."
Penullar - ArthurSU, CHRISTIAN CHESS WORLD, 2012, Match #6 -

Chess.com, 04.01.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nc6 [This transposes
to the Queen's Knight Defence normally reached after 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 dxe4.] 4.Be3!? [More forceful is 4.d5! Ne5 5.f3! exf3 6.Nxf3 Nxf3+
7.Qxf3 a6 8.Bd3 Nf6 9.0-0+/= White has a huge lead in development and a
lot of play for the pawn.] 4...Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 e6
9.0-0-0 [White has an excellent attacking position.] 9...Bd6 10.d5 [Interesting
is the surprising tactical shot 10.Ba6!+/= with a "removal of the guard" idea.]
10...Ne5 11.Qe2 0-0?! [The natural continuation is 11...exd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5
13.Rxd5 0-0 where Black is a pawn up.] 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Bg5 Qe7 14.Ne4
Qf7 [14...Nf7!?] 15.Nxd6 cxd6 16.Rxd6 h6? [After 16...Nfd7 17.Qe4+/-
White has the two bishops.] 17.Bxh6!? [17.Qxe5 hxg5 18.Bc4 is very
powerful.] 17...gxh6 [17...Nc6 and Black is "just" down a pawn.] 18.Qxe5
Rae8 19.Bc4 Nd5 20.Rf1 Qc7? [Losing material under difficult
circumstances. 20...Qg7 21.Qxg7+ Kxg7 22.Rxf8 Kxf8 23.Bxd5 exd5
24.Kd2+-] 21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Bxd5 Qf7? 23.Bxe6 Qf1+? 24.Rd1 Qf2?
[Allows mate in 6.] 25.Qh8+ Ke7 26.Rd7+ [The end comes after 26.Rd7+
Kxe6 27.Qxe8+ Kf5 28.Rf7+ Kg6 29.Qg8+ Kh5 30.Qg4#] 1-0
12 - Nimzowitsch to Ryder Gambit
Jocelyn Bond wrote the following to me. English might not be his first
language, but I think you can understand his points:
“How to transform a Nimzowitsch King pawn into a Ryder Gambit? Hi

everybody, I played this Wednesday the rounds 5 and 6 against Normand
Dubé, a 78 years old player rated about 1350. It's the Jonquiere chess
championship [Canada] and time control is 30 minutes to do mate. 2 easy
wins this last Wednesday and 6 points in 6 games right now. 7 opponents and
14 games. Each Wednesday, 2 games are played against each opponent (one
is white and the other is black)”
“The game of the week saw a Nimzowitsch king pawn defense 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4
d5 3.Nc3 that became later a Ryder gambit (Q on f3) Has 6.f3 ever been
played before? The most difficult move to play for me was to choose between
13.Bxc7 or 13.Nxc7; anyway both moves win.”
“Thank you Tim for all you do. I read each week your chronicles, it is
wonderful... I learn a lot from you. You're the best and the king of the BDG!
Continue your excellent work.”
I reply I wrote that 3...dxe4 is the sharpest reply, but 3...e6 and 3...Nf6 are
also very common. A weak move here is 4...Nb4?, but it has been played
about 100 times. The main line is 4...Ne5. The strongest move may be
4...Nb8=. Both can be met with 5.f3 or in other ways. 7.Qxf3 is new to me.
7.Nxf3 has been played at least four times, White winning three of them.
Bond - Dubé, Jonquiere chess championship (6), 12.07.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 Nc6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.d5 Nb4 5.a3 Na6 6.f3 exf3 7.Qxf3 Nc5 8.Bf4 Nf6
9.h3 [Controls g4 but 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Bxd7+ Ncxd7 +/- would be
better.] 9...g6 [9...e6!? is better. Deep Fritz gives 10.0-0-0 Bd6 11.dxe6 fxe6]
10.b4 Ncd7?? [10...e5 is the best try. 11.Bxe5 Ncd7+/-] 11.Nb5 e5 [11...Bg7
12.Bxc7 Ne5 13.Bxe5 0-0+-] 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Bxc7 [A difficult choice.
13.Nxc7+ Kf7 14.0-0-0 g5+- Deep Fritz] 13...Qe7 14.Nd6+ Qxd6 15.Bxd6
Bxd6 16.0-0-0 [16.Bc4 Rf8 17.Qe3+-] 16...0-0 17.Rxd6 [I've seen 17.Ne8
18.Rxe6 Deep fritz adds 18...Rxf3 19.Nxf3+-] 1–0 [Notes by Bond and Deep
Fritz]
1.4 – 3.Nc3 c6
White avoids a main line Caro-Kann Defence with 4.f3 e5 which is a Milner-
Barry Gambit.
13 - Martin Three Wishes

I imagine Andrew Martin surfing the internet. He finds a beautiful beach on
which sits a lantern. He picks up the lantern and dusts it off. Out pops a chess
genie ready to grant him three gambit wishes. The genie says, “All three
gambits will be in the same game. You as Black can only choose one way to
play the game.”
International Master Andrew Martin played “SugarMagnolia” in a Caro-

Kann Defence Sir Stuart Milner-Barry Gambit. With 4.f3 Martin was given
three gambit wishes. How might he respond?
#1 Wish: 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 is a BDG Accepted Ziegler.

#2 Wish: 4.f3 Nf6 is the BDG Declined O'Kelly variation.
#3 Wish: 4.f3 e5 a good reply to the Milner-Barry Gambit.
Martin chose #3. Our BDG hero "SugarMagnolia" kept up the pressure but
missed a few chances. IM Andrew Martin, being the fighter he is, picked off
the e5-pawn and won in the endgame. At any rate, the clash of styles led to
entertaining chess!
SugarMagnolia (2219) – AndrewMartinIM (2302), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess

Club, 17.08.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 c6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e5 5.dxe5
[5.Be3!?] 5...Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1 [Harder to play is 6.Kxd1?!] 6...exf3 [6...Nd7! is
the most critical line. White has 7.fxe4 (or 7.f4!? f6 8.Nf2=) 7...Nxe5 8.Nf3=]
7.Nxf3 Bc5 8.Be3 Nd7 9.Bc4 Ne7 10.Bxc5 [I like 10.0-0!+/= aiming at f7
and e6.] 10...Nxc5 11.Nc3 Be6 12.Bxe6 Nxe6 13.Ne4 0-0 14.0-0-0 Rfd8
15.Nd6 Rd7 16.Nd4 [16.g3!?] 16...Nxd4 17.Rxd4 Ng6 18.Rhd1 h6 19.Nc4
Rxd4 20.Rxd4 Re8 21.Nd6 Rd8 22.Re4 [22.Ra4] 22...b6 23.a4 Rd7 24.b4
Kf8 25.Nc4 Ke7 26.c3 Ke6 27.Kc2 Rd5 28.a5 b5 29.Nb2 Rxe5 30.Kd3 f5
31.Rxe5+ Kxe5 32.c4 [Black is certainly winning with the extra pawn, even
after 32.g3 Ne7-+] 32...Nf4+ 33.Kc3 Nxg2 34.Nd3+ Ke4 35.Nc5+ Ke3
36.Ne6 f4 37.Nxg7 f3 38.Nf5+ Kf4 39.Ng3 f2 40.cxb5 cxb5 41.Kd4 h5
42.Nxh5+ Kf3 43.Ng3 Ne3 44.Kc5 Nf5 45.Nxf5 f1Q 46.Nd4+ Ke4 47.Nxb5
Qf5+ 48.Kc6 Qd5+ 49.Kc7 Qxb5 0-1
14 - Gambits vs Caro-Kann
There are five closely related gambit lines in the Caro-Kann Defence using
the f3 and / or Bc4 idea. Players get confused about them. The lines often
transpose to each other.
Using one of my games as an example, I take this opportunity to break down

the subtle differences of these lines.
The Caro-Kann Defence is a good and solid opening played on both sides by
chess world champions and by me. The main line is 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
dxe4 when Black can play 4.Nxe4 Bf5 (Schandorff), 4.Nxe4 Nd7
(Lakdawala) or 4.Nxe4 Nf6 (Silman).
Here are the five related gambit lines after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5:
A. 3.f3 – The Fantasy Variation which can transpose below if 3...dxe4 4.Nc3
exf3, although the most common reply is 3...e6.
B. 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 - Von Hennig Gambit. Play might continue 4...Nf6 (or
4...Bf5) 5.f3 Bf5 where Black plays to hold e4.
C. 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 - Milner-Barry Gambit. This has two key options: 4...e5
or simply 4...exf3 without Nf6.
D. 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 Nf6 - O'Kelly Variation. This is also a Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit Declined after 4.f3 c6.
E. 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 - Ziegler Variation. This is a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Accepted.
I hope that helps you keep these clear in your own mind. All of them can
reach the main line BDG Ziegler.
In my ICC blitz game vs “TBricker1”, I played 5.Be3. The alternative is

5.dxe5 (previous game). I mated my opponent on the 14th move with this
Caro-Kann 4.f3 Milner-Barry Gambit,
Sawyer - TBricker1, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.06.2012 begins 1.d4

c6 2.e4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 e5 5.Be3 Bf5 6.Nxe4 Bxe4 7.fxe4 Nd7 8.Nf3 f6
9.Bc4 Bb4+ 10.c3 Ba5 11.Qb3 b5 12.Bxg8 Ke7 13.Qe6+ Kf8 14.Qf7#
Black checkmated 1-0
15 - Berthelsen Punishes Pawn
I was very happy to receive a game from long time BDGer Roald Berthelsen:
“Hi Tim!
“The following game was played in a Swedish open club tournament 2008.
“The game [Roald Berthelsen – Leif Anderberg] has never been publish
before.
“Best regards
“Roald Berthelsen”
In this Caro-Kann Defence 4.f3 e5, Milner-Barry Gambit, Black's 6...Be6

(without Nf6) is new to me and not in my database. The basic question in the
main line is whether White's isolated e4 pawn is strong or weak.
Here Black played to win the two bishops with Nb8-d7-c5xd3. However this
allowed White to recapture 11.cxd3 leaving him with a central pawn duo.
Berthelsen advanced these pawns with great effect. A key tactic was 17.e6!
attacking the queen.
Black's f7 pawn could not take on e6 without dropping the Ng6. White's
moves 16-22 were very accurately executed. Nice game.
Berthelsen - Anderberg, Swedish club open 2008 begins 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5

3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 e5 5.Be3 exd4 6.Bxd4 Be6!? [6...Nf6 7.fxe4 Bb4 8.a3
Bxc3+ 9.Bxc3=] 7.fxe4 [Or 7.Nxe4=] 7...Nd7 8.Nf3 h6 9.Bd3 [9.Qd2!?]
9...Nc5 10.0-0 Nxd3 11.cxd3 Bg4? [Here was Black's last chance to get an
equal game with 11...Nf6=] 12.Bf2 [Or 12.Ne2+/-]12...Qd7 13.d4 [If 13.Ne5
Bxd1 14.Nxd7 Kxd7 15.Raxd1+/- White's pieces are better placed, but the
position is less complicated.] 13...Ne7 14.Qd3 Ng6 15.Rfe1 Bd6 16.e5 Bc7?
[16...Be7=] 17.e6! Qc8? [17...Bxe6 18.Rxe6+ fxe6 19.Qxg6+ Qf7 20.Qxf7+
Kxf7 21.Ne4+/=] 18.d5 [Or 18.exf7+ Kxf7 19.Bg3+-] 18...Nf4 19.Qd4 0-0
20.d6! Bxf3? [It is difficult to defend this position. 20...fxe6 21.dxc7 Bxf3
22.gxf3 Qxc7 23.Bg3+/-] 21.d7! Nxe6 22.dxc8Q 1-0
1.5 – 3.Nc3 Bf5
Black defends the pawn by developing his bishop in the Zeller Variation.
16 - Ferreira Chooses 4.g4!?

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Avoided line 3.Nc3 Bf5, known as the Zeller
Variation, is rather common. I suspect that players with the Black pieces
usually play it at the spur of the moment.
White has the choice between transposing back into a BDG with 4.f3 exf3
5.Nxf3 Nf6 or 5.Qxf3!?
Of course Black does not have to cooperate. In the October 2012 game
between K. Ferreira (2121) and Augusto Bianchi (1903) we see another good
White alternative.
White chose 4.g4!? After the natural retreat 4…Bg6, White has usually
continued with 5.Bg2. Here Ferreira played 5.Nge2!? This looks to be very
interesting and maybe just as good as 5.Bg2.
Ferreira - Bianchi, 7th Americas Continental 2012 Mar del Plata ARG
(6.63), 16.10.2012 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.g4 Bg6 5.Nge2!?
[Normally White plays 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4 with an improved
version of the BDG Vienna 5.g4.] 5...Nc6 [5…e6 6.Bg2 Nc6 7.Nxe4=] 6.Be3
[6.d5! Ne5 7.Nd4+=] 6…Nf6 7.Nf4 e5 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.d5 Ne7 10.Bc4 Qd7
11.g5 [11.Bb5!?] 11…Ng4 12.Qe2 Rh3 [Black should try 12...Nxe3!=/+
followed eventually with ...Ne7-Nf5. White position would be even worse if
he then played 13.Bb5? Ng2+ 14.Kf1 c6 when Black should walk away with
an extra piece.] 13.0-0-0 Nxe3? [13...a6 14.Bc5+/=] 14.Bb5 Nxd1 15.Bxd7+
Kxd7 16.Rxd1 Nf5 17.Qb5+ Kd8 18.Qxb7 Rc8 19.Nxe4 Rxh2 20.Qxa7
Rh4 21.Nc3 [21.d6!+-] 21...Be7 22.Kb1 Bxg5 23.a4 Kd7 24.Qb7 Nd6
25.Qc6+ Kd8 26.b3 Rb8 27.Ka2 Rb6 28.Qa8+ Kd7 29.a5 Nb5? 30.Nxb5
Rxb5? 31.Qc6+ 1-0
17 - Queenside Mate in Zeller
In this game we reach the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Zeller variation by
transposition. The normal move order is 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5. We
flip flopped moves two and three above when I played 2.Nc3.
Now White has the choice between 4.g4 (which I covered in the previous
game) and 4.f3. After 4...exf3 White again has a choice, this time of
recaptures, between 5.Nxf3 and 5.Qxf3.
If White plays 5.Nxf3, then the game could transpose into a BDG Gunderam
after 5...Nf6.
If White plays 5.Qxf3, this move attacks both f5 and b7. Chances are equal in
my game with “whereisitat” until Black blunders on move 8.
Black’s king fled the center, only to get checkmated on the queenside.
Actually, he understandably resigned in the face of mate in one.
Sawyer - whereisitat, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 08.12.2012 begins 1.d4

d5 2.Nc3 Bf5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6 [If 5...Qc8 6.Bf4 Nf6 7.h3 e6
8.0-0-0=] 6.Qxb7 Nd7 7.Bb5 Ngf6 8.Nf3 Be4? 9.Bxd7+ [Or 9.Nxe4+-]
9...Kxd7 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 [Even better than the free piece was
11.Ne5+! Ke8 12.Qb5+!+- forcing a fork on the king and queen.] 11...Bd6
12.0-0 Re8 13.c4 f5 14.Qe2 Kc8 15.c5 Be7 16.Qa6+ Kb8 17.c6 Qc8
18.Qb5+ Black resigns 1-0
18 - BDG Birthday Game
What do you do on your birthday? I played a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit! It
makes sense because I am currently working on my next BDG book (or
several books) for 2016.
I anticipate playing a lot of blitz games in the coming year. Often I play 1.e4,
but it can be fun to play 2.e4 was well.
Johnny Owens wished me a Happy Birthday and hoped I had a great one. I
replied that it might be a BDG afternoon.
But then I got busy with life. However late in the day I tried to reach a
Blackmar-Diemer.
In this quick three minute blitz game my opponent sidestepped the BDG
(3...Nf6 4.f3). We ended up in a warm fuzzy Zeller Variation with 3...Bf5.
Both sides had chances but White got a big lead on the clock. When Black
got into time trouble, his game collapsed.
Sawyer (2005) - guest7749, ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club, 25.10.2015

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 [4.g4!?] 4...exf3 5.Qxf3 [5.Nxf3 e6
is still not a normal BDG since Black has not yet played Nf6.] 5...Bc8
[5...Qc8 6.Bf4=] 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bd3 [7.0-0-0 Bg4? (7...c6=) 8.Qxb7 Bxd1
9.Qxa8+/-] 7...Nbd7 8.Qg3 e6 9.Nf3 Nh5 10.Qf2 Be7 11.0-0 [11.0-0-0+/=]
11...b6 12.Ng5 [I considered 12.Ne5! Nxe5 13.dxe5 but I missed the double
attack on h5 and a8 after 13...0-0 14.Qf3+-] 12...Nhf6 13.Rae1 Bb7 14.h3?!
[14.d5!+/-] 14...h6 15.Nge4 Bxe4 [Better is 15...0-0=/+] 16.Nxe4 0-0 17.c3
c5 18.Kh1 cxd4 19.cxd4 Rb8 20.Qg3? [20.Nc3=] 20...Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Nf6
[Black is in time trouble on the clock but he would be winning on the board
with 21...Bh4!-+] 22.Bb1 [22.Bxh6+/-] 22...Bd6 23.Qh4 Nd5 24.Qe4 Nf6
[24...g6 25.Rxf7!+-] 25.Rxf6 [Black forfeits on time in the face of
unstoppable checkmates that only be delayed a few moves.] 1-0
19 - Cavicchi vs Zimina
Francesco Cavicchi provided a game with disappearing Black bishops. He
said that his opponent was WGM Olga Zimina, Russian born but actually a
resident in Modena, Italy.
Blitz chess games can make you feel like you are in a groove. Everything
flows the way it is supposed to. You play with energy and imagination. Your
pieces are always on the right squares. You see the tactics. You win a
beautiful game. Check this out.
In the BDG Zeller is that Black develops the queenside bishop (3...Bf5)
before and instead of the kingside knight (3...Nf6). After 5.Qxf3, Christoph
Scheerer notes 5...Bc8 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Nge2 e6 8.0-0-0 “can be compared to the
Euwe Defence...” In his variation 7...e6 allowed Black to bring out her other
bishop.
Cavicchi kept Zimina busy dealing with attacking and defending issues. Her
dark squared bishop stayed undeveloped until move 24. That was rare in her
games! Zimina made up for it with her light squared bishop, which moved
five times by move 12 and disappears by move 13. We can imagine her
thought process: “Let me deal with this now and I will get to the Bf8 soon.”
For most of us, sooner becomes later. Then we find it is too late.
Cavicchi (1938) - Zimina (2355), FSI Arena 5min, 09.06.2014 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 exf3 [4...Nf6 is a BDG Vienna] 5.Qxf3 Bc8
[After 5...Qc8 Houdini prefers 6.Bf4= at a depth of 27 ply.] 6.Be3 [The
alternative is to attack c7 with 6.Bf4!?] 6...Nf6 7.0-0-0 c6 [Not 7...Bg4?
8.Qxb7 Bxd1 9.Qxa8 Bg4 10.Nf3+/-] 8.h3 Be6 9.Kb1 Qa5 10.Nge2 Nbd7?
[10...Bd5=] 11.Nf4! Bf5 [Or 11...Bd5 12.Ncxd5 Nxd5 13.Bd2! Qb6 14.Nxd5
cxd5 15.Qxd5 e6 16.Qc4+/-] 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Bd3 [Or 14.d5!+-]
14...e6 15.g5 Nd5 16.Nxd5 Qxd5 17.Be4 Qd6 18.Rhf1 Qe7 19.Bf4 Nb6
20.c3 Nd5 [This is slow, but 20...Qd7 21.Bd3 Be7 22.h4 0-0-0 23.Bg3 Rhf8
24.Qf4 Bd6 25.Qxd6 Qxd6 26.Bxd6 Rxd6 27.Bxg6+/= White regains the
gambit pawn with advantage.] 21.Bh2 Qd7 [Placing the queen on the d-file
invites a breakthrough on d5, but White's position is very strong in any case.
21...Rd8 22.c4+-] 22.c4! Nb6 23.d5 cxd5 24.cxd5 Bc5 25.dxe6 Qxe6
26.Bxb7 0-0 27.Rfe1 Qc4 28.Rc1 Qb5 29.Bc6 Qb4 30.a3 Qa5 31.Bxa8
Rxa8 32.b4 [Black resigns] 1-0
20 - Clauser Wins BDG Zeller
Jack Clauser told me about a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game he played. The
line was in the Zeller variation after 3.Nc3 Bf5.
His game followed a line from the “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit” by Gary

Lane. On page 117 a note cites Boyarinov - Utemov, USSR 1962. Moves are
given up through move 9 dxc6!
After that point, Jack and his opponent deviated from that game. They were
on their own. That game is given below.
Clauser asked me, “Do you have in your database the entire game? If yes, I'd
like to review the game.” Jack added, “I am guessing the game continued
9...Bxf3 10.Rxd8+ Kxd8 11.c7+ Kc8 12 cxb8 (Q+) Rxb8 13 Bxb8 Bxg2 14
Bxg2 Kxb8 15 Nf3.”
A few days later Jack wrote,
“Finished my phone chess game today. See attached photo with the score
handwritten. I played a guy from South Africa. My name in the app is
"JackC1586". The app gave me my name. I had no input. My opponent is
"Varro.kun". A friend got me into the app. He invited me via Facebook. I
asked how he found the app and he said: Google App Store for Zynga Chess
or use search option in Facebook by typing "Chess With Friends". Jack”
Thanks! Jack Clauser is a longtime friend. This game showed the value in
playing what is probably the best move 6.Bf4.
Clauser - Varro.kun, Zynga Chess, 16.05.2016 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Bc8 6.Bf4 c6 7.0-0-0 Nf6 8.d5 Bg4 9.dxc6
Bxf3? [9...Qb6 10.Nd5 Bxf3 11.Nxb6 axb6? (11...Nxc6 12.Nxf3 axb6
13.Bb5+/=) 12.c7 Nc6 13.Nxf3 Na7 (13...Ne4 14.Bd3 Nf2 15.Bb5 Nxd1
16.Rxd1+-) 14.Ne5 e6 15.Rd8+ 1-0 Bojarinov - Utemov, URS 1962]
10.Rxd8+ Kxd8 11.c7+ Kc8 12.cxb8Q+ Rxb8 13.Bxb8 [Also good is
13.Nxf3+-] 13...Bxg2 14.Bxg2 Kxb8 15.Bf3 [15.Nf3!+-] 15...Nd7 16.Be2 e5
17.Nf3 a6 [17...f6 18.Rd1+/-] 18.Rd1 Kc8 19.Ng5 f6 [19...Be7 20.Nxf7 Rf8
21.Bc4+-] 20.Nf7 Rg8 21.Bg4 Bc5 22.Rxd7 Kb8 23.Rd8+ [Or 23.Nd8!+-]
23...Rxd8 24.Nxd8 g6 25.Ne6 Be3+ 26.Kd1 f5 27.Be2 e4 28.Nf8 Bh6
29.Nxh7 e3 30.Nf6 1-0
1.6 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bf4
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Poehlmann is also a line in the Dutch
Defence. White might choose 4.Bf4, 4.Bg5, or 4.f3.
21 - BDG or Dutch Defence?

Black can avoid the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
with the move 3...f5 known as the BDG Poehlmann. That same line may also
arise from a Dutch Defence after 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4.
This marriage of openings transposes to the same position. I used to prefer

the Black side during my Dutch Defence days, but I discovered it was not
easy to defend. Now I prefer White.
I interviewed a man from the Netherlands who told me the Dutch people are
the tallest in the world. That reminded me of my friend Jack from Holland
who is maybe 6 feet 7 inches. Jack was a former heavyweight boxer. He
became a Christian missionary in South America to people a whole lot
shorter.
In my Internet Chess Club game vs Edmundich I chose the 4.Bf4 line

recommended by theoreticians. Usually I play 4.Bg5 or 4.f3.
In the game below we castled opposite sides. Black opened up my king, but I
defended reasonably well. My focus was on the center, but then I launched
my h-pawn attack. Finally I was able to sneak in with 34.Rg8+ and 35.Qh8
mate.
Sawyer (1927) - Edmundich (1784). ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

18.01.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.Qd2 [5.Bb5+!?]
5...e6 6.0-0-0 Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3 8.bxc3 [8.Qxc3 Nd5 9.Qg3 Nxf4 10.Qxf4=]
8...Nd5 9.Be5 0-0 10.c4 Nf6 11.f3 Qe7 12.Kb2 Nc6 13.f4 Rd8 14.Qc3 Nxe5
15.fxe5 Ng4 16.Nh3 c5 17.Be2 cxd4 18.Rxd4 Rxd4 19.Qxd4 Nh6 20.g4 b6
21.g5 [21.Nf4 Bb7-/+] 21...Nf7 22.g6 hxg6 23.Nf4 Nh8 [23...g5 24.Ng6
Qc5-+] 24.h4 Bb7 25.h5 Rd8 26.Qc3 g5 27.Ng6 Qc5 28.Nxh8 Kxh8 29.h6
gxh6 30.Rxh6+ Kg7 31.Rxe6? [31.Qh3!+-] 31...Rd7? [31...Bc8!=/+]
32.Re8?! [32.Qh3!+-] 32...Re7? 33.e6+ Kg6 34.Rg8+ Kh7 35.Qh8# Black
checkmated 1-0
22 - Alfred Hess 4.Bf4 Best!?
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Poehlmann, 3...f5 4.Bf4"!" is the most
recommended theoretical variation for White. This position is often reached
in the Dutch Defence after1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 which transposes to the
BDG Poehlmann.
In the 1989 USCF Golden Knights Semi-Finals Tournament I decided to give

it a try vs Alfred Hess. There are four good moves for White: 4.Bc4, 4.Bf4,
Bg5, and 4.f3.
I think the best move is 4.f3! See my notes below on move seven to see why
4.Bf4 is not quite as good as its reputation.
Back in those days for most people, the personal computers were slow. Chess
engines were weak. The Internet was not available. Being a correspondence
event, we used chess books.
At the time, I owned every book known to cover this BDG-Dutch Defence
line. But since there was then not much theory on this line, we were on our
own quickly.
Sawyer (2000) - Hess (1887), corr USCF 89NS48, 10.12.1991 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bf4 [Alternatives are 4.Bc4, Bg5 or 4.f3!] 4...Nf6
5.f3 Nc6 [Black provokes the pawn advance. More popular is 5...e6 6.fxe4
fxe4 7.Bc4] 6.d5 e5! [The point is: 4.Bf4 does not prevent ...e5! forever.]
7.dxc6 [7.Bg3 Nb4 8.fxe4 fxe4=/+] 7...Qxd1+ [7...exf4 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.0-0-
0+ Bd6 10.cxb7 Bxb7 11.Nb5 Ke7 12.Nxd6 cxd6-/+ and Black is still up a
pawn.] 8.Rxd1 exf4 9.fxe4 fxe4 10.Rd4 bxc6 11.Nxe4 Nd5 12.Nc3 Nxc3
13.bxc3 Bd6 14.Bc4 Bf5 15.Ne2 Bxc2 [Picking off the extra doubled c-pawn
is almost useless, as this allows me to capture the important f4 pawn. Now
White's drawing chances go way up. Better is 15...c5 16.Rd2 Rf8 17.0-0 g5-
/+] 16.Kd2 Bf5 17.Nxf4 c5 18.Re1+ Kf8 19.Ne6+ Bxe6 20.Rf1+ Ke8
21.Re4 Rf8 22.Rxe6+ Kd7 23.Rxf8 1/2-1/2
23 - Lau in Diemer to Dutch
Gambiteers make it hard on those who avoid sharp tactics by a slow build up.
I headed toward a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3.
Rather than play 3...Nf6, Brian Lau played 3...f5 which is known both as the
BDG Poehlmann variation and a Dutch Defence after 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
dxe4. I chose 4.Bf4, mentioned by Andrew Martin in his 1990 book “The
Contemporary Anti-Dutch”.
I played a natural BDG style attack after 5.f3, 6.Nxf3, 7.Bc4, 8.Ne5 and
9.Qf3. White regained the pawn and was able to trap the Black queen by
move 20 in an unusual manner.
Brian S. Lau was the older brother of David S. Lau. It was nice having these
boys playing in our Williamsport chess club years ago. Their play at our
Tuesday night club helped them improve.
At the time of our game below, Brian Lau's rating on a very fast rise toward
the 1800s where it leveled off. His last tournament in 2003 left him with a
USCF rating of 1833.
As kids, David's style was tactical but loose; he threw everything at you until
he had nothing left. Brian's style was more positional and solid; he kept his
pieces safe and active. Brian was usually rated 100 points higher than his
younger sibling.
I enjoyed facing Brian because he could punish my wild and crazy

tendencies. We played 18 games. Brian won three and drew three. Below is
one of the 12 that I won.
Sawyer (2011) - Lau (1544), Williamsport, PA 1994 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bc4 Bd6 8.Ne5 [8.Qd2 0-0
9.0-0-0=] 8...0-0 [8...Nc6=/+] 9.Qf3 Bxe5 10.dxe5 Ne4 11.Nxe4 fxe4
12.Qxe4 Qh4+ 13.g3 Qg4 14.Bd3 Qh5 15.g4 Qh3 16.0-0-0 [Even better is
16.Rf1!+-] 16...g6 [16...Bd7 17.Qc4+/-] 17.Rdf1 [17.Bg5 Qf3 18.Rhf1+-]
17...Nd7 [17...Bd7 18.Bg5+-] 18.Bg5 Rxf1+ 19.Bxf1 Nc5 20.Qf4 1-0
1.7 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bg5
This was a favorite line of David Gedult. I played it a lot myself.
24 - My 100th 4.Bg5 Game

There is a variation of the Dutch Defence that grandmasters play which
transposes to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Poehlmann. The move orders are
1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 or 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5.
Black threatens to play 4...e5! with a great game. White has two ways to
prevent the 4...e5 advance: 4.Bf4 and 4.Bg5. I play both.
The most common 4th move for White is 4.f3 when most capture 4...exf3 or
develop 4...Nf6. The strong is pawn push 4.f3 e5! This immediately
equalizes; in my database it scored exactly 50% when I annotated this game.
White usually plays 5.dxe5, but sometimes 5.d5 which transposes to a BDG
Lemberger normally reached via 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.d5 f5 5.f3.
Below was the 100th time I played 4.Bg5 scoring 61% and a performance
rating of 2111.
Here I played a speculative piece sacrifice on e4 when my opponent was

behind in development and time. In the end Black's clock runs out in the face
of mate in one.
Sawyer - CHELLER, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 04.08.2012 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bg5 [4.f3 e5] 4...Qd6!? 5.Bc4?! [5.Qd2=] 5...Qg6
6.Nh3 e6? [6...f4 7.Rg1 h6 8.Bxf4=] 7.Qd2? c6 [7...h6! 8.Bf4 Qxg2 9.0-0-0
Qxh3-/+] 8.0-0-0 Nf6 9.f4?! [9.f3+/=] 9...Be7 10.Nf2 0-0 11.h4 Nd5
12.Bxe7 [12.Bxd5!+/=] 12...Nxe7 13.g4 [13.h5] 13...Kh8 14.g5 Qe8 15.h5
Nd5 16.Nfxe4?! [16.Rde1=] 16...fxe4 17.Nxe4 Rxf4? [Black has 17...b5
18.Bb3 Nd7=/+] 18.Bxd5 exd5 [If 18...Qf8 19.Nf6!+-] 19.Qxf4 dxe4
20.Rhf1 Nd7 21.Rde1 b6 22.Rxe4 Qd8 23.Qf7 Qxg5+? 24.Kb1 Ba6
25.Re8+ Rxe8 26.Qxe8+ 1-0
25 - Trip to West Virginia
It had been 9 years since my early days playing at the North Penn Club in
Lansdale, Pennsylvania. In the meantime I had changed jobs twice and
moved to Texas and back. I added another son and lost one. After that, I
played very little for years.
In 1988 I returned to playing postal chess. By 1989 I had entered ten sections
of the USCF Golden Knights postal tournament. I was on a hot run at one
point winning 26 postal games in a row. That made me a USCF Postal Master
rated over 2200.
One Saturday morning in December 1989 I got up early with my youngest

son and drove over a hundred miles to Martinsburg, West Virginia for a one
day four round tournament. I had not played much face to face chess with a
clock for several years.
We found the tournament site near the intersection of King Street and Queen
Street. Anyway, things got off to a good start. I got a Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit Declined, Poehlmann Variation (3...f5). This is also a variation of the
Dutch Defence after 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4.
I had stopped playing main line openings and fell in love with the BDG. Then
I began to write my first BDG Keybook (published in 1992). I had energy in
the morning and played well enough to win. My first round opponent was
Peter Morris.
Sawyer - Morris, Martinsburg, WV (1), 09.12.1989 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bg5 [This Bg5 was a favorite of David Gedult. 4.f3 was
recently played by Peter Mcgerald Penullar.] 4...h6? [This is a common
mistake. Black forgets that he is weakening the h5-e8 diagonal to the king.
Better is 4...Nf6] 5.Qh5+ Kd7 6.Bh4 [6.Bc4!+- is usually played with a
winning advantage.] 6...g5 7.Bxg5 Qe8 8.Qh3 [Also good is 8.Qxe8+ Kxe8
9.Bf4 with the better chances.] 8...e6 9.0-0-0 Bg7 10.Bh4 c6 [Hoping to stop
the advance.] 11.d5! Bxc3 12.Qxc3 [Missing the power of 12.dxe6+! when
12...Kxe6? leads to a forced mate 13.Bc4+ Ke5 14.Qxc3+ Kf4 15.Qg3#]
12...exd5 13.Qxh8 Kc7 14.c4 Be6 15.Qe5+ Kc8 16.cxd5 Nd7 [There are no
good moves.] 17.Qxe6 Qxe6 18.dxe6 Nc5 19.Rd8+ 1-0
26 - ChessBeta Test 4.Bg5
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit I played vs ChessBeta was a BDG Poehlmann
3...f5 that "I pin the imaginary horse" with 4.Bg5, as David Gedult used to
say.
This same variation can be reached via a relatively rare Dutch Defence after
1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4. I treat it as a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Avoided
line. White's chances are equal in theory, but not in practice when Black is
rated 3266.
A quick examination of my games finds that I have won about 50 games vs

opponents rated over 3000 and just about all were on time (when the silicon
monster glitched) or when it was forfeited by the Internet Chess Club when
the its computer disconnected.
Most of those games were unrated, because strong computers rarely play
rated games if they cannot gain at least one rating point from crushing you.
Here I test Gedult's 4.Bg5 line.
Sawyer (2391) - ChessBeta (3266), ICC 3 1 u Internet Chess Club,

15.03.2002 begins1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bg5 g6 5.Bc4 Bg7 6.Nge2
Nc6 7.d5 Na5 8.Bb3 [8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Nd4 c6 10.dxc6 Nxc6-/+] 8...Nxb3
9.axb3 a6 10.Qd2!? [10.0-0 h6 11.Be3 e5 12.dxe6 Qxd1 13.Raxd1=] 10...h6
11.Be3 e5 [This position resembles a line in the BDG Lemberger 4.Nge2
variation.] 12.dxe6 [12.d6!? Be6 13.dxc7 Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 Rc8 15.Bb6
Nf6=/+] 12...Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Bxe6 14.Nf4 Bf7 15.0-0-0 0-0-0 16.h4 Nf6
17.g3 Rd7 18.Be3 Rhd8 19.Rxd7 Rxd7 20.Rd1 Ng4 21.Rxd7 Kxd7
22.Nfd5 Kd6 23.Bf4+ Kc6 24.Nb4+ Kd7 25.Be3 Nxe3 26.fxe3 Be5 27.Ne2
a5 28.Na2 a4 29.Nac3 axb3 30.cxb3 Bxb3 31.Kd2 c5 32.Nf4 Bf7 33.Nce2?
[If 33.Kc2 Kc6-+] 33...Bxb2 White resigns 0-1
27 - BDG Risky Dutch Ride
One way Black can avoid the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is 3...f5, the
Poehlmann Variation. This BDG Avoided 3...f5 line actually transposes into
a Dutch Defence 2.Nc3 as follows:
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 - BDG Poehlmann
1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 - Dutch Defence 2.Nc3
I played nine different 2nd moves vs the Dutch Defence, some popular and
some rare. One of my best performance ratings has been with 2.Nc3 scoring
53% vs stronger players. Conversely, my "worst" performance rating vs the
Dutch is with the good move 2.Nf3 where have scored 70% vs weaker
players.
In the 3...f5 Poehlmann, or Dutch 2.Nc3, White can choose:

4.f3 (played the most often)
4.Bg5 (highest winning percentage)
4.Bf4 (played by the best players)
4.Bc4 (also good)
All score 60% or more for White in my database.
In the game below, we both miss the power of a timely ...Nc6-Na5 move
which would have cost me a few rating points. Instead I win again. Methinks
I need to be more accurate.
Sawyer - Unbeliever, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 27.05.2012 begins 1.d4

f5 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 [3...fxe4? 4.Qh5+ is great for White.] 4.Bg5 [This is a
favorite of mine. Probably best is 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.f3; Many people just play 4.f3]
4...Nf6 5.Bc4!? Nc6! 6.Nge2 e6 7.Qd2 Be7 [7...Na5!=/+ would be
inconvenient for White.] 8.0-0-0 0-0 [8...h6!-/+] 9.Bxf6 [9.Nf4!=] 9...Bxf6
10.d5 Ne5 [10...Na5! Fortunately Black missed 11.Bb3 Nxb3+ 12.axb3 Bg5
13.Nf4 e5-+] 11.Bb3 Qe7 12.Nf4 a5 [12...Rd8=/+] 13.a4? [I could have
played here two moves earlier than I did: 13.dxe6! a4 14.Ncd5 Qc5 15.Nxf6+
gxf6 16.Bd5+/-] 13...Rd8 14.Kb1 Bd7? [14...c6 15.d6 Qe8=/+] 15.dxe6!
Be8 16.Qe2?! [16.Ncd5!+- is crushing.] 16...b5? [16...c6 17.g4+/=] 17.Nfd5
Qc5 18.Nxf6+ gxf6 19.e7+ 1-0
1.8 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3
This Blackmar-Diemer type move is probably White’s strongest continuation.
28 - Amari Cooper Fits Mold

With the fourth pick in the National Football League draft, Oakland chose
Amari Cooper. Yahoo Sports Shutdown Corner Commentary on April 30,
2015 had this note:
“Raiders GM aggressively sought Packers receiver Randall Cobb this

offseason, and he gets a great alternative in Cooper, who fits the mold of a
chess piece and terrific No. 1 receiver for budding QB Derek Carr.”
“Cooper can run every route, can play every receiver position and — despite
a lack of elite speed — can take the tops off defenses. He’s the best wideout
they’ve had in years, maybe since Tim Brown.”
So let’s see. Amari Cooper "fits the mold of a chess piece". I wonder which
chess piece? Maybe this wide receiver runs passing patterns like a knight.
I played Michael Schuda in a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit thematic postal

event. We both missed opportunities for knight pattern passing plays – twice
each!
White could have tried 7.Nb5!? or 16.Neg5!

Black passed on 6...Nc6 and 16...Nf6.
Schuda (1698) - Sawyer, corr BDGW 5-B (3.1), 03.1992 begins 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3 e5 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 Be6 [6...Nc6= Rybka,
Stockfish, Fritz] 7.fxe4 [7.Nb5!? Houdini] 7...Nc6 8.Nf3 0-0-0+ 9.Bd3 fxe4
10.Nxe4 Bg4 11.Ke2 Nxe5 12.Be3 Nxd3 13.cxd3 Be7 14.h3 Bh5 [Black can
split the White pawns with 14...Bxf3+ 15.gxf3 Nf6=/+] 15.g4 Be8 16.a4
[16.Neg5!=] 16...Kb8?! [Better is simply 16...Nf6-/+] 17.Bd4?! [17.Nfg5!
Nf6 18.Ne6 Nxe4 19.dxe4 Rd6 20.Nxg7 Bf6 21.Nxe8 Rxe8 22.g5 Bxb2=]
17...Nf6 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Nxf6 gxf6 20.Kd2 Bg6=/+ 1/2-1/2
29 - Solve Poehlmann Puzzle
When I play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, my opponent may try to hold on
the extra pawn after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 with 3...f5. This BDG
Poehlmann is actually a variation of the Dutch Defence 2.Nc3.
At first glance Black is holding the gambit pawn. However, if White hits the
center with all his army, Black will not maintain any advantage. Anything
slight wavering on the defenders part places Black in grave danger.
Against LeviRook in an Internet Chess Club three minute blitz game the
White forces smash through for a quick and sudden checkmate on move 12. I
love these fun quickies!
Sawyer - LeviRook (1342), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 07.11.2014 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6!? [5...Nf6 6.Bc4=] 6.Bc4 e6
7.0-0 Bg7 8.Bf4 [Even better is 8.Re1!+- immediately.] 8...Ne7 9.Re1
[9.Qe2!+-] 9...Kf7? [9...0-0 10.Qd2+/-] 10.Bxe6+! Bxe6 11.Ng5+ Kf6
[11...Kg8 12.Nxe6 Qd7 13.Nxg7 Kxg7 14.Be5+ wins material.]
12.Rxe6# Black checkmated 1-0
30 - Fleischmann BDG Dutch
Andre Fleischmann writes the following in part:
“Hello Mr. Sawyer,
“Every day I have a look on your wonderful website about the Blackmar
Diemer. I learned a lot. I send a few interesting games...
“One game shows risky of the move f5 and b6? in the Blackmar Diemer
gambit.
“I hope to give something that I learned on your website back.
“Have a good time.
“Greetings from Germany and a big Fan of our Gambit
“Andre”
Andre playing as "Ichsehnix" wins a BDG Avoided (Poehlmann) in fine

fashion vs "Johnlove". Black's plan to fianchetto his queenside bishop is
logical in view of a pawn on f5, but such a plan in a Dutch Defence proves
too slow. Black's bigger issue is king safety. Fleischmann takes aim at the
center and maintains the pressure until mate.
Ichsehnix (2092) - Johnlove (1995), GroÃŸer Spielsaal GroÃŸer Spielsaal,

01.06.2015 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3
b6? 7.0-0 [7.Ng5!+-] 7...Bb7 8.Ng5 Nd5 9.Ne6 [9.Qf3+-] 9...Qd6 10.Qe2 c6
11.Bxd5 cxd5 12.Bf4 Qb4 13.Nc7+ Kf7 14.Qe6# 1-0
31 - Penullar Pole Position
The NASCAR racing season begins with the Daytona 500 held in Daytona
Beach, Florida. The Daytona 500 is the biggest race and first race of the
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) season. This
race is on a Sunday in late February.
In qualifying runs days before the race, cars compete with timed laps. The
racer to post the fastest time in qualifying will start the Daytona 500 in the
front row. That first position is called the Pole Position. It is a great
advantage to be a Pole man (or woman) and to start ahead of the rest of the
field.
In chess openings there is a race to complete the development of all the

pieces (not counting pawns). Whichever side wins that race has the best
chance to win the game. This concept is aptly illustrated in the game below.
Peter Mcgerald Penullar faces a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined where

Black played 3...f5 (Poehlmann Variation). Peter wins the development race
to take the Pole Position. It pays off.
Under the pressure of facing White's entire army, which was poised for
battle, Black blunders. Penullar makes another of his Bxh6 sacs which leads
to a quick checkmate.
Penullar - pousbois, UNITED MACEDONIANS, #4 Chess.com, 17.01.2012

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3 [Penullar chooses the most popular
fourth move option. All four options are good.] 4...exf3 [Accepting the
gambit after having played ...f5 is very co-operative. White wants an open e-
file. Better is 4...Nf6 with chances for both sides.] 5.Nxf3 e6 [This backward
e6 pawn on a half-open file is chronically weak in the Poehlmann Variation.
It can be attacked with moves like Bc4, Ng5, Qe2, or Rae1, depending on
how Black defends.] 6.Bc4 Bb4 7.0-0 Nf6 8.a3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 b6 10.Qe1 Qd6
11.Bg5 0-0 12.Qh4 Bb7 13.Rae1 [White is first to complete his
development: the Pole Position.] 13...Bd5 14.Bd3 Bxf3 15.Rxf3 Nbd7
16.Bc4 Rae8 [Black completes his development, only to drop a pawn.]
17.Rxf5 c5 18.Rf3 h6? 19.Bxh6 [There goes Peter with one of his Bxh6
sacrifices again.] 19...gxh6 20.Qxh6 Kf7? [Trying to run away, the Black
king falls for a pretty mate.] 21.Qh7# 1-0
32 - Breaking the Juggernot
The Poehlmann Variation 3...f5 is a cross between the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit and the Dutch Defence Staunton Gambit with an early ...d5. The
difference is which Black pawn captures on e4. If it is ...fxe4, then it's a
Dutch.
The BDG move order for the Poehlmann is seen below: 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 f5. About half the time White plays good bishop moves like 4.Bg5,
4.Bf4 or 4.Bc4. The other half he plays in BDG style with 4.f3.
Here in a BDG Poehlmann three minute blitz game, we see how easy it is for
a good player to walk into a dangerous position. My attention was on playing
for mate.
At two seconds per move I did not always find the best moves, but I did get
to the Black king. He avoided getting mated only by immediate resignation.
Sawyer - JUGGERNOT, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 29.12.2012 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Bg5
[8.Ng5!+/- likely regains the gambit pawn with a better position.] 8...0-0
9.Qe1 Re8 10.Qh4 h6 11.Bxh6?! [I knew this was risky, but it was fun blitz
game. A more sane approach is 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Qxf6 gxf6 13.Nh4=]
11...gxh6 12.Qxh6 Qe7 13.Ng5 Qg7 14.Qh4 Nc6? [Black should protect f5
with 14...Qg6 and a critical line might be 15.Ne2 Nc6 16.Rae1 Na5 17.Bxe6+
Bxe6 18.Nxe6 Rxe6 19.Nf4 Bxf4 20.Rxe6 Bg5-/+] 15.Rxf5 Na5 [Now I play
a very nice attack all the way to the end. Black could play 15...Nh7 16.Nxh7
Qxd4+ 17.Qxd4 Nxd4 18.Nf6+ Kf7 19.Rf2+/-] 16.Rxf6!? [I was focused on
playing for mate, but of course picking off the queenside knight 16.Rxa5+-
wins.] 16...Nxc4 17.Raf1 [17.Nce4 Rf8 18.Raf1+-] 17...Be7 18.Rf7
[18.Qh5+-] 18...Qg6 19.Nce4 Ne3 20.Nf6+ [A more crisp mate is 20.R1f6!
Bxf6 21.Nxf6+ Qxf6 22.Qh7#] 20...Bxf6 21.R1xf6 Qxc2 22.Rg7+ Kxg7
23.Qh6+ Kg8 24.Rg6+ Qxg6 25.Qxg6+ Black resigns 1-0
33 - Better Late Than Never
Tiger Woods planned a comeback in 2011. I had hoped his form would
return, but it has not looked promising. I have periods of time when I am not
in good form.
Such has been the case with me in 2011. I lost a blitz game on time after 81
moves. My opponent played well and still had two seconds left. Seven blitz
games a week are not enough to play oneself into great form. My results were
only 3-2-2.
In the BDG Poehlmann / Dutch Defence below, I accidentally played a

variation that I had rarely played. I was so committed to 4.f3 that I just let it
go after Black had deviated from 3…Nf6.
Here I planned to play 4.f3 in response to 3...Nf6. Since it is a good line after
3...f5, I played it anyway. Weaker BDGers prefer 4.f3 here. Gedult played
4.Bg5 to "pin the imaginary horse". The best line in theory is 4.Bf4! It is
primarily the favorite of higher rated players of 2.Nc3 vs the Dutch. All these
moves seem good. There is no need to worry about which one is the best.
The game took on the character of a Dutch Staunton. I like to attack e6 and
potentially pin it with 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.0-0 Bd6 and now very strong for White is
8.Ng5! I played 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qe2 Re8 10.Ne5 Qe7. I missed for several
moves that my pin already worked to regain the gambit pawn with 11.Rxf5!
I missed many tactical chances throughout the game, but I did keep attacking
his king while playing rapidly. Eventually I found a mating combination to
finish.
Sawyer - worldcitizen, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 28.07.2011 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Bg5
[8.Ng5] 8...0-0 9.Qe2 Re8 10.Ne5 Qe7 11.Rad1 [11.Rxf5] 11...Nbd7 12.a3
b6 13.Kh1 Bb7 14.b4 a5 15.b5 Qf8 16.Rxf5 Kh8 17.Rff1 Re7 18.Ne4 Rae8
19.Nxd7 Rxd7 20.Nxf6 gxf6 21.Bxf6+ Kg8 22.Qg4+ Kf7 23.Qh5+
[23.Bh4+ Bf3 24.Rxf3+ Bf4 25.Rxf4#] 23...Kg8 24.Qg5+ Kf7 25.Be5+
Black resigns 1-0
34 - Safe House Poehlmann
I grew up in a safe house blessed with wonderful parents who did a great job
raising me. On Mother's Day I am reminded to be grateful to the woman who
provided encouragement and wisdom throughout the ups and downs of my
life. Thank you mom!
Sometimes my ICC blitz rating drops down for a while. This happens when I
experiment for fun with risky openings. Since I do not know them well, I can
easily misplay the positions. Then I take things more seriously and make a
comeback.
In a blitz 2014 game I played this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. White took aim
at the weak f5 point to win vs the BDG Poehlmann which is also a Dutch
Defence.
My opponent SafeHouse falls for a thematic tactic. His pawn on e6 is pinned

by the White bishop aimed at the Black king.
Mate comes quickly.
Sawyer - SafeHouse (1761), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 09.09.2014 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3 Nf6 5.Bg5 exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bc4 Bd6 8.0-0
[8.Qe2+/= is more accurate.] 8...0-0 [8...h6! 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bf2 0-0=] 9.Qe2
Re8?! [9...Kh8=] 10.Ne5! c6? [10...g6 11.Rae1+/=] 11.Rxf5! h6 12.Bxf6
gxf6 13.Qg4+ Kf8 14.Qg6 Bxe5 15.dxe5 exf5 16.Qf7# Black is checkmated
1-0
1.9 – 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5
The Von Popiel with 3.Nc3 and 4.Bg5 was played before Diemer developed
his 4.f3 BDG.
35 - Markus Meets 4…Bf5

A line of the Blackmar Gambit 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 is the Von Popiel
Gambit that varies from 3.f3 with 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5. Here is a contest
between John Raymond Markus and Richard Schelvis played at Bussum in
the Netherlands.
The Von Popiel move 4.Bg5 threatens to remove the knight that guards e4,
thus allowing White to immediately regain the gambit pawn. Black's response
4...Bf5 is by no means the only move, but it is logical to maintain some grip
on e4.
White has three basic approaches after 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bf5:
5.f3 (most common) continue in Blackmar-Diemer Gambit style.

5.Qe2 threaten Qb5+ to attack the Bf5 and b7, prepare 0-0-0.
5.Bxf6 eliminate protection of the e-pawn, double the f-pawns.
In all lines White is likely to castle queenside and attack kingside.
Markus (2072) - Schelvis (1916), BSG Pinkstertoernooi 2013 Bussum NED

(4.27), 19.05.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bf5 [Black
can transpose to a French Defence with 4...e6 5.Nxe4] 5.Bxf6 [More popular
is 5.Qe2 c6 6.0-0-0 Nbd7 7.f3 exf3 8.Nxf3 e6 9.Ne5 Houdini 3 or 9.d5 Deep
Rybka] 5...exf6 6.g4 [6.Qe2 Deep Fritz] 6...Bg6 7.h4 [7.Qe2 Qxd4 8.Nf3
Deep Hiarcs] 7...h5 8.gxh5 Bxh5 9.Be2 Bxe2?! [9...Bg6!-/+] 10.Qxe2 c6
[10...Nc6=] 11.Nxe4 Be7 12.0-0-0 Kf8 [12...Na6 13.h5+/=] 13.Nf3 Na6
14.Kb1 Nb4 15.c4 Qc7 16.a3 Na6 17.Rhe1 [17.h5+/-] 17...g6 [17...Re8
18.Qe3+/=] 18.d5 Rd8 19.d6!? [Very strong is 19.Qd2! cxd5 20.cxd5+-]
19...Bxd6 20.h5 Rxh5 [20...Be7 21.hxg6 Rxd1+ 22.Qxd1 fxg6 23.Nd4+/=]
21.Nxf6 Rf5 22.Ne8 [22.Qd2!+-] 22...Rxe8 [Black's best defense was to give
up the queen with 22...Qe7! 23.Qc2 Rxe8 24.Rxe7 Bxe7 25.Nd4+/-]
23.Qxe8+ Kg7 24.Rh1 Bf8 25.Rd8 [25.Rd7! Qb6 26.Ng5+-] 25...Qxd8
[25...Qe7 26.Nd4+/=] 26.Qxd8 Rxf3 27.Qh4 f5 28.Qh8+ Kf7 29.Rh7+ Ke8
30.Qg8 1-0
36 - Alternative Von Popiel
There are two gambits in the BDG family that are older than the Diemer idea
of 4.f3. One is the Blackmar Gambit 3.f3 and the other is Von Popiel with
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5.
When put side by side after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 they look like this:
3.f3 - Blackmar Gambit from the 1880s.
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 - Von Popiel from early 1900s.
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 - Blackmar-Diemer from 1930s.
The BDG thematic postal tournament that ran from 1968 to 1975 with 21
players was won by Georg Danner. I took a quick glance at his games as
White from that era.
By my count Danner played 4.Bg5 nine times. He played 4.f3 six times.
Probably the starting position for that event required just 3.Nc3 Nf6, since
4.f3 was not played in every game.
Here is a well-played game from Poland in the Von Popiel 4.Bg5. The
combatants are Szadkowski and Aglave.
Szadkowski (2184) - Aglave (2113), 28th Gniot Mem 2013 Police POL
(7.12), 16.07.2013 begins 1.e4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.d4 dxe4 4.Bg5 Bf5 5.Qe2
[5.f3!? and 5.Bxf6 are alternatives.] 5...c6 6.0-0-0 [6.Bxf6 exf6 7.0-0-0=]
6...e6 [Black could try 6...Nbd7 7.f3 exf3 8.Nxf3 e6 9.d5 Qa5=/+] 7.f3 exf3
8.Nxf3 Be7 9.Ne5 Nd5 [9...Qc7!?] 10.Bd2 [10.Bxe7 Qxe7=] 10...Nxc3
11.Bxc3 0-0?! [11...Qd5 12.Kb1 Nd7=] 12.g4 Bg6 13.Kb1 Nd7? [Now
White has a great attack. 13...Bh4!? is a creative way to slow the h4-h5
advance. 14.Be1=] 14.h4 Nf6 15.Bg2 h5 [If 15...Nd5 16.h5 Bxc2+ 17.Kxc2
Nf4 18.Qe4+-] 16.Nxg6! fxg6 17.Qxe6+ Kh7 18.gxh5 gxh5 19.d5 cxd5
20.Rxd5 [Or 20.Rhe1!+-] 20...Nxd5 21.Be4+ 1-0
37 – James Sherwin BDG Style
The famed International Master James T. Sherwin is presented in the first
game of the classic book "My 60 Memorable Games" by Bobby Fischer.
Earlier, Sherwin had defeated Fischer's King's Indian, which made Bobby's
win memorable. Later they drew a Najdorf Sicilian. Fischer's record vs
Sherwin was +7 =1 -1.
James Sherwin was one of the best players in America, 7 times finishing
either 3rd or 4th in the US Championship. Not only that, Sherwin twice won
the US blitz championship in the late 1950s. In the book "Endgame" author
Frank Brady notes around 1956 Sherwin lost 10 blitz games in a row to
Fischer. Sherwin said, "It was then that I decided that he was really too strong
for me."
Now Robert Fischer was long dead, but IM James Sherwin was still playing
blitz on ICC under the handle "Connor7". In 21,000 five minute games James
was rated in the 2300s. His rating was lower at faster speeds, but remember
Sherwin was 80 years old.
In this game IM James Sherwin won with a thematic BDG style after 5.f3.
Our hero took some risks and was richly rewarded. James Sherwin played
like he was having fun.
Connor7 - chessattack1 (1867), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 10.01.2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bf5 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bc4
[7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 c6 9.0-0-0 Nbd7= with compensation for the pawn.]
7...Be7 8.0-0 [8.d5 exd5=/+] 8...0-0 9.Ne5 Nbd7 [9...Bxc2-/+] 10.Qe2 Nxe5
11.dxe5 Nd7 12.Bf4 Bg5 13.Rad1 Bxf4 14.Rxf4 Qe7 15.Rxf5!? [A bold
move that is great to play in blitz. If 15.Kh1 Rad8-/+] 15...exf5 16.e6 fxe6?
[Missing 16...Qc5+! 17.Kh1 Ne5 18.Bb3 Ng4 19.exf7+ Kh8-+] 17.Qxe6+
Qxe6 18.Bxe6+ Kh8 19.Rxd7 Rfe8 20.Bxf5 Rad8 21.Rxc7 Rd2 [Or 21...g6
22.Bd3+- when White's bishop, knight and c-pawn are better than Black's
second rook.] 22.h3 g6 23.Bd3 Re1+ 24.Kh2 Rf2 25.Ne4 Rf4 26.Ng5 h6
27.Nf7+ Kg7 28.Ne5+ Kf6 29.Nxg6 [29.Rf7+ Kxe5 30.Re7+ Kf6 31.Rxe1+-
] 29...Rd4 30.Nh8 Re8 31.Rh7 Rb4 32.Rxh6+ Kg7 33.Rh7+ Kf6 34.b3
Rb6 35.Rh6+ Ke5 36.Rxb6 axb6 37.Ng6+ Kd4 38.h4 Kc3 39.h5 Re7
40.Nxe7 Kb2 41.h6 Kxa2 42.h7 Kb2 43.h8Q+ Kb1 44.Qc3 b5 45.Bxb5 b6
46.Nc8 Ka2 47.Nxb6 Kb1 48.Nc4 Ka2 49.Qb2# Black checkmated 1-0
38 - Creative Chicago Tate
The IM Emory Tate headed toward a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs GM
Evgeni Vasiukov. Then Emory Tate veered off into the Von Popiel with the
move 4.Bg5.
The Wikipedia entry on Emory Tate includes this quote: "Tate won the
United States Armed Forces championship five times. He is one of the
highest-rated African-American chess players."
In his career Evgeni Vasiukov defeated Smyslov, Bronstein, Tal, Petrosian,

Keres, Taimanov, Geller, and Polugaevsky. He was unable to defeat
Korchnoi, Karpov, Spassky, or Stein.
Grandmaster Vasiukov was playing in the Soviet Championship before

Emory Tate was born. In this battle, Tate chose an active offbeat opening in a
3 minute game. Both sides had chances for advantage. Eventually Vasiukov
gave perpetual check.
Tate (2054) - Vasiukov (2033), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 25.11.2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 [This is the Von Popiel. The main
alternative is 4.f3 Blackmar-Diemer Gambit] 4...Bf5 5.f3 exf3 [5...Nbd7 is a
critical move that gives White many interesting options, such as 6.Bc4, 6.g4,
6.fxe4, 6.Qe2 or 6.d5] 6.Qxf3 [Or 6.Nxf3=] 6...Qc8 7.Bc4 [Rybka, Komodo
and Houdini all like 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3= with compensation for the pawn.]
7...Nc6 [7...Bxc2!?] 8.Nge2 h6 9.Bxf6 exf6 10.Bb5 [10.0-0+/= Houdini]
10...Bd7 11.Qe3+ Ne7 12.0-0-0 Bxb5 13.Nxb5 Qd7 14.Nbc3?! [14.Qb3!=]
14...0-0-0 15.d5 Kb8 16.Nd4 [16.d6 cxd6 17.Nd4] 16...g6 17.Ncb5 [17.Kb1
Nc8-/+] 17...Nc8 [17...Nxd5!-+ picks up the pawn and attacks the queen,
leaving Black up two f-pawns.] 18.Qb3 Bc5 19.Nc6+ bxc6 20.Nd4+ Bb6
21.Nxc6+ Ka8 22.c4 Qd6 23.Nxd8 Rxd8 24.Rhe1 Qxh2 25.Qc3 Qd6 26.b4
a5 27.c5 Qf4+ [27...axb4! 28.cxd6 bxc3 29.dxc7 Bxc7-+ is promising by
complicated.] 28.Qd2 Qc4+ 29.Kb1 Ba7 30.a3 axb4 31.axb4 Nd6 32.cxd6
Rb8 33.Qc2 Rxb4+ [Black is winning after 33...Qxb4+ 34.Kc1 Qa3+ 35.Kd2
Rb2-+] 34.Kc1 Qf4+ 35.Qd2 Qc4+ 36.Qc2 Qf4+ 37.Qd2 Qc4+ 38.Qc2
Qf4+ Game drawn by repetition 1/2-1/2
2.0 – 3.Nc3 e5
We begin the Blackmar Diemer Gambit Lemberger with a look at
rare lines such as 4.f3. Another line 4.Qe2 has been promoted by
Francesco Cavicchi of Italy.
39 - BDG Lemberger 4.f3

Every once in a while I face the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit line 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 known as the Lemberger Counter Gambit. The main line BDG
3...Nf6 is ten times more popular, but the two moves are approximately equal
in value. The obvious advantage to 3...Nf6 is that Black can keep the gambit
pawn.
The Lemberger leads to wide open positions where White often regains the
gambit pawn. Black has an equal chance at attack. At one point vs the
Lemberger I had scored about 50% as White, but my average opponents were
rated 100 points above me.
In my game vs "caucadrez", I was all ready to meet 3...Nf6 with 4.f3. While
waiting I picked up my f-pawn and hovered it over f3. When my opponent
played 3...e5, I let the pawn go to f3 anyway.
Clearly 4.f3 is popular but not the best way to fight a Lemberger. I got my
pawn back only to later blunder a rook to a knight fork. Then my blitz
opponent blundered a queen to my knight fork. This blitz win would have
been a loss at tournament speed.
Sawyer - caucadrez, Internet Chess Club 2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 e5 4.f3 exd4 5.Nxe4 Nf6 6.Ng3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 Bxd2+ [8...0-
0 9.Bxc6 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 bxc6-/+] 9.Qxd2 Qe7+? [Now White equalizes.
Better is 9...Qd5-/+] 10.N1e2 0-0 11.0-0-0 Rd8 12.Rhe1 Qc5 13.Bxc6 bxc6
14.Nxd4 [=] 14…Ba6? 15.Nb3 [15.Ngf5+/-] 15...Qf8 16.Qa5 Rxd1+
17.Rxd1 Bb5 18.Qxc7 Nd5 19.Qd7 [+/=] 19…a6 20.Qg4?? Ne3 21.Qg5
Nxd1 22.Nf5? f6 23.Qf4 Rd8 24.Nbd4 Qf7 25.Qg3 c5?? 26.Nh6+ Kf8
27.Nxf7 Rxd4 28.Nd6 Ne3 29.b3 Nd5 30.Nxb5 axb5 31.Qd6+ Kf7 32.Qxc5
Black resigns 1-0
40 - Francesco Cavicchi 4.Qe2
Francesco Cavicchi suggested that I take a look at a line that almost nobody
plays in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. This Lemberger 4.Qe2 variation
leaves White's d4 pawn hanging with the idea that White can use the open d-
file after he castles.
The games that follow cover the 4.Qe2 exd4 continuation. Here we look at
4.Qe2 Qxd4.
Taking with the queen was played in an early 4.Qe2 game Plath-Pohl from a
BDG thematic tournament. The main game below is one that Cavicchi played
himself.
Francesco Cavicchi sent the following note:
“Hi Tim, thank you very much for your nice article! I'd like to share two blitz
games' tricks I’ve found today while analyzing the Lemberger 4qe2 variation:
1d4 d5 2e4 dxe4 3nc3 e5 4qe2 qxd4 5be3 qb4 6 000 nf6 7bg5 be7 8bxf6 bxf6
9nxe4 nbd7 10qg4 00? 11nxf6 1-0. If 7bg5 bg4? 8qxg4 1-0. Of course these
miniatures are only to whet BDGers' appetite, more analyses and practical
tests are required.”
Thanks Francesco! Probably the 4.Qe2 is not going to replace the best lines
4.Nxe4 or 4.Nge2.
However, if your play is getting dry and boring, and if you feel like some
experimentation in a blitz game, then 4.Qe2 might restart your creative juices.
It’s interesting. Have fun!
Cavicchi - NN, 3 minute blitz Italy, 2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Qe2 Qxd4 5.Be3 [5.Qxe4 Qxe4+! (5...Bb4 6.Bd2? Bxc3 0-1 Plath-Pohl,
corr (WO/011) 1988) 6.Nxe4 Nc6-/+] 5...Qb4 6.0-0-0 Nf6 7.Bg5 [7.a3 Qa5
8.Bg5 (8.Bd2!? Qa6 9.Nxe4 Qxe2 10.Nxf6+ gxf6 11.Nxe2 Be6=/+) 8...Bxa3!
(8...Be6 9.Nxe4 Cavicchi, but here Houdini gives 9...Nbd7-/+) 9.Qb5+ Qxb5
10.Bxb5+ c6 11.bxa3 cxb5 12.Nxb5 Na6 13.Nd6+ Ke7 14.Nxe4 h6-/+ and
Black remains up a pawn.] 7...Be7 [7...Bg4? 8.Qxg4! 1-0 Cavicchi; 7...Be6!
8.a3 Qb6 9.Nxe4 Nbd7 10.Nf3 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 f6 12.Be3 Bc5-/+ Houdini]
8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Nxe4 Nd7 10.Qg4 0-0? 11.Nxf6+ 1-0
41 - Cavicchi vs Simioli 4.Qe2
Francesco Cavicchi sent me games that I often used. Here was another
example of Black avoiding the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
Black chose the Lemberger Counter Gambit with 3...e5. Cavicchi works up a
fast attack using his favorite Italian Variation 4.Qe2.
“ Hi Tim, another miniature full of tactics for you in the

controversial BDG Lemberger "Italian variation" (let's say so
hehehe) 4Qe2. Hope you enjoy.”
At a Melo tournament in Ferrara, Italy, Francesco Cavicchi played Stefano

Simioli in a BDG Lemberger variation. After 4.Qe2 exd4 5.Nxe4, White
threatened to move the knight for a discovered check.
In the next game Black will cover the e-file with 5...Be7! This time Black
defended his the other bishop by 5...Be6.
That move left b7 unprotected. Francesco tactically wrapped this blitz game
up quickly.
Cavicchi - Simioli, Melo tournament, Ferrara 5 min game, 2014 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Qe2 exd4 5.Nxe4 Be6 6.Qb5+ [Here you can easily
recognize a typical theme from the Englund Gambit with Qe7] 6...Nd7
7.Qxb7 f5 8.Ng5 [The siege begins.] 8...Nc5 9.Nxe6? [but wrong move!
Instead I should have played 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Nxd7 11.Ne6 Qb8
12.Qxa8! Qxa8 13.Nxc7+ Kd8 14.Nxa8 Kc8 15.Bf4 then 16.Nc7, winning
for White] 9...Nxe6 10.Bb5+ Kf7 11.Qf3 g6 12.Nh3 Be7 13.0-0 Nf6 14.Re1
[Better 14.Bc4 immediately] 14...Qd6 [14...Qd5 15.Rxe6! Qxe6 16.Ng5+ 1-
0] 15.Bc4 [Finally] 15...Ne4? 16.Rxe4 Black resigns 1-0 [Notes by Cavicchi]
42 - Uris Beats Perez in BDG
A rare Blackmar-Diemer Lemberger 3…e5 line was brought to my attention
by Francesco Cavicchi. I mentioned 4.Qe2 in a note to game 63 in my
original Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook from 1992. His interest
motivated me to look at the line again.
The 4.Qe2 move was not played very often. In my database it appeared only
4 times in 2300 Lemberger games. But as the game below shows, there is
room for creativity. White can win a tournament game vs a master by playing
4.Qe2.
Miguel Uris Escolano (White) played Juan Carlos Perez Pardo, a FM rated
2345. Later Uris played the Trompowsky with 2.Bg5.
How did the FIDE master Perez lose when the position is equal? There are
three likely scenarios: (1) the correct result was a draw making websites and
databases wrong. (2) FM Perez misjudged the position and prematurely
resigned; or (3) White won on time in the even final position. I do not know
the whole story.
Uris (2175) - Perez (2345), Valencia op (6), 1992 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 [Uris
usually plays 2.Bg5] 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Qe2 exd4 5.Nxe4 [A dumbed down
Shredder played 5.Qxe4+. I blocked his check with my queen and won, but
Black's strongest reply is 5...Be7! 6.Nd5 c6 7.Nxe7 Qxe7 8.Qxe7+ Nxe7=/+]
5...Be7 [5...Qe7 6.Bf4 Bf5! (The natural move 6...Qb4+ allows White a
possible checkmate with 7.c3 dxc3? 8.Nf6+ Kd8 9.Qe8#) 7.Qb5+ Nc6
8.Qxf5 g6-/+; 5...Bb4+ is loose, giving White the chance to play boldly with
6.c3! dxc3 7.bxc3 Be7 8.Bf4 Be6 9.Rd1 Qc8 10.Qc2 Nf6 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6
12.Bd3 Nc6 13.Nf3= Cavicchi] 6.Bf4 [6.Nf3 Nc6=/+] 6...Nc6 7.g4 Be6 8.0-
0-0 Qd5 9.b3 0-0-0 10.Bg2 Qa5 11.a4 Nf6 12.Qb5 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Qxb5
[Black misses the winning move 13...Qc3! 14.Kb1 (If 14.Ne2 Ba3+ 15.Kb1
Qb2#) 14...d3 15.Rxd3 (15.Bxd3 or 15.cxd3 loses to 15...Bf6-+) 15...Qe1+
16.Bc1 Qxe4-+] 14.axb5 Nb4 15.Kb2 Nd5 16.Ne2 Nc3 [16...Bxg4!-+]
17.Nxc3 dxc3+ 18.Kxc3 Bf6+ 19.Kb4 Bxg4 20.f3 Rhe8 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8
22.c4 Be6 23.Be3 Bd4 [23...Be7+ 24.Kc3 f5-/+] 24.Bxd4 Rxd4 25.Kc3 Rd8
26.f4 Bd7 27.Rg1 [27.Ra1 Kb8 28.Rd1=] 27...f5 28.Bd3 g6 29.h4 c6 30.h5
Rg8 31.bxc6 bxc6 32.Kd4 Kc7 33.c5 Be6 34.hxg6 hxg6 35.b4 Bf7 36.Rg3
Re8 37.Re3 Rxe3 38.Kxe3 Kd7 39.Kd4= 1-0
2.1 – 4.dxe5
The 4.dxe5 line often leads to positions where White loses castling privileges.
43 - Tim Harding on BDG

For a short while before it reorganized, I played e-mail games in IECG. In
1996 an IECG administrator asked me if I would play a one game match vs
the Irish master and chess author Tim Harding so he could learn about e-mail
chess. I already had several other games in progress, but how often does one
get to play against a famous chess author? Most of them are too busy.
Tim Harding is well-known for his skill in postal chess and writing. Harding
wrote a book on correspondence chess, published the Chess Mail periodical
and had a website at www.chessmail.com. In 1996 chess by e-mail was
relatively new. Harding picked me as a guinea pig to try it out. So I said yes.
T.D. Harding wrote some of my favorite chess opening books. His 1974 book
"Counter-Gambits - Black to play and win" had a big influence on my early
chess life. Back then I thought, "Play a gambit? Me? You've got to be
kidding! Give up something for nothing?" Ah but of course, a good gambit
does not give up something for nothing!
In 1979 T.D. Harding published the book "Colle, London and Blackmar-
Diemer Systems". I bought it to help me handle these as Black. Later I played
them as White. His introduction to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit thrills me to
this day:
“The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 e4 de 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 f3) is one of

the small class of openings which, although they must be considered dubious
from an objective viewpoint, have the capacity to inspire fanatical devotion in
some players. White sacrifices a central pawn and apparently jeopardizes the
safety of his king. On the other hand, Black is set unfamiliar problems, and
(because of the very outrageousness of the gambit) is often waging a
psychological war within himself at the same time as trying to solve the
problems on the board.” [Harding]
“A loss against the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in serious game is one of the

most ignominious fates that can befall a chess player - especially as Black
losses tend to be short and catastrophic - and Black is loth even to draw. All
this of course helps White! So does the fact that most masters who have
written on the opening (e.g. Pachman) tend to under-estimate the dangers that
Black faces...” [Harding]
“... Whether you will be successful with the Blackmar-Diemer chiefly

depends on your style and on the level of opposition which you meet. In a
friendly or lightning game, however, I am all for playing this gambit: it leads
almost inevitably to unusual and exciting games.” [Harding]
In our personal contest, Harding chose the Lemberger Counter Gambit after
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5. I chose the 4.dxe5 (the only line in which my
performance rating is lower that my actual rating. In theory White can
equalize.
I tended to misplay these positions more often than others. I had some
chances, but I missed them. Tim Harding played well. He deserved to win.
We had some interesting conversation during the game. It was a joy to play
Dr. T.D. Harding.
Sawyer - Harding, corr IECG, 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.dxe5 Qxd1+ 5.Nxd1 [This allows White to castle. More common is
5.Kxd1.] 5…Nc6 6.Bf4 Nge7 [The game is equal.] 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.Nc3 0-0-0
9.Nge2 [9.0-0-0 Ng6 10.Nge2 Re8=/+] 9...Nb4 10.Bxd7+ Rxd7 11.Rc1
[11.0-0 Nxc2 12.Rad1 Nc6 13.Nxe4=] 11...Ng6 12.Nxe4 [12.e6 fxe6 13.Be3
Nd5 14.Nxe4 Nxe3 15.fxe3=] 12...Nxf4 13.Nxf4 Re7 14.e6 g6 15.g4 Bg7
16.c3 Be5 17.cxb4 Bxf4 18.Rc4 Rxe6 19.0-0 b5 20.Rd4 Be5 21.Rd5 Bxb2
22.Ng5 Re2 23.Rxb5 h5 24.Nxf7 Rf8 25.Nh6 Bg7 26.g5 Bd4 27.a3 Bxf2+
28.Kh1 Rf4 29.Ng8 c6 30.Ra5 Kb7 31.b5 Rh4 32.bxc6+ Kb6 33.c7 Bc5 0-
1
44 - Schmoldt vs Muhr
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit was avoided with a BDG Lemberger 3...e5 in a
game played between Ruediger Schmoldt of Germany and Andreas Muhr of
Austria. The game began as a Scandinavian Defence 1.e4 d5 2.d4.
White chose the same 4.dxe5 drawish line that I had tried vs Tim Harding. In
that game I continued 5.Nxd1and was outplayed by my Irish opponent. In
this game Schmoldt chose 5.Kxd1.
Being unable to castle is not such a problem when the queens are off the
board and no pieces are developed. The main thing is to coordinate your own
pieces and to make sure all the key squares are protected.
With that taken care of, you have to look for ways to unbalance the position
in hopes of victory. Schmoldt tries the risky 11.e6!? Then Muhr manages to
obtain a small advantage.
Schmoldt (2147) - Muhr (1962), 30th Faaker See Open 2014 Latschach
AUT (6.11), 13.08.2014 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5 Qxd1+
5.Kxd1 [Another popular continuation is 5.Nxd1 Nc6 6.Bf4 (6.Nc3!? Nb4
7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bxd7+ Kxd7 9.Kd1=) 6...Nge7 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.Nc3=] 5...Bg4+
6.Be2 Bxe2+ 7.Ngxe2 Nc6 8.Bf4 0-0-0+ 9.Kc1 Nge7 10.Nxe4 Ng6 11.e6!?
[11.Rd1=] 11...Nd4 12.N4g3 Nxe6 13.Be3 Nh4 14.Rg1 Bd6 15.c3 f5 16.Nd4
[16.Nh5 g5=/+] 16...Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Rhe8 18.Kc2 f4 19.Nh5 Nf5 [19...Re2+!
20.Kb3 Nf5-/+] 20.Bxg7 [20.Rae1=] 20...Nxg7 [20...Re2+!-/+] 21.Nxg7
Re2+ 22.Kb3 Bf8 [22...Be5 23.Nf5 Rdd2=/+] 23.Nh5 Rdd2 24.Rab1 b5
25.Nxf4 a5 26.a3 Rxf2 27.Rgf1 Rxb2+ 28.Rxb2 Rxf1 29.Ne6 Bd6 30.Nd4
b4 31.axb4 axb4 32.cxb4 Bxh2 1/2-1/2
45 - Jack Clauser Wins BDG
Jack Clauser is very active in promoting and organizing chess tournaments in
central Pennsylvania in the greater Harrisburg area. He is one of a
comparatively few players whom I have faced in person over the board and
played in postal chess.
In Blackmar-Diemer circles Jack Clauser III is recognized for his active play
vs BDGers in thematic correspondence events.
Jack Clauser proofread the entire 700 games in my original Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit Keybook. It was published by Bob Long and Thinkers' Press in 1992.
Jack Clauser gave me many helpful suggestions and provided encouragement
through the three year process it took me to write that book.
We met in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit avoided variation of the BDG

Lemberger. I failed to handle the 4.dxe5 line accurately.
In theory this line is equal, but in practice the Black army is more
coordinated. Another botched effort for me in this same variation was my
email game vs Tim Harding.
Eventually I chose to focus on the better moves with the knights such as
4.Nxe4 and 4.Nge2.
Sawyer - Clauser, corr 1995 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5
Qxd1+ 5.Kxd1 Nc6 6.Bf4 [6.Nxe4 Nxe5=/+] 6...Bf5 [6...Nge7 7.Nxe4
Ng6=/+] 7.Bc4 Bc5 8.Ke1 Nge7 9.Nge2 0-0 10.Na4 Bb6 11.Nxb6 cxb6
12.e6 fxe6 13.Rd1 Na5 14.Bb3 Nxb3 15.cxb3 Nd5 16.Be3 [16.a3 Nxf4
17.Nxf4 Rac8-/+] 16...Nb4 17.Nc1? Bg4 0-1
2.2 – 4.Be3
Karl Soller played the 4.Be3 line which has been a favorite of Eric Schiller.
46 - Lemberger 4.Be3 Goan

In the early days of email, Timothy Goan of West Virginia and I played the
following email game. The opening was a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
variation known as the BDG Lemberger.
In his 1985 "Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" monograph, Eric Schiller wrote of

4.Be3:
“Diemer gives this move a double exclamation mark, as recommended by

Soller. I prefer this move to the alternatives 4.Nxe4 (moving a piece twice in
the opening) and 4.Qh5 (premature queen development).”
I have faced 4.Be3 once in a while. Usually after 4...exd4 White chooses
5.Qxd4. Goan opted for 5.Bxd4 to kept the queens on the board.
This strategy certainly makes logical sense, but tactically Black does well in
this line. After some inaccuracies, Black obtained an advantage that grew as
the game continued.
Goan - Sawyer, corr Internet 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Be3
exd4 5.Bxd4 [5.Qxd4] 5...Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 Nf6 [7...a6 8.Ba4 Nf6=/+
Houdini] 8.Qd2? [8.Bxc6! Bxc6 9.Qd2 Be7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Ng3 Qd7
12.Qf4=; 8.0-0? Nxd4! 9.Qxd4 c6 10.Bc4 b5 11.Bb3 c5 12.Qe5+ Qe7
13.Qxe7+ Bxe7-/+] 8...Nxd4 9.Qxd4 c6 10.Bc4 b5 11.Bb3 c5 12.Qe5+ Qe7
13.Qxe7+ Bxe7 14.a3 [14.Nd5 Rb8-/+] 14...c4 15.Ba2 Bc5 16.0-0-0? Bxf2
17.Rxd7 Kxd7 18.Nxb5 Rac8 19.Rd1+ Ke7 20.Ned4 Rc5 21.Nc3 Rd8
22.Ndb5 Rxd1+ 23.Kxd1 a6 24.Ke2 Bg1 0-1
47 - Karl Soller's 4.Be3!?
Eric Schiller wrote his classic 81-page book in 1986 on the "Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit". I enjoyed reading Eric's evaluations of various lines from
back in the days before computers allowed us to be more definitive in
assessments.
Schiller provided an excellent summary in English of material found in the

four volume German series published by Rudi Schmaus in the 1980s. The
first volume is a reprint of E. J. Diemer's 1956 book "Vom ersten Zug au auf
Matt!"
Those four books are as follows:

Band 1: Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit by Emil Josef Diemer
Band 2: Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit by Alfred Freidl
Band 3: Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit by Georg Studier
Band 4: Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit by Alfred Freidl
Here is a three minute blitz game I played against the Lemberger Counter
Gambit 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5. I chose the move 4.Be3.
Eric Schiller liked this variation, but I rarely played it. Apparently I was in
the right mood for it on that day.
Sawyer - juho, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 14.07.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Be3 exd4 5.Qxd4! [Taking on d4 first with the queen is
much stronger than the more popular taking with the bishop which usually
continues: 5.Bxd4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 Nf6-/+] 5...Qxd4 6.Bxd4 f5?
[6...Nc6 7.0-0-0 with some compensation for the pawn.] 7.0-0-0!? [7.Nd5!+-
is correct and very powerful.] 7...Nf6 8.f3 exf3?! [8...Be6=/+] 9.Nxf3 Be7
10.Bc4 c6 11.Rhe1 b5 12.Bb3 b4 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nb5 cxb5 15.Bd5 Nd7
16.Bxa8 Kf7 17.Bc6 [Even better is 17.Bd5+!+-] 17...Rd8 18.Bxb5 Ne5
19.Nxe5+ fxe5 20.Rxd8 Bxd8 21.Rxe5 Bg5+ 22.Kb1 Kf6 23.Rc5 Be6
24.Bc4 Bxc4 25.Rxc4 Ke5 26.Rxb4 Be3 27.c3 f4 28.Kc2 h5 29.Kd3 h4
30.h3 a5 31.Rb5+ Kd6 32.Rxa5 Kc6 33.Rh5 Bf2 34.b4 Bg3 35.a4 Kb6
36.Rh6+ Kc7 37.b5 Kd7 38.a5 Kc7 39.Kc4 Kd7? 40.Kd5 Ke7 41.a6 Kf7
42.a7 1-0
48 - Arden in Lemberger
How do you play against your own opening? James Arden and I played four
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit correspondence games. The challenge of a
thematic tournament is that everyone plays the same opening against each
other.
My normal approach as Black vs the BDG is to grab the gambit pawn. Then I
dare White to prove that he can survive while down a pawn. I win some and
lose some.
My other games vs James Arden began 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
exf3 5.Nxf3. We both won one game when I had White and I won the other
game when I had the Black pieces.
In this game I chose the BDG Lemberger with the Black pieces. This is less
risky and less rewarding than accepting the gambit outright.
James Arden responded with the logical 4.Be3 Soller variation. This opening
examines a critical continuation up through 6...Nc6. At various points Black
had good chances for an advantage, but in the end our fireworks fizzled into a
draw.
Arden - Sawyer, corr BDG thematic (2) 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 e5 4.Be3 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Bxd4 Nc6 7.0-0-0 Bf5 [7...Nxd4
8.Rxd4 f5 9.Nb5 c5=/+] 8.Bb5 Nge7 9.Be3 a6 10.Ba4 [10.Bxc6+ Nxc6
11.Nge2=] 10...b5 11.Bb3 Na5 12.Bd5 Nxd5 13.Rxd5 Be6 14.Re5 [14.Rd1
f5=/+] 14...Nc4 [14...0-0-0-/+] 15.Rxe4 Nxe3 16.Rxe3 Bc5 17.Re2 0-0
[17...0-0-0-/+] 18.f3 [18.Nf3 Rad8=/+] 18...Bd4 19.a3 Bc4 20.Re1 Bxc3
[20...a5-/+] 21.bxc3 Rfe8 22.Nh3 a5 23.Nf2 f6 24.Re4 f5 25.Rd4 Re2
26.Rd2 Rae8 27.Rhd1 Kf7 28.Rxe2 Rxe2 29.Rd2 Re7 30.Nd3 Bxd3
31.cxd3 Re1+ 32.Rd1 Rxd1+ 33.Kxd1 Ke6 34.a4 [Or 34.f4=] 34...bxa4 1/2-
1/2
2.3 – 4.Qh5
Ernie Sneiders invented this 4.Qh5 line which Ken Smith liked in his BDG
books.
49 - Lody Kuling Wins BDG

Chess master Lody Kuling of the Netherlands attempted the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit vs Hans Aangeenbrug. The game technically avoided the
gambit with the BDG Lemberger
White chose the 4.Qh5 Sneiders Attack. Good play by Lody Kuling was
rewarded with a quick victory.
The beginning moves of the Lemberger are 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 Nc3 e5. This
counter gambit has become popular in books on how to play Black.
The Sneiders Attack 4.Qh5 is one of many White choices. Usually I prefer to
move a knight to the e-file with either 4.Nge2 or 4.Nxe4.
The Sneiders Attack was a favorite of Ken Smith when he wrote books on the
BDG.
In "Der 'Sneiders-Angriff' im Lemberger Gegengambit" (1986) the author

Emil Kunath gave three basic choices for Black: (A) 4...exd4; (B) 4...Nf6;
and (C) 4...Nc6. All three are interesting.
Kuling (2246) - Aangeenbrug (1997), HZ Open 2013 Vlissingen NED

(8.32), 09.08.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Qh5 Nf6 [A critical
line here is 4...exd4 5.Bc4 Qe7 6.Bg5 Nf6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nxe4 Qe7 9.0-0-0
Qxe4 10.Qxf7+ Kd8 11.Nf3 Bd6 12.Qxg7 Rf8 13.Ng5 Qf4+ 14.Kb1= with
an unbalanced position.] 5.Qxe5+ Be7 6.Bf4 0-0 [Black drops a pawn.
Correct is 6...Nc6 7.Qxc7 Qxc7 8.Bxc7 Nxd4 9.0-0-0 Nc6 10.Bb5=] 7.Qxc7
Qxc7 8.Bxc7 Bb4 9.Nge2 Nd5 10.Bd6 Re8? [10...Bxd6 11.Nxd5+/=]
11.Bxb4 Nxb4 12.0-0-0 Bd7 13.Ng3 [Or 13.Nf4+-] 13...f5 14.Bc4+ Kh8
15.Rhe1 N8a6 16.a3 Rac8 17.Bf1 Rxc3 18.bxc3 Nd5 19.Kd2 Nac7 20.c4
Nf6 21.f3 1-0
50 - Robert Felber Lemberger
One excellent way to fight the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is to avoid the
3...Nf6 4.f3 variation altogether. Black can play the BDG Lemberger 3...e5.
The disadvantage to this for Black is that it can be hard to hold on to the extra
pawn. But material is not everything.
The Lemberger Counter Gambit allows Black open lines and quick
development. Some players prefer those to an extra pawn.
White has many interesting methods of attack in the Lemberger.
In their book “Winning with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit”, Ken Smith and
John Hall recommended the Sneiders Attack 4.Qh5.
Robert Felber and I met in a BDG thematic correspondence tournament in

1996. I tried the Lemberger 3…e5.
We entered a side variation of the Sneiders Attack after 4.Qh5 Nc6. I got a
good game.
I was winning as Black until I let it slip after 30 moves. Soon after that we
agreed to a draw.
Felber - Sawyer, corr BDG thematic 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
e5 4.Qh5 Nc6 [4...Qxd4 5.Be3 Qd6 6.Nxe4 Qb4+ 7.Nd2 Qxb2 8.Rb1
Qxc2=/+] 5.Bb5 exd4 6.Nxe4 Qe7 7.Qe2 Bd7 8.Nf3 0-0-0 9.0-0 f5 10.Ng3
Qxe2 11.Nxe2 Bc5 12.a3 a6 13.Bc4 b5 14.Bd3 Nge7 15.Re1 Rhe8 16.Bd2
Kb7 17.b4 Bb6 18.a4 Nd5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Reb1 Ne5 21.Nexd4 Nxd3
22.cxd3 f4 23.h3 Ra8 24.Kf1 Ra4 25.Rxa4 bxa4 26.Ra1 h6 27.Ne2 g5
[27...Bb5!-/+] 28.Nfd4 [28.Nc3 Nxb4 29.Nxa4 Nxd3 30.Nxb6 cxb6-/+]
28...h5 29.b5 Ra8 30.Bc1 Nc3?! [30...Nb4-+] 31.Nxc3 Bxd4 32.Ra3 Bc5?!
[32...f3! 33.gxf3 Bxh3+ 34.Ke2 g4-/+] 33.Rxa4 Rxa4 34.Nxa4 Bd4 35.Bb2
Bxb2 36.Nxb2 Bxb5 1/2-1/2
2.4 – 4.Nxe4
Traditionally this has been the main line against the Lemberger. It is still one
of the best choices if followed up correctly.
51 - Queens Knight 4.Nxe4 f5

“ChessDoc” wins a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Lemberger vs “Harthor”. This
game began as the Queen's Knight Attack 1.Nc3. I examine this game from
the point of view of each opening.
The normal BDG Lemberger move order would be 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
e5 4.Nxe4 f5 5.Ng5. This transposes to the game.
In addition to 5.Ng5, White could play 5.Bc4. That transposes to the game as
well after 5…Qxd4 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.Ng5.
A slightly different idea is 5.Nc3. Black takes on d4. 5…Qxd4 6.Qxd4 exd4
7.Nb5 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 Bxd2+ 9.Kxd2 Kd8 10.Nxd4=.
The Queen’s Knight or Van Geet move order usually continues 1.Nc3 d5
2.e4 d4. Here the Van Geet Exchange 2…dxe4 3.Nxe4 leads to equal
chances. Whoever plays better wins the game.
ChessDoc (2457) - Harthor (2458), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

16.02.2009 begins 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nxe4 f5 4.Ng5 [4.Nc3! e5 (4...Nf6
5.Nf3 Nc6 6.d4 e6 7.a3 h6 8.Bb5+/=; 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Bc5 7.0-0 Nf6
8.Ne2+/=) 5.Bc4 Nc6 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nf3 Bd6 8.Ng5 Qe7 9.Bf7+ Kf8 10.Bb3
Na5 11.0-0 Nxb3 12.axb3 h6 13.Nf3=] 4...e5 5.d4 Qxd4 6.Qxd4 exd4 7.Bc4
Bb4+ [7...Nc6! 8.N1f3 h6 9.Ne6 Bxe6 10.Bxe6 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 g6 12.Rd1=]
8.Kf1 Nf6 9.a3 Bc5 10.b4 [10.Bf4+/=] 10...Bb6 11.Bf4 h6 12.Re1+ Kf8
13.Nf7 Rg8?! [13...Rh7 14.h4 Nc6 15.Nf3+/=] 14.Ne5 g5 15.Bxg8 Kxg8
16.Bd2 [16.Bc1+/=] 16...Ne4 17.Bc1 Be6 18.f3 Nc3 19.h4 g4 20.Bxh6 a5
21.Nd3 Bc4 22.Re8+ Kf7 23.Rf8+ Kg6 24.Bd2 axb4 25.axb4 Ra1+
[25...Ra2 26.Rxb8=] 26.Kf2 Bxd3 27.cxd3 Nd7? [27...Nc6=] 28.h5+ Kg7
29.Rd8 [White is winning after 29.h6+! Kh7 30.Rf7+ Kh8 31.Rxd7+-]
29...Nf6 [29...Ne5 30.h6+ Kh7 31.Kg3+/-] 30.h6+ Kg6 31.h7 Nxh7 32.Rh6+
Kg7 33.Rd7+ Kg8 34.Rhxh7 [34.Rg6+! Kh8 35.Rd8+ Nf8 36.Rxf8+ Kh7
37.Rfg8+-] 34...f4 35.Bxf4 g3+ 36.Kxg3 Rxg1 37.Be5 Ne2+ 38.Kf2 1-0
52 - Malmstrom 4.Ne4 Nc6
Two experienced correspondence players from Sweden battle it out in an
IECG gambit game. Jan Malmstrom as White had a peak ICCF rating of
2305. Magnus Rosenstielke was Black. Both players have been rated above
and below 2000 at times.
The opening is a Blackmar-Diemer Lemberger Counter Gambit. After 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5, White chose the popular 4.Nxe4 line. Normally Black
captures with 4…exd4 or 4…Qxd4.
Here Black responded 4…Nc6!? Both sides played well. White had possible
improvements on moves 7 and 14. After the rooks disappeared, kings were
tied down by the opposing passed pawns. Neither side could make progress
in this pawn endgame.
Malmstrom (1956) - Rosenstielke (1900), TE.2006.S.01901 IECG,

19.08.2006 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nxe4 Nc6 5.Nf3 f5 6.Nc3!
[6.Neg5 h6! 7.d5 (7.Nh3 exd4 8.Nf4 Qd6 9.Bc4 g5 10.Ne2 Qb4+ 11.Nd2
Bd7=/+) 7...Nce7 8.Nh3 (8.Ne6 Bxe6 9.dxe6 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 0-0-0+ 11.Bd2
Nc6=/+) 8...Qd6 9.Qe2 e4 10.Qb5+ c6 11.dxc6 Nxc6=/+] 6...e4 [6...exd4
7.Nb5 and now: 7...Bb4+ (or 7...Nf6 8.Nfxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4=)
8.Bd2 Nf6 9.Bxb4 Nxb4 10.Nbxd4=] 7.Ng5 [7.d5 exf3 8.dxc6 Qxd1+
9.Nxd1 Ne7 10.cxb7 Bxb7 11.g3 0-0-0 12.Bd3 Be4 13.Bxe4 fxe4 14.0-0=]
7...Qxd4 [7...Nf6 8.Bc4 Bb4 (8...Qxd4 9.Bf7+ Kd8 10.Bd2 Bc5 11.0-0 Ke7
12.Qe1 h6 13.Nf3=) 9.0-0 Qxd4 10.Qe2 Ne5 11.Bb3 Qc5 12.Rd1 Bxc3
13.bxc3=] 8.Be3 Qxd1+ 9.Rxd1 Bb4 10.Bc4 Ne5 [10...h6!? 11.Nf7 Rh7
12.Ne5 (12.Nd8 Nxd8 13.Bxg8 Rh8 14.Bb3 Ne6 15.0-0 Rf8 16.Rfe1
Bd7=/+) 12...Nge7 13.Nxc6 Nxc6 14.a3 Bxc3+ 15.bxc3 Ke7 16.Be2 Rh8
17.f3 exf3 18.Bxf3=] 11.Bb3 Nf6 12.0-0 Bxc3 13.bxc3 h6 14.Nh3 [White
might do better with 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.Bxe6 g6 16.Bf4 Ke7 17.Bxf5 gxf5
18.Bxe5=] 14...Nc6 15.Rfe1 [15.f3!? g5 16.fxe4 Nxe4 17.Rfe1 Bd7 18.Nf2
0-0-0=] 15...Bd7 16.Nf4 g5 17.Ng6 Rh7 18.Bc5 Rg7 19.Nf8 f4 20.Nxd7
Rxd7 21.Rb1 Rad8 22.Ba4 Rd5 23.Bd4 Ke7 24.Rxb7 Nxd4 25.cxd4 Kd6
26.c3 Ra5 27.Bb3 Re8 28.Kf1 [Or 28.c4 e3 29.fxe3 Kc6 30.Rb4 Rxe3
31.Rxe3 fxe3 32.c5=] 28...Nd7 29.Rb4 Nb6 30.a4 Nd5 31.Bxd5 Kxd5
32.Rd1 Re6 33.c4+ Kd6 34.Ra1 c5 35.Rb5 Rxb5 36.axb5 cxd4 37.Ra6+
Ke5 38.Rxa7 d3 39.Rd7 Rd6 40.Rxd6 Kxd6 41.Ke1 1/2-1/2
2.5 – 4.Nxe4 Qxd4
Black captures with the queen and offers a queen swap when up a pawn.
White will develop quickly and kick the queen around.
53 - Lemberger and Clauser

In 1989 I was on a business trip. Jack Clauser and I got together at a
restaurant in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. We played what turned out to be
Game 84 in my original BDG Keybook.
This game was a Lemberger Counter Gambit where I had White. Facing a
Lemberger (3...e5) was rare in those days. Then I was relatively new to the
BDG. In the early days of the BDG, most of the time Diemer and others
played 4.Nxe4, so that is what I tried here. The next most popular choices
were 4.Qh5 and 4.Nge2.
With the moves 4.Nxe4 Qxd4 5.Bd3 f5, Black aggressively fights for the
center, the initiative, and the material advantage at the risk of falling further
behind in development. Another try was 5...Nc6 6.Nf3. Then the Black queen
moves away from d4 and tries to develop quickly while keeping the extra e5
pawn.
White goes all out for the attack with 6.Nf3. This knight not only kicks the
queen but places itself in line for a potential pawn fork on e4. White's
philosophy is that he will throw everything at the Black king. He hopes Black
will return the material with interest to avoid getting mated. This line is not
easy to evaluate. Black is usually in great danger while White is way behind
in material.
Sawyer - Clauser, Mechanicsburg, PA 1989 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3

e5 4.Nxe4 Qxd4 [If 4...exd4 White has 5.Bc4 Nc6 6.Nf3 or 5.Bb5+ c6
6.Qe2] 5.Bd3 f5 6.Nf3 Qd8 7.Nxe5? [7.Nc3! Nc6 8.Qe2=] 7...fxe4 8.Qh5+?
[8.Bb5+ c6 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Nf7+ Ke8 11.Bc4 b5 12.Bb3 c5 13.Bd5 Nf6
14.Bxa8 Kxf7-/+] 8...g6 9.Nxg6 Nf6 10.Qe5+ Be7 11.Bg5 Nbd7 [Or
11...exd3 12.Bxf6 Nd7 13.Qxe7+ Qxe7+ 14.Nxe7 Nxf6 15.Nxc8 dxc2-+]
12.Qxe7+ Qxe7 13.Nxe7 Kxe7 [13...exd3!] 14.Bxe4 Kf7 15.Bf3 Re8+
16.Kd2 Ne4+ [16...Ne5!-+] 17.Bxe4 Rxe4 18.Rae1 Rxe1 19.Rxe1 Nf6
20.Bxf6 Kxf6 21.Re8 b6 [Black has a piece for two pawns, but it was a
friendly game. We repeated moves.] 22.Rh8 Kg7 23.Re8 Kf7 24.Rh8 Kg7
[24...Kg6!-+] 25.Re8-+ 1/2-1/2
54 - Nielsferatu New Move
As White I rarely face the Lemberger. When I do I prefer to play a knight to
the e-file on the 4th move.
Most often I have played the Rasmussen 4.Nge2. I like that line. However at
times I have ventured the traditional BDG Lemberger 4.Nxe4.
In this game "Nielsferatu" as Black continued 4.Nxe4 Qxd4 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nf3
Qd7!? This is new, doubtless an inspiration of the moment.
This queen move does not seem all that dangerous, but there is the threat of
...f5 and ...e4.The game seesawed back and forth.
It was a typical three minute blitz game. Both sides attacked the opponent's
king. In the end, I found a checkmate.
Sawyer - Nielsferatu, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.10.2012 begins 1.e4

d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nxe4 Qxd4 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Qd7!? 7.0-0?!
[White should consider 7.Qe2 or 7.Ng3] 7...Nf6?! [Beware that it might be
difficult to meet 7...f5! followed by 8...e4.] 8.Qe2 Bd6 9.Bg5 Nxe4 10.Qxe4
[10.Bxe4=] 10...f6 [10...f5!-/+] 11.Bh4 Qg4 12.Qd5 Be6 13.Qb5 0-0-0 14.h3
Qb4 15.a3 Qf4 [15...Qxb5 16.Bxb5 g5 17.Bg3 h5-+] 16.Bg3 Qh6 17.c4
Nd4= [17...a6-/+] 18.Nxd4 exd4+/- [18...a6=] 19.Bxd6= [19.Be4!+/-]
19...Rxd6 20.c5 Rc6? 21.Be4 Bxh3? 22.Bxc6 bxc6 23.Qxc6 Qg5 24.Kh2
[24.Rad1!+-] 24...Qe5+ 25.Kxh3 Rd8 26.Qa8+ Kd7 27.Qf3 g5 28.Rfe1
Qxc5 29.Rac1 Qd6? 30.Qf5+ Qe6 31.Qxe6# 1-0
55 - Joseph Buchko Wins
Very rarely will the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit player face the stinking cheese
of the Lemberger Counter Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5. Okay, I
know the cheese is actually called Limburger, but 3...e5 Lemberger reminds
me of it.
Various authors recommend 3...e5, but few players actually play it. The
temptation is to keep a gambit pawn with 3...Nf6 or avoid more tactical lines
by transposing to well-known openings such as the Caro-Kann Defence
(3...c6) or the French Defence Rubinstein (3...e6) with more solid positions.
White's most popular move against the Lemberger is 4.Nxe4. E.J. Diemer
himself played 4.d5 early in his career. Then Diemer switched to 4.Nxe4.
Years later he added 4.Bb5+ and 4.Qh5.
Finishing my games from a USCF 1988 NS3 Golden Squires tournament, my

opponent Joseph Buchko rated 2104 plays the Lemberger vs my BDG.
Buchko plays well and deserves the win.
I was rated 2191 at the time. That was back during my peak time 25 years
ago. I got over 2200 a few times.
Each time my rating went over 2200, the USCF would send me a certificate
that said I was a “Postal Master.” This lost made it harder to get back there
again, but I think I returned a got there months later.
Sawyer - Buchko, corr USCF 88NS3, 18.01.1990 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 e5 4.Nxe4 Qxd4 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Qd8 7.Qe2 Be7 8.Bb5 Bg4
9.Ned2? [9.0-0 Nf6 10.Rd1+/=] 9...Nf6 10.Qxe5 0-0 11.Bxc6 Bd6 12.Qc3
bxc6 [12...Qe7+! 13.Qe3 Qxe3+ 14.fxe3 bxc6=/+] 13.0-0 Nd5 14.Qxc6 Nb4
15.Qa4 Bd7 16.Qb3 Be6 17.c4 Bf5 18.Nd4 Bd3 19.Re1 Bg6 20.N2f3 c5
21.Bg5 Qb6 22.Nb5 f6 23.Nxd6 Qxd6 24.a3? [This is a mistake, allowing a
dangerous knight fork. Much better is 24.Be3+/= when White is a pawn up.]
24...Nc2 25.Rad1 Qc7 26.Re6 Bf5 27.Be3 Rab8 28.Qc3 Bxe6 29.Qxc2 Qc6
30.Bf4 Rbd8 31.Rc1 Bg4 32.Nd2 Rfe8 33.f3 Re2 34.Qc3 Bf5 35.Nf1 Rd3
36.Qa5 Rxg2+ 0-1
2.6 –4.Nxe4 exd4
These capture continue to be very popular as the main line of the Lemberger.
It leads to equal chances if both sides play correctly.
56 - Arsaga Fights Trendy Line

In my early days with the BDG, one line scored better with Black than White:
the Lemberger Counter Gambit. Theorists implied that all Black’s problems
were solved by 3...e5! The opening result is equality unless someone
blunders. But the result of the game was yet to be determined. That had to be
played out.
One of my first big Lemberger tests was vs Russell F. Arsaga in the

preliminary round of the US Correspondence Championship. I selected the
traditionally strongest move 4.Nxe4, which Diemer had often played himself.
When I learned the BDG, it seemed reasonable to play what Emil J. Diemer
played himself!
Computers have made the subtleties of the Lemberger easier to master. After
4.Nxe4, Black often captured on d4. Many chose as Arsaga did to take with
the pawn 4...exd4. Deep analysis later showed that 5.Nf3! was better than
some of our earlier ideas.
Sawyer (2069) - Arsaga (2189), corr USCCC 10P05, 1990 begins 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nxe4 exd4 5.Bb5+ [5.Nf3! Nc6 6.Bb5 Bf5 7.Bxc6+
bxc6 8.Ng3 Qe7+ 9.Ne2 0-0-0 10.0-0=] 5...c6 [The point of White's bishop
check is to keep Black from playing 5...Nc6 and now White has many good
choices, maybe even 6.Ne2!?=; If 5...Bd7 6.Qe2 Qe7 7.Nf3 f5 8.Bxd7+ Nxd7
9.Ng3 Qxe2+ 10.Kxe2=] 6.Bc4 [6.Qe2!? was not known in the early 1990s
and maybe 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.Nf3 Nxe4 8.Bxe4 Bc5 9.0-0 might give White
chances for equality.] 6...Bf5 [Another critical line is 6...Nf6 7.Ng5 Qe7+
8.Qe2 Nd5 9.Ne4 Qb4+ 10.Nd2+ Be6 11.Ngf3 Nf4 12.Qe4 Qe7 13.Bxe6
Nxe6 14.0-0=] 7.Qf3!? [In my 1992 Keybook I wrote that both 7.Ng3!= and
7.Bxf7+? are better, but I missed that the sacrifice loses after 7...Kxf7 8.Qf3
Qd5-+] 7...Bg6 8.Ne2 Qe7 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.0-0 Ne5 11.Qf4 Nxd3 12.cxd3
Bxe4 13.dxe4 Rd8 14.e5 c5 15.Ng3 [15.Re1!=] 15...Qe6 16.Qe4 [16.Qf3
Ne7 17.Qxb7 Nc6 18.Ne4] 16...Rd5 17.f4 Ne7 18.Bd2 Nc6 [I do not
remember why I gave up. The position is equal after 19.f5! Arsaga was could
win from either side.] 0-1
57 - Howard Trimpi Lemberger
What is the best way for White to play against the Lemberger? In my early
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games, I was quite confused.
Against Howard Trimpi I chose 4.Nxe4. Later I would prefer the Rasmussen
4.Nge2.
After the traditional Diemer move 4.Nxe4, Black does best to take on d4. But
which capture is best?
After 4...Qxd4 5.Bd3, White tries to gain time attacking the queen. White
plans to complete his development and attack.
By taking with the pawn by 4...exd4, Black holds back the queen but opens
the e-file.
I appeared that White had four reasonable fifth moves. The differences in
evaluation seemed to be very slight: 5.Nf3, 5.Bd3, 5.Bc4, or as in the game
5.Bb5+!?
This last move tries to discourage 5...Nc6. In the game below I missed the
important move 8.c3!
If I had played it correctly, it would have given me a good game. In a bad

position, I dropped my Bc4.
Whoops. Remind me not to do that again!
Sawyer - Trimpi, corr USCF, 1993 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Nxe4 exd4 5.Bb5+ [White's alternatives include the old main line 5.Bc4,
5.Bd3 Houdini 4; or 5.Nf3 Deep Fritz 13] 5...c6 6.Bc4 [6.Bd3!?] 6...Nf6
7.Ng5 Bb4+ [7...Qe7+ 8.Qe2 Nd5 9.Ne4=] 8.Bd2? [8.c3!] 8...Bxd2+ 9.Qxd2
0-0 10.c3?! [10.Ne2 c5 11.c3 Nc6-/+] 10...Qe7+ 11.Ne2 dxc3 12.Qxc3 h6
13.Nf3 Ne4 14.Qe3 Qb4+ 0-1
58 - Logical 4.Nxe4 exd4 5.Nf3
The Internet Chess Club blitz game Sawyer – “LeonidP” began as a BDG
Lemberger 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5. Both sides now played the most
popular 4th moves.
White chose 4.Nxe4; active piece play with lots of threats helps White
succeed in this line. Black responded with 4...exd4.
This is the first time I played the move 5.Nf3! It was given as the main line
by Scheerer. Usually White develops his bishop with 5.Bb5+ or 5.Bc4.
Scheerer called them "serious alternatives".
Black’s fifth move 5...Bg4 is not mentioned by Scheerer. He indicated the

best move is to play the other bishop 5...Bb4+!
In the game White obtained the better chances most of the time. Black had an
extra g-pawn in a double rook ending.
White had an extra minute on the clock. During the next 36 more moves, one
set of rooks were exchanged and Black went from one pawn up to two pawns
down before losing on time.
Sawyer - LeonidP, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 11.09.2011 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nxe4 exd4 [The main alternative is 4...Qxd4 where
White usually plays 5.Bd3.] 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 [6...Nc6! 7.Qe3 Qe7
8.Bd2 0-0-0 9.0-0-0=] 7.Nxd4 Nd7 8.Nb5 0-0-0 9.Nxa7+ Kb8 10.Nb5 Re8
11.f3 f5 12.fxg4 [12.Bf4! fxe4 13.Bxc7+ Kc8 14.fxg4 Ngf6 15.Be2+-]
12...Rxe4+ 13.Be2 fxg4 14.Nc3 Re8 15.Bd2 Bb4 16.a3 [I considered 16.0-0-
0 Bxc3 17.Bxc3 Rxe2? but I missed 18.Bxg7+-] 16...Bxc3 17.Bxc3 Ngf6
18.Kd2? Ne4+ 19.Ke1 Nxc3 20.bxc3 Ne5 21.Kd2 Rd8+ 22.Bd3 Nc4+
23.Kc1 Ne3 24.g3 c5 25.c4 Rd4 26.Kb2 Nxc4+ 27.Bxc4 Rxc4 [=/+. Black
has an extra g-pawn. Clocks: 3:25-2:10.] 28.Rhf1 Re8 29.Rae1 Rd8 30.Re2
Rd7 31.Kb3 Rcd4 32.Rf5 b6 33.Re6 Kb7 34.Re2 h5?= 35.Rxh5 g6
36.Rhe5 R7d6 37.R5e4 Ka6 38.Rxd4 Rxd4 39.Re6 Kb5 40.Rxg6 c4+
41.Kc3 Re4 42.a4+ Kxa4 43.Rxb6 Ka5 44.Rf6 Re2 45.Rf5+ Kb6 [Clocks:
1:28-0:15.] 46.Rf4 Rxh2 47.Rxc4 Rf2 48.Rxg4 Rf3+ 49.Kd4 Kc6 50.Rg6+
Kd7 51.c4 Rf1 52.g4 Black forfeits on time down two pawns in the
endgame. 1-0
2.7 – 4.Nge2
This method of meeting the Lemberger with 4.Nge2 was developed by Ernst
Rasmussen.
59 - Lane: Why Play BDG?

Gary Lane is well known for writing his book Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
published in 1995. Lane's book was chronologically in between my
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook published 1992 by Bob Long and
Thinkers' Press, and my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II published
1999 by Sid Pickard & Son.
Gary Lane answers: "Why play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit?”
“To be a successful chess player one can spend hours studying the games of
leading grandmasters and merely end up trying to emulate their positional
technique in minor-piece ending. This policy will no doubt reap rewards but
there is always a nagging fear that after your 15 moves of theory, your
opponent will play the latest improvement from Moscow and the game will
be over. If you prefer to play open, attacking chess, then this is where the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit comes in.”
In 2014 International Master Gary Lane of Australia faced the BDG as Black.
Kerry Stead played the BDG as White.
How would Lane meet the gambit that he wrote about so long ago? Gary
chose the "open, attacking chess" continuation of the BDG Lemberger
Variation with 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5.
If accepting the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by 3...Nf6 4.f3 exf3 leads to an

easy win, then IM Gary Lane ought to know about it. He thought his best
chance of outplaying Stead today was with a Lemberger Counter Gambit.
On pages 117-119 in his "Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" book published by

Batsford, Lane gave six White 4th move options after 3...e5: 4.Qh5, 4.Nge2,
4.Nxe4, 4.Bc4, 4.Be3 and 4.dxe5. After the game continuation of the 4.Nge2
Rasmussen line, Lane chose the rare 4th move 4...Bb4. In his book he
considered 5.Be3 Nc6= following a game to move 11.
Here Lane varied from 5...Nc6 with 5...exd4. The endgame result proved
Lane's choice worked for him, at least in this game.
Although it must be said that Kerry Stead had good chances in the
middlegame. International Master Gary Lane is not to be confused with other
players such as Alex Lane or Paul Lane.
Stead (2013) - Lane (2362), Sydney Open AUS (1.11), 23.04.2014 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 Bb4 5.Be3 exd4 [In his book Lane gave 5...Nc6
6.dxe5 Bg4 7.Qxd8+ Rxd8 8.a3 Ba5 9.b4 Bb6 10.Bxb6 axb6 11.Nxe4 Nxe5=
Mantia - Finegold, USA 1993.] 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Bxd4 Nf6 8.0-0-0 Nbd7
9.Nb5 [9.a3!?=] 9...Ba5 10.Nxa7 0-0 11.Nb5 c6 12.Nd6 Bc7 13.Nxc8 Rfxc8
14.Kb1 Ne5 15.g3 Re8 16.Bg2 Ned7 17.Rhe1 Re7 18.h3 Nd5 19.c4 N5b6
20.b3 f5 21.h4 [21.g4!+/- is very promising.] 21...Rae8 22.Bh3 g6 23.Nf4
Ne5 24.Re2 Rd8 25.Kc2 Nd3 26.Be3 Red7 27.Red2 Nxf4 28.gxf4 Rxd2+
29.Rxd2 Rxd2+ 30.Kxd2 Nd7 31.h5 Nf6 32.hxg6 hxg6 33.b4? [Dropping a
pawn. White had to play 33.Ke2!=] 33...Nh5! 34.Bf1 [This endgame appears
to be winning for Black. White's best chance was in a bishops of opposite
color ending. Play might continue 34.Bg2 Nxf4 35.Bxf4 Bxf4+ 36.Ke2 Kf7
37.f3 exf3+ 38.Bxf3 g5=/+] 34...Nxf4 35.c5 Ne6 36.Bc4 Kf7 37.Bg5 Be5
38.Bd8 Bf6 39.Bc7 Ke7 40.Bd6+ Kd7 41.Bb8 Bd4 42.a4 Bxf2 43.Be5 g5
44.Ke2 Bg1 45.a5 f4 46.a6 bxa6 47.Bxa6 Bd4 48.Bd6 f3+ 49.Ke1 e3
50.Bg3 Bc3+ 0-1
60 - Cavicchi on Theory
When I posted a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, my friend Francesco Cavicchi
chatted interesting comments about various theoretical issues with the
Lemberger Counter Gambit after 3...e5:
“The practical problem with the Lange gambit Nxe4 is that it brings to very
difficult, chaotic lines, hard to remember for a variation not so often played. I
do not recommend this for amateurs like me (Elo 1750). I love Sneiders Qh5.
Sadly it doesn't work at all. I still think the only way to fight Lemberger is to
study chess endings and play dxe5. Maybe my opponent is only bluffing and
doesn't know endings better than me (I hope so). 4.dxe5 is ugly and
unspectacular but more forcing.”
I agree that 4.Nxe4 is "hard to remember". This is because Black in practice

chooses a wide variety of responses during the next four moves. We prefer
theory to be like a pole with one main line, or like a Charlie Brown tree with
just a few branches. The 4.Nxe4 line quickly becomes a dense bush. The
right path is hard to find or remember. That said, chess engines do give White
good.
In theory 4.Nge2 is easier. Most people play 4...exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4
Nf6 7.Bg5. White is at least equal. But as my chess club friend Bob Muir
demonstrated, there are other 4th moves.
Sawyer (2010) - Muir (1800), Williamsport, PA, 05.1998 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 Nd7 [A novelty. White can keep Black from
castling. A better move is 4...Nc6 5.dxe5 (5.Be3!= is best.) 5...Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1
Nxe5=/+] 5.dxe5 Nxe5 6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 7.Nxe4 Bf5 8.N2g3 Bg6 9.Bf4 Bd6
10.Nxd6 cxd6 11.0-0-0 Ke7 12.Bb5 [12.Bd2! Rc8 13.Bc3 Ng4? 14.Bb5
Nxf2 15.Rhe1+ Kf8 16.Rd2 Ng4 loses to 17.Bd7+-] 12...Rc8 13.Ba4 b5
14.Bb3 a5 15.c3 f6 16.Rhe1 b4 17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.Bc2?! [18.f4+/=] 18...bxc3
19.b3 Nh6 20.h3 Nf7 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Kc2 Rhd8 23.Ne4 Nd6 24.Nxd6
Rxd6 25.Rxd6 Kxd6 26.Re3 Kd5 27.Rd3+ Ke4 28.Rxc3 Rxc3+ [Black
might wish to find a draw in a rook ending. 28...Rd8+/=] 29.Kxc3 Kd5 30.a3
[30.b4!+- wins.] 30...f5? [Now the win is easy. 30...g5! makes White's task
much more difficult. 31.b4 a4 32.f3+/=] 31.h4 Kd6 32.Kc4 Kc6 33.b4 axb4
34.axb4 Kb6 35.b5 e4 36.g3 Kb7 37.Kc5 Kc7 38.b6+ Kb7 39.Kb5 1-0
2.8 – 4.Nge2 Nc6
Black adds to the pressure on d4. White must decide whether to push the
pawn with 5.d5 or protect the pawn with 5.Be3.
61 - Lane, Clauser, Lemberger

Gary Lane wrote, "If you prefer to play open, attacking chess, then this is
where the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit comes in." In April 2015 Gary Lane
commented, "I played 3...e5 last year but was lucky to survive the opening.
Sydney 2014."
Gary's opponent was Kerry Stead of Australia. That game was given
previously in “Lane: Why Play BDG?”
Stead played the 4.Nge2 Rasmussen Variation. This is one of the best lines
for White in the BDG Lemberger.
In 1997 my opponent Jack Clauser chose the BDG Lemberger. As it turned

out, this became a variation in which we used to take turns beating each
other.
After 4.Nge2 Nc6, this battle was over the squares d5 and f5. My response
was to post my White bishops aggressively with 7.Bg5 and 8.Bb5+. It
worked well this time.
Sawyer - Clauser, corr BDG thematic 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
e5 4.Nge2 Nc6 5.d5 [5.Be3! exd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Nxc6 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 bxc6
9.Bd4=] 5...Nce7 6.Ng3 f5 7.Bg5 [7.Bc4 a6=/+] 7...h6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxe7
Nxe7 10.d6 cxd6 11.Nxf5 Nxf5 12.Qh5+ Ke7 13.Nd5+ Ke6 14.Bc4 Qa5+
15.c3 Qxd5? [15...Be8 16.Ne3+ Kd7 17.Qxf5+ Kc7 18.b4+/-] 16.Bxd5+?
[Here I missed 16.Qg6+! Ke7 17.Bxd5+-] 16...Kxd5 17.0-0-0+ Kc6 18.Rhe1
d5 [18...Be7 19.Rxe4 Kc7=] 19.g4 Ne7 [19...g6 20.Qxg6+ Nd6 21.c4+/=]
20.Rxe4 g5 21.Rxe5 1-0
62 - Jorge Quinones vs Massie
The Lemberger Counter Gambit is one of the more challenging ways to fight
back against the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
Here Jorge Quinones meets James Massie in a critical line.
This is the same BDG Lemberger line that I often play myself.
Quite possibly White was on his own after 9...Neg8.
I suggested some possible improvements in the notes.
Quinones (1928) - Massie (1883), CP-2012-P-00005 Lechenicher

SchachServer, 01.10.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 Nc6
5.d5 Nce7 6.Ng3 f5 7.Bc4 a6 8.0-0 [8.a3!?] 8...Nf6 9.Nh5 Neg8 10.a4 [10.a3
b5 11.Ba2 Qd6=/+] 10...Qd7 11.f4 exf3 12.Qxf3 Bc5+ 13.Kh1 Qf7 14.Ng3
Ne7 15.Bg5 Qg6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.d6 Bxd6 18.Rad1 [18.Nd5 Nxd5
19.Qxd5 g6=/+] 18...Rf8 19.Nh5 Qh6 20.Ne4 Nc6 21.Nxd6+ cxd6 22.b4 e4
23.Qe2 Nxb4 24.Nf4 g5 25.Nd5 Nxd5 26.Bxd5 Qg7 27.c4 g4 28.Qd2 Qe5
29.Qh6 Qf6 30.Qf4 Qe7 31.a5 g3 32.h3 Qe5 33.Qh6 Qf6 34.Qxh7 Rh8
35.Qc7 Qe7 36.Qb6 Rh6 37.Rfe1 Qh7 38.Kg1 Qg7 39.Re3 Rg6 40.Rb3
Qe5 41.c5 Be6 42.Qxb7 Rc8 43.Qh7 Bxd5 44.Qxg6+ Bf7 45.Qxd6 Qxc5+
46.Qxc5 Rxc5 47.Rxg3 Rxa5 48.Rd6 Ke7 49.Rh6 Be6 [49...Ra1+
50.Kh2+/-] 50.Rgg6 Re5 51.Kf2 f4 52.h4 Bc4 53.Rc6 Bb5 54.Rc7+ Kd8
55.Rf7 1-0
2.9 – 4.Nge2 exd4
We turn to the most logical and common continuation of the Rasmussen line
with 4.Nge2 exd4.
63 - Have You Tried 5.Nxd4!?

When you develop a new skill, success is fun! If you fail, you search for a
new approach. Hopefully you improve!
I played a lot of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games from 1989-1999. They

were some of my best. As a tournament rated expert I expanded my expertise.
I entered thematic BDG events. I wrote articles and books. I entered

discussion groups. I won. I lost. I was praised by many and criticized by a
few.
Computer chess engines were not so strong in those days. I found better lines
by scientific trial and error. At times I won the opening in theory but not the
game in practice.
Jay Morin tested the BDG Lemberger line 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Nxd4. The main
line is 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4. There Black struggles to keep the gambit pawn
without queens on the board.
In our game Black stood a little better at first. But then I went pawn grabbing
on move 20 instead of defending my king. Big mistake. Jay Morin made me
pay.
Morin - Sawyer, corr BDG thematic (1) 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 [5...Nf6=/+] 6.Bc4 [6.Bf4=] 6...Nf6 7.0-0
0-0 8.Bf4 Bxc3 9.bxc3 Qe7 10.Nb5 Rd8 11.Qe2 Na6 12.f3 Be6 13.Bxe6
Qxe6 14.Rae1 Qb6+ 15.Be3 exf3 16.Rxf3 c5 17.c4 Re8 18.Qf2 [18.Ref1
Rad8=/+] 18...Ne4 [18...Nb4-/+] 19.Qh4 Qe6 20.Bc1 Qxc4? [20...Qg6=/+]
21.Rh3 Kf8 22.Qxh7 Nf6 23.Qh8+ Ng8 24.Rf1 Qxb5 25.Rh7 Ke7 26.Qxg7
Kd8 27.Rd1+ Kc8 28.Qxf7 c4 29.Rd4 1-0
64 – Bob Muir 5.Qxd4 Nf6
Bob Muir tried many approaches to meet my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. At
times Bob would accept the BDG, other times he would decline it, or
sometimes he would avoid it altogether.
In this rapid game he counters with the BDG Lemberger Counter Gambit.
The traditional response for White is the sharp 4.Nxe4 which sacrifices the d4
pawn for a slight lead in development.
A generation ago Ernst Rasmussen made the 4.Nge2 line popular for White. I
have played both lines many times, but I feel more comfortable with this
Rasmussen idea.
The threat on Black's e4 pawn remains while White's d4 pawn is protected. If

Black responds to 4.Nge2 by capturing 4...exd4, then White's pieces usually
become quite active if he recaptures with 5.Qxd4.
Often all four center pawns come off the board. Chances are about equal, but
not necessarily completely drawish.
Sawyer (2010) - Muir (1800), Williamsport, PA 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Qxd4 Nf6? [Black should swap queens first
with 5...Qxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6=] 6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Ng3 c6 9.0-0-0+
Kc7 10.Bf4+ Kb6 11.Ngxe4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bf5 13.Nc3 a5? [13...Nd7
14.Bc4+/-] 14.Na4+ Ka7 15.Be3+ c5 16.Nxc5 b6 [16...Bxc5 17.Bxc5+ b6
18.Be3+-] 17.Na4 Nd7 18.Bb5 [Even better is 18.Rxd7+! Bxd7 19.Nxb6+-]
18...Nc5 19.Nxc5 bxc5 20.Bc4 f6 21.Rd5 Be6 22.Rxc5 Bxc5 23.Bxc5+ Kb7
24.Bxe6 1-0
65 - 4.Nge2 Basic Theory
Against the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Lemberger (3...e5), the two best
moves for White are 4.Nxe4 (tactical) and 4.Nge2 (positional). With the
BDG Lemberger 4.Nxe4, the central open lines give White attacking chances
against the Black king in complex positions.
Here are my critical theoretical considerations in the BDG Lemberger

4.Nge2:
4...Nc6 5.Be3 f5 6.dxe5= or 5...exd4 6.Nxd4= or 5...Nf6 6.dxe5=

4...exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Bg5 Bb4 8.Nb5 Ba5 9.b4=
4...Nf6 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6. Kxd1 Ng4 7.Nxe4 Nxe5 8.f4 Ng6 9.Nd4=
4...f5 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 Nc6 7.Nb5 Kd8 8.Bf4 a6 9.Nbd4=
In my three minute blitz game vs “daniele1979”, Black gave the pawn back
with 6...c6. This gave me a lead in development and an advantage throughout
the game.
I had a connected and protected passed pawn in a winning endgame for

White. Then Black lost on time anyway.
Sawyer - daniele1979, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 03.02.2013 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4 c6?! [Black just
gives the pawn back when White has a lead in development. That cannot be
good. The normal line is 6...Nf6 7.Bg5 Bb4 8.Ndb5 when White has active
pieces in an even game.] 7.Nxe4 Nd7 8.Bf4 Ngf6 9.Nd6+ Bxd6 10.Bxd6
Ne4 11.Ba3 c5 12.Nb5 0-0 13.Be2 [13.f3!+/-] 13...Re8? [13...a6! 14.Nc7
Ra7 15.Nd5+/=] 14.Nc7 b6 [Somewhat better is 14...b5 15.Nxe8 b4 16.Bxb4
cxb4 17.Nc7+- and White walks away with the Exchange and a pawn.]
15.Nxe8 Bb7 16.Nc7 Rc8 17.Nb5 a6 18.Nd6 Nxd6 19.0-0-0 Bxg2 20.Rhg1
Be4 21.Rxd6 Nf8 22.Bxa6 Ra8 23.Bd3 Bxd3 24.Rxd3 Ne6 25.Re1 Nd4
26.Rxd4 cxd4 27.Re4 f6 28.Rxd4 Kf7 29.Rd7+ Kg6 30.Rd3 Re8 31.Kd1
Re5 32.Bd6 Ra5 33.a3 Rb5 34.b4 Rf5 35.Bg3 h5 36.Rd4 Kh6 37.Rf4
[37.Ke2+-] 37...Rd5+ 38.Ke2 Re5+ 39.Kd3 Rd5+ 40.Rd4 Rf5 41.f4 g5
42.fxg5+ Kxg5 43.h4+ Kg6 44.c4 Rf3+ 45.Ke4 Rxg3 46.a4 Ra3 47.c5
Rxa4 48.c6 Ra1 49.b5 Black forfeits on time 1-0
66 - BDG Castle for Check
Bold play in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit yields quick rewards in fast blitz
games. Players easily slip up in sharp tactics.
In this game my Internet Chess Club opponent “faetont” challenges my

gambit plans. Black played 3...e5 for a BDG Lemberger.
To survive an open position, you have to develop your pieces as quickly as

possible. With moves like 6...f5 and 7...c6, Black does not develop a single
minor piece until move 8!
Black is rated well above me and surely knows all this. Playing quickly I
missed chances for an early advantage on move 7 and 10.
Then a momentary lapse by Black on move 11 allowed me to defeat a good

player in a short game. For good measure I was able to castle with check and
game is soon over.
Sawyer (1929) - faetont (2192), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 13.09.2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4 f5
7.Bf4!? [The best way for White to take an advantage of this position is
7.Nd5! Bd6 8.Nb5+/-] 7...c6 8.Bc4 Nf6 9.Be6?! [9.0-0-0!+/=] 9...Bxe6
10.Nxe6 Kd7? [10...Na6! 11.0-0-0=] 11.Nc7 Na6? [Better is 11...Bd6
12.Bxd6 Kxd6 13.Nxa8+/-] 12.Nxa8 Bb4 13.0-0-0+ Ke6 14.Nc7+ Nxc7
15.Bxc7 [Black resigns] 1-0
67 - Cavicchi on 4.Nge2
My chess friend Francesco Cavicchi commented on the dreaded Lemberger
Counter Gambit - 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5!? We discussed some lines.
Then he added, “In the Rasmussen Nge2 black has so many possible answers
at his disposal.”
I agree with Francesco. Black has "many possible answers", but only a few
are good. Not only that, very often players follow 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4
6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Bg5. White has quick development. Black has weak points on
e4, f6, and c7.
Usually White regains his gambit pawn very quickly. With that, all the center
pawns have disappeared. The position is wide open.
Here I play Black against Rybka in what is for me a rare 3...e5!? Usually I
play to hold the gambit pawn with 3...Nf6!
Chances are equal, but in the case of this blitz game, our skill levels varied
widely. White just had to play chess. My 7...Nbd7 was a quick natural
developing move but a bad blitz blunder.
Rybka (2719) - Sawyer (1935), Florida blitz 12.02.2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 [This knight move is
by far the most common. Two options show White is also at least equal.
6...Bb4 7.Ndb5 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 Nf6 9.Bg5 Be6 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxe4 Nd7
12.0-0-0 0-0-0 13.f4=; 6...Be7 7.Bf4 Nf6 8.Ndb5 Na6 9.Bxc7 Nb4 10.0-0-0
Bg4 11.Re1 a6 12.Nd4 0-0 13.f3=] 7.Bg5 Nbd7?! [White has two workable
ideas: 7...Bb4 8.Ndb5 (8.0-0-0!? Bxc3 9.bxc3 0-0 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Re1 f5
12.f3=) 8...Ba5 9.b4 a6 10.Nd6+! cxd6 11.bxa5 Nc6 12.0-0-0=] 8.Ndb5 Bd6
[8...Kd8 9.Nxe4 a6 10.Nbc3+/=] 9.Nxd6+ [Not 9.0-0-0?! Sawyer - Gaukur,
ICC 2014, although White managed to win 1-0 in 46] 9...cxd6 10.0-0-0 Ke7
[Black will eventually drop a couple pawns. One option is 10...d5 11.Bb5 0-0
12.Bxd7 Nxd7 13.Be7 Re8 14.Nxd5 Nf8 15.Rhe1 Bg4 16.Rd2 Ng6 17.Rxe4
Nxe7 18.Rxe7+/-. Maybe somewhat better is 10...h6 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Rxd6+/-
although White has a very nice game.] 11.Nxe4 h6 12.Bxf6+ Nxf6 13.Nxd6
b6 [13...Rd8 14.Nxc8+ Raxc8 15.Be2+-] 14.Bc4 Be6 15.Rhe1 Rhd8
16.Nxf7 Kxf7 17.Bxe6+ Kg6 18.Re5 Kh7 19.Bf5+ Kg8 20.Rxd8+ Rxd8
21.Re7 1-0
68 - Blackmar-Diemer Shibut
Macon Shibut met my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit with a special counter
attack variation called BDG Lemberger. The moves 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
e5 were not well known outside the BDG community. My opponent Macon
Shibut was a FIDE Master.
While my choice of opening may have been a surprise to him, Shibut

probably had an idea that 3...e5 was fully playable.
However relatively few players were familiar with the 4.Nge2 line developed
by BDG Expert Ernest Rasmussen. An ironic point of the 4.Nge2 main line is
that the queens come off quickly.
White is down a pawn but it does not favor Black. White is almost always
able to regain the gambit pawn after 4.Nge2.
Macon Shibut wrote “Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory”. It is
always fun to play another author! I managed to survive some of my risky
moves.
Blackmar had to know Morphy. Morphy probably knew Blackmar. There is

no known game between them. Morphy did play simuls in New Orleans in
1858. Blackmar was there by 1860. Blackmar may have played some of
Morphy’s friends and relatives.
Sawyer - Shibut, Internet Chess Club, 26.11.1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 Nf6 5.Bg5 [5.dxe5= is also playable.] 5...exd4 6.Qxd4
Qxd4 [6...Be7 7.0-0-0=] 7.Nxd4 Be7 8.0-0-0 Bg4?! [8...0-0 9.Bxf6 Bxf6
10.Nxe4=] 9.f3?! [9.Re1+/=] 9...exf3 10.Nxf3 [10.gxf3!?] 10...0-0 11.Bc4
Nc6 12.h3 Bxf3 13.gxf3 Ne5 [13...Rad8!=/+] 14.Be2 [14.Rhe1!=] 14...Rfe8
[14...Rad8!=/+] 15.f4 Nc6 16.Rhg1 [16.Nb5 Nd5 17.Rxd5 Bxg5 18.fxg5
Rxe2 19.Rhd1 Rc8 20.Rd7=] 16...Kf8 17.Bb5 [17.Bf3 Rad8=/+] 17...a6
18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Rd7 Re7 21.Rxe7 Kxe7 [21...Bxe7-/+]
22.Ne4 Rb8 [22...Bd4=/+] 23.Nxf6 Kxf6 24.b3?! [This cuts down on White's
rook mobility. Better is 24.Rg3=] 24...Re8 [24...Rb5=/+] 25.Rg5 Re4 26.Rc5
Re6 27.Ra5 c5 28.Rxc5 h5 [28...Re7 29.a4+/=] 29.Rxh5 Re3 30.Rc5 Rxh3
31.Rxc7 Rf3 32.Rc4 [32.Rc6+ Ke7 33.Rc4+/=] 32...Kf5 33.b4 Rxf4
34.Rxf4+ Kxf4 35.a4 Ke4 36.b5 axb5 37.axb5 Kd5 38.c4+ Kc5 39.Kd2 f5
40.Ke3 g5 41.Kf3 Kb6 1/2-1/2
69 - 4.Nge2 vs Lemberger
When facing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Lemberger Variation (3...e5),
there are two good ways for White to play. Both involve moving a knight to
the e-file.
The most popular is BDG Lemberger 4.Nxe4, which is sharp and

complicated. The alternative I played below, the BDG Lemberger 4.Nge2, a
favorite of Ernst Rasmussen.
In this line, White develops rapidly. Usually he regains the gambit pawn with
equal chances in an open game.
My opponent "AdamsX" made things easier than he intended in this game.

This was one of two three minute blitz games we played back to back.
The other was an Albin-Counter Gambit 5.g3. In some ways my 4.Nge2 is

like 5...Nge7 in the Albin-Counter Gambit.
However, in the Lemberger that knight supports a d-pawn that is likely to be

captured, while in the Albin Counter Gambit the knight is headed for Nge7-
Ng6xe5.
Sawyer - AdamsX, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 22.11.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nge2 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Bg5 Bb4
8.Ndb5 Na6 9.0-0-0 Bxc3 10.Nxc3 Bf5 11.Bxa6 bxa6 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Nd5
Bg6? [Dropping the Exchange. Better was 13...Kf8 14.Nxf6+/-] 14.Nxc7+
Ke7 15.Nxa8 Rxa8 16.Rd4 Rb8 17.Rhd1 Rb7 18.Rd6 Rc7 19.c3 f5
20.Rxa6 f4 21.Rdd6 e3 22.fxe3 fxe3 23.Kd1 Bh5+ 24.Ke1 Rc5 25.Rh6!? [I
decided to give back the Exchange and play to win the rook ending with three
connected queenside pawns. Certainly strong is 25.Rd4! Rc7 26.Rh4 Bg6
27.Ke2 h5 28.Kxe3+-] 25...Rg5 26.Rxh5!? [White is clearly winning this
endgame. Black tries to grab what he can, but there is not much he can do.
And, of course there is 26.c4+-] 26...Rxh5 27.h3 Rg5 28.Rxa7+ Kf8 29.g4
h5 30.Ra4 hxg4 31.hxg4 Rd5 32.Rd4 Rb5 33.b4 Rb8 34.a4 Rc8 35.c4 Ke7
36.Ke2 Ke6 37.Kxe3 Ke5 38.Rd5+ Ke6 39.Kd4 Rh8 40.a5 Rh1 41.a6 Ra1
42.b5 f6 43.Kc5 [At this point Black had 1:13 on his clock and just let it run
out. Black forfeits on time.] 1-0
3.0 – 4.f3
This section covers less popular fourth moves for Black. This includes 4…e5
which is one of the worst moves in the BDG.
70 - Draw vs GM Smerdon
Donald Mason tried a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game vs David Smerdon.
The grandmaster chose 4.f3 Nbd7 5.fxe4 e5.
When grandmasters play a line repeatedly, they think it is good. It's

impressive to draw a BDG vs a grandmaster. In the notes is another game
where Meadows lost a BDG to GM Smerdon.
Mason (2204) - Smerdon (2523), 4NCL Indiv Rapid 2013 Daventry ENG
(2.3), 06.10.2013 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Nbd7 5.fxe4 e5
6.dxe5! [6.Nf3 exd4 7.Nxd4? Bc5 8.Be3 0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.Bf3 Ne5 11.Be2?
Neg4 12.Bxg4 Nxg4 13.Bg1 Ne5 14.Nde2 Qh4+ 15.Ng3 Bg4 16.Qd5 Bxg1
17.Rxg1 Rad8 18.Qb5 Qg5 19.Nce2 Nf3+ 0-1 Meadows-Smerdon, Daventry
ENG 2013] 6...Nxe5 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Nf3 Bd6 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6+ gxf6
11.0-0-0 Be6 12.Nb5 Ke7 13.Nxd6 cxd6 14.Nxe5 fxe5 15.Be2 Rac8 16.Kb1
Rhg8 [16...f5=] 17.Bf3 Bg4 18.Rd2 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Rg6 20.Rf1 Rcg8 21.c4
Rg1 22.Rxg1 Rxg1+ 23.Kc2 Rf1 24.Rd3 Rf2+ 25.Kb1 Rxh2 26.Ra3 a6
27.Rb3 Rf2 [27...h5 28.Rxb7+ Kf6=/+] 28.Rxb7+ Ke6 29.Rb6 Rxf3 30.c5
Rd3 31.c6 d5 32.c7+ Kd7 33.Rc6 Kc8 34.exd5 Rxd5 35.Rxa6 Kxc7
36.Ra7+ Kd6 37.Rxf7 e4 38.Rf6+ Ke5 39.Rxh6 e3 40.Rh5+ Ke4 [40...Kf4
41.Rxd5 e2-/+] 41.Rxd5 e2 42.Kc2 [White has a blockade that keeps the
Black king away. 42.Rc5 e1Q+ 43.Rc1=] 42...e1Q 43.Rd2 Qf1 44.a3 Qc4+
45.Kb1 Ke3 46.Rd1 Ke2 47.Rc1 Qe4+ 48.Ka2 Kd2 49.Rc3 Qh1 50.a4
Qd5+ 51.Kb1 Qe4+ 52.Ka2 Qxa4+ 53.Ra3 Qc4+ 54.Kb1 Qh4 55.Rc3 Ke2
56.Ka2 Qh1 57.Rc2+ Kd3 58.Rc3+ Kd4 59.Ra3 Qd5+ 60.Kb1 Ke4 61.Rc3
Qd2 62.Ka2 Kd4 63.Ra3 Qe1 64.Rc3 Qe6+ 65.Kb1 Kd5 66.Rd3+ Kc6
67.Rc3+ Kb6 68.Ra3 Kc5 69.Rc3+ Kd5 70.Ka2 Qg8 71.Kb1 Kd4 72.Ra3
Qg1+ 73.Ka2 Qd1 74.Rc3 Qa4+ 75.Kb1 Qb4 76.Ka2 Qxc3 1/2-1/2
71 - Bill Chandler Wins vs 4…e5
Bill Chandler sent me a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined game where he
played the bold but dangerous 4...e5. That aggressive counter punch to 1.d4
has been played on every move from 1 to 5. The only good time to play it is
3...e5, the Lemberger. All the other options take on a lot of risk for Black.
When messaging, William Chandler wrote me:

“Thank you! So, you are saying 1. d4 d5 2. e4 de4 3. Nc3 e5?”
“aaah, I see where you are going. Ok, I learned it a bit differently. The line I
keyed in on was 4 ... e5 5 de5 Qd1 6 Kd1 and making white advance his
pawns, keying in on a minority counterattack. the 3 ... e5 looks better though,
I'll try that.”
I replied to William Chandler:

“You have the right line, but you have to keep going. The point is that after
your 6 Kd1, what does Black play? White does not push pawns; he uses
pieces for a majority attack! Almost always Black plays 6...Nfd7, when
comes 7.Nd5! (Nxc7+ fork threat) Kd8 8. Bg5+ f6 9. exf6 gxf6 10.Nxf6 Be7
11.Nxe4 up 2 pawns for White. The Lemberger 3...e5 is the best way if you
do not want to just grab the gambit pawn with a smile and try to hold on."
His game turns into a fight where Black has three pawns for a bishop. Bill
Chandler outplays his opponent for the victory.
Halloj (1781) - WilliamChandler (1716), Main Playing Hall, 27.09.2013

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e5 5.d5 [5.dxe5!+/-] 5...Bb4!
6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bxd7+ Qxd7 [7...Nbxd7!-+] 8.Nge2 0-0 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.Nxc3
exf3 11.Qxf3 c6 12.Bg5 Nxd5 13.0-0-0 f6 14.Bh4 Rd8 [14...Qf7-/+] 15.Ne4
Na6? [15...Qc7=] 16.c4 [16.Nxf6+! gxf6 17.Bxf6!+/= and Black will
probably give up the Exchange.] 16...Qe6 [Better is 16...Qc7-/+] 17.cxd5
cxd5 18.Nd2? [This lets Black get away. Instead, 18.Nxf6+! gxf6 19.Bxf6
Rac8+ 20.Kb1 Rf8 21.Qg3+ Kf7 22.Bxe5+/- and while material is even, the
Black king is in real danger.] 18...Rac8+ 19.Kb1 d4 20.Rhe1 Nc5 21.Bg3 b5
22.Rc1 Na4 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Qb3 Qxb3 25.Nxb3 d3 26.Rc1 Rxc1+
27.Kxc1 e4 28.Kd2? [White drops the b-pawn. 28.Bf2!+/= gives White great
winning chances in the endgame.] 28...Nxb2 29.Bb8 Nc4+ 30.Ke1 a5
31.Nc5 d2+ 32.Kd1 e3 33.h4 Nb2+ White resigns 0-1
72 - Markushin & Tartakower
In 2012 Yuri Markushin listed the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in second place
among White's Best 10 Openings, as sent to me by Peter Mcgerald Penullar
who wrote:
" We live by the sword, we die by the sword! Blackmar-Diemer
gambit! Number two best opening for white. :) "
Grandmaster Dr. Tartakower benefits when his opponent Maurice Raizman

plays a BDG Elbert, which is about the worst defense that Black can think of.
After the normal 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 the mistake is 4...e5?
Players confuse 4...e5? with 3...e5! They look almost the same. The
difference is that after 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e5? White captures 5.dxe5 and his new
pawn on e5 attacks Black's knight on f6. After the better 3...e5 (Lemberger)
no such knight is attacked.
Here we see GM Tartakower crushed the Elbert. The standard punishment is

4...e5? 5.dxe5! Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1! Nfd7 7.Nd5! and Black is busted and loses
material. Raizman lost the Exchange after 7...c6 8.Nc7+ Kd8 9.Nxa8. He
dragged the game out to 64 moves, but he was still losing. Most defend
against the 8.Nxc7+ threat with 7...Kd8 8.Bg5+ f6 9.exf6 gxf6 10.Nxf6 Be7
11.Nxe4. Black has lost two pawns, and that's a big 10-4 good buddy.
Tartakower - Raizman, Paris, 1954 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.Nc3 e5 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 Nfd7 7.Nd5 c6 8.Nc7+ Kd8 9.Nxa8 Nxe5
10.Be3 c5 11.Ke1 Bd6 12.Rd1 Ke7 13.Nc7 Bxc7 14.Bxc5+ Kf6 15.fxe4
Nbc6 16.Nf3 Re8 17.Be2 g5 18.Rf1 Kg6 19.Bd6 Ba5+ 20.c3 Ng4 21.Rd5
h6 22.Nd4 Bb6 23.Bxg4 [23.Bc5 Bc7 24.Nf5 Rxe4 25.Nd6+-] 23...Bxg4
24.e5 Nxd4 25.Rxd4 Bxd4 26.Rf6+ Kg7 27.cxd4 Be6 28.b3 Rc8 29.Kd2
Rc6 30.Rf2 a5 31.Kd3 Bd5 32.g3 Rc1 33.Ba3 Rc6 34.Be7 a4 35.bxa4 Ra6
36.Rc2 Rxa4 37.a3 Ra5 38.Rc7 Rb5 39.Bb4 Kg6 40.Rd7 Be6 41.Rd6 Kf5
42.h3 h5 43.Ke3 Rd5 44.Rb6 Rd7 45.Bc5 Kg6 46.Ke4 Kh7 47.h4 gxh4
48.gxh4 Bd5+ 49.Kf5 Kg7 50.Kg5 Bf3 51.Rf6 Bd1 52.Bd6 Rd8 53.Rf1
Bg4 54.Rb1 Bf3 55.Rb3 Bd5 56.Rc3 Kh7 57.Rc5 Be6 [57...Rg8+ 58.Kf6+/-
] 58.d5 Bg4 59.Rc7 Rd7 60.Rxd7 Bxd7 61.Kxh5 Ba4 62.Bb4 Bb3 63.d6
Be6 64.Kg5 Black resigns 1-0
73 - Early ...e5 Moves vs BDG
Fighting back against 1.d4 Black can try the move ...e7-e5 at various points:
some good, some bad, and some ugly.
Here I beat one of them. There are 10 other possibilities.
Let's look at the eleven various early ...e5 tries:
1.d4 e5 - Englund Gambit. White accepts 2.dxe5 stands better.
1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 e5 - White just has to watch out for ...Nh5/...Qh4+.
1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 e5 4.dxe5 Nxe4 - Kraus-Muhlherr 5.Bb5!+=
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 - Maddigan Gambit. White takes 3.dxe5 +/-.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d4 3.e4 e5 - Drops pawn 4.dxe5 Nxe4 5.Qxd5+/-.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 e5 - Bad version of the Center Game: 3.dxe5 +=.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 e5 - Best response to Blackmar Gambit.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5 - Lemberger Counter Gambit. Equal.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e5 – Elbert. Wrong. See below.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e5 - Bad. 6.dxe5.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e5 - Muir. 6.dxe5!?
Sawyer - SNAPPERED, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 26.06.2012 begins

1.d4 d5 [1...e5?! 2.dxe5+/-; 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 (2.f3 d5 {2...e5? 3.dxe5 Nh5
4.Nh3!+/-} 3.e4 e5!? 4.dxe5 Nxe4 5.Bb5+!+/=) 2...d5 (2...e5?! 3.dxe5 Ng4
4.Nf3+/-) 3.e4 e5? 4.dxe5 Nxe4 5.Qxd5+/-] 2.e4 dxe4 [2...e5?! 3.dxe5 dxe4
4.Qxd8+ Kxd8 5.Nc3+/-] 3.Nc3 Nf6 [The Lemberger Counter Gambit is
3...e5!] 4.f3 e5? [4...exf3 5.Nxf3 (5.Qxf3 e5? 6.dxe5 Ng4 7.Bf4+/-) 5...e5!?
6.dxe5!? Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Ng4 8.Nd5 Kd7 9.Ke2+/=] 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1
Nfd7 7.Nd5 Kd8 8.Bg5+ f6 9.exf6 gxf6 10.Nxf6 Black resigns. Usually the
game goes one more move: 10...Be7 11.Nxe4 1-0
74 - Worst Defense to BDG
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit officially begins after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3. What is the worst defense to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit? It
depends on how we evaluate it. I have seen 19 different fourth move choices
for Black's defense.
Eight options have been played at least 300 times. The most popular by far is
capturing the pawn with 4...exf3, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted.
This is followed by three excellent ways to decline the BDG: 4...Bf5 Vienna;
4...e3 Langeheinecke; and 4...c6 O'Kelly. Less common are 4...c5
Brombacher, 4...e6 Weinspach, 4...Nc6 Lamb, and 4...e5 Elbert.
Dr. John Nunn recommended in his book "Practical Chess" to see whether a
variation over-performs or under-performs its rating. At one point I studied
over 24,000 BDG games. White over-performed by exactly 60 points. In
other words, if White always played the BDG, he would be rated 60 points
higher.
The weakest line both in theory and in practice is the Elbert 4...e5. This line
under-performed by 126 points. No one would prepare to play this as Black if
they followed any object analysis.
Anders Tejler misjudged 4…e5 over 50 years ago: “A strong move which
threatens quick equalization by an exchange of queens and also speedy
development for Black.” - Tejler [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Feb 1962].
Andy was not a great analyst, but he was an awesome ambassador for the
BDG!
Sawyer - lynov2000, Yahoo, 27.01.2002 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3

Nf6 4.f3 e5 5.dxe5 [White gets an advantage by 5.dxe5! “This move is so
strong there's really no reason to play anything else.” Tom Purser from BDG
WORLD, Nov-Dec 1991] 5…Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 Nfd7 7.Nd5 Kd8 8.Bg5+ [By
this point Black realizes that he is in deep trouble. White's next few moves
are both obvious and powerful.] 8…f6 9.exf6 gxf6 10.Nxf6 Be7 11.Nxe4
[Black is down two pawns and many times has resigned right here. My
opponent was rated 1764 on Yahoo and plays on a few more moves before
dropping more material.] 11…Bxg5 12.Nxg5 Rg8 13.Ne6+ Ke7 14.Nxc7
Black resigns 1-0
75 - When They Don’t Resign
I won this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Elbert Variation 4.f3 e5. In this game I
got the typical two pawn advantage out of the opening by move 11 that White
usually gets in this line.
It is a little weird to be up two pawns instead of down one in the BDG, but it
is not too hard to adjust to that success. Many players resign as Black at
move 11, but not my opponent.
That means I am going to be in for a fight! We were both rated over 2000 at
the 99.6 percentile. My opponent "drmhmd3id" was a good blitz player who
pushed me on the board and the clock.
I had won many three minute games from losing positions on the board. I
won my next Chess.com game on time while staving off mate! I am sure my
opponent was trying to do the same here.
I had an early edge in time playing book moves. Now I had to think. He
played fast and well and kept the game alive. Black hoped for a comeback to
win or draw on the clock or board. He fought his way back but missed the
chance to equalize with 42...Ra1+! I won on the board while still ahead on
the clock.
Sawyer - drmhmd3id, Live Chess Chess.com, 24.08.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e5? 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 Nfd7 7.Nd5 Kd8
8.Bg5+ f6 9.exf6 gxf6 10.Nxf6 Be7 11.Nxe4 Bxg5 12.Nxg5 [By this point,
many players resign a blitz game.] 12...Ne5 13.f4 h6 14.fxe5!? [Tim
McGrew played 14.Ne4!+- in a 2005 ICC blitz game vs M-Ezat and won in
10 more moves.] 14...hxg5 15.Nf3 Bg4 16.Be2 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Nd7 18.Re1
Ke7 19.c3 Rxh2 20.Kc2 g4 21.Bxb7 Rb8 22.Bc6 Rb6 23.Bxd7?! [The game
is equal. I should have played 23.Be4+/=] 23...Rxg2+ 24.Kd3 Kxd7
25.Rad1 Rbxb2 26.Ke4+ Ke6 27.a4 Rgf2 28.Rg1 Rbe2+ 29.Kd3 Rxe5
30.Rxg4 Rd5+ 31.Rd4 Rf3+ 32.Kc4 Rd6 33.Rxd6+ cxd6 34.a5 a6 35.Re1+
Kd7 36.Re4 Kc6 37.Rd4 Rf5 38.Kb4 Rb5+ 39.Ka4 Kc5 40.Rh4 d5 41.Rh6
Rb1 42.Rxa6 Kc4? [Black missed his chance to reach a drawish ending.
42...Ra1+! 43.Kb3 Kb5 44.Rh6 Rxa5 45.Rd6 Kc5 46.Rd8 Rb5+ 47.Kc2
Ra5=] 43.Rc6+ Kd3 44.a6 Kc2 45.Ka5 Kd3 46.a7 Ke4 47.Ka6 [47.Ra6!+-
gives White a queen.] 47...d4 48.cxd4 Kd5 49.Rc2 Kxd4 50.a8Q Ra1+ 1-0
3.1 – 4.f3 Nc6
This section covers the Lamb Variation with 4…Nc6.
76 - Ferguson Lamb 5.d5 Ne5

I have not written much on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Lamb 4…Nc6 in
recent years. Those of us that have played the BDG many times know that
Black often chose this variation.
When White plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit move 4.f3 may take Black
by surprise. He notices that if he takes on f3, White simply recaptures. The
move 4…Nc6 is rarely the result of pregame preparation. It is more the
inspiration of the moment.
Black looks around for something. He sees that White’s d4 pawn is only
protected and attacked by the opposing queens. So, Black threatens to win the
pawn by the move 4…Nc6.
From time to time I played Brad Ferguson at the chess club that met at
Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
I admire a player who keeps trying to learn the game by playing stronger
opponents. I was the only player in that club rated over 2000. Even though I
won all our 29 games, Brad kept learning.
In this game we both developed all our minor pieces by move nine. Ferguson
attacked me with two of those by Nc6 and Bg4.
The only thing he did not due was to castle. This left his king vulnerable.
Black lost big material due to my checks on moves 16 and 18. Suddenly
down a queen and a rook, Black resigned.
Sawyer - Ferguson, Williamsport, PA 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3

Nf6 4.f3 Nc6 5.d5 Ne5 6.fxe4 Bg4 7.Nf3 e6 [7...Nxf3+ 8.gxf3+/= 1-0 (33)
Sawyer - McElhenney, Williamsport, PA 1997] 8.Bb5+ Ned7 [8...c6 9.dxc6
Qxd1+ 10.Nxd1 bxc6 11.Be2=] 9.Bg5 Bb4 [9...Be7 10.Qd4 Bxf3 11.gxf3 e5
12.Qg1+/=] 10.e5 h6 11.exf6 hxg5 12.fxg7 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Rg8 14.0-0
[14.h3!+-] 14...Rxg7? [14...c6 15.dxc6 bxc6 16.Bxc6 Qb6+ 17.Qd4 Qxc6
18.Qxg4+/-] 15.Qd4 Qf6 16.Bxd7+ Kxd7 17.Qxf6 Rg6 18.Qxf7+ Kd6
19.Qxg6 1-0
77 - Guest Lamb 6.fxe4 e6
One of the critical lines in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Lamb Variation
after 4.f3 Nc6 follows the battle over the center. The key squares are d5 and
e5.
In my Internet Chess Club game against a guest we continued with 5.d5 Ne5
followed by 6.fxe4 e6. White protects d5 and Black attacks it.
Focus then turns to e5. White develops with 7.Nf3. The attacked knight on e5
captured with check. Black could also equalize by protecting the Ne5 with
7…Bd6.
Black answers with 8.Qxf3 e5 to keep White from opening the center too
quickly. A reasonable alternative was 8…exd5 leaving White with a slightly
exposed pawn on d5.
Both sides castled and checked the opposing kings bishops. Multiple
exchanges followed.
How strong was my opponent? Who knows? Your guess on this guest is as
good as mine.
On move 18 Black dropped a knight. This happens in blitz chess games to

everyone, but not all the time.
The rest of the game is a matter of technique. Black hoped to queen his
passed e-pawn. That died with my 40.Rxe2.
Sawyer (2000) - guest579, ICC 5 2 u Internet Chess Club, 09.01.2003 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Nc6 5.d5 Ne5 6.fxe4 e6 7.Nf3 Nxf3+
[7...Bd6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bf4=] 8.Qxf3 e5 [8...exd5 9.Nxd5 Nxd5 10.exd5 Bc5
11.Bf4 Qh4+ 12.g3 Qe7+ 13.Qe2 Qxe2+ 14.Bxe2=] 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.0-0
Bc5+ 11.Kh1 0-0 12.Be3 Bxb5 13.Bxc5 Bxf1 14.Bxf8 Kxf8 15.Rxf1 Qd7
16.h3 c6 17.Qf5 Qxf5 18.Rxf5 g6 [18...cxd5 19.exd5+/=] 19.Rxf6 Ke7
20.Rf3 cxd5 21.Nxd5+ Kd6 22.Rxf7 Rc8 23.c3 Rc4 24.Rxb7 Rxe4 25.Nf6
Re2 26.Nxh7 e4 27.Ng5 e3 28.Nf3 Rf2 29.Kg1 Kd5 30.a4 Ke4 31.Rxa7
Rxb2 32.Rg7 Rb1+ 33.Kh2 Kd3 34.Rxg6 Kxc3 35.Re6 Kd3 36.a5 e2 37.a6
Ra1 38.Kg3 Rf1 39.h4 Kc4 40.Rxe2 Kb5 41.Re6 Ra1 42.h5 Black resigns
1-0
3.2 – 4.f3 c5
The Brombacher 4…c5 is a standard flank attack on the center.
78 - Battling BDG Brombacher

Christoph Scheerer wrote about 4…c5 in his “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit” (by
Everyman Chess). I quote his summary of this line:
“Most critical here is the Brombacher Counter-Gambit with 4...c5, a line that
was frequently adopted by Efim Bogoljubow. White can try Gedult's
enterprising 5.Bf4!? but ultimately this should not be correct. Objectively
best is to play 5.d5, which usually transposes to the Kaulich Defence ... after
5...exf3 6.Nxf3.”
My game comes from Eric Jego's book on the BDG. In his book Jego only
included three of my games, which was fine with me. The notes below are
mine, except for one phrase that I quote from Jego. For this I cite and give
him credit.
One of my favorite sparring partners was Nico Vandenbroucke. We played

three games in 1995 and Nico won them all. Then in 1997 we played an 8-
game BDG thematic match which we split 2-2 with four draws. This is one of
the drawn games.
Sawyer - Vandenbroucke, corr BDG thematic 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c5 Brombacher 5.Bf4!? [5.d5 is almost always correct
and good vs ...c5 in d4 openings; 5.dxc5 is playable, but hardly inspiring after
5...Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1=; 5.Bf4!? was a favorite reply by Gedult vs almost any
...c5 in the BDG.] 5...Qxd4 6.Qxd4 [6.Nb5 Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Na6 8.fxe4 Nxe4
9.Nc3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bd7 11.Nf3 f6 12.Bc4 (this position was cited in both
my BDG Keybook II and Scheerer, but) 12...0-0-0!-+ an improvement not
mentioned in the books; 6.fxe4!? e5! 7.Bg3 with compensation for the gambit
pawn.] 6...cxd4 7.Nb5 Na6 8.Nxd4 Nc5 [8...e6!? BDG Keybook II] 9.fxe4
Nfxe4 10.Nb5 Ne6 11.Be3 a6 12.Bd3 Nd6 13.Nxd6+ exd6 14.Nf3 d5 15.0-0
["15.0-0-0 posed more problems for Black because of the P/d5." Jego]
15...Bc5 16.Bxc5 Nxc5 17.Rae1+ Be6 18.Ng5 Nxd3 19.cxd3 0-0 20.Nxe6
fxe6 21.Rxe6 Rac8 22.Rxf8+ Kxf8 23.Rb6 Rc7 24.a4 Ke8 25.Kf2 Kd8
26.Kg3 Rf7 27.Rd6+ Rd7 28.Rxd7+ Kxd7 29.Kf4 Ke6 1/2-1/2
79 - 4...c5 Hot Lucky Sevens
Some people are looking for the perfect hot number. One time I played a very
experienced opponent on the Internet Chess Club with the handle
"caliente77777".
The number seven is often considered to symbolize perfection. The word

"caliente" means "hot" in Spanish, as in hot Mexican food or sexy.
Alas for my opponent in this game, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined

Brombacher 4.f3 c5 variation appeared to be too hot to handle for Black.
I chose the standard approach of 5.d5. White was rewarded when Black
played 5...Bf5. This mixed too playable defenses 4...c5 and 4...Bf5.
The awkward mixture gave White a good game. For those looking for
variety, 5.Bf4 and 5.Bb5 are alternatives for White.
The number seven turns out to be very significant. In the middle of this short
game White played seven bold pawn moves in a row. When you’re hot, you
roll lucky sevens!
Sawyer - caliente77777, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 30.12.2012 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 c5 5.d5 Bf5 [Black should play 5...e6 or
5...exf3] 6.g4 Bg6 7.g5 Nh5? [7...Nfd7 8.fxe4] 8.f4! e5 9.fxe5 Be7 10.Be2
Bxg5 11.Bxh5 Bh4+ 12.Kf1 Qf6+? 13.exf6 Black resigns 1-0
80 - Helpful Dan Heisman
In the 1980s I played at the Chaturanga Chess Club in Hatboro, PA north of
Philadelphia. Players there encouraged me to write on the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit. Master Daniel Heisman and I became friends. We played a bunch of
blitz games. He was the higher rated. Dan Heisman won most but not all our
games.
Dan is a truly brilliant person who left the financial world to spend many
years following his dream of teaching chess full time. And yes, he is related
distantly to the Heisman football trophy family.
One of Dan's student's was Dr. Victor Rislow. Dan told “rizzy” that he
needed to learn how to attack. Since I had moved nearer to where Vic lived,
Heisman suggested that Vic contact me. Vic became my student. We met
every Friday morning for a year or two until I moved to Florida. Vic Rislow
passed away in 2005. I like to think that he is smiling down upon me. Vic
was generous and kind to me. Rislow played the BDG. I miss him.
This Sawyer - Heisman game transposed to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit when

Black fought for the e4 square after 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. Black
chose the Brombacher with 4…c5.
I missed 9.Nf3! +=. Many times when we are in the rough and tumble of a
battle that is slipping away, there is one move that either could or would turn
the whole position around to our favor. We just have to notice it and play it.
After 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 10.Qxf3 Nc6 the master outplayed me with a nice
finish.
Sawyer - Heisman, Hatboro, PA, 1989 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 [This transposes
into the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit if Black plays ...d7-d5 xe4.] 2...d5 3.e4
dxe4 4.Nc3 c5 [Brombacher Variation.] 5.d5! [This is the most likely path to
an advantage for White.] 5...e6 6.Bb5+ [This check is played about as often
as the better line 6.fxe4! exd5 7.exd5 Bd6 8.Qe2+!+/=] 6...Bd7 7.dxe6 fxe6
8.Bg5?! [8.fxe4=] 8...exf3 [8...Be7!=/+] 9.Bxd7+ [9.Nxf3!+/=] 9...Qxd7
10.Qxf3 Nc6 11.Rd1 [11.Nge2=] 11...Nd4 12.Qf2? 0-0-0 [12...Ng4=/+]
13.Nge2?? [Throwing the game away quickly and completely. 13.Nf3
Be7=/+] 13...Nxc2+ 14.Kf1 Qxd1+ 15.Nxd1 Rxd1+ 16.Qe1 Rxe1+ 0-1
81 - Quinones-Biskopp 4…c5
Jorge Victor Quinones Borda often sent me games. Many were very good for
discussing BDG theory.
Here is his Blackmar-Diemer Gambit against Wolfgang Biskopp. In this

game Black Declined the gambit with the 4.f3 c5 variation.
In this Brombacher variation White does best to play 5.d5. Many years ago,
the USCF national master and famed chess teacher Dan Heisman played
5...e6 vs me.
Biskopp below plays the natural capture 5...exf3. Then White has a choice to
make.
Normally I play 6.Nxf3, transposing to 4...exf3 5.Nxf3 c5 6.d5, the Kaulich

variation. But Jorge Quinones chose the enterprising recapture 6.Qxf3!?
Taking with the queen was favored by Christoph Scheerer. When Black
fianchettoed with 6...g6, the position became like a reversed Albin-Counter
Gambit.
The players castled opposite sides and advanced pawns toward their
opponent’s king. All the attacks were adequately defended. After a lengthy
battle, a draw was agreed.
Quiñones - Biskopp, RSS7E pioneer-54 www.remoteschach.de, 12.03.2013

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c5 5.d5 exf3 6.Qxf3 [It seems like
White would do better with 6.Nxf3 g6 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bc4 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0
10.Qe2 Bg4 11.Bg5=] 6...g6 7.Bg5 [White does not seem to be any better off
after 7.Be3 Bg7 8.Bxc5 0-0 9.Be2 Bf5-/+] 7...Bg7 8.h3 Nbd7 9.0-0-0 0-0
10.g4 a6 11.Bg2 b5 12.d6 Ra7 13.Ne4 e6 14.Qe3 Bb7 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6
16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Nf3 Qb6 [Black can win the d-pawn with 17...Bd5!
18.Qxc5 Rd7 19.Rhe1 Ne8 20.Bh1 Nxd6=/+] 18.Rhf1 Nd7 19.Qh6 Bxf3
20.Bxf3 Qa5 21.Kb1 c4 22.h4 c3 23.Rd3 Ne5 24.Rxc3 Rd7 25.h5 b4
26.Re3 Qc5 27.Be2 Rc8 28.Rc1 Qxd6 29.hxg6 fxg6 30.Re4 a5 31.Qe3 Rc5
32.b3 Qc7 33.Rf1 Kg7 34.Qf2 Rf7 35.Rf4 Rxf4 36.Qxf4 Qe7 37.Qf2 Nf7
38.Bc4 Ng5 39.Qe1 Qd6 40.Qe3 h6 41.Qf2 e5 42.Qe2 Qe7 43.Rh1 Rc8
44.Rd1 Nh7 45.Qe3 Nf6 1/2-1/2
3.3 – 4.f3 c6
This is the O’Kelly Variation which frequently arises from the Caro-Kann
Defence after 1.e4 c6.
82 - BDG O'Kelly 4...c6

I spent a disappointing day of blitz chess. I constantly lost by rescuing defeat
from the jaws of victory. Or I won games in such an ugly fashion that I could
not bear to look at them again.
Then finally I pulled off this nice win. The opening backs into a Caro-Kann
Defence with 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c6.
I thought about playing 3.e5. It was one of my most successful choices as far
as performance rating at that time. My opponent was a Class B player. My
rule of thumb is that these players rated in the 1600s and 1700s are the easiest
to beat with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. I went with 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 Nf6.
We have the BDG Declined O'Kelly variation normally reached after 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c6. Many 5th moves are playable; I went with the
common line 5.Bc4.
Black replied with 5…Nd5? This cannot be good. Black returned the material
and gave White a central pawn duo. So, Black spent three of the first six
moves to swap off its only developed piece.
I built up a kingside attack. I missed a couple moves that would have given
me a larger advantage, but I was still winning. At the end I decided to
exchange pieces to an ending where I obtained an overwhelming material
advantage.
Sawyer - InaOm, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.09.2011 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 c6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 Nf6 5.Bc4 Nd5? 6.fxe4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qa5 8.Bd2 [Or
8.Qf3+/-] 8…h5 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.0-0 e6 11.Qe1!? [11.h3! Bxf3 12.Qxf3+-]
11...Bxf3 12.Rxf3 Be7 13.e5 [13.Qg3!+-] 13...Nd7 14.Qf2 0-0 15.Bd3 Qd8
[15...c5 16.Rf1+/-] 16.Rf1 f5 17.exf6 [17.Bc4!+-] 17...Bxf6 18.Qe2 Qe7
19.Qe4 g5 20.Qg6+ Qg7 21.Qxh5 e5 22.Bc4+ Rf7 23.Qxf7+ [23.Bxg5!+-]
23...Qxf7 24.Bxf7+ Kxf7 25.Bxg5 Rg8 26.Bxf6 Nxf6 27.Rxf6+ Black
resigns 1-0
83 - Martin Simons vs Elwin
When I posted a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Neil Graham wrote:
“Good Morning
“I see that you have included the Martin Simons - Richard Pert game today.
All except one of Martin's White games in the British Championship started
with some variant of the BDGs - all the games are on the British
Championship website...”
Great! Martin Simons is a good player who handled the BDG well. The game
vs Pert was his only BDG loss. Adrian Elwin began as a Caro-Kann Defence
1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4. Rather than play the routine and good recapture
4.Nxe4, Martin Simons transposed into a BDG O'Kelly with 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3.
The game features Black returning the gambit pawn with 5...e3. Such
position in the opening are even or favor White. Later this middlegame
clearly favored White up to move 18, but it drifted toward equality. Black
missed a win when both players messed up move 43. In the end they had a
hard fought draw.
Simons (2087) - Elwin (1974), 101st ch-GBR 2014 Aberystwyth WLS

(3.29), 21.07.2014 begins 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3 e3
[Another idea is 5...Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.g5] 6.Bxe3 e6 7.Nge2 Bd6 8.Qd2 Nbd7
9.0-0 Qc7 10.Bf4 Nb6 11.Bb3 Nbd5 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.c4 Nb6
15.Qg5!? [Or 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 16.Ng3 0-0 17.Ne4+/-] 15...Nxe4 16.Qxe7+
Kxe7 17.fxe4 Rd8 18.c5 [18.e5+/=; 18.Rf3+/=] 18...Nd7 19.Rf3 b6! 20.cxb6
axb6 21.Raf1 Rf8 22.Nc3 Ra5 23.Bc4 Ba6 24.Bxa6 Rxa6 25.b4 f6 26.Rc1
Ra7 27.Rf2 Rfa8 28.Rfc2 Ra3 29.Rb1 e5 30.d5 cxd5 [30...c5!?] 31.Nxd5+
Kd8 32.Rd1 Rxa2 33.Rxa2 Rxa2 34.Nxb6 Ra7 35.Kf2 Rb7 36.Rxd7+
Rxd7 37.Nxd7 Kxd7 38.Ke3 h5 39.h3? [39.Kd3 Kd6 40.Kc4 g6 41.g3 f5
42.exf5 gxf5 43.b5 e4 44.Kd4 Kc7 45.h3 Kb6 46.g4 fxg4 47.hxg4 hxg4
48.Kxe4 Kxb5 49.Kf4 Kc4 50.Kxg4= and only the two kings are left.] 39...h4
[39...Kc6 40.Kd3 Kb5 41.Kc3 h4-+] 40.Kf3 Kc6 41.Kg4 Kb5 42.Kxh4
Kxb4 43.Kh5? [43.Kg4 g6 44.h4 Kc5 45.Kf3 Kd6 46.g4 Ke7 47.h5 Kf7
48.Ke3 Kg7 49.hxg6 Kxg6 50.Kf3 Kg5 51.Kg3=] 43...Kc4 [Here 43...f5!
44.exf5 e4-+ wins for Black.] 44.Kg6 Kd4 45.Kxg7 Kxe4 46.h4 Kf4 47.h5
e4 48.h6 e3 49.h7 e2 50.h8Q e1Q 51.Qh6+ Kg3 52.Qh3+ Kf4 53.Qf3+ Kg5
54.Qxf6+ Kg4 55.Qf3+ Kg5 56.Qd5+ Kg4 57.Qf3+ 1/2-1/2
84 - Botvinnik, Cullen, Baby
World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik once reached a Blackmar-Diemer
Declined position in a simul in Stockholm. Playing the Black pieces,
Botvinnik defended with 4...c6, the Caro-Kann Defence BDG O'Kelly
Variation.
The gambit player Th. Dahlen continued with the standard 5.Bc4. Botvinnik
chose 5...e5 to keep White from castling, instead of the normal 5...Bf5.
After some exchanges, a double rook ending was reached. The players agreed
to a draw on move 23. In this line White seemed to have the better chances.
My opponent Peter Cullen followed Botvinnik's line in the O'Kelly variation

during our 1990 postal chess game in the 10th US Correspondence Chess
Championship. Like T. Dahlen, I failed to find the strongest line.
Just as the position got more difficult for me, so did Peter's life. Cullen
informed me that he was short of time with a new baby.
We had raised our children, so I knew that life became busier with a new
baby. Agreeing to a draw against me allowed Peter Cullen to focus his more
limited free time on other chess games where he did well.
Sawyer (2059) - Cullen (2104), corr USCCC 10P05, 04.10.1990 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bc4 e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 exf3 8.Nxf3
Ng4 9.Ke2 Nd7 10.Bf4 Nc5 [10...Nb6 11.Bb3 Be6 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Ng5
Nd5 Dahlen-Botvinnik 14.Kf3!+/- Christoph Scheerer points out this would
have won a pawn for White.] 11.h3 Be6 12.Bxe6 Nxe6 13.Bd2 Nh6 14.g4 0-
0-0= 15.Rad1 Be7 16.Ne4 Rhe8 17.Be3 Kc7 18.Kf2 [18.Rxd8 Rxd8 19.Rd1
Rxd1 20.Kxd1+/=] 18...Ng8 19.Neg5 [19.Rhf1] 19...Nxg5 20.Nxg5 Rxd1
21.Rxd1 [Cullen wrote: 21.Rxd1 "I think I might be slightly better after
21...Bxg5 22.Bxg5 Ne7 23.Bxe7 Rxe7 24.Re1 but only minimal plus. With a
new baby I'm short of time."] 1/2-1/2
85 - Felber in Jego's New Book
I reviewed Eric Jego's book on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. One of my
games in that book was against Robert J Felber. There are two players named
“Felber” who played in the BDG thematic correspondence tournaments in the
1990s. I played them a total of 10 games.
From 1995-1997 I played Josef M. Felber three times. Black won every
game. The first game I was White in an Alekhine Defence. Yes, I usually
played Black. But since I played 1.e4 thousands of times, there were games
where I faced my beloved Alekhine as White. The last two games were
BDGs. We both won as Black.
Against Robert J. Felber, I played seven BDGs during the same time period,
1996-1997. I was White twice and Black five times. I won one as Black and
all the other games were drawn. This game was the longest of the batch.
Black kept his king in the center while my bishops were actively placed on
Bc4 and Bg5. When Black pushed his queenside pawns, I broke up his
kingside pawns. The notes in my game vs Robert Felber are mine.
Sawyer - Felber, corr Internet 1996 beginsv1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 c6 [O'Kelly is often reached via the Caro-Kann Defence.] 5.Bc4 [This
bishop development is standard and can easily transpose as noted. Other lines
are also playable such as: 5.Nxe4; 5.fxe4; 5.Be3] 5...b5 6.Bb3 exf3 [If Black
does not want to accept the f-pawn, he can play 6...e6] 7.Nxf3 [We have
reached a line in the BDG Ziegler Variation (5.Nxf3 c6)] 7...Nbd7 8.0-0 e6
9.Bg5 a5 10.Qe2 Nb6 [10...Be7!=/+] 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.a3 f5 13.Qe3 Rg8
[White grabs the open g-file for attack.] 14.Ne5 Qg5?! 15.Qf3 Bb7 16.Nxb5
Rc8 17.Nc3 Nd5 18.Rf2 Bg7 19.Rd1 Bxe5 20.dxe5 Rc7 21.Bxd5 exd5
22.Qxf5 Qxf5 23.Rxf5 Bc8 24.Rf6 Be6 25.Rh6 Bf5 26.Rd2 Rg5 27.h4 Rg4
28.Ne2 Bg6 29.Nd4 [29.h5 Rh4 30.Nd4 Rxh5 31.Rxh5 Bxh5=] 29...Kf8
30.h5 Kg7 31.hxg6 Kxh6 32.gxf7 Rxf7 33.Nxc6 Rb7 34.b3 Rb5 35.e6 Re4
36.Nd4 Rb6 37.Kf2 Kg6 38.Re2 [38.Rd3+/=] 38...Rxe2+ 39.Kxe2 Kf6
40.Ke3 Rb7 41.Kf4 Rc7 42.g4 h6 43.Ke3 Rc3+ 44.Kf4 a4 45.e7 Kxe7
46.Ke5 Kf7 47.Kxd5 Rxc2 48.bxa4 Rc3 49.Nb5 Rg3 50.Nd6+ Kf8 1/2-1/2
86 - Glickman in Caro-Kann
This game first transposed into a Caro-Kann. Then with our fourth moves
4.f3 Nf6 we transposed into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined O'Kelly
Defence.
My 1989 USCF Golden Squires Postal Chess Tournament game vs Stuart

Glickman continued 5.Bc4 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.g5.
Black responded to my advancing g-pawn with the knight retreat 7...Ng8.

This is not covered by Christoph Scheerer in his BDG book.
To me this line feels like the BDG Vienna 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 variation.
The difference is the placement of his knight.
White would stand better in our game if I had continued correctly. But I did
not.
I missed the key move 10.Bd3. That would have allowed me to keep the
advantage.
Then I missed another chance to equalize on move 16. From there, things
went downhill for me.
Stuart Glickman played well. He just kept coming after me until my army
could not survive.
Sawyer (2002) - Glickman (1971), corr USCF 89SS90, 09.10.1991 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 c6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.g5 Ng8 [7...Nd5
8.Nxe4 (8.fxe4 Scheerer) 8...e6 9.Ne2 Be7=] 8.fxe4 e6 9.h4 Bb4 10.e5?!
[10.Bd3!+/- The threat 11.h5 gives White time to develop a knight and
protect d4 with a big space advantage.] 10...Be4 11.Rh3 [White's in trouble,
but better is 11.Rh2 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Ne7=/+] 11...Nd7 [11...Bxc2! 12.Qxc2
Qxd4-/+] 12.Bd2 Bf5 13.Rg3 Qc7 [13...Nb6-/+] 14.Nf3 0-0-0 15.Bb3 Ne7
16.Kf2? [16.Qe2!=] 16...Bxc3 17.bxc3 Rhg8 18.c4 f6 19.Bf4 [19.exf6 gxf6-
/+] 19...Ng6 20.Be3 fxe5 21.h5 Nf4 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.Rg1 Rge8 24.Nh4
[24.Re1 Nc5-+] 24...Ne5 25.Qd2 Ng4+ 26.Ke1 f3 27.Nxf3 e5 28.d5 e4
29.Nd4 e3 30.Qe2 Qa5+ 31.Kf1 Rf8 32.Kg2 Bd7 [32...Qc7!-+ is crushing.]
33.Rgf1 Qc7 34.Kg1 Rf2 0-1
87 - David Tom in Caro-Kann
What do you do if Black does not accept your Blackmar-Diemer Gambit?
One option is to play the main line of whatever opening Black is headed
toward.
Another option is to search for some distinctly BDG type position. This is
often possible in the BDG Declined variations.
The first rounds of the 1989 Golden Knights began of course in 1989. The
better players qualified for more rounds later.
By 1992 I was facing many strong players simultaneously. This game is

against a USCF postal master from the Semi-Finals.
My opponent in this game was David Tom. He lived at the same address as
Joe Tom. I played them both about the same time.
We reached a standard Caro-Kann Defence. The only difference was that we

played our first two moves in reverse order to the normal 1.e4 c6.
The main line continues with the good move 4.Nxe4. I chose the speculative
moves 4.Bc4 and 5.f3. This line transposed to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Declined O'Kelly. It could have arisen after 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c6
5.Bc4.
I played a risky 8th move in 8.fxe4!? It had the feel of the BDG Vienna 4.f3
Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.fxe4 called the Kampars Gambit. I got a good
position. Then I missed the correct move 20.Rh1 which could have given me
a slight advantage.
Sawyer (1988) - D.Tom (2215), corr USCF 89NS53, 10.04.1992 begins 1.d4
d5 2.e4 c6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 [4.Nxe4] 4...Nf6 5.f3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.g5 Nd5
8.fxe4 [Houdini, Fritz and Stockfish all prefer 8.Nxe4!=] 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3
Bxe4 10.Nf3 e6 11.0-0 Bg6 12.Ne5 [12.Qe2 looks like a playable
alternative.] 12...Bd6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Qf3 Bxh2+ 15.Kg2 Qc7 16.Ba3 b5
17.Bd3 a5 18.Rae1 b4 19.Bc1 Bd6 20.Bxg6? [I missed 20.Rh1 Rxh1
21.Rxh1 Nd7 22.c4+=] 20...fxg6 21.Rxe6+ Kd8 22.Qe4 Qd7 23.Qxg6 Bc7
24.Bf4Qd5+ 25.Kg3 Bxf4+ 26.Rxf4 Qh1 27.Rd6+ Kc8 28.Qxg7 Rh3+
29.Kg4 Rh4+ 0-1
88 - Kees Van Oirschot 5.Nxe4
Years ago I tried to back into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in a postal chess. I
was new to the BDG.
Usually I only played against opponents from the United States. The postage
costs were less expensive. This game was played in the International
Correspondence Chess Federation.
My opponent was Kees Van Oirschot from the Netherlands. Kees van
Oirschot was a few years older than me.
He must have been good at research and writing. In 1986 Kees wrote an
article for New In Chess magazine on the Ruy Lopez Marshall Attack RL 17.
I think is the same player listed as Cornelis van Oirschot. His last ICCF rating
was 2349 from the year 1998.
We ended up with a BDG / Caro-Kann Defence hybrid called the O'Kelly

Variation. White usually chose sharp lines such as 5.Bc4 or 5.fxe4.
I wanted to avoid common continuations. My 5th move 5.Nxe4 was fully

sound, albeit rather boring.
After our 6th moves, White's awkward f3 pawn is compensated for by

Black's doubled f-pawns. The position was very equal throughout.
After 13 moves in a very even position, we agreed to a draw. The alternative

was to play out this game at the rather slow and expensive snail mail pace of
international post at the time.
Sawyer - Van Oirschot, corr ICCF 1985 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4
4.Nc3 c6 5.Nxe4 Bf5 6.Nxf6+ gxf6 [6...exf6 7.Bd3=] 7.c3 e6 8.Bf4 [8.Ne2!?
=] 8...Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.Bd3 Bg6 11.Ne2 Nd7 12.Qd2 0-0-0 13.0-0-0
Rhg8 1/2-1/2
89 - Tom Elliott in Caro-Kann
The O'Kelly Variation is a good defense to decline the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c6. The line appears in the
Caro-Kann Defence as well after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d4 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 Nf6. Many
other move orders also work, including the one in the game below.
White has two sharp choices 5.Bc4 and 5.fxe4, and one solid choice 5.Nxe4.
The sharper choices are more enterprising, but if you are uncomfortable with
them, then taking with the knight is completely sound.
Years ago America On Line (AOL) used the phrase "You've got mail!" when
you logged into your e-mail. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan appeared in a movie
with that name. It pitted two bookstore owners against each other.
Meg Ryan's character owed a little family store like the one where I bought
my first chess books around 1971. Tom Hanks' character owned a superstore
similar to the ones that sold the chess books I later wrote. Online chatting led
the two movie characters to love and romance, living happily ever after.
Two years before that movie, I faced a strong correspondence player in Tom
Elliott from APCT. Tom Elliott gradually and consistently outplayed me.
Eleven years earlier Kees van Oirschot had recaptured with 6...gxf6. Tom
Elliott chose the sharper 6...exf6, which caused me trouble finding safety for
my king. Eventually I played 18.Kf2, but ten moves too late.
Sawyer (1969) - Elliott (2144), corr APCT EMQ-1, 30.01.1996 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 c6 5.Nxe4 Bf5 6.Nxf6+ exf6 7.Bc4 Qe7+
[7...Bd6=] 8.Be2? [8.Kf2!=] 8...Nd7 [8...Na6 9.c3 Nc7=/+] 9.c3 Qe6
[9...Nb6=/+] 10.Bf4 [10.h4] 10...Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.Qxd3
0-0 14.Ne2 [14.0-0-0 Rae8=/+] 14...Rfe8 15.Rd1 Rad8 16.b3 Qa3 17.Qd2
Qe7 18.Kf2 Qd6 19.g3 Nf8 20.Rhe1 c5 21.d5 b5 22.c4 bxc4 23.bxc4 Qa6
24.Qc2 Nd7 25.Nc1 Nb6 26.Nb3 Nxc4 27.Nxc5 Qb5 28.Rd4? [28.Nd7
Rxe1 29.Rxe1 Rc8-/+] 28...Rxe1 29.Kxe1 Ne5 0-1
90 - Lykke Defeats Offenborn
ICCF play in the modern era has the advantage that players use computer
chess engine programs to assist in move selection. Years ago when I played
most of my ICCF games, computers were weak. Robin Smith has written
about how the combination of human and machine produces the best possible
results.
In this critical game Hans Chr. Lykke (Denmark) plays a BDG vs Heinz
Offenborn (Germany). Black chose the BDG O'Kelly 4.f3 c6 which could
also be reached via a Caro-Kann Defence. White's main options included
5.Bc4, 5.fxe4 and 5.Nxe4.
Taking with the knight 5.Nxe4 is solid and dependable from a theoretical
standpoint, although not in keeping with the typical BDG style. Computers
do not care about style, just good moves.
A correspondence player may start out to play a sharp line, but stronger
players adjust as needed to the realities of the position. They produce the best
result. That may feature mating attack, tactical combination, positional
strategy, or endgame technique.
Lykke-Offenborn is a high level test of the 5.Nxe4 Nxe4 line. Chances were
even until Black misplayed the ending on move 38. The subtle difference
between Black's rook move options (38...Rc8? or first 38...Rc2! and then
39...Rc8) was not easy to pick up by the typical chess engine at that time.
Lykke (2465) - Offenborn (2374), WC26-SF10 ICCF Email, 01.09.2002

begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 c6 5.Nxe4 Nxe4 6.fxe4 e5 7.Nf3
exd4 8.Qxd4 Qxd4 9.Nxd4 Nd7 [9...Bc5 10.Be3 0-0 11.Be2!? Nd7 12.0-0-0
Re8 13.Bf3 Ne5=] 10.Bf4 Nc5 [10...Bc5!? 11.Nf5 0-0 12.0-0-0 Re8=]
11.Bc4 Be7 12.e5 0-0 13.Rf1 Bh4+ 14.Kd2 b5 15.Bd3 Bd7 16.Bf5 Rad8
17.Ke2 Rfe8 18.Rad1 Ne6 19.Be3 Nxd4+ 20.Rxd4 Bxf5 21.Rxf5 Rxd4
22.Bxd4 Be7 23.Kf3 Rd8 24.Ke4 c5 25.Be3 Rd1 26.b3 Re1 27.g3 g6
28.Rf3 Ra1 29.Kd5 Rxa2 30.Rf2 a5 31.Bxc5 Bxc5 32.Kxc5 a4 33.b4 a3
34.Kxb5 Rb2 35.Rf1 a2 36.Ra1 Rxc2 37.Ka6 Rc4 38.Ka5 Rc8? [Black's
best chance for a draw is with the subtle 38...Rc2! 39.b5 and then 39...Rc8=]
39.Ka4 Rc2 40.Kb3 Re2 41.Rxa2 Rxe5 42.Kc4 Kf8 43.b5 Ke7 44.Rd2 Re1
45.b6 Rb1 46.Kc5 f5 47.Kc6 Rc1+ 48.Kb7 g5 49.Ra2 1-0
91 - Hauser Beats Ratislav Bury
The Blackberry name game: Chuck Berry, Dave Barry and Ratislav Bury all
sound very similar in English. This game features a short chess opening win
for White in a critical BDG line.
In this 2006 ICCF correspondence chess game, Jack Hauser beats or buries
Ratislav Bury who played Black in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Bury is
buried when he declines the BDG 4.f3 gambit with 4...c6.
These opening moves transposed into a Caro-Kann Defence. The same

variation could have also been reached after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3
Nf6.
Earlier I posted a successful critical game in the O'Kelly 4.f3 c6 5.Nxe4 Nxe4
line. There after 6.fxe4 e5 7.Nf3 exd4 White played the natural recapture
8.Qxd4.
Here Jack Hauser played 8.Bc4. White went all out for an attack.
Note that Ratislav Bury had played 30 games in ICCF. I listed the most
current rating I could find, but Bury was no longer active in ICCF play at the
time I analyzed this game.
Hauser (2100) - Bury (1858), WS/H/063 ICCF, 07.10.2006 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c6 5.Nxe4 Nxe4 6.fxe4 e5 7.Nf3 exd4 8.Bc4 Qa5+
9.Bd2 Qc5 10.Qe2 Nd7 [10...Bg4 11.b4 Qh5 12.0-0 Nd7 13.h3 Bxf3
14.Rxf3 f6 15.Qf2=; 10...a5 11.e5 Be7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.Bd3 Be6 14.Qe4 Qd5
15.Qxd5 Bxd5 16.Nxd4=] 11.b4 Qb6 12.Qf2 f6 13.0-0 Bxb4 14.e5 Bxd2
15.Qxd2 fxe5 [Better is 15...Qc5 16.exf6 Nxf6 17.Rae1+ Kd8 18.Nxd4+/=
although White has a more active position.] 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Rae1 1-0
3.4 – 4.f3 c6 5.fxe4
In this section I examine the O’Kelly Variation. It frequently arises from a
Caro-Kann Defence.
92 - 5.fxe4 vs Darryl Liddy

In the early days of my learning the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, I sometimes
tried it out in club games. I played at the Chaturanga Chess Club that met in
Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
There was a U.S. Naval Air Base where they tested military items in nearby
Willow Grove. I did my testing on the chess board, but some of my
opponents worked on the base.
First I played at the Chaturanga in 1981-82. I played there again from 1985-
1989 after I returned to Pennsylvania from Houston, Texas.
Below is the only recorded game I have vs Darryl Liddy; I do not know how
strong he was. I estimated his rating at about 1500.
We transposed into the Caro-Kann Defence. This variation is also known as

the BDG O'Kelly4.f3 c6.
Besides the move 5.fxe4 that I chose, White had two other options. I could
have tried 5.Bc4 (offering again to gambit a pawn) or 5.Nxe4 (regaining the
gambit pawn).
In this short contest I lined up my pieces in BDG Euwe style Nf3, Bd3, 0-0,
Bg5, and Qe1-Qh4. The goal was to checkmate the Black king by direct
assault.
Sawyer - Liddy, Hatboro, PA 1988 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c6 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3
Nf6 5.fxe4 Nbd7 [5...e5=] 6.Nf3 e6 7.Bg5 [7.e5 Nd5 8.Nxd5+/-] 7...h6 8.Be3
Bb4 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 Bxc3 [10...Ng4=] 11.bxc3 b6 12.Qe1 Bb7 13.Qh4
Re8 14.e5 Nd5 15.Bg5 hxg5 [15...Qc7 16.Bxh6 gxh6 17.Qxh6+-] 16.Nxg5
c5 17.Qh7+ Kf8 18.Rxf7# 1-0
93 - Shredder vs Caro-Kann
When testing Blackmar-Diemer Gambit variations and other openings in blitz
games, often I placed myself on the Black side. Then I would have some
strong computer play White.
Here vs Shredder, I played the Alekhine Defence. After 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5
(2…e5 is a Vienna Game), White transposed into the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit with 3.d4 dxe4.
After 4.f3, here I opted for the Caro-Kann Defence line 4…c6. This is known
as the BDG Declined O'Kelly variation.
This game continued with the typical 5.fxe4 e5! Black counter attacked d4
and threatened to leave White with an isolated e-pawn.
Often White defended the d-pawn with 6.Nf3, but my chess engine opponent
simply chopped off my e-pawn. This allowed Black to exchange queens.
Chances were equal, but our ratings and skill levels were not. White's active
bishop and well posted knight kept Black from a coordinated defense.
I resigned after I lost material.
Shredder (3362) - Sawyer (2000), Florida, 24.03.2006 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5

3.d4 dxe4 4.f3 c6 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Nxd1 [Also playable is 7.Kxd1
Ng4 8.Ke1 Nxe5 9.Nf3 Nbd7 10.Be3=] 7...Nxe4 8.Nf3 Bb4+ [Deep Rybka
and Deep Fritz indicate 8...Be6 9.Bd3 Nc5 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.Nc3 Be7
12.Bf4=] 9.c3 Bc5 [9...Be7 10.Bd3=] 10.Be3 [Or 10.Bd3 f5 11.exf6 Nxf6
12.Be3=] 10...0-0?! [10...Bb6 11.Bd3 Nc5 12.Bc2=] 11.Bd3 Bxe3 12.Nxe3
Nc5 13.Bc2 Be6 14.Ng5 h6 15.Nxe6 Nxe6 16.0-0-0 Rd8 17.Rxd8+ Nxd8
18.Rd1 Ne6 19.Nc4 Na6 20.Nd6 b6 21.Be4 Rd8 22.Bxc6 1-0
94 - McGrew in Caro-Kann
Every once in a while God brings someone into your life at just the right
time. In the late 1990's I met Tim McGrew.
McGrew and I played and chatted a lot on ICC in those days. Tim was a great
help in getting me to write an updated edition to my keybook.
In February 1999 Tim McGrew wrote the Forward to my Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit Keybook II. His creative work on the BDG has appeared online at
various sites.
Three BDG writers all have similar first names. Each one has a six letter last
name: Tim McGrew, Tim Sawyer and Tom Purser.
In this game, the two named “Tim” are playing in a BDG thematic
correspondence event. I do not remember if it was by e-mail or by postcard.
We transposed into a Caro-Kann Defence with his 4...c6. This line is called
the BDG O'Kelly variation. It is an excellent way to decline the gambit.
Volker Hergert wrote "Die O'Kelly-Verteidigung im Blackmar-Diemer-

Gambit" in 1993, a 65 page book published by Mandfred Madler in German.
Hergert provided deep analysis from thematic correspondence games
covering about 70 games in detail.
Theoretical chances are equal. At one point I noted that I had faced the BDG
O'Kelly 95 times and scored 56%. But prior to 1996 when Tim McGrew
played it against me, I had faced it only three times: Van Oirschot in 1985,
Liddy in 1988 and Cullen in 1990. Frankly, I had no clue as to which line
was best for White.
Sawyer - McGrew, corr BDG thematic, 1996 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c6 5.fxe4 e5 6.Nf3 [6.dxe5=] 6...exd4 7.Nxd4 [7.Qxd4 Qxd4
8.Nxd4=] 7...Bb4 8.Bc4 Bg4 [8...0-0 9.0-0 Bc5 10.Nce2 Nbd7-/+] 9.Qd3 0-0
10.h3 Nbd7 11.Bf4 Nc5 12.Qe3 Ncxe4 13.hxg4 Re8 14.0-0 Nxc3 15.Qd3
Ncd5 16.Bg5 Qb6 17.c3 Ne4 18.Bf4 Bc5 19.Rae1 Qxb2 20.Rxe4 Rxe4
21.Qxe4 Qxc3 22.Bxd5 Qxd4+ 23.Qxd4 Bxd4+ 0-1
95 - Black Dragon in O'Kelly
Much of the time when I played the Black Dragon chess engine on ICC we
reached lines in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Gunderam.
As I recall, many of the BlackDragon games were at 2 0 minute bullet speed.

I don’t play that fast anymore, but I did back in the 1990s.
Below we have an interesting BDG O'Kelly variation that I played in the line
5.fxe4 e5! The critical line as presented in the notes seemed to follow 10.a3!
Once I missed that I was in trouble.
If you don't like the opening after 5.fxe4, then you might wish to examine the
alternatives 5.Nxe4 or 5.Bc4. In theory, all of them are playable.
Your fifth move choice is more a matter of taste. And finally, the last part of
this game was a good example of a strong computer outplaying a human at
about two seconds per move.
Sawyer - BlackDragon, Internet Chess Club 17.03.1998 begins 1.d4 Nf6

2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 c6 5.fxe4 e5 6.Nf3 exd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 Bb4
9.e5 [This may be better than the more popular 9.Bd3 0-0=/+ which seems to
give a very slight edge to Black.] 9...Ne4 10.Bd2? [10.a3! Bxc3+ 11.bxc3
Nxc3 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.e6=] 10...Nxd2 11.Kxd2 0-0 12.a3 Rd8 13.axb4
Rxd4+ 14.Bd3 Rxb4 15.g3 [15.Ne4 Bf5=/+] 15...Nd7 16.Rhe1 Rxb2
17.Na4 Rb4 18.Kc3 a5 19.h4 [19.e6 fxe6 20.Rxe6 Nf6-/+] 19...Rg4 [19...b5
20.Nb2 Rg4-+] 20.Re3 b5 21.Nb2 Nc5 22.Be2 Rxg3 23.Rxg3 Ne4+ 24.Kd4
Nxg3 25.Bf3 Nf5+ 26.Kc5 Bd7 27.h5 a4 28.Nd3 Ne3 29.c3 Rc8 30.Rg1
Nc4 31.h6 g6 32.Nf4 Nxe5 33.Nh5 Nxf3 34.Rg3 Nd2 35.Nf6+ Kh8 36.Rd3
Nb3+ 37.Kb4 Be6 38.Rd6 g5 39.Rd3 c5+ 40.Kxb5 a3 41.Rg3 a2 42.Rxg5
a1Q 43.Rg7 Qa5# 0-1
3.5 – 4.f3 e6
This is the Weinspach variation. It shares some French Defence
characteristics.
96 - French to Weinspach
What chess opening sounds like a Wine Patch in France? It is the cross
between the French Defence and the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit known as the
Weinspach.
The traditional move order would be from a French Defence Burn Variation
after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 and now 5.f3!?
In this game my opponent “eldee” as Black could have reached the

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Euwe Variation with 5...exf3 6.Nxf3.
If he does not want to accept the gambit pawn, Black has two good
alternatives to decline it.
Both choices involved developing a minor piece. The first one is 5...Nc6!?
The other is 5...Be7.
This bishop move was played by my opponent in a three minute blitz game.
The theory is presented in the notes.
Except for our mutual momentary lapses on move 11, the game is a typical
example of a White kingside attack in the BDG.
Sawyer (1909) - eldee (1361), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 02.06.2012

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e6 4.f3 Nf6 5.Bg5 Be7 [5...Nc6!?] 6.fxe4 0-0
[6...Nbd7 7.Nf3=] 7.Nf3 Nc6 [7...h6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.e5=] 8.e5 [8.Be2!?]
8...Nd5 9.Bxe7 Ndxe7 10.Bd3 Nd5 11.0-0? [11.Qd2+/=] 11...Bd7? [Here I
was given another chance. Black could have made me pay for my inaccuracy
by the reply 11...Ne3!=/+] 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.c3 Be6 14.Qe1 Qd7 [14...h6
15.Qg3+/-] 15.Qg3 f5? 16.exf6 Rxf6 17.Ng5 Rxf1+ 18.Rxf1 Ne7?
19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.Qh4 1-0
97 - Missed by a Frog Hair
Dr. John Anderson had a wealth of experience from his rural Kentucky roots.
“Doc” taught me the ancient Greek language at Bryan College in Dayton,
Tennessee; he had a profound positive impact on my future life. I cite three of
his colorful sayings.
"Scarce as hen's teeth": Doc's phrase for something rare you might never see.
In a Burn French 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4, White has 5.Nxe4. Most books do
not even mention the rare 5.f3!?
"Riding a Greek horse too far": Dr. Anderson taught us language usage
determines meaning. A stubborn focus on the ancient origin of a word leads
one to miss an obvious truth. Do not try to force a French into a Blackmar-
Diemer when 5.Nxe4 works well.
"Missed by a frog hair": This quip was a favorite of Doc's when we almost
got an answer correct, but we just barely missed it. The line comes close to
working in my engine analysis, but I am skeptical of White’s practical
chances after 5.f3 c5. My opponent “Chess-Dream” was up to the task. He
outplayed me and won.
When I opened my car door in a rural Florida town, a quick little frog jumped
in and disappeared up under the pedals. After work while waiting at a traffic
light, out hopped the inch long green guy onto the floor of the passenger's
side. I grabbed a napkin and snared the little fella sending him on his way to
frog heaven.
Sawyer - Chess-Dream, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.05.2012 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3!? c5 6.dxc5 Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 exf3
8.Nxf3 Bxc5 9.Bxf6 [Junior liked 9.Nb5! Na6 (9...Bb6 10.Ne5 0-0 11.Nc4=)
10.a3 h6 11.Bh4 0-0 12.b4 Bb6 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nd6 Nc7 15.c4 a5 16.c5
Ba7 17.Bc4 with some threats.] 9...gxf6 10.Ne4 Be7 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.Rxd6
Ke7 13.Rd2 Nc6 14.c3 b6 15.g3 Bb7 16.Bg2 Rad8 [Black’s pawns are
stronger.] 17.0-0 Rxd2 18.Nxd2 Na5 19.Bxb7 Nxb7 20.Ne4 f5 21.Ng5 h6
22.Nf3 Rd8 23.Rf2 Nc5 24.Rd2 Rxd2 25.Nxd2 Na4 [The endgame clearly
favors Black.] 26.Kf2 Nxb2 27.Ke3 Na4 28.Kd4 Nc5 29.Nc4 f6 30.Na3 a6
31.Nc4 Nd7 32.a4 h5 33.h4 e5+ 34.Kd5 f4 35.gxf4 exf4 36.Nd2 Ne5
37.Ne4 f3 38.c4 Ng4 39.Kc6 f5 40.Ng3 f4 41.Nf1 Ne3 42.Kxb6 Nxf1
43.Kxa6 Ne3 44.c5 f2 45.c6 f1Q+ 0-1
98 - French Bridge Burned
When I feel like playing the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, half the time Black
avoids it. The most common avoidance set-ups are: Dutch Defence, Pirc
Defence, Benoni Defence, Caro-Kann Defence and the French Defence.
After either the Caro-Kann 1...c6 or the French Defence 1...e6, the normal
continuation is 2...d5. There is a real possibility Black will capture d5xe4
allowing a BDG-type gambit of f2-f3 attacking the resulting e4 Black pawn.
The bridge from the French Defence to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is very
easy to cross after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3.
Black has the Rubinstein Variation 3...dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 6.Bg5 -
BDG Euwe. Another possibility is the Burn Variation 3...Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4
5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 reaching the same position.
The BDG also reaches the same position after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5.
Sawyer - Terrigood, begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3!?
[Often I play the natural recapture 5.Nxe4; however, my 3289 blitz rated
computer opponent would doubtless outplay me is such a line. Maybe I could
catch it in a BDG. It's been known to happen to computers before!] 5...Nc6!
[Burned by the Burn Variation. I have only faced this 5...Nc6 move seven
times in all my years, but it sure seems good.] 6.Bb5 [I hate to play this
move; Bd3 is where I want this bishop after ...e6.] 6...exf3 7.Nxf3 Be7 8.0-0
[Junior liked 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 (8...gxf6 9.d5 a6 10.Ba4 b5 11.Nxb5 axb5
12.Bxb5) 9.Ne4 Bd7 10.c3!? Ne7 11.a4!? with about 90% compensation for
the gambit pawn in both cases, but using a tempo to exchange off a piece in a
gambit is usually incorrect.] 8...0-0 9.Qd2 Rb8 10.a3 h6 11.Be3 [I was
dreaming of a Bxh6 sacrifice for a possible mating attack or perpetual check
if I can get an extra move or two to prepare. My dream quickly turns into a
nightmare.] 11...Ng4 12.Bf4 e5 13.Bxc6 exf4 14.Be4 Ne3 15.Rfe1 Bg4
16.Nd1 f5 17.Bd3 Bxf3 18.gxf3 Qxd4 19.Kh1 Bg5 20.c3 Qc5 21.Nf2 Rbd8
22.Qe2 Bh4 23.Rg1 Bxf2 White resigns 0-1
99 - Anderson in First BDG
How many games you play this year will you remember 30 years from now?
This is one game that I remember from long ago.
For most of my chess career, I had begun my chess games with the popular
central pawn moves 1.e4 or 1.d4.
During my hazy times of life in 1982-1984, I had experimented with flank

openings after 1.c4 and 1.f4. Finally it was time for me to try something
brand new.
My choice? The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. This might have been my first

postal chess game using this gambit.
My opponent Roger Anderson chooses the BDG Declined 4...e6 variation.

This has to be the first time I faced this line. I was on a sharp learning curve.
White has a few alternatives, but I went with 5.fxe4. After 6.d5 and 8.Nb5?! I
was not happy with my opening position. At least I loved the final result!
According to my records, I was rated 2028. Roger Anderson was rated 1978.
Black played quite well. Then he seemed to make one of those technical
errors that people sometimes make.
Probably he set the board up wrong. Whatever it was, Black hung a rook.
Sawyer - Anderson, corr APCT 84R-20, 1984 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 c5 6.d5 [6.Nf3!?=] 6...exd5 7.exd5 Bd6 8.Nb5?!
[The best way to play this line is 8.Qe2+! Kd7 (8...Be7 9.Bg5+/=; 8...Qe7
9.Nb5+/=) 9.Be3 a6 10.0-0-0 Kc7 11.Qd2=] 8...0-0 9.Nxd6 Qxd6 10.Bc4
Re8+ 11.Ne2 Ng4 12.Bg5 Nxh2 13.Qd3 Qe5 14.Bb5 a6? [14...Bd7-+]
15.Bxe8 1-0
100 - A Weinspach Review
The popular BDG Declined 4.f3 e6 has become known as the BDG
Weinspach 4.f3 e6. This line has a Frenchy flavor.
Black chooses to decline the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit which begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3. He could accept the gambit with 4...exf3.
He declines the gambit with the Weinspach 4...e6. White can now recapture
his gambit pawn.
There is a spelling conflict in the books. “Weinspach” is correct.
Eight moves have been tried in my database. 80% of the time White plays
5.fxe4.
The most common is 5...Bb4 6.Bd3 when 6...Nxe4 is possible. Since 7.Bxe4
allows 7...Qh4+, White usually opts for 7.Nge2.
Two other fifth moves transposes to other French Defence:

5.Bg5 is a Burn Variation (3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.f3).
5.Be3 is an Alapin-Diemer Gambit (3.Be3 dxe4 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.f3).
The occasion of this Bob Muir game allows me to review the line one more
time. The line could be divided as given here.
BDG Weinspach 4.f3 e6 (for alternative Black 5th moves)

BDG Weinspach 5.fxe4 Bb4 (for alternative White 6th moves)
BDG Weinspach 6.Bd3 (for alternative Black 6th moves)
BDG Weinspach 6.Bd3 0-0 (one popular Black choice)
Sawyer (2010) - Muir (1800), Williamsport, PA, 10.1998 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 [7.Qd3] 7...0-0
8.e5 Nd5 9.Bxh7+! Kh8 10.0-0 [I missed 10.Ng5!+-] 10...Nxc3 11.bxc3
Bxc3 12.Be3 Bxa1 13.Ng5? [Too late. 13.Bd3+/=] 13...Qxg5? [The proper
punishment for my blunder would have been 13...Bxd4!-+ winning] 14.Bxg5
Bxd4+ 15.Kh1 Kxh7 16.Qh5+ Kg8 17.Bf6 Rd8? [Black should be able to
hold the position after 17...Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Nxe5 19.Qxe5 Bd7=] 18.Bxg7
Nxe5 19.Qh8# 1-0
101 - Can You Keep Pawn?
Can you take it? Can you keep it? Black's pawn sits on e4 in the middle of the
board. What can you do in the Blackmar-Diemer when Black declines the
gambit with 4…e6?
The answer is first take on e4. Then protect it if necessary. Protecting e4 with
the queen may be the best move.
Most popular (50%) is 6.Bd3. In theory Black is slightly better but in practice
White has scored very well.
The BDG Weinspach 4.f3 e6 game between E. Danieli and A. Karason saw
White play 6.Qd3!? Analysis shows White got a good position. However
Black was higher rated and won.
By the time I got to 2016, I decided to do two big game collection books on
Blackmar-Diemer 1 covers the gambit accepted after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3.
Blackmar-Diemer 2 covers major declined and avoided lines where either

player varies earlier.
Danieli (2041) - Karason (2324), 7th Capo d Orso Open 2015 Porto Mannu
Palau ITA (6.10), 10.06.2015 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e6
5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Qd3 c5 7.Nf3!? [Komodo, Stockfish and Houdini all evaluate
this position as equal after 7.a3! Qa5 8.Bd2 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qe3
(10.Qc4!?=) 10...0-0 11.0-0-0 Bxa3 12.bxa3 Qxa3+ 13.Kb1 Qb4+ 14.Ka2
Qa5+ with a perpetual check draw.] 7...Nc6 [7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 0-0 9.Bd2 e5
10.Nf3 Nc6 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Bd3=] 8.dxc5 [8.a3!?] 8...0-0 9.Qxd8 [9.Be3!?
or 9.Bd2!?] 9...Rxd8 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Bd3 Bxc5 13.0-0-0 b6
14.Ne2 Bb7 15.Ng3 Kf8 16.c3 Rac8 17.Be2 Ke7 18.Rxd8 Rxd8 19.Rd1
Rg8 20.Nd4 Rg5 21.Bf3 Ne5 22.Bh5 [22.Be2!?] 22...Bd6 [22...Bxe4
23.Nxe4 Rxh5-/+] 23.Be2 Bb8 [23...Ng4-+] 24.Rf1 [Better is 24.Nf3
Rg8=/+] 24...Ng4 25.Nf3 Nxh2 26.Nxg5 [From this point on, Black has path
to victory and White has no good choices. If 26.Nxh2 Bxg3-+] 26...Nxf1
27.Nxf1 hxg5 28.Bd3 Kd6 29.Kd2 Ke5 0-1
102 - Almost Winning BDG
Most of us do not get to play an opponent rated 2403. Here I get another
chance to play 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 which led to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after
2...d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3.
If we played main line openings after 2.c4, Black would have played quickly
and powerfully. But against a BDG, who knows? Black chooses to decline
the gambit playing the BDG Weinspach 4.f3 e6. This is a very reasonable
option for someone who is normally a French Defence player vs 1.e4.
After the Winawer like continuation 5.fxe4 Bb4, White had many options as
noted in the notes of the game. Most common is 6.Bd3, but I chose to do
something different.
Typical of any three minute game, there are tactical inaccuracies on both
sides. I had a big edge on the clock when I missed on moves 31 and 32 the
winning Rxa7! Fortunately the clock gave me a draw.
Sawyer (2021) - beinai (2403), ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club, 06.07.2013

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.e5 [6.Bd3; 6.Qd3;
6.Bg5; 6.a3] 6...Ne4 7.Nge2 [7.Qd3+/=] 7...0-0 8.a3? [8.Qd3=] 8...Bxc3+
[8...Nxc3! 9.Nxc3 Qh4+ 10.Ke2 Bxc3 11.bxc3 f6!-/+] 9.bxc3 c5 10.Be3
[10.g3=] 10...Nc6 11.Qd3 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.dxc5 Qa5 14.Nd4 e5
[14...Ne5=/+] 15.Nb3 Qa4? [15...Qc7=] 16.Qc4+ Qxc4 17.Bxc4+ Kh8 18.0-
0 Bd7 19.Rad1 Be8 20.Nc1 [20.Rd6+/-] 20...Bg6 21.Nd3 Ne4 22.Nb4 Nxc3
23.Rd7 Nd4 24.Bxd4 exd4 25.Rxb7? [25.h4+/=] 25...d3 26.Bxd3 Bxd3
27.Rf3 [27.Rxf8+ Rxf8-/+] 27...Be4 28.Rxc3 Rad8 [or 28...Bxb7-+] 29.h3
Rd2 30.Rg3 g6?? [30...Bxb7-+] 31.c6?! [31.Rxa7!+-] 31...h5?! 32.c7??
[Clocks: 1:09-0:21. I was hoping to win on time and maybe on the board.
Alas this blunder moves me from a winning position to a losing position in
one move?! 32.Rxa7!+-] 32...Bxb7 33.Rxg6 Rg8 34.Rxg8+ Kxg8 35.a4 a5
36.Nc6 Rxc2 37.Ne7+ Kf7 38.c8Q Bxc8 39.Nxc8 Rxc8 40.Kf2 Rc4 41.Kg3
Rxa4 42.Kf3 Ra2 43.g4 hxg4+ 44.hxg4 Ra4 45.g5 Kg6 46.Kg3 Kxg5
47.Kf3 Rd4 48.Ke3 Black ran out of time and White has no material to mate
1/2-1/2
103 - Weinspach in Algeria
When you reach the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6, how should you play if your opponent declines your 4.f3 pawn offer
with 4...e6?
The first thing for you to do is to regain the pawn with 5.fxe4. In this French
Defence type position, Black continues 5...Bb4. Material is even.
White must deal with Black's immediate threat against the White pawn on e4,
as well as potential threats against d4 and the pinned knight on c3. Sharp
tactical play is required by both sides to avoid losing quickly. White's choices
are 6.e5, 6.Bd3, 6.Qd3 or 6.a3. He cannot play them all, and certainly not all
at once.
Two master level opponents from Algeria with almost identical ratings
transposed to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. This BDG Weinspach Variation
4.f3 e6 was played by Moussa Sidali (also called Sid Ali) and FIDE Master
Khalil Bengherabi.
Chances were equal for the first 10 moves, but then Black gradually got the
upper hand. Ironically Black's last move was 28...f3 when White resigned.
Sidali (2202) - Bengherabi (2201), 13th Ameyar Mem 2015 Algiers ALG
(6.9), 12.06.2015 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4
6.e5 Nd5 7.Qd3 c5 8.a3 cxd4 [Other options included 8...Qa5 9.Bd2 cxd4
10.Nb5 Bxd2+ 11.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2= and 8...Ba5 9.b4 cxb4 10.Nxd5
exd5 11.axb4 Bxb4+ 12.c3=] 9.axb4 dxc3 10.bxc3 Qc7 11.Bd2 [The simple
11.Nf3 gave White a good game. 11...Nd7 (11...Nc6 12.Qc4 0-0 13.Be2 Qb8
14.Bf4=) 12.Qd4 Qxc3+ 13.Qxc3 Nxc3 14.Bd3 Nd5 15.Bd2=] 11...Qxe5+
12.Be2 Nxb4 13.Qc4 N8c6 14.Nf3? [14.Qb3 Nd5-/+] 14...Nxc2+ 15.Kf2
Qc7 16.Ra4 Qb6+ 17.Kf1 [Here was another wild line that favored Black:
17.Nd4 N2xd4 18.cxd4 0-0 19.Be3 a6 20.d5 exd5 21.Qxd5 Be6 22.Bxb6
Bxd5-+] 17...Ne3+ 18.Bxe3 Qxe3 19.Qg4 [Black's three pawn advantage is
hard to overcome. White chose to attack kingside. The alternative 19.Qd3
Qc1+ 20.Bd1 0-0-+ gave Black a solid position.] 19...0-0 20.Ng5 h6 21.Nf3
e5 22.Qh5 Be6 23.g4 e4 24.Ne1 f5 25.g5 f4 26.gxh6 Bh3+ 27.Ng2 Bxg2+
28.Ke1 f3 0-1
3.6 – 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3
Here is a popular line of the Weinspach variation.
104 - Arlington and BDG

Arlington, Virginia lies across the river from Washington D.C. In 1861
Robert E Lee was a famous general in Washington. Lee chose to lead the
Confederate forces (Army of Northern Virginia) because he lived in the
"South" across the river. Lee's wife, Mary Anna Lee (great grand-daughter of
Martha Washington) owned the Arlington House on the hill overlooking
Washington D.C.
After some early Civil War battles, the North needed to bury their dead. But
where? The choice was made to take the beautiful land of General Lee's
family and make it a cemetery. Thus began what is today the famous
Arlington National Cemetery. What an amazing location! A center piece of
Arlington National Cemetery is the Arlington House at the top of the hill. I
visited it twice in 1990 and again 20 years later. The view is outstanding.
In 1990 I was in D.C. for a conference. On Friday night I took a break for a
chess battle. My final game in this double quad was against Mark Szymanski.
We transposed into a BDG Declined Weinspach. This is Game 126 in my
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook published in 1992 by Thinkers' Press.
Sawyer – Szymanski (1965), Arlington, VA (3), 25.05.1990 begins 1.d4 Nf6

2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3 [Another option is 6.a3 Bxc3+
7.bxc3 Nxe4 8.Qg4] 6...c5 [More critical is 6...Nxe4 7.Nge2 Nf6 8.0-0] 7.Nf3
Nc6 8.a3 cxd4 9.axb4 dxc3 10.bxc3 Qb6 [Black cannot keep White from
castling, but he tries.] 11.Qe2 Ng4 12.h3 Nge5 13.Be3 Qc7 14.0-0 Nxf3+
15.Qxf3 [Black is way behind in development.] 15...e5? [15...0-0 16.Bc5+-]
16.Bb5? [16.b5! Nd8 17.b6+-] 16...0-0 17.Bc5 Re8 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Qe3 a5
20.Bb6 Qe7 21.Rxa5 [White has won a pawn.] 21...Ba6 22.Rd1 Qe6 23.Qc5
Qg6 24.Qe3? [White defends e4 when he should attack with 24.Rda1+-]
24...f5? [24...Qe6!= holds the position.] 25.exf5 Qxf5 26.Rda1 Rf8 27.Bc5
Rf6 [Black was probably in time trouble. This looks like desperation hoping
for a quick kingside attack and checkmate.] 28.g4 Rg6 29.Rxa6 Rd8 30.Ra8
1-0
105 - Zilbermints Beats Maslik
Lev Zilbermints attempted to play a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in an Internet
Chess Club blitz game vs International Master Miroslav Maslik. Black
declined the 4.f3 gambit pawn with 4...e6 the BDG Weinspach. This has
characteristics of the French Defence.
Both sides tried to throw big hay maker knockout punches. Either side could
have won, but it was our friend Lev Zilbermints who did win over the IM.
The BDG gives White an opportunity to outplay his opponent, especially in a

blitz game. If you play your pieces aggressively and threaten your opponent's
weak points, a tricky opening yields great results in fast play.
Normally an IM is stronger and higher rated in slower tournament play. But

most of us like the convenience of a quick game played at home on your own
computer device. In very fast chess, we all wins some lucky games, but good
players like Lev win far more often. Here we have a nice fighting game by
Lev Zilbermints.
Zilbermints (2156) - Maslik (2195), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

17.11.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3 c5
7.a3 cxd4 8.axb4 dxc3 9.bxc3 e5 10.Nf3 Bg4 11.0-0 Nbd7 12.h3 Bh5 13.g4
Bg6 14.Be3 0-0 15.Qe2 Nxe4 16.Kg2? [16.Qe1 Qc8 17.c4 Nd6 18.c5 e4
19.cxd6 exd3 20.cxd3 Bxd3=] 16...Nxc3 17.Qd2 e4 18.Qxc3 exf3+ 19.Rxf3
Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Ne5 21.Qxd8 Rfxd8 22.Rf5 Nc4 23.Bxa7? [23.Bf4 b6=/+]
23...Rxa7 [Black wins the Exchange with 23...Ne3+! 24.Bxe3 Rxa1-+]
24.Rxa7 Ne3+ 25.Kf3 Nxf5 26.gxf5 Rb8 27.Ke4 Kf8 28.Kd5 Ke7 29.Kc5
Rc8+ 30.Kb6 Rxc2 31.Rxb7+ Kf6 32.b5 Rf2 [32...Rh2 33.Rc7 Rxh3
34.Rc6+ Kxf5=] 33.Ka7 [33.Rc7! Ke5 34.Kc6 Rc2+ 35.Kb7 Rb2 36.b6+-]
33...Rxf5 34.b6 Ra5+ 35.Kb8 Ke6 [35...Ra3! 36.Ra7 Rxh3 37.b7 Rb3 and it
would be difficult to stop three connected passed pawns.] 36.Ra7 Rb5 37.b7
f5 38.Ra6+ [38.Kc7!+- picks up an all-important tempo and gives White a
winning position.] 38...Ke5 39.Kc7 Rxb7+ 40.Kxb7 f4 41.Kc6 f3 42.Ra7
Kf4 [Black can draw with 42...Ke4! 43.Rxg7 f2=] 43.Rxg7 f2 44.Rxh7 Kg3
45.Rf7 Black resigns 1-0
106 - Iturbide Arnedo Wins
This game has Oscar Iturbide Arnedo against FM Raul Rabadan Velasco in
the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined variation called the BDG Weinspach
4.f3 e6. This resembles the French.
Black's bishop barrels out to b4 in a pin like the French Winawer. Iturbide
Arnedo chose to the traditional approach with 6.Bd3, but as I note in the
notes, there were two worthwhile options you might prefer yourself.
Tactical tricks after ...Nxe4 must be considered. Black let it pass which
helped White mount an attack.
Allowing White to play a rook to the 7th rank in exchange for the capture of
an extra backward doubled pawn did not work well.
Iturbide Arnedo (2168) - Rabadan Velasco (2254), TCh-Madrid 2014-15

Madrid ESP (4.1), 21.12.2014 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e6
5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3 [This is the thematic move. Two other good tries are: 6.a3
Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Nxe4 8.Qg4 Nxc3 9.Bd2 Nd5 10.Qxg7=; or 6.Qd3 c5 7.a3
Qa5 8.Bd2 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qc4 Be7 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.Nf3=] 6...c5
[Chess engines prefer 6...Nxe4! but White has compensation after 7.Nge2
Nxc3 (or 7...Nf6 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4=) 8.bxc3 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0
10.Nf4=] 7.a3 [7.e5 Nd5 8.Bd2 cxd4 9.Nxd5 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 Qxd5 11.Nf3
Nc6 12.0-0!? Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Qxe5=/+] 7...Ba5 8.dxc5 [Another reasonable
try is 8.e5 Nd5 9.Qg4 g6 (9...Nxc3 10.Qxg7 Rf8 11.Bh6 Nd7 12.Nf3+/=)
10.Nge2 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Nc6 12.Qe4 Qc7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Bh6 Rd8 15.Bg5=]
8...Bxc3+ [I wonder how seriously Black considered 8...Nxe4! 9.Nge2 Bxc3+
10.bxc3 Nxc5=/+] 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Nf3 Qxc5 [10...Qxc3+ 11.Bd2 Qxc5=]
11.Rb1 [11.Qd2+/=] 11...Bd7 [11...Nbd7=] 12.Qe2 Bc6 13.Be3 Qh5 14.0-0
Nbd7 15.e5 [15.Bd4=] 15...Ng4? [Tempting, but bad. Better is 15...Nxe5!
16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.Qf2 0-0 18.Bd4=] 16.Bf4 Nh6 17.Nd4 Qxe2 18.Bxe2 Be4
19.Nb5 0-0 20.Nd6 Bxc2? [20...Bc6 21.Nxb7+/- when White's two c-pawns
are better than Black's f-pawn.] 21.Rxb7 Nc5 22.Rc7 Ne4 23.Bf3 Nxd6
24.exd6 Rad8 25.Rxa7 Nf5 26.d7 f6 27.g4 Ne7 28.Bd6 Kf7 29.c4 Bb3
30.c5 Bd5 31.Bxd5 exd5 32.Re1 Nc6 33.Rc7 Nd4 34.Bxf8 Nf3+ 35.Kf2
Nxe1 36.Kxe1 Rxf8 37.Rc8 1-0
107 - Grava Attracted to Chess
Dr. Arnolds Grava wrote an article in Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine,
December 1962. I quote an edited portion for space.
“Since 1960 I have become a true BDG fan. I can say it without any
exaggeration. There is a twofold reason: (1) As a researcher in my academic
field, I like to explore new progressive ideas, so I feel attracted to the bold,
fresh approach to an opening such as the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit! Its
almost unlimited possibilities fascinate me. (2) The preference for gambits in
general seems to be characteristic of my approach to chess. Besides the BDG,
I am no less attracted to the King's Gambit and to some extent also of the
Benoni and Center Counter Gambits… I experiment with new approaches,
less known variations, even at a risk of losing a game. I am attracted to chess
and I like this game for its intellectual discipline, its artistic touch and its
logical cogency.”
Dr. Arnolds Grava - James R. Stowe, Postal Game 1960 begins 1.e4 e6
2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bb4 5.Bd3 dxe4 6.fxe4 Nxe4 7.Nge2 [Apparently
the only possibility.] 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bd6 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Nf4 Ne7 11.Nh5
[The dangerous attack on Black's Kingside begins.] 11...0-0 [I sometimes
wonder whether it is wise for Black to castle on the attacked side, so to say,
right into the lion's throat.?!] 12.Bg5 [My opponent was very disappointed
seeing his knight pinned.] 12...f6 13.Nxf6+ [The self-effacing, sacrificial
knight!] 13...gxf6 14.Bxf6 [Followed by a humble Bishop's sacrifice!]
14...Rxf6 15.Rxf6 Ng6 16.Qf3! Be7? [Not very good, but the other
possibilities do not seem to satisfy either: 16...Qe7 17.Rf1 Nh8 18.Bxh7+!
Qxh7 19.Rf8+ Bxf8 (if 19...Kg7 20.Qf6#) 20.Qxf8#; 16...Kg7 17.Rf7+ Kh8
(17...Kg8 18.Qh5! Kxf7 19.Qxh7+ Kf8 20.Rf1+ Nf4 21.Qh8+ Ke7 22.Qg7+
Ke8 23.Bg6+! Nxg6 24.Qf7#; 17...Kh6 a very effective mate ensues:
18.Rxh7+ Kxh7 19.Qh5+ Kg8 20.Qxg6+ Kf8 21.Rf1+ Ke7 22.Qf7#)
18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.Qh3+ Kg8 20.Qh7#] 17.Rf7! c5? 18.Qh5 [Now it is time
for the Rook to be sacrificed! If 18...Kxf7 forced acceptance, otherwise Qxh7
mate. (If however 18...Nf8 19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.Bg6+ Kg8 21.Rxf8+ Qxf8
22.Qh7#) 19.Qxh7+ Ke8 (19...Kf6 20.Qxg6#; 19...Kf8 20.Bxg6 Bf6
21.Qf7#) 20.Bb5+ Kf8 (20...Bd7 21.Qxg6+ Kf8 22.Rf1+ etc.) 21.Rf1+ Bf6
22.Qxg6! Bd7 (22...Ke7 23.Qxf6+ Kd6 24.Qxd8+ Bd7 25.Qxd7#) 23.Rxf6+
Ke7 24.Rf7+ Kd6 25.Qg3+ e5 26.Qxe5#] 1-0. [Notes by Grava]
108 - Space Shuttle Mate
I went outside to watch the landing of the final Space Shuttle. It was dark. It
was like looking for a black bullet to shoot across the darkened sky. I didn't
see a thing. It zipped by. Then came two identical loud firecracker-like sonic
noises that shook buildings, one second apart: “Boom! Boom!” It felt like a
Mate in Two.
This game backs into the French Defence. Then the players transposed to the
Weinspach Variation. Usually Black reverses the 3rd & 4th moves. Play
continued 5.fxe4 Bb4.
Six 6th moves are reasonable. I chose the popular 6.Bd3. Also playable is
6.Qd3!? Less good are 6.Bg5, 6.e5 and 6.Nf3.
If 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3, then the opening curiously transposes to the promising
Winckelmann-Reimer Gambit vs the French Defence Winawer. The normal
move order for the WRG is 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3
dxe4 6.f3 Nf6 7.fxe4.
After the sharp 6.Bd3!? Black has a great tactical shot 6...Nxe4! 7.Nge2
"Apparently the only possibility." - Dr. Grava [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit,
Dec 1962].
White must guard against both the check on h4 and a double capture on c3.
The toughest defense seems to be to retreat the knight, but Nf6xe4-f6 is
rarely played by those rated below me.
My opponent embarked on setting up a solid looking position for the next

few moves and ignoring my threats. This game ended with a Boom-Boom
mate. I love Blackmar-Diemer checkmates!
Sawyer - chuluperu, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 20.07.2011 begins 1.d4

d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e6 [French Defence] 4.f3 Nf6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3 0-0
7.Nf3 [I feel much better now.] 7…c6?! 8.0-0 Qe7 9.Bg5 Bg5 [or even 9.e5]
9…Nbd7? 10.e5 [White has won a piece. Rather just try to win on material, I
decided to play for the "Boom, Boom!"] 10…Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qe8 12.exf6
Nxf6 13.Ne5 Nd5 14.Qh5 g6 15.Qh6 f6 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.Bxg6 Qe7 18.c4
fxg5 19.Rxf8+ [Boom!] 19...Qxf8 20.Qh7# [Boom!] 1-0
109 - Rasa BDG Impression
In BDG Magazine April 1962 we read: "Robert Rasa, after winning a cup at
the chess championship tourney in New Zealand, as a runner-up, praises
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit."
"MY IMPRESSION OF BLACKMAR - DIEMER GAMBIT..."
"The first time I was confronted with a B/G Gambit wasn't over the
chessboard, but in print. It was one of Diemer's earlier publications to his so-
called B/D Gambit "Parish" - a group of chess players from Holland,
Germany and Austria, who joined forces in order to look for new ways of
brightening up the game of chess.
"All this appealed to me very much and I joined the group - and never
regretted it.
"I was fortunate to be able to supply one or two new lines in certain
variations of the attempted revival of the Blackmar Gambit. This was much
fun, plenty of excitement and none of the dullness and stuffiness of the purely
theoretical analyses. This is living chess, attractive in the variety of
possibilities, refreshing in the approach.
"Above all, I came to know the man behind it - the excitable, likable, original
personality of Joseph Diemer. Because of his exaggerated, pompous style of
writing, he soon got himself in hot water with other chess writers.
"Diemer, however, is at all times an honest, frank and straightforward man,

and lives up to his writings. He practices what he preaches - no matter what
the consequences.
"They call him "Ritter ohne Furcht" and rightly so. Often misunderstood,
wrongly attacked - mostly by his own countrymen - he went his own
inimitable ways - in chess as everywhere else. It irritates me very much, that
people, who haven't done much themselves towards the game of chess, sling
mud at good sports like Diemer, who practically sacrifice their personal lives
for it.
"Sure enough - we need all sorts of people to make a world, but as far as
chess is concerned it's people like Diemer, who constantly strive to make it
brighter and more interesting. It is not so far back, when Capa made his
gloomy prediction that this game we all love so much will end in a death of
draws...
"It seems so odd and futile, that in face of that, many so called theoreticians
are so eagerly engaged constantly trying to refute every fresh effort to liven
up the game. This fate befell also Diemer's enthusiastic undertaking to induce
new blood and ideas with his B/D Gambit into the game. As soon as the
complex of B/D Gambit openings came in to some sort of semblance, came
the pack of "Theoreticians" - in full cry competing against themselves for a
"refutation"... Now, some of them - including his former co-worker
Gunderam - gleefully claim having found it?! OK! So, now what?
"Let's stop playing chess and all of us join in the fun of searching for
refutations of the remaining few playable openings we have left. When we
have succeeded in that, then let's make a monumental funeral to the game of
chess and start playing - say, marbles... Let's hope neither Pachman, Mueller,
Gunderam nor will the rest of them be interested to find refutation to my pink
marbles knock against your blue ones.
"However, since players like the late Alekhine, Lasker, Spielman and present
Tal, Fischer, Larson, Olafsson and such like keep cropping up, we still have
some hope left, that the game will survive, in spite of the horde of
"researchers" trying to refute it."
R.A. Rasa - Dunedin, New Zealand
Below is a game with notes from the February 1962 issue.

"A fascinating game of a King-side attack was recently played by Robert A.
Rasa."
Robert A. Rasa - R.W. Lungley, Dunedin, New Zealand 1961 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.f3 e6 4.e4 dxe4 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3 0-0 7.Nf3 c5 8.0-0 cxd4
9.e5 Ng4? 10.Ng5 f5 11.exf6 Nxf6 12.Rxf6! [Beautiful!] 12...Qxf6
13.Bxh7+ Kh8 14.Nce4 Qe5 15.Qh5 Black resigns 1-0
110 - Weinspach is Correct
Some people notice when your fly is unzipped and tell you. Others let you
walk around all day embarrassing yourself.
I am blessed with friends who care enough to point out kindly a few of my
mistakes. In this case I had followed the mistakes of others in my writing,
mistakes published in their books. This was a case of inadvertent incorrect
spelling as Mr. Brunold explains.
Dear Sir!
“My name is Guenter Brunold (correctly: Günter - with u-umlaut) and I'm
from Kempten (Allgäu) in Germany. I read your latest blog "New Blackmar-
Diemer Declined Weinsbach Category".
“I should like to point out that Weinsbach is not correct. I know that in other
books often appears the name "Weinsbach", e. g. Eric Schiller: "Blackmar
Diemer Gambit" / Alfred Freidl: "Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit -
Band 2" / Christoph Scheerer: "the Blackmar-Diemer gambit". But the
correct spelling is "Weinspach"!! This defense is named after Karl
Weinspach.
“Evidence:
1) Emil Joseph Diemer: Vom ersten Zug an auf MATT! (= Das moderne
Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit - Band 1), page 137;
2) Obituary for Karl Weinspach: see http://www.badischer-schachverband.de
“On the left side on the top you will find NEWS-Suche. Here you have to
type in: Weinspach. Then in the middle of the website appears "Badischer
Schachverband trauert um Karl Weinspach - Nachruf". Click on the link and
the obituary opens.
“No offense meant! Yours obediently”
“Günter Brunold”
On the subject of spelling, EJD's middle name, it is often listed as "Joseph".

Probably I have done that myself. But in Diemer's Band 1 book cited above,
Emil called himself "Josef". I use both. Here is the original Emil Josef
Diemer vs Karl Weinspach game in the BDG Weinspach variation. (Diemer
loved to use "!!")
Diemer - Weinspach, Bischweier 1949 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3!! O-O 7.Nf3 c5 8.e5! Nd5 9.Bxh7+!! Kh8 10.Ng5!
Nxc3 11.Qh5 1-0 [and mate. Games Notes by Diemer]
3.7 – 4.f3 e3
This is the Langeheinecke Variation. Black simply returns the gambit pawn
in the hope not to suffer much of an attack and to benefit from White having
a pawn in the way on f3.
111 - FlagFell Falls 5.Bxe3 c6

The blitz handle of "FlagFell" gave me the impression this player was very
fast. With a rating over 2200, he was also very good.
Why do players return the BDG gambit pawn with 4.f3 e3? They may fear
defending gambit accepted positions. They not know the gambit accepted
lines, but they think they can outplay you. Here I won the h-pawn instead of
sacrificing the f-pawn. Then I won on time with seconds to spare when my
opponent’s flag fell.
Sawyer (2021) - FlagFell (2203), ICC 5 0 u Internet Chess Club, 04.07.2013

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 e3 5.Bxe3 c6 6.Qd2 [6.Bd3+/=]
6...Bf5 7.Nge2 e6 8.g4 Bg6 9.h4 h6 10.Nf4 Bh7 11.0-0-0 Bb4 12.g5 Nd5
13.Nfxd5 cxd5 14.gxh6 gxh6 15.Bxh6 Nc6 16.Bg5 Qa5 17.a3 Bd6
[17...Bxa3 18.bxa3 Qxa3+ 19.Kb1 Qb3+ 20.Kc1= with a perpetual check.]
18.Be3 [18.Kb1+/-] 18...0-0-0 19.Bd3 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Kb8 21.Nb5 Bg3
22.h5 a6 23.Nc3 [23.Rdg1+-] 23...Bd6 24.Ne2 Rc8 25.Kb1 Qb6 26.Bf4
[26.h6+/-] 26...Bxf4 27.Nxf4 Na5 28.Ne2 Nc4 29.Qb3 Qd6 30.Nc1 Rc6
31.Nd3 [31.Qd3=] 31...Rb6 32.Qa2 Nxa3+ 33.Kc1 Nc4 34.b3 Ne3 35.Rd2
f6 36.Nc5 e5 37.Na4 [37.c3 exd4 38.cxd4 Ka7=/+] 37...Rc6 38.dxe5 [38.Kb1
exd4!-+] 38...fxe5 39.c4 d4 40.Nb2 Qb4 41.Nd3 Qc3+ 42.Kb1 Rb6
[42...Nxc4 43.bxc4 Rb6+ 44.Rb2 Qxd3+ 45.Ka1 Qxf3-+] 43.b4? [43.Nc5
Nxc4 44.Rd3 Nd2+ 45.Qxd2 Qxc5-+] 43...Nxc4 44.Rc2 Qxd3 [The crusher
was 44...Na3+! 45.Kc1 Qxd3-+ when White is in deep trouble.] 45.Qxc4
Qa3 46.Qc7+ Ka7 47.Qc5 Qxb4+ [Black is winning after 47...Rhh6!-+ ]
48.Qxb4 Rxb4+ 49.Kc1 Rb6 50.Re2 Rbh6 [50...Rhh6!] 51.Rxe5 b6
52.Re7+ Ka8 53.Re4 [53.Rg1=] 53...Rxh5 54.Rxh5 Rxh5 55.Rxd4 Rh1+
56.Kd2 Rf1 57.Ke2 Rb1 58.f4 Kb7 59.f5 Rb5 60.Rf4 Re5+ 61.Kd3 Re7
62.f6 Rf7 63.Kd4 Kc6 64.Ke5 Kd7 [64...Rf8=] 65.Rb4 Kc7 [65...Rh7=]
66.Rd4 [The clocks were at: 0:17-0:03. If I had time, I might try 66.Ke6 Rf8
67.Ke7+/-] 66...a5 67.Rd6 Rxf6? [67...Rd7=] 68.Rxf6 b5 69.Rf7+ Black
forfeits on time 1-0
112 - Zilbermints vs Morphy
Lev Zilbermints attempted a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit against an ICC player
“Morphy-1857” rated 2442. Black returned the pawn immediately with
4...e3. This is the Langeheinecke variation, but it also can be reached from
the Trompowsky Attack when both sides "waste" a few moves. In the
Trompowsky White plays Bc1-Bg5-Bf4-Bxe3 and Black plays Ng8-Nf6-
Ne4-Nf6. Players reach this BDG position two moves further down on the
score sheet.
Why the handle “morphy-1857”? Paul Morphy won the American Chess
Congress in New York. He defeated four players in match play in succession
in 1857. They included restaurant proprietor James Thompson, Judge
Alexander Beaufort Meek, Theodor Lichtenhein of Prussia, and Louis
Paulsen who won tournaments in Germany before moving to the United
States. In 1857 Morphy was on his rapid rise. By 1858 Morphy was the best
in the world.
Higher rated players may return the BDG gambit pawn hoping to outplay
White in an even position by using their superior skills. Zilbermints takes on
the challenge of this higher rated opponent. Lev beats him at his own game!
Black has three choices after 5.Bxe3 vs the BDG Langeheinecke: 5...Bf5 like
a Caro-Kann, 5...e6 like a French, and 5...g6 like a Gruenfeld Defence. The
game below is similar to this third approach.
Zilbermints (2160) - morphy-1857 (2442), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

2014 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 c6 6.Qd2
[6.Bd3+/=] 6...Qa5 [6...e6 7.Bd3+/=] 7.Bd3 g6 8.Nge2 Bg7 9.0-0 Nbd7
10.Bh6 Bxh6 11.Qxh6 Qh5 12.Qxh5 [12.Qe3+/-] 12...Nxh5 13.g3
[13.Rfe1+/=] 13...0-0 14.Kg2 Nb6 15.f4 Nf6 16.h3 Nfd5 17.Nxd5 Nxd5
18.Rfe1 Bf5 19.Bxf5 gxf5 20.Kf2 e6 [20...Nf6=] 21.a3 [21.g4 Nb4 22.Rec1
Rfe8 23.a3 Nd5 24.Kf3+/=] 21...Rad8 22.Ng1 Nf6 23.c3 c5 24.Rad1 cxd4
25.Rxd4 Rxd4 26.cxd4 Rd8 27.Nf3 Ne4+ 28.Kg2 Rc8 29.Re2 Rc4 30.g4
fxg4 31.hxg4 Nf6 32.Kg3 Nd5 33.f5 exf5 34.gxf5 Kg7 35.Kg4 Kf6 36.Rh2
Kg7 37.Re2 Rc1 38.Re5 Nf6+ 39.Kg3 Rc2 40.Rb5 b6 41.Rb3 Rc7 42.Kf4
Nd5+ 43.Ke5 Rd7 44.Rb5 f6+? [44...Nc7 45.f6+ Kg6 46.Rb3 Rd5+ 47.Ke4
Rh5=] 45.Ke6 Nc7+ [Or 45...Re7+ 46.Kxd5+-] 46.Kxd7 Nxb5 47.d5 h5
48.d6 a5 49.Ke7 a4 50.d7 Nc7 51.d8Q Nd5+ 52.Qxd5 Kh6 53.Qg8 h4
54.Qg6# Black checkmated 1-0
113 - When Black Is Afraid
Everyone knows the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is unsound. White loses a
pawn for nothing. So the story goes.
However it is funny to how many players with the Black pieces do not
choose to take that free gambit pawn! Is it fear of facing a powerful attack
that Black is not prepared to face? Sometimes.
My opponent "verdugo21" played the BDG Declined 4.f3 e3 Langeheinecke

Variation. Black took a Bogoljubow approach and played pretty well for a 3
minute blitz game.
After 5.Bxe3 g6, common is 6.Qd2 Bg7 7.0-0-0. I had scored better with
6.Qd2. Alas, I just forgot it for the moment.
Eventually we entered what seemed to be a playable rook ending for Black,

but White was really winning. It was much easier to play for an endgame win
in this BDG. Material was equal because Black had not accepted the gambit
pawn.
Sawyer - verdugo21, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 10.10.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 g6 6.Bc4 [6.Qd2] 6...Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0
8.0-0-0 c6 9.Bh6 Nd5 [9...b5=] 10.Nge2 b5 11.Bd3 b4 12.Nxd5 Qxd5
13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Kb1 [14.Qxb4! Qxa2 15.Qxe7 Qa1+ 16.Kd2 Qxb2 17.Rb1
Qa2 18.Rxb8 Rxb8 19.Qe5+ Kg8 20.Qxb8+- and White is up a knight.]
14...Be6 15.b3 a5 16.Nf4 Qd6 17.Nxe6+ Qxe6 18.Rhe1 [White has a ready-
made attack with 18.h4!+/-] 18...Qf6 19.Bc4 a4?! [19...e6=] 20.Kb2? [I
missed the fact that the b-pawn is suddenly undefended. 20.Qxb4+/- ] 20...c5
21.bxa4 Nc6 22.Kb1 Nxd4 23.Bb3 Rfc8 24.Qe3 Nxb3 [Black stands better
after 24...e6-/+] 25.cxb3 c4 [25...e6=] 26.Qe5 [I headed for what I believe to
be a winning endgame. Also good is 26.Qxe7+/=] 26...c3 27.Qxf6+ exf6
28.Kc2 Rd8? [This gives White an easier endgame win. 28...Rc7 29.Rd4
Rb8 30.Ree4+/=] 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Rd1 Re8 31.a3 Re2+ 32.Kd3 Rxg2
33.axb4 c2 34.Rc1 Rxh2 35.Rxc2 Rh3+- [If 35...Rxc2 36.Kxc2 White's rook
pawn cannot be caught but Black's rook pawn can be. 36...h5 37.Kd3 h4
38.Ke3 Kf8 39.a5+-] 36.a5 Rxf3+ 37.Kc4 Rf4+ 38.Kb5 Rf5+ 39.Rc5 Re5
40.Rxe5 fxe5 41.a6 e4 42.a7 e3 43.a8Q 1-0 [Black forfeits on time when
down a queen.]
114 – Declined 5.Bxe3 g6
To accept or not to accept the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: that is the question.
Black must determine whether White's open lines and rapid development
compensate for the missing pawn on f3.
Below my Internet Chess Club friend "capablanca1" combined a

Bogoljubow-type (...g6) set-up with a Blackmar-Diemer Declined
Langeheinecke (4...e3).
This allows White to keep the extra pawn on f3. Is this good for Black or not?
Black's scheme is initially sound with even material and a level game. On the
other hand, White is no longer a pawn down.
Furthermore, the pawn on f3 covers e4 and prepares a g2-g4 kingside pawn

expansion. White should be happy.
Sawyer - capablanca1, ICC 8 0 u, Internet Chess Club 13.10.2011 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 g6 6.Qd2 Bg7 7.0-0-0 Nc6?!
[This provoked an attack Black might not want. More solid was 7...c6.] 8.d5
Nb4 [8...Ne5 9.Bf4+/-] 9.a3 Na6 10.Bxa6 [10.g4+/-] 10...bxa6 11.Nge2 0-0
12.Bh6 Bh8? [Probably Black did not intend to sacrifice the Exchange. This
is a thematic move in the Dragon Sicilian Defence. A normal continuation
would be 12...Bb7 13.Bxg7 and White is just better.] 13.Bxf8 Kxf8 14.Ne4
[14.g4!+- with a strong attack.] 14...Nd7 15.N2c3 Bb7 16.h4 Ne5 17.Nc5
Rb8 18.h5 Ba8 19.hxg6 Rxb2 20.gxf7 Qb8 21.Qf4 [Black resigns. An even
faster line leading to mate in 7 began 21.Ne6+!] 1-0
115 - Checharov 5.Bxe3 g6
The International Master with the handle “Checharov” has faced the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit on the Internet Chess Club at least three times. In
the games I saw, he declined the gambit pawn.
Each time Checharov pushed an e-pawn on move four. All three games ended
in quick White victories against experienced BDG blitz players.
Here is a summary of his chosen methods.

In 2012 vs Zilbermints, he played 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 (good).
In 2013 vs Ashkeef, he played 4.f3 e5 (this is bad for Black).
In 2016 vs Zilbermints, he played 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 g6 (good).
In all these lines, White attacks without being down material. If Black wants
to win, he does best to take the gambit and try to keep it either with 4.f3 Bf5
or even better with 4.f3 exf3.
The day this was played Lev Zilbermints sent me this message:
“Hello. Check my latest crush of an IM.”
“Which one?” I asked.
“On ICC. Checharov.” Lev replied.
“Okay, thanks. I’ll use it.” I said.
Usually against any …g6 defence, White is hoping to open up the h-file and
attack. Here Black did not castle.
Instead Checharov kept his rook on h8 and opened up the h-file. That strategy
did not work well tactically.
Zilbermints (2091) - Checharov (2111), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

26.05.2016 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 e3 5.Bxe3 g6 6.Qd2
Bg7 7.0-0-0 h5 [Black usually plays 7...0-0 when White has the choice
between 8.h4+/= and 8.Bh6+/=] 8.Bc4 Bf5 [8...Nbd7 9.Nge2 Nb6
10.Bb3+/=] 9.Nge2 h4?! [9...c6 10.Ng3 Bc8 11.Nge4+/-] 10.g4 hxg3?
[10...Bc8 11.Bg5+-] 11.hxg3 Nc6 12.g4 Bd7 [12...Rxh1 13.Rxh1 Na5
14.Bb5+ c6 15.gxf5 cxb5 16.Qd3+-] 13.Rxh8+ Bxh8 14.Rh1 Bg7 15.Bh6
Bxh6 [Or 15...Bh8 16.Bf8! Nh5 17.Qh6 Be6 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Qxh8 Kd7
20.gxh5+-] 16.Rxh6 Ng8 [16...Be6 17.Rh8+ Kd7 18.Rxd8+ Rxd8 19.d5+-]
17.Rh8 Black resigns 1-0
3.8 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6
In this Langeheinecke Variation Black returns the gambit pawn. Black sets
up a solid classical defense with 5…e6.
116 - Mating Attack 5.Bxe3 e6

My family members visited the Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida. They
had a lovely time. Later they told me that they learned the difference between
glass and Tiffany.
My warped mind wondered if a “Morse” was a cross between a Moose and a

Horse. But then I remembered that we have other family members named
"Morse".
All of those family members have only two legs. I know nothing about their
tails.
Speaking of tales, my opponent in the game below requested a rematch. I

accepted. Immediately I played a second game vs "RockyTop".
We reached a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Admittedly, I played a little too

boldly with an unsound piece sacrifice on move 11.
Those of us who play White in the BDG often hear someone make a
comment similar to this. “If Black had played…”, then he would have had the
advantage. Here Black missed 12...Re8!
After my 16.Bh7+, if Black had played 16...Kh8, then I would checkmate

him with my Morse on f7, I mean Horse.
Sawyer (2021) - RockyTop (1400), ICC 3 2 u Internet Chess Club,

18.07.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3
Bb4 7.Nge2 0-0 8.Bg5 [White usually castles here 8.0-0 Nc6 9.a3 Ba5
10.Ne4] 8...c6 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.0-0 h6 11.Bxh6?! [11.Be3= is good, but I
figured opening the kingside might lead to mate eventually.] 11...gxh6
12.Qxh6 Qa5 [After 12...Re8!-/+ it looks like Black has a good defense
against any attack.] 13.Ng3 [Or 13.g4!+/- ] 13...Rd8 14.Nce4 Be7? [14...Bf8
15.Nxf6+ Nxf6 16.Qxf6 Rxd4 17.f4+/-] 15.Ng5 Bf8 16.Bh7+ Black resigns
1-0
117 - Norris Goes Off To War
As I recall Michael Norris was in the military. He was called off to active
duty which forced Norris to withdraw from the 1989 USCF Postal Chess
Golden Knights event in which we were playing.
I was never in the US military myself, but I came close. When my own draft
number came up, the military came to get me for a couple days to give me a
physical and some other tests.
I passed all the tests. I expected to be drafted within a few months. But then
the draft was cancelled. I went on with my life and continued to play chess.
My game with Michael Norris was a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

Langeheinecke. Black immediately returned the gambit pawn 4.f3 e3.
This line avoided the violent attack that often happened in my Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Accepted games. During 1989 and 1990, I played the BDG
all the time as White.
What makes this game interesting is the idea that White moved the f3 pawn
again to f4. Then White played 8.Nf3 instead of the normal 7.Nge2.
Black missed a couple chances to equalize. Thus White stood better at the
end.
Sawyer - Norris, corr USCF, 1989 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3
e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3 Be7 7.f4!? [7.Nge2] 7...0-0 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.0-0 Nd5
[9...Nb4=] 10.Qd2 [10.Nxd5! exd5 11.c3+/=] 10...Ncb4 11.Nxd5 Qxd5
[11...exd5=] 12.c4! Qh5 13.Be4 [13.Be2+/-] 13...Rb8 14.a3 Na6 15.b4 c6
16.Ne5 Rd8 [16...f6 17.Nd3+/-] 17.g4 Qh4 18.Bf2 Qh3 19.Bg3 [White stood
much better after 19.Bg2!+-] 1-0
118 - Gambits Be Accepted!
“May all your gambits be accepted!” I don't know who first made that
statement. I am sure I read it somewhere.
The idea is that gambit players often love the positions they get when their
gambits are accepted. But some opponents decline their gambits.
What do you do when your opponent declines your gambit? Your position is
probably just as good as it was before you offered the gambit. Play good
moves and win!
Think about it. When your opponent turns down your offered sacrifice, you
have more material than you would have had. Your pieces were poised to
pounce immediately upon the gambit acceptance. Those pieces are still raring
to go. Let them fly!
Here is a game with a nice Blackmar-Diemer Gambit checkmate. In a blitz

game vs bcnjjj (rated 1702), there is a little opening choice stutter step at the
beginning.
We started off with a Scandinavian Defence after 1.e4 d5. I love 1.e4, but I
can be tempted. Here I avoid the normal 2.exd5.
While I like 2.Nc3 (transposing to a favorite 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4), here I chose

2.d4 (heading for a BDG). With 4.f3 we reached the BDG starting position.
Black declined my gambit in the 4.f3 e3 Langeheinecke fashion. This is a

good example of this BDG Declined variation.
Sawyer - bcnjjj, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 07.02.2013 begins 1.e4 d5

2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3 Be7 7.Nh3 h6 8.0-0 Nd5
9.Bd2 Bf6 10.Ne2 b6 11.Nhf4 Nxf4 12.Bxf4 Bb7 13.c3 0-0 14.Qd2 Nd7
15.Ng3 c5 16.Bxh6 gxh6 [16...cxd4 17.cxd4 Bxd4+ 18.Be3 Ne5 19.Be4 Bc5
20.Qc3 Bxe3+ 21.Qxe3 Bxe4 22.Nxe4=] 17.Qxh6 Re8 [17...Bxd4+ 18.cxd4
f5 19.Qxe6+ Rf7 20.Bc4 Qf6 21.Qxd7 Raf8 22.Bxf7+ Rxf7 23.Qe8+ Rf8
24.Qe5+-] 18.Bh7+ Kh8 19.Bg6+ Kg8 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Qxf7# Black
checkmated 1-0
119 - 4...e3 and Get Crushed!
Not every attempt to avoid sacrificial fireworks works vs the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit. Many times Black is surprised by the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit and decides to avoid the whole thing with the BDG Declined 4...e3
Langeheinecke Variation.
This just returns the pawn immediately. The line can be reached from a
Trompowsky Opening. You will find grandmasters playing the White side of
this position in databases.
White is left with a pawn on f3. This looks potentially weak, but the danger is
minimal. The White pieces have easy development which a pawn on f3 does
not prevent.
Another slight plus for White is that the f3 pawn covers the e4 and g4
squares. This fact can be very useful for White.
Remember that the f-pawn is not nailed onto the f3 square. It can take off for
f4 and eventually f5 when warranted.
Below is a three minute blitz game Sawyer (2020) - Luk65 (2025) played at
Chess.com. I sacrificed a piece for a mating attack.
Black was a good player from Verona, Italy. He saw the forced mate and
resigned.
Sawyer - Luk65, Live Chess Chess.com, 30.08.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3 Be7 7.Nh3 [7.Nge2+/= is the
official main line] 7...b6 8.0-0 Bb7 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.Rad1 0-0 11.Ng5 h6
12.Nge4 Nd5 [Black should attack d4 with 12...c5!= ] 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Ng3
Bd6 15.Nf5 [15.Bxh6!+/-] 15...Nf6 [The sacrifice does not win after 15...Re8
16.Bxh6?! gxh6 17.Qxh6 Qf6 18.Ne7+ Rxe7 19.Bh7+ Kh8 20.Bg6+ Kg8 and
repeat moves for a draw.] 16.Bxh6! Ne8? [If 16...Nh5 17.Bg5!+-] 17.Bxg7!
Nxg7 18.Qh6 Nxf5 19.Bxf5 Bxh2+ 20.Kh1 Re8 21.Bh7+ 1-0
120 - Hirn in Langeheinecke
Let’s look at the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit contest between two players from
Germany, Edwin Hirn vs Roger Walch. Black chose to decline the gambit by
giving back the pawn in the BDG Langeheinecke 4...e3.
It was obvious from the ratings mismatch that White is expected to win, but
sporting competitions are replete with upsets. Even if you are higher rated,
you still have to find good moves to win.
A strong player wants not only to win, but to win convincingly and as quickly
as possible. Such victories build confidence. A shorter game conserves
energy for future play.
Looks at the great beginning to this BDG Langeheinecke game. White gets
strong central piece development.
In 10 moves White developed four minor pieces, Nc3, Be3, Bd3, Nge2, and
castled 0-0. Then he lined the queen up for attack with Qe1, and developed
the second rook with Rd1.
That is about as good as any chess opening gets. And, the "weak" f3 pawn
prepared 15.Ne4.
Chess engines show that White may have had a better move in 9.a3!? Black
played reasonable moves, but White came crashing through with a beautiful
rook sacrifice to finish the game.
Hirn (2163) - Walch (1740), Pyramiden Cup 2014 Fuerth GER (3.29),
05.09.2014 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3
Nc6 7.Nge2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe1 [Stockfish, Houdini and Deep Fritz all
prefer 9.a3+/=] 9...Nb4! 10.Rd1 b6 11.Qg3 [11.Nf4=] 11...Nxd3 12.Rxd3
Ba6 13.Rd2 Bd6 14.Qh4 Qe8 [14...Nd5! 15.Qxd8 Raxd8=/+ Stockfish,
Deep Fritz, Houdini] 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.fxe4 Rd8 17.Rf3 f5 18.Rh3 Qg6 19.e5
Bxe5 20.Nf4 Bxf4 21.Bxf4 c5 22.Be5 Rd7 23.Rg3 Qe8 24.Qh6 g6? [Black
should be able to hold the position with 24...Rff7=] 25.dxc5! f4 [The point is
25...Rxd2 26.Qg7#] 26.Rxd7 Qxd7 27.Rxg6+! 1-0
121 - Attack Dream Delayed
I dream of playing a perfect opening, quickly and accurately. When it works
well I gain time on the clock and an advantage on the board.
What kind of an advantage do I get in my dream? As the opening phase

moves on to the middlegame, I dream of a mating attack, threats to win
material or to transition into a winning endgame.
The Blackmar Diemer Gambit could be accepted with 4...exf3. The Ryder
5.Qxf3 is played 7% of the time and 5.Nxf3 93%.
My ICC blitz game vs patekphilippe was another Langeheinecke Variation

after 4...e3 5.Bxe3. Black played 5…e6.
After 6.Bd3 Be7 I played 7.Nge2. Here players such as Diemer, Sawyer in
1989, Reuter, Meyer, Heikkinen and McGrew have all won games after 7.f4!
Sometimes I forget this and just develop 7.Nge2 without thinking or
remembering...
Later Black forced the exchange of my bad bishop to activate his queen.
After some swaps, we reached an ending where my good bishop and two
rooks target his light-squared kingside pawns.
Black's position gradually fell apart and I had my dream come true: A White
Victory in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit!
Sawyer - patekphilippe, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 14.09.2011 begins

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3 Be7 7.Nge2 [More
accurate is 7.f4!] 7…Nbd7 8.Ng3 Nb6 9.0-0 Nbd5 10.Bd2 [Keeping my
bishop for my dream attack. Backing up looks bad. Exchanging with
10.Nxd5+= was probably better.] 10...0-0 11.Nge4 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Nxe4
13.fxe4 g6? [White gets an open f-file without having to gambit a pawn!
13...c5=] 14.e5 [14.Bh6 Re8 15.Qf3+/-] 14...Bg5!? 15.Bxg5 Qxg5 16.Qf3
Rb8 17.Rab1 b6 18.g3 Bb7 19.Qf4 Qxf4 20.Rxf4 Rfd8 21.Kf2 Rd7 22.Ke3
Rbd8 23.h4 h5 24.Rbf1 a6 25.g4 hxg4 26.Rxg4 Kh7 27.h5 Rg8 28.Rfg1
Kg7 29.hxg6 f5 30.exf6+ Kxf6 31.Rf1+ Ke7 32.Rf7+ Kd8 33.Rxd7+ Kxd7
34.g7 Black resigns 1-0
122 - Martin Simons vs Taylor
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game Martin J. Simons vs Adam A. Taylor
from the British Championship, Black chose to avoid the risks in accepting
the pawn sacrifice by4...exf3. Instead the young rising star Taylor declined
the gambit pawn with 4...e3 known as the BDG Langeheinecke Variation.
Black may choose 4...e3 based on fear of being attacked after 4...exf3. Black
may be avoiding any theory that White may know better. Black may hold the
strategic belief that White's pawn on f3 is more of a liability than a strength.
All these reasons are legitimate for Black. The downside is that after 5.Bxe3,
White is even in material and has his full army to attack. White might also
know theory in this line. Remember, his pawn is not stuck on f3.
Simons played the natural 9.Qd2!? White may have stood a little better with
9.Qe1! This particular game was hard fought throughout the middlegame. A
slight edge went to Black during a 30 move queen and bishop ending. White
held on, and even when he slipped temporarily, on move 60 Black missed the
continuation that would win a bishop.
Simons (2087) - Taylor (2021), 101st ch-GBR 2014 Aberystwyth WLS

(11.21), 30.07.2014 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6
6.Bd3 Nbd7 7.Nge2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qd2!? [More common here is
9.Qe1+/=] 9...b6 10.Ne4 Bb7 11.N2g3 Rc8 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.Rfd1 [Or
13.c4 c5 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.Bxc5 Rxc5 16.Rad1=] 13...Qd7 14.c3 Rfd8 15.a4
Kh8 16.Qe1 Qe8 17.a5 c5 18.axb6 axb6 19.Ra7 Bd5 20.Qe2 Ra8 21.Rda1
Rxa7 22.Rxa7 Ra8 23.Rxa8 Qxa8 24.dxc5 bxc5 25.c4 Bb7 26.Bf4 Qa1+
27.Kf2 Nd7 28.Be5 Nxe5 29.Qxe5 Bf8 30.h4 Qa6 31.Ne4 Bxe4 32.Qxe4 g6
33.Qe5+ Kg8 34.h5 Qb6 35.hxg6 hxg6 36.Qe2 Bg7 37.b3 Bd4+ 38.Kf1
Qd6 39.Ke1 Qf4 40.Kd1 Kg7 41.g4 Qb8 42.Qc2 Qg3 43.Qe2 Qg1+ 44.Qf1
Qh2 45.Qe2 Qh1+ 46.Qf1 Qh2 47.Qe2 Qb8 48.Qc2 Qf4 49.Qe2 Kf6
50.Bc2 Be3 51.Be4 Kg5 52.Qe1 f5 53.gxf5 gxf5 54.Bc6 Kf6 55.Kc2 Qh2+
56.Kd3 Bg5 57.Bb5 Kf7 58.Qe2 Qh1 59.Bd7? [Hanging the bishop. Better
would be 59.Bc6 Qb1+ 60.Qc2 Qa1=/+] 59...Qb1+ 60.Qc2 Qa1 [Black can
win a bishop with 60...Qg1! 61.Qe2 Qd4+ 62.Kc2 Qxd7-+] 61.Ke2 Qd4
62.Qd3 Qe5+ 63.Kd1 Bh4 64.Bc6 Qe1+ 1/2-1/2
3.9 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5
This line of the Langeheinecke Variation sees Black develop the bishop in
front of his pawns.
123 - Shamkovich Loses BDG

John Mingos played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs GM Leon Shamkovich
in a simultaneous exhibition 30 years ago. This kind grandmaster took the
Black pieces.
The game was played in the small town of Bradford in western Pennsylvania,
78 miles south of Buffalo, New York. I vaguely remember a pit stop at
McDonald's in Bradford with my wife on a cold snowy day in the early
1990s.
Like many strong players, Grandmaster Leon Shamkovich chose to decline

the 4.f3 gambit pawn with 4...e3. I find this noteworthy because Shamkovich
was famous for his detailed knowledge of chess openings.
In this Langeheinecke, Black continued with the development of the light

squared bishop by 5.Bxe3 Bf5. The main alternative is 5...e6. That move
more quickly brings the dark squared bishop into the action before the light
squared bishop.
Below White castled queenside and managed to busts open the center with
the energetic 20.d5! The game illustrates that even grandmasters miss tactics,
especially in simuls and blitz games.
Nice win by John Mingos.
Mingos - Shamkovich, Bradford, PA simul, 1985 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5

3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.Bd3 Bg6 7.Nge2 e6 8.Bxg6 [8.0-0=] 8...hxg6
9.Qd3 Nc6 10.a3 Bd6 11.0-0-0 Qe7 12.Nb5 0-0-0 13.Nxd6+ Qxd6
[13...Rxd6 14.Bf2=] 14.Bf4 Qd7 15.Bg5 Ne7 16.g4 Qc6 17.Nc3? [17.h4=
Purser] 17...Rh3 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Qe4 Rxf3? [19...Qd6-/+] 20.d5! exd5
21.Qxf3 Qc4 22.Qxf6 1-0
124 - Grandmasters Like BDG
There is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit line grandmasters like from either side.
Actually when grandmasters reach this position, it is most often from the
Trompowsky after the following moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 d5 4.f3
Nf6 5.e4 dxe4 6.Nc3 e3 7.Bxe3.
Some players who have reached this position as White after move six include
Hort, Benjamin and Christiansen. Players as Black include Sosonko, Gelfand,
Yermolinsky and Smirin.
The standard BDG move order reaches the same position in two less moves
for each side: 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3. Players who
played this BDG line as Black include Shamkovich, M. Gurevich,
Velimirovich, Nakamura and Becerra.
In the BDG this line appears 5% of the time. In the Trompowsky Black plays
6...e4-e3 more than 20% of the time! Why the big increase in popularity of
declining the gambit in this manner? First, realize that higher rated players
prefer the Trompowsky over the BDG. Second, these higher rated players do
not mind turning down the free pawn if they think their positional skills will
give them a better chance at winning. And third, these 20% of higher rated
players do not want to go into a BDG position where White has an extra Bf4
move already played. Let's take a look at some specific moves using the
shorter BDG move order.
This Bf5 is a natural square for Black's light-squared bishop for two reasons.
It is the most active square this bishop has, and Black would like to swap off
light-squared bishops and so he challenges White to play Bd3. The best move
is 6.g4!
Sawyer - GAF, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 16.08.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.Bd3 Bg6 7.Nge2 e6 8.Nf4 Bxd3
9.Nxd3 c6 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Qd2 Be7 12.Rad1 0-0 13.a3 Nd5 14.Nxd5 exd5
15.Bf4 Bf6 16.c3 Re8 17.Rde1 Qb6 18.b4 a5 19.Kh1 axb4 20.axb4 Qb5
21.Ne5 Nxe5 22.Bxe5 Bxe5 23.Rxe5 f6 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Re1 Rxe1+
26.Qxe1 Kf7 27.Kg1 Qd3 28.Kf2 b5 29.g4 g5 30.h3 Qc2+ 31.Kg3 Qd3
32.Qa1 Qe3 33.Qa7+ Kg6 34.Kg2 Qxc3 35.Qd7 Qd2+ 36.Kg3 Qe1+
37.Kg2 Qe2+ 38.Kg3 Qe1+ 39.Kg2 Qe2+ 40.Kg3 Game drawn by mutual
agreement 1/2-1/2
125 - Mistake Costs Lawrence
It is amazing how one mistake can ruin a nice game. Forty years ago I played
a lot of ping pong (also called table tennis). In 1971 I won over 1600 ping
pong games and lost only 16. The game is played to 21 points. I could make
half a dozen mistakes and still win each game handily.
Not so in chess. In fact, in high school it always annoyed me that I could

make just one mistake and lose an entire chess game.
Al Lawrence got an excellent position out of the opening with the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Declined. Lawrence played well until the reasonable looking
24.Qe2? Then sadly for him, White's entire game falls apart.
His opponent Quentin Mason then came alive. Mason played sharply and
accurately to mount a decisive advantage in five moves.
Note that Al Lawrence is a successful former Executive Director of the

United States Chess Federation. He is the author of 12 books. In 2000, Al
Lawrence won the Chess Journalist of the Year Award from the Chess
Journalist of America.
Lawrence - Mason, Newtown Spring Open G/45, 24.03.2012 begins 1.e4 d5

2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.Bc4 [The other popular
continuation here is 6.g4 Bg6 7.Nge2 e6 8.h4+/-] 6...e6 7.Qd2 [7.Nge2 c6
8.g4 Bg6 9.h4+/=] 7...c6 8.a4!? Bd6 9.Nge2 Qc7 [9...Nbd7=] 10.Bf4 0-0
11.g4 Bg6 12.h4 h5 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Nf4 Nd5? [Better is 14...Bxc2!]
15.Nxg6 fxg6 16.Ne4 Qe7 17.0-0-0 Nd7 18.Ng5 [White has a big advantage
due to Black's weaknesses.] 18...b5 19.Bb3 N7b6 20.axb5 cxb5 21.Rhe1
Rf6 22.Re5 Nc4 23.Bxc4 [A good possibility is 23.Qe1 Re8 24.gxh5 gxh5
25.Qe4+-] 23...bxc4 24.Qe2? [24.Qa5!+/-] 24...c3! [Nice shot! With this
powerful move the game spins out of control for White. There is no good
defense.] 25.Rxd5 cxb2+ 26.Kb1 Qa3 27.c4 exd5 28.Qxb2 Rb6 0-1
126 - Declined 4...e3 Again?
Amazing! On this one day I got to play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit twice.
In both games my opponents played the relatively rare BDG Declined 4...e3
Langeheinecke Variation.
Overall this line is played about 5% of the time when White plays 4.f3.
Against me the Langeheinecke has been played only 2% of the time. With
this sudden increase in popularity it surged to 3%. If this keeps up, I am
going to actually learn some variations!
In the first game I lost to an opponent I previously defeated. My opponent

“dalling” played 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 b6. The
position was even, I chose the wrong strategy. As the game actually
continued, I got interested in possibilities and slipped into deep time trouble.
Material was even, but Black's pieces were more active. My pieces were
always on the wrong squares! That shows a combination of poor strategy on
my part, bad luck, or very good play on the part of my opponent. Sometimes
you have to say, "You played very well!" It happens.
The second game continued 5.Bxe3 Bf5. A key factor was time. We both
missed chances. He lost on time in an equal ending after my 52nd move. The
final clocks were 0:47-0:00.
Sawyer - badris, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 28.08.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.Nge2 h5?! [The main line
is 7...e6 8.h4! h6 9.Nf4 Nc6 10.Nxg6 fxe6 11.Qd3 Ne7 12.0-0-0 and White
stands better.] 8.g5 [This is not bad, but much better is 8.Nf4! [hitting the key
squares h5, g6 and d5] 8...hxg4 9.Nxg6 fxg6 10.Bd3+-] 8…Nd5 9.Nxd5
Qxd5 10.Nc3 [10.Nf4 and White is better].10…Qa5 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3
g6 13.0-0 Bg7 14.Ne4 0-0 15.c3 Qf5 16.Nc5 Qxd3 17.Nxd3 b6 18.Bf4 c6
19.Be5 Nd7 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.f4 e6 22.Rad1 Rac8 23.Ne5 Nxe5 24.dxe5
Rfd8 25.Kf2 Kf8 26.Ke2 Ke7 27.h4 Rd5 28.c4 Rc5 29.b3 b5 30.Kd3
bxc4+ 31.bxc4 Ra5 32.Ra1 Ra3+ 33.Kc2 Rc7 34.Rfd1 Rf3 35.Rf1 Rh3
36.Rh1 Rf3 37.Raf1 Ra3 38.Kb2 Ra5 39.Rb1 Rb7+ 40.Ka1 Rb6 41.Rhd1
Ra3 42.Rxb6 axb6 43.Rd6 Rh3 44.Rxc6 Rxh4 45.Rxb6 Rxf4 46.Rb7+ Kf8
47.c5 Rc4 48.Rc7 h4 49.Kb2 h3 50.Kb3 Rc1 51.Kb2 Rc4 52.Kb3 Black
forfeits on time 1-0
127 - GM Bauer Wins BDG
GM Christian Bauer played a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and won first place
in the Martinique Open 2014 tournament. Bauer won on tie-breaks as one of
four grandmasters to score 7 out of 9.
Bauer's game was a BDG Langeheinecke 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3
e3 5.Bxe3. This line is played by grandmasters from a Trompowsky move
order with both sides taking two extra moves. Here the Bauer game had an
actual BDG move order.
I am curious how he would have handled the BDG Accepted with 4…exf3.
In "Play the Scandinavian", GM Bauer recommended 3...e5 Lemberger as
Black. After 1.e4 d5 Bauer wrote of 2.d4, "... the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit,
which I would tend to regard as ultimately unsound but nonetheless
dangerous over the board."
The first round in this Open event was a typical rating mismatch. Bauer rated
2623 faced Fred Nardol rated 1845. Players rated 800 points higher win 99%
of the time, literally.
Bauer could have won with any opening. He chose a BDG, but don't expect
that to be a trend. Bauer plays every opening. In a later round he played 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nf3 and won even quicker.
The former French champion Bauer sometimes plays like the fictional Jack
Bauer in his direct attacking style. I had not seen any of his BDG games
before, however Christian Bauer has played some games in similar opening
lines.
Bauer (2623) - Nardol (1845), Martinique Open 2014 Schoelcher FRA (1.1),
12.04.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.Nge2
e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.h4 [The alternative is 8.Nf4 Bd6 9.h4 h5 10.Nxg6+/-] 8...h6
9.Nf4 Bh7 10.g5 Nd5 11.Ncxd5 exd5 12.Qe2 Bf5 13.gxh6 [Or 13.Bd2+!+/-]
13...Rxh6 14.Nxd5 Re6 15.Nf4 Re7 16.0-0-0 Qd6 [16...Qd7 17.Qf2+/-]
17.Qb5+ Nd7 18.Bd2 g6 19.h5 Bg7 [19...c6 20.Qxb7+-] 20.c3 c6 21.Qxb7
Rb8 22.Qa6 Bxd4 [This piece sacrifice does not work, but Black was already
down two pawns to a grandmaster. If 22...Bh6 23.Nd3 Bxd2+ 24.Rxd2+-]
23.cxd4 Qxd4 24.Qa3 Re5 25.Nd3 Reb5 26.Re1+ Kd8 27.Bc3 Qd5 28.Nf4
Qc5 29.Bxb5 Qxb5 30.hxg6 fxg6 31.Qxa7 1-0
128 - Langeheinecke with 8.Nf4
Bob Long of Thinkers' Press wrote this about my first chapter:
"Mr. Sawyer's section on the BDG Avoided, chapter one, is one of the best
repertoire systems you will EVER find on the treatment of the play of center
pawns and transpositions-EVER!"
The BDG Avoided could cover every non-BDG opening there is. In the
original Keybook, I dealt with these lines. They included the French, the
Caro-Kann, the Benoni, the Dutch, the Pirc, the Modern, the Queen's Knight
Defence, etc.
The BDG Declined is mostly made up of the Vienna 4...Bf5 (see next
chapter), but it also includes other lines like 4.Nc6, 4...c6, 4...c5, 4...e6, 4...e5
or 4...e3. The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted follows 4...exf3. BDG
Declined games may transpose later to the BDG Accepted after the capture
...exf3 Nxf3.
This game begins with 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3. This again.
Hmmm. Diemer named this line after Dr. Langeheinecke.
Christoph Scheerer in his excellent book preferred the spelling

"Langeheinicke". I am going to stick with Diemer's spelling since he knew
the Dr. and played him in 1940.
After 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.g4! Bg6 7.Nge2, my opponent ventured 7...e6 8.Nf4!?
(Maybe 8.h4! is even better.) 8...Bd6 9.h4 h5?! (Allowing White to give
Black doubled g-pawns. 9...Bxf4 10.Bxf4 also favors White.) 10.Nxg6 fxg6
when 11.Qd3 might have been even better than my 11.g5. In any case,
Black's position is difficult.
Sawyer - dalling, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 27.08.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.Nge2 e6 8.Nf4 Bd6 9.h4
h5 [9...Bxf4 10.Bxf4+/=] 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.g5 [11.Qd3!?] 11...Nd5 12.Nxd5
Bg3+ 13.Bf2 Bxf2+ 14.Kxf2 exd5 [14...Qxd5 15.c3+/=] 15.Bd3 [15.Qd3!+-]
15...Qd6 16.Qe2+ Kd8 [16...Kf7 17.c3 Re8 18.Qd2+/=] 17.Rae1 Nd7
[17...Nc6 18.Qe6+-] 18.c3 Rf8 19.Qe6 Nb6 20.Qxd6+ cxd6 21.Bxg6 Rh8
22.Re2 Nc4 23.Rhe1 Kc7 24.b3 Na3 25.Re7+ Kb6 26.Rxg7 Raf8 27.Ree7
Rb8 28.Bd3 a6 29.f4 Nb5 30.Bxb5 axb5 31.f5 Rhe8 32.f6 Rxe7 33.Rxe7
Kc6 34.f7 Rf8 35.g6 Black resigns 1-0
129 - Plans 4...e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5
Some defenders, when faced with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, choose to
decline the 4.f3 pawn with the push 4...e3, known as the Langeheinecke
Variation.
Remember when playing White that you are no longer a pawn down. After
5.Bxe3, Black's play can be divided into three choices: 5...Bf5; 5...e6; or
5...g6 or anything else.
The fairly popular BDG Declined 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 variation was selected by
my Internet Chess Club opponent "Mercure" from Quebec, Canada. White
has a good continuation with against 5...Bf5 with 6.g4! Bg6 7.Nge2 with the
threat of 8.h4 and 9.Nf4.
One plan (see note to move 8) is to drive the Black bishop to Bh7 and push
10.g5 hxg5 11.hxg5 Bxc2 12.Qxc2 Rxh1 13.gxf6 Qxf6 14.0-0-0.
Here Christoph Scheerer noted: "White has two pieces for the rook and the
threats of 15.Bb5+ and 15.d5 are hard to meet".
A second plan (see the game below) is to attempt to leave Black with
weakened doubled g-pawns after Nf4xg6 f7xg6. This game illustrates one
way this second plan can work.
Sawyer - Mercure, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 19.02.2013 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.Nge2 e6 8.Nf4 [8.h4 h6
9.Nf4 Bh7 10.g5+/-] 8...Bd6 9.h4 h5 [9...Bxf4 10.Bxf4 h5 11.g5 Nd5
12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Bxc7+/=] 10.Nxg6 fxg6 [10...Bg3+ 11.Bf2 Bxf2+
12.Kxf2+/=] 11.g5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Qd2 Qe7 14.0-0-0 0-0 15.Bd3
Kh7 16.f4 Nd7?! [16...Nc6 17.Kb1 Nb4 18.Bb5 a6 19.Bf1 Rae8 20.Rh3 Nc6
21.Rf3 Qf7 22.Bd3=; another interesting try is 16...Qxe3 17.Qxe3 Bxf4
18.Qxf4 Rxf4 19.Rde1 when there is the quite variation 19...Rxd4? 20.Re8 c5
21.Rf1 c4 22.Rff8 cxd3 23.Rh8#] 17.Rde1 Qf7 18.Qe2 [18.Rhf1! Qe6
19.Qg2 Nb6 20.f5+- gives White a strong attack.] 18...Nb6? [If 18...Kg8 then
19.Rhf1 Rfe8 20.f5+-] 19.Qxh5+ Kg8 20.Bxg6 Black resigns 1-0
This chapter covers the most popular method for Black to decline the gambit
on move four.
4.0 – 4.f3 Bf5
Here I look at the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Vienna Variation.
130 - Daring D-Pawn Dash

Once upon a time a Delta Force d-pawn launched an attack from A to Z.
From A to Z you say? Yes – from Antonio to Zilbermints. The dangerous
darling darted ahead as far as possible. This determined d-pawn captured on
e4, f3 and g2, devouring every light pawn offered. The dark pawn reached his
end and was buried by a bishop: 7.Bxg2 making this match a mere mirror of
the Danish Gambit. Soon the White sugar cane colored pawns left Black with
a stomach ache, like too much candy.
Lev Zilbermints produced a creative Blackmar-Diemer Gambit idea and won

a short blitz game vs Antonio Hernando. Our friend Zilbermints came up
with 5.Nge2!? This was a worthy blitz game experiment. The development of
this knight allowed White to castle quickly with open lines for the heavy
pieces. Hernando naturally grabbed some pawns, forcing White to reply with
great energy. And our BDG hero responded with gusto. By move 21, Black
must sacrifice his queen to survive. But when he chose to save his queen, his
king died. A checkmate sure and simple.
Zilbermints (2191) - Hernando (2301), ICC 3 2 u Internet Chess Club, 2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 Nf6 5.Nge2 exf3 6.Ng3 fxg2
[White's idea is very creative, although 6...f2+ 7.Kxf2 Bg6-/+ seems to give
Black better chances.] 7.Bxg2 Bc8 [7...Bg4 8.Qd3 c6=/+] 8.0-0 e6 9.Bg5 Be7
10.Kh1 c6 11.Qd2 Nbd7 12.Qf2 0-0 13.Rae1 Nb6 14.Qf4 Nbd5 15.Qh4
Nxc3 16.bxc3 Nd5 17.Be4 h6 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Qh3 Nxc3 20.Bd3 b5 [If
20...Qd8-+ White does not have compensation for all three sacrificed pawns.]
21.Nf5! Qf6 [21...Qg5! 22.Rg1 exf5! 23.Rxg5 hxg5 24.Bxf5 Bxf5 25.Qxf5
Rae8=] 22.Nxg7 Qxd4 23.Rg1 Qd5+ 24.Rg2 f5 25.Qxh6 [25.Nxf5+! mates
in a few moves.] 25...Kf7 26.Nxf5 exf5 27.Qg7# Black checkmated 1-0
131 - Nilsson Wins Vienna
Here are highlights from the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Magazine January
1963. We fast forward backwards half a century. I was given these original
old periodicals on blue mimeograph paper to share with you. I begin with a
blurb about the magazine and then a BDG Vienna 4.f3 Bf5 game with the
interesting 5.Qe2!?
OUR MAGAZINE GROWS! - Editors (N. Kampars)

"The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit international section of the Latvian magazine
"Chess World" is growing steadily and fast. Even, Soviet Union's Boris
Spassky, last year's champion, has started playing the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit!"
"The "Chess World's" editorial staff is increasing the Blackmar-Diemer

Gambit section starting with January, 1963. Every other month it will be
issued on an eight page spread instead of the present four pages. Its
subscription remains the same, $2.00 per year, in all countries. By playing in
the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit style, you will find inspiration and beauty in
the royal game."
"Walfrid Nilsson of Halsingborg, Skane, Sweden became interested in the

BDG in the early 1950s. At a youthful 67 years of age (in 1956), he played
the following game in a tournament at the Halsingborg Chess Club. Nilsson
has applied himself to a theoretical study of our favorite gambit, but he has
also obtained practical results with the opening in actual play. The following
game shows exceptional combination skill and its is indeed encouraging to
note that even among "older" players we find some who are not too timid to
experiment, not too rigid to be romantic in chess."
W. Nilsson - J. Andersson, Halsingborg Club Tournament, Sweden 1956

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.Qe2 exf3 6.Qb5+ Bd7
7.Qxb7 f2+! 8.Kxf2 Bc6 9.Bb5 Qxd4+ 10.Be3 Ng4+ [The position appears
most dangerous for White, but Black has a disadvantage, his queen cannot
leave the d-file due to White's mating threat at c8.] 11.Kf1 Nxe3+ 12.Ke2
Bxb5+ 13.Nxb5 Qc4+ 14.Kxe3 Qe6+ 15.Kd2 Qd7+ 16.Ke1 Qe6+ 17.Ne2
[Black's resources are now exhausted and the combined threats of Nxc7+ and
Qc8 proved decisive.] 1-0 [Notes: NST chess column by AROS, translated by
A. Tejler.]
132 - Tartakower Wins Nora
Grandmaster Savielly Tartakower made a career of playing less popular
openings and variations. These included everything from the Sicilian Wing
Gambit to the Veresov Opening.
After World War II, late in his life Dr. Tartakower often played the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Here is a game Tartakower played vs Nora in
Paris, France.
After the standard BDG Vienna move order 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 Bf5, White usually plays the Diemer line 5.fxe4 or the Hara-Kiri line
5.g4.
The main line Hara-Kiri is 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 (or 6.h4) Nd5 7.Nxe4 as played by
Tartakower in 1954 when I was just a little boy. A few years later I watched
my dad play old Ken Clark in Connecticut. They never let me play. When I
was a kid, chess was for adults. I learned chess around 1960, but I did not
play until around 1970.
Alternatives include 5.Qe2 and 5.Bg5 (played here). In this game Nora
played 5...e3, trying to get White to waste time in retreating the bishop to
capture Bxe3.
Dr. Tartakower preferred to continue his attack without capturing the e-pawn
on e3. He waited until it moved to e2.
By move 18, the material was equal but Black faced the power of White's
doubled rooks on the 7th rank. Nora tried to get away but ended up losing a
knight for nothing.
Tartakower - Nora, Paris, 1954 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
Bf5 5.Bg5 e3 6.Bc4 e6 7.Nge2 Be7 8.g4 [8.Bxe3=] 8...Bxg4?! [This leads to
a massive series of exchanges. Better would be 8...Bg6=] 9.Bxf6 Bxf3 10.0-0
Bxe2 11.Bxe7 Bxd1 12.Bxd8 e2 13.Bxe2 Bxe2 14.Nxe2 Kxd8 15.Rxf7 Re8
16.Raf1 Nc6 [16...Re7 17.Rf8+ Re8 18.R1f7+/=] 17.Rxg7 Ne7 [17...Rc8
18.Rxh7+/-] 18.Rff7 Kd7 19.Ng3 Rad8 20.Ne4 Kc6 21.Rxe7 Rxe7 22.Rxe7
Rxd4 23.Nc3 Rd2 24.Rxe6+ Kd7 25.Re2 1-0
133 - Le Montagner Vienna
The Week In Chess (TWIC) sometimes has a selection of Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit games. I annotate this game that I found there.
This game Yoann Le Montagner (2040) vs C. Wolfangel (1784) from the

27th Avoine Open in France was played July 27, 2012. The game has
everything but a high rated (2000+) player for Black.
This BDG Declined Vienna 5.g4 is called by Christoph Scheerer the Hara-
Kiri Gambit. Normally I just call it a variation rather than a gambit since
White can immediately regain the gambit pawn and is not down material. The
game usually turns on whether White's advanced pawns are strong or weak.
More than most, the Hara-Kiri variation is one where both sides have a
difficult time finding a safe spot for the king. Also, virtually all the pieces on
both sides can be developed almost anywhere.
In the line below after 5.g4 Be6 6.g5 Nd5 7.fxe4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 c6, Scheerer
gives a continuation from a Tom Purser game where he played 9.Bg2. Y. Le
Montagner played 9.Rb1!?, but there are many other interesting options:
9.Bf4, 9.Bd3, 9.Bh3 or 9.Nh3 all come to mind.
At any rate, White played well and won with a nice checkmate.
Le Montagner - Wolfangel, 27th Avoine Open France, 27.07.2012 begins

1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Be6 [This is rare. The main line
is 5...Bg6 when White has 6.h4 or 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4] 6.g5 Nd5 7.fxe4 Nxc3
8.bxc3 c6 9.Rb1!? Bxa2 10.Rxb7 Qc8 11.Rb2 Be6 12.Bf4 Nd7 13.c4 h6!?
[An obvious attempt to activate his Rh8. 13...Nb6 14.Nf3 Bxc4 15.Ne5+/=]
14.Nf3 Bg4 15.gxh6 gxh6 16.h3 [16.Rg1! Rg8 17.Qd2+/-] 16...Bh5
[16...Bxf3 17.Qxf3 e5] 17.Rg1 Qa6 18.Kf2 [18.c5!+/-] 18...e5 19.Be3 c5
20.dxe5? [20.d5+/-] 20...Nxe5? [Black has a good line here in 20...Rd8!=]
21.Qd5! Nxf3? [Now things really fall apart, but if 21...Nc6 22.Qxh5+- and
Black is down a bishop and in trouble.] 22.Qxa8+ Kd7 23.Rb7+ Kd6
24.Qd8+ Ke6 25.Qd5+ Kf6 26.Qf5# 1-0
4.1 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4
This bold attacking variation is a specialty of Lev Zilbermints. He has played
it with great success in blitz vs titled players.
134 - Attack vs David Strauss

Lev Zilbermints attempted a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs IM David J.
Strauss on the Internet Chess Club. David is probably no relation to Levi
Strauss of San Francisco. Many of David's USCF rated tournaments are in the
Los Angeles area, or in Las Vegas, Nevada. The USCF listed David Strauss
with a rating of 2517. When he has time to think, David Strauss is a very
strong player. At blitz speed Lev Zilbermints has more of a chance.
They contested the BDG Declined Vienna 4.f3 Bf5 Hara Kiri 5.g4 that
continued 5...Bg6 6.h4 h5 7.g5. White threatens to overrun Black's kingside
with pawns. This allows White to gain time chasing the Black bishop and
making the Black king want to stay in the center. Lev Zilbermints piled on
the pressure.
The best way to draw a master, or any stronger player for that matter, is to
have an advantage. In the end material was even but White had the better
pawn structure and king position.
Dr. Tartakower purportedly said, "All rook and pawn endings are drawn."
This could mean that there is usually a theoretical draw. Or it could mean that
finding a win is so difficult that the attacker is likely to miss it. Objectively in
the game below, White's edge in the final position was small due to rook
checks and threats.
Zilbermints (2071) - Strauss (2194), ICC 2 2 Internet Chess Club, 2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 Nf6 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 h5 7.g5 Nd5
8.Nxe4 e6 9.a3 Nd7 10.Ne2 c5 11.c4 N5b6 12.Nf4 [12.b4!? or 12.d5!?]
12...Bxe4 13.fxe4 g6 14.d5 [14.b4+/=] 14...exd5 15.exd5 Bd6 16.Qe2+ Qe7
[16...Ne5=] 17.Qxe7+ Kxe7 18.Bd2 [18.b3+/=] 18...Rhe8 [18...Ne5=] 19.0-
0-0 Kf8 20.b3 a5 21.a4 Ne5 22.Bc3 Nbd7 23.Bh3 Re7 24.Rhf1 Kg8
25.Bxd7 [25.Nd3+/-] 25...Rxd7 26.Bxe5 Bxe5 27.Rde1 Re8 28.Nd3 Rde7
29.Nxe5 [29.Nxc5! Bd6 30.Nd3+/=] 29...Rxe5 30.Kd2 Kf8 31.Rxe5 Rxe5
32.Re1 Rf5 33.Re4 Game drawn by mutual agreement 1/2-1/2
135 - Zilbermints Over Toth
Lev Zilbermints messaged me about a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit:
“Crushed IM Christian Toth of Brazil in 17 moves with the BDG: Vienna:
Gunderam Attack.”
“Textbook example how to play it well.”
Very nice. Black declined the gambit with the Vienna Variation 4...Bf5.
White responded with his favorite Gunderam Attack 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4.
Whatever gambit risks there might be in this line, Lev Zilbermints seems
more than willing to accept them. His results over 20 years of victories speak
for themselves.
I provided some deeper analysis on this short game. Zilbermints demonstrates

a good example of a White in the 6.h4 h5 line.
When he saw this game Kevin Sheldrick wrote: “I found it hard to grasp the
positional compensation White has after 12. b4!? so I used Stockfish to help
me. One example line is 12...cxb4 13. c5 Nd5?! 14. axb4 Nxb4?! 15. Nf4!
Bxe4 16. fxe4 and White has full compo (coz the computer says so) e.g.
16...Qc7 17. Bg2 Be7 18. 0-0 g6 19. Ba3 Nc6 20. d5 and finally the
advantage looks clear with White stomping through in the centre.”
I replied, “Yes, Some people feared that computers would refute gambits.
Just as frequently they find winning lines for gambits!”
Zilbermints (2116) - Toth (2175), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 12.06.2016

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 h5 [6...h6!=/+]
7.g5 Nd5 8.Nxe4 e6 9.a3 Nd7 10.Ne2 c5 11.c4 N5b6 12.d5 [12.b4!? Bxe4
13.fxe4 cxb4 14.c5 Bxc5! 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Qxd8+ Rxd8 17.Ng3+/=]
12...exd5 [12...Bxe4 13.fxe4 exd5 14.cxd5 Bd6 15.Bh3 Qe7 16.Nc3 Bg3+
17.Kf1 Be5=] 13.cxd5 Ne5 [13...Bxe4 14.fxe4 transposes to the note at
12...Bxe4 above] 14.N2c3 a6? [Black has two good choices: 14...Bxe4
15.fxe4 Bd6 16.Be2 a6 17.Bxh5=; and 14...Bd6 15.Bb5+ Kf8 16.Be2 Kg8
17.0-0=] 15.Bf4 [Better for White is 15.d6! Qd7 (15...Bf5 16.Bf4 f6 17.Bxe5
fxe5 18.Qb3+-) 16.Bf4 Qf5 17.Bxe5 Qxe5 18.Qb3+-] 15...Nec4? [15...Bd6!
16.Nxd6+ Qxd6 17.Qe2 Nbc4 18.Qxc4 Nxc4 19.Bxd6 Nxd6=; 15...Bxe4?!
16.Bxe5 Qe7 17.Nxe4 Qxe5 18.Qb3 Qc7 19.Bh3+/=] 16.Bxc4 Nxc4 17.Qe2
Black resigns 1-0
136 - Coleman Hara-Kiri 5.g4
When you get to the final round of a tournament you know where you stand
when it comes to winning any prizes. Players who won most of their games
are in contention. The rest are not.
Correspondence chess rounds had multiple games. The rounds took years to
play. By the time I got to the 1989 Golden Squires Postal Finals in 1992, four
things applied to those who made it.
(1) We had already completed a dozen games;

(2) We had already played for years without quitting;
(3) We had knocked off much of our competition; and
(4) We were probably out of the running for the few top prizes.
My first game with Geoffrey Coleman was in the section USCF 89SF7. We
contested a sharp Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Vienna Hara-Kiri 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4
variation, instead of Tartakower's 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4. Probably we were worn
out, and being rated close to each other, agreed to a last round draw after the
middlegame. My second game with Coleman was played at the same time.
Christoph Scheerer wrote of this line in his excellent book: "More ambitious
but also more risky is the Hara-Kiri Gambit with 5.g4. Sometimes White may
even be a pawn up for a change, but in the long run Black will have the
superior structure. On the other hand, the position is at least unbalanced,
which may allow White to outplay his opponent."
Sawyer (2003) - Coleman (1978), corr USCF 89SF7, 15.09.1992 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 exf3 [Critical is 6...h6!
7.Bg2 Scheerer (7.Nh3 Lane 7...Nc6-/+) 7...Nc6 8.Be3 e5!-/+] 7.Qxf3 Nc6
8.Bb5 Qd6 9.d5?! [9.Bf4 Qe6+ 10.Nge2=] 9...a6 10.dxc6? [10.Bxc6+ bxc6
11.h5 Qe5+ 12.Nge2 Be4 13.Nxe4 Qxe4 14.Qxe4 Nxe4 15.dxc6=] 10...axb5
11.cxb7 Rb8 12.Bf4 Qe6+ [12...e5! 13.h5 Bxc2 14.Rh2 exf4 15.Rxc2=]
13.Nge2 Be4 14.Nxe4 Qxe4 15.Qxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxc7 [16.a4=] 16...Rxb7
17.Ba5 h5 18.g5 e5 19.Nc3 [19.0-0-0 Be7 20.Rhe1 0-0=] 19...Ra7
[19...Nxc3! 20.Bxc3 b4 21.Bd2 Bc5=/+] 20.Bb6 Ra6 21.Nxe4 Rxb6 22.0-0-
0 f5 23.Nc3 b4 24.Nd5 Rb7 25.Rhe1 e4 26.Nf4 Kf7?! [26...Rg8=] 27.Rd5?!
[Houdini would keep playing with 27.g6+! Kf6 28.Rd8+/-] 1/2-1/2
137 - Beardsley 20 Years Ago
Some Blackmar-Diemer Gambit games influenced how I viewed the opening
for years. Such was my game vs Robert Beardsley. We played a 1993 APCT
correspondence game with 4.f3 Bf5. Previously I chose 5.fxe4 Diemer 11
times and scored +9 =1 -1. In my four 5.g4 Hara-Kiri games, I had scored a
shaky +1 =1 -2.
In the Hara-Kiri White often regains the gambit pawn after 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5.
When this game was played, I had 11 games in my database with 6.h4 exf3.
White had scored +10 =1 -0. Practical chances favored White. I was happy to
trot down the 6.h4 path.
At my 11th move I stopped to evaluate. I had sacrificed three pawns for open
lines that were empty lines. Black's pawn structure had no weakness, while
my kingside pawns were in real trouble! White had boldly gone where no one
should go. Sometimes I say, "God, if you ever get me out of this situation, I
promise I'll never do it again!" This was one of those times. Black castled
queenside and gave me chances. The move 6.h4 is best met by 6...h6!=/+
when Black's position seems to be a bit better.
Sawyer (1957) - Beardsley (1546), corr APCT N-340 (2), 12.1993 begins
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 [5.fxe4] 5...Bg6 [Black keeps an
eye on e4 to hold his one pawn advantage.] 6.h4 [6.g5] 6...exf3 7.Qxf3
[White takes aim at b7.] 7...c6 [Black protects b7. Black must hold the
queenside to keep an advantage. 7...Nc6=] 8.h5 Bxc2 9.Rh2 [9.Qe2!+/=
Fritz, Houdini] 9...Qxd4 10.Rxc2 [10.Be3!= Deep Fritz] 10...Qxg1 11.Rg2 [I
blindly followed a path of White wins. 11.Nb5!? Na6=/+] 11...Qb6 12.Be3
Qa5 13.0-0-0 Nbd7 14.g5 Ne5 15.Qg3 Nfd7?! [Black can simply devour
another pawn. 15...Nxh5! 16.Qh3 g6 17.Rgd2 e6-+. What am I doing playing
this line?] 16.Rgd2 [I wanted to double my rooks quickly and actually make
direct threats fast. Another try was 16.Rd4!? 1-0 in 62 moves was Claesen -
Hjelmas, Arnhem 1989. However, I felt Black did not make the most of his
opportunities in that game.] 16...0-0-0? [16...e6!=/+] 17.Bf4 e6 [In my
BDGK2, I wrote that 17...Re8 is better when Black should be able to defend,
but I missed the crushing continuation 18.Nb5!+-] 18.Bxe5 Nxe5? 19.Rxd8+
Qxd8 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Qxe5 [Whew!!? If White plays the dubious 6.h4?!
and wins, both players deserved to lose!] 1-0
138 - Vienna 20 Years Later
Never say never. After my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game vs Robert
Beardsley, I was never going to play that line again.
At that time and for many years after I felt that this line was too risky. Then
along came Christoph Scheerer. Things changed.
In the Vienna 4.f3 Bf5, White has two major ideas. One is 5.fxe4 and the
other is the Hara-Kiri 5.g4 line. After the normal 5...Bg6, Tartakower pushed
the g-pawn to 6.g5. This drove away one of the defenders of e4, allowing
White to regain the pawn.
Scheerer influenced me to give 6.h4 another try in a blitz game vs the

computer engine "blik", despite my misgivings of 20 years ago. And it only
cost me one rating point in my loss.
I got a good position, so I modified my views of 6.h4 somewhat. White is

okay after 6...exf3, but Black's stands better after 6...h6!
In "The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" IM Scheerer wrote: "Despite being

labelled 'dubious' by Wahls, 6.h4!? is quite ambitious and would probably
[be] my first choice in a must-win situation."
IM Christoph Scheerer was influenced by the tremendous and creative work

of David Flude. He was a long time notable BDGer whom I myself played
years ago.
Sawyer (1982) - blik (2338), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 07.09.2013

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 exf3 7.Qxf3 c6
8.h5 Bxc2 9.g5 Nd5 10.Rh2 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Ba4 12.Bc4 [“is an interesting
suggestion by David Flude. White may be two pawns down at the moment,
but his initiative cannot be denied.” Scheerer] 12...f6 [12...e6 13.g6 Qf6
14.gxf7+ Qxf7 15.Qxf7+ Kxf7 16.Re2 Bd6 17.Bxe6+ Kf6! 18.Nf3 h6
19.Bh3+/-] 13.Rf2 [White has a better line in 13.h6! g6 14.Rb2! b6 15.Bf4!+-
] 13...Nd7 14.Be6 Qa5 15.Ne2 Nb6 16.g6? [Wrong pawn push. Correct is
16.h6! Bc2 17.Ng3 Bg6 18.Bd2+/=] 16...hxg6 17.hxg6 Kd8 18.Bf4 Bc2
19.Bf7 e5 20.dxe5 fxe5 21.Bg5+ Kc7 22.Kd2? [22.Ng3 Ba4-/+] 22...Qa4
23.Be6 Bxg6 24.Bb3 Qb5 25.Rd1 Bc5 26.Be3 Qd3+ 27.Kc1 Ba3# White is
checkmated 0-1
139 - Shredder Rips 7.Bg2
White has good chances in all the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined
variations. The only hope in theory to refute the gambit is to grab the material
and to hold on and withstand the attack.
Many opponents do not feel like defending such positions, even if they have
no feelings at all! Against the chess engine Shredder I played hundreds of test
games from each side of the board. I gave it a BDG “book”. Shredder played
the same line repeatedly until it failed to win. Then it looked for an
improvement.
The Vienna 4.f3 Bf5 is the most common method of declining the gambit
once it is offered on move 4. Usually White plays 5.fxe4 or 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5.
There is a logical alternative where White can go all out for attack with 6.h4.
The continuation 6.g5 regains the gambit pawn. The move 6.g5 is played
about three times as often as 6.h4. However, 6.h4 has a higher winning
percentage, although vs lower rated players.
In this game Shredder chooses the best line in 6.h4 h6! This is played about
one third of the time. I followed a line Christoph Scheerer would give in his
book years later. BDGers as White should look for an improvement on moves
8 or 7 or 6 or 5.
Sawyer (2000) - Shredder (3426), Florida, 06.05.2006 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 h6! 7.Bg2?! [Better alternatives are
7.Nh3; 7.fxe4 or 7.h5] 7...Nc6 8.d5?! [8.Be3 e5! (Scheerer gives only
8...exf3 9.Qxf3 e6 10.0-0-0 but here 10...Nb4!=/+) 9.dxe5 Qxd1+ 10.Rxd1
exf3 11.exf6 fxg2 12.Rh2 Nb4 13.Rxg2 Nxc2+ 14.Ke2 Nxe3 15.Kxe3 Rd8
16.fxg7 Bxg7 17.Rgd2 Rxd2 18.Rxd2 f5 19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Nb5 0-0 21.Nxc7
Bg4-/+ but Black still has a pawn advantage and the endgame is
approaching.] 8...exf3 9.Nxf3 Nb4 10.Nd4 e5 11.Qe2 Be7! [Scheerer wrote:
"Diemer acknowledged that Black has a clearly better position."] 12.Nf5
Nxg4 13.Nxe7 Nxc2+ 14.Kf1 Qxe7 15.Qxg4 Nxa1 16.h5 Qf6+ 17.Kg1 Bf5
18.Qa4+ Kd8 19.b4 Nc2 20.Bh3 Qb6+ 21.Kg2 Ne3+ 22.Bxe3 Qxe3
23.Bxf5 Qg5+ 24.Kh2 Qxf5 25.Kg3 Qf4+ 26.Kg2 Qd2+ 0-1
140 - Zilbermints Plays 7.Nh3
Lev Zilbermints played a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs Antonio Hernando in
the BDG Vienna. Zilbermints chooses the Hara-Kiri line 5.g4 with 7.Nh3.
This idea has been a favorite of Lev's. It develops a piece, allows Qxf3 and
prepares a potential Nf4 or Ng5, depending on the resulting defense chosen
by Black. From a practical standpoint, White's pieces are very active with
pressure in the center and on the kingside. Black must attack the center
aggressively to counter this line. Lev Zilbermints plays the logical 9.Be3 to
support d4, and attacked with 12.g5 and 14.g6.
Things do not always go this well, but Zilbermints demonstrates that the
BDG can and does often work vs titled masters in blitz play. From what I
gather, the player with the Black pieces is CM Antonio Hernando Garcia of
Spain. According to his ICC finger notes, his highest FIDE rating was 2295
twenty years ago. His tournament rating has dropped a hundred points since
then, but Hernando is still a very good blitz player.
Zilbermints (2191) - Hernando (2301), ICC 3 2 u Internet Chess Club, 2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 Nf6 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nh3 exf3
8.Qxf3 c6 9.Be3?! [Promising for White is 9.Nf4! Bxc2 (Or 9...Qxd4
10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.Bd3 Qxg4 12.Qxg4 Nxg4 13.Bxg6+ Kd8 14.Bf4=) 10.Rh2
Bh7 11.g5 hxg5 12.hxg5 Be4 13.Nxe4 Rxh2 14.gxf6=] 9...e6 [9...Nd5=/+]
10.Nf4 [10.0-0-0=] 10...Bxc2 11.Rh2 Bh7 12.g5 Nd5 13.Ncxd5 cxd5 14.g6
Bxg6 15.Nxg6 fxg6 16.Bd3 Bb4+ 17.Bd2 [If 17.Kd1!? Nc6 18.Qg4 Kd7
19.Qxg6 Qf6-/+] 17...Bxd2+ 18.Kxd2 Qf6 [Black keeps his two pawn edge
after 18...Qa5+! 19.Ke2 Nc6 20.Bxg6+ Kd7-+] 19.Qg4 0-0 [19...h5
20.Qxg6+ Kd7-/+] 20.Rf1 Qe7 21.Qxg6 [21.Rxf8+ Qxf8 22.Qxe6+ Kh8
23.Qxg6 Qg8=] 21...Rf6 [21...Rxf1 22.Bxf1 Nd7-+] 22.Rxf6 [Or mate in
seven: 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Qh8+ Kf7 24.Bg6+! Kxg6 25.Rg1+ Kf5 26.Rf2+
Ke4 27.Rg4+ Rf4 28.Rgxf4#] 22...Qxf6 23.Qe8+ Qf8 24.Qxe6+ [24.Bh7+!
Kxh7 25.Qxf8+-] 24...Qf7? [24...Kh8 25.Qg6 Qg8 26.Bf5 Nc6 27.Be6
Qe8=] 25.Bh7+ [25.Qc8+! Qf8 26.Bh7+ Kxh7 27.Qxf8+-] 25...Kf8 26.Qc8+
Ke7 27.Qxb7+ [Or mate in six: 27.Re2+! Kd6 28.Qc5+ Kd7 29.Bf5+ Qe6
30.Rxe6 Nc6 31.Re7+ Kd8 32.Qd6#] 27...Nd7 28.Re2+ Kd6 29.Qxa8 Qf4+
30.Kc2 Qxd4 31.Qc8 g5 32.Rd2 Qa4+ 33.Kb1 Nb6 34.Qd8+ Kc5 35.Qe7+
Kb5 36.Qe8+ Ka5 37.Qxa4+ Black resigns 1-0
141 - Zilbermints vs Raetsky
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit expert Lev Zilbermints tested one of his pet
lines vs Grandmaster Alexander Raetsky. Recently Zilbermints had discussed
the value in the BDG Vienna of playing 5.g4 Bg6 6.h6 h6 7.Nh3. It is an
interesting and thematic idea. Nh3 often works well in response to any Black
set-up that does not allow Black to play ...Bxh3 with advantage.
In this line, the bishop has retreated with 5...Bg6, so the Nh3 is out of danger.
However, moves that cover d4 like Nf3 or Nge2 are also critical. It is great to
see Lev Zilbermints boldly play his line vs very strong competition.
GM Alexander Raetsky played 7...e6 and 8...Bb4 which are obviously logical
and good moves. Later, 10.Bg2? did not work well. By move 14, White is
lost the rest of the way. I do not put a lot of stock in the result in this game. In
any particular game a grandmaster can make anyone look bad with any
opening.
Both sides set off on a journey at a speed of faster than three seconds per
move until White's flag fell. Slower players lose by move 60 with either
color. These guys are good.
Zilbermints (2023) - Raetsky (2051), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 2014

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nh3!? e6
8.Nf4 Bb4 [8...Nc6!?] 9.Nxg6 fxg6 10.Bg2? [Two other ideas seem to favor
Black: 10.a3?! Ba5!-/+ or 10.fxe4 c5!=/+] 10...Nc6 11.Be3 Nd5 12.Qd2
Nxe3 13.Qxe3 Qxd4 14.Qxd4 Nxd4-+ [Black has a dominating position.]
15.0-0-0 Bxc3 16.bxc3 Nxf3 17.Bxf3 exf3 18.Rhe1 Ke7 19.Rd3 f2 20.Rf1
Rhf8 21.Rd2 Rf6 22.Rdxf2 Raf8 23.Rxf6 Rxf6 24.Re1 Rf4 25.Rg1 Kf6
26.Kd2 h5 27.gxh5 gxh5 28.Rh1 Rf3 29.Rh2 e5 30.Rg2 e4 31.Rg5 Rf5
32.Rg2 Rf4 33.Ke3 Rxh4 34.Rf2+ Ke5 35.Rf7 Rh3+ 36.Kd2 g5 37.Rxc7
Rg3 38.Rxb7 h4 39.Rxa7 h3 40.Rh7 g4 41.a4 Rg1 42.Ke3 Re1+ 43.Kf2
Rc1 44.Kg3 Rxc2 45.Kxg4 Rxc3 46.Rh5+ Kd4 47.a5 Ra3 48.Kf4 Ra1
49.Rxh3 Rf1+ 50.Kg4 e3 51.Rh2 Kd3 52.a6 e2 53.a7 Ra1 54.Rh3+ Kd2
55.Rh2 Rxa7 56.Kf3 Rf7+ 57.Kg3 Kd1 58.Rxe2 Kxe2 59.Kg4 Rf3 60.Kg5
Ke3 61.Kg4 Ke4 62.Kg5 Rf4 63.Kg6 Rf5 64.Kg7 Ke5 65.Kg6 Ke6 66.Kg7
Rf6 67.Kg8 Ke7 68.Kg7 Re6 69.Kh7 Kf7 White forfeits on time 0-1
142 - Zilbermints vs Palm Tree
Lev Zilbermints plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit successfully. Here we
look at 7.Nh3 in the Vienna variation. Previous games had 7...e6 and 7...exf3.
This is Game 62 cited in a post by Guido De Bouver. Below I provided my
own notes. The move 9...Nb4! was mentioned in comments by Nico vdb,
whom I am guessing is my old BDG opponent Nico Vandenbroucke.
The move 7...Nc6! is tough to meet, but my suggestion 8.Bb5! looks like an
improvement. Often Lev Zilbermints outwits his blitz opponents regardless
of theoretical details.
Palm Sunday in church is the week before Easter but I grew up in a cold
climate. Palm trees cannot survive prolonged freezing temperatures. I do not
remember when I first saw a palm tree in person, but I remember in 1982
seeing the beauty of palm trees along the median of Broadway Avenue J in
Galveston, Texas. In Florida they are everywhere. They come in over 2000
species and vary like chess players in style and appearance. I do not know
who used the "PalmTree" handle on ICC, but he was good.
Zilbermints (2356) - PalmTree (2476), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 2005

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nh3 Nc6!
8.Be3? [White can keep it close with 8.Bb5! when a sample line is: 8...Qd6
9.Bf4 Qb4 10.Qd2 0-0-0 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.0-0-0 exf3 13.h5 Bh7 14.Ng1 f2
15.Qxf2 e5 16.Bxe5 Nxg4 17.Qf4 Nxe5 18.Qxe5 Rg8=/+] 8...e5 9.d5 Nd4?
[9...Nb4! 10.Bb5+ c6 11.dxc6 bxc6-+ and White is in deep trouble.] 10.Bxd4
exd4 11.Qxd4 [11.Bb5+! Nd7 12.Qxd4+/=] 11...a6 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.fxe4
Qxh4+ 14.Nf2 Qe7 15.0-0-0 f6 16.Bc4 Qc5 17.c3 Qxd4 18.cxd4 0-0-0 19.a4
Bd6 20.Kc2 Bg3 21.Rhf1 Bxf2 22.Rxf2 Bxe4+ 23.Kc3 Bxd5 24.Bd3 Rhe8
25.Bf5+ Kb8 26.b4 Re3+ 27.Rd3 Rde8 28.b5 axb5 29.axb5 Ka7 30.Kb4
Rxd3 31.Bxd3 Kb6 32.Rf1 Re3 33.Rd1 g6 [33...Bf3! 34.Rd2 Bxg4-+]
34.Bxg6 Rb3+ 35.Ka4 Rxb5 36.Rd2 Bc6 37.Ka3 Rg5 38.Rb2+ Ka7 39.Bf7
Rxg4 40.Rh2 Rxd4 41.Rxh6 f5 42.Rf6 f4 43.Bg6 f3 [Perfect play follows
43...Rd6! 44.Rxf4 Rxg6-+] 44.Kb3 Rd6 45.Rxd6 cxd6 46.Bd3 Kb6 47.Kc3
Kc5 48.Kd2 Bb5 49.Bxb5 Kxb5 50.Ke3 Kc4 51.Kxf3 d5 52.Ke3 Kc3
53.Ke2 d4 54.Kd1 d3 55.Kc1 d2+ 56.Kd1 b5 57.Ke2 Kc2 58.Ke3 d1Q
White resigns 0-1
4.2 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5
This variation of the Hara-Kiri gives White the choice of whether to continue
playing a gambit or to regain the gambit pawn.
143 - Schlenker Wins Vienna

Master Joe Schlenker transposes into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Vienna.
White wins a nice game against Schreiber in Diemer's home country of
Germany.
After 1.d4 d5 White played 2.Nc3 looks like he might be headed toward a
Veresov Opening. That would continue 2...Nf6 3.Bg5.
But then the game veers off with 2...Bf5 3.f3 Nf6 4.g4 Bg6 5.g5 Nh5 6.e4
dxe4. The normal BDG move order to reach the game position is: 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 (BDG) Bf5 (Vienna) 5.g4 (Hara-Kiri) Bg6 6.g5
Nh5.
The square h5 is not the best location for the Black knight. White has three
reasonable 7th moves.
Joe Schlenker chooses to regain the gambit pawn with 7.fxe4. This is
certainly a good idea. Also interesting are the alternatives 7.Be3 and 7.f4
(with the threat Be2xh5).
Schlenker (2217) - Schreiber (1920), 84th ch-GER 2013 Saarbruecken GER

(5.20), 10.09.2013 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Bf5 3.f3 Nf6 4.g4 Bg6 5.g5 Nh5
6.e4 dxe4 [Transposes to a Hara-Kiri line.] 7.fxe4 [7.Be3 e6 8.fxe4 Bb4
9.Qd3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 0-0=; 7.f4 e5! 8.fxe5 Bb4 9.Be2 c5=] 7...e5 8.Nf3
exd4 9.Nxd4 [9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4=] 9...h6 10.Be3 hxg5 11.Qf3 Bb4
12.0-0-0 Bxc3 13.Ne6 Qe7 14.Rd8+ Qxd8 15.Nxd8 Be5 16.Nxb7 Nf6
17.Nc5 g4 18.Qe2 0-0 19.Bg2 Nc6 20.Nd3 Rfe8 21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.Bd4
Nfd7 [22...c5 23.Bc3+/-] 23.h3 Nf3 24.Bc3 Nh4 [24...Nde5 25.hxg4+-]
25.Qxg4 Nxg2 26.Qxd7 [26.Qxg2! Rxe4 27.h4+-] 26...Rxe4 27.Rg1!? Re2
[27...Nf4!+/=] 28.Qd4 Rxc2+ 29.Kd1 Ne3+ 30.Qxe3 Rd8+ 31.Ke1 Rd3
32.Qe8+ Kh7 33.Rxg6 fxg6 34.Qe7 Rc1+ 35.Ke2 Rdxc3 36.bxc3 Rxc3
37.Qh4+ Kg8 38.a4 1-0
144 - Kampars Gambit 7.fxe4
Fifty years ago Don Bohley play a postal chess game vs Jim Warren that
transposed into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit variation known as the BDG
Vienna.
At the critical moment of move seven Don Bohley played 7.fxe4 known as
the Kampars Gambit. Only rarely have I felt bold enough to play this.
Better is 7.Nxe4 Tartakower when White regains the gambit pawn with equal
chances. Gambits reward risk takers.
In the game below, Black missed his opportunities for a slight advantage and
the gambit player was richly rewarded. Don Bohley was a long time player
from Michigan. In his younger days, he frequently played the BDG.
Later Don Bohley switched to 1.e4, which I have heard is also a good first
move. Just ask Bobby Fischer: 1.e4 = "Best by test!"
Bohley - Warren, corr USCF 1964 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3
Nf6 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.fxe4 [The Kampars Gambit] 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bxe4
9.Nf3 e5 [9...e6=/+; 9...Qd5=/+] 10.Bc4 [Or 10.Bg2!?=] 10...Nc6 11.0-0?
[11.Qe2! Bxf3 12.Qxf3=] 11...Bd5 12.Qe2 Bxc4 13.Qxc4 Qe7 14.Qb5 Qd7
15.d5 Nb8 [15...Nd8 16.Qxd7+ Kxd7 17.Nxe5+ Kd6 18.Bf4+/-] 16.Qxb7
Bc5+ 17.Kh1 c6 18.Qxa8 0-0 19.Rb1 Qh3 20.Bd2 [20.Nd2+-] 20...e4
21.Nd4 Bxd4 22.cxd4 e3 23.Bxe3 Qxe3 24.Qxb8 Qe4+ 25.Kg1 Qxd4+
26.Rf2 f5 27.Qb2 [27.gxf6!+-] 27...Qxd5 28.Qb3 g6 29.Qxd5+ cxd5
30.Rd2 Rd8 31.Rbd1 1-0
145 - Simons Plays Kampars
Martin Simons played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in several games of the
2014 British championship. Alan Brusey chose the gambit declined line 4.f3
Bf5 known as a BDG Vienna.
After the typical Hara-Kiri continuation 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5, Simons avoided
the Tartakower variation 7.Nxe4. Instead White selected the Kampars Gambit
7.fxe4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bxe4.
This creative idea of 7.fxe4 was invented by Nikolajs Kampars. He was

known for this but Nick also played 7.Nxe4 many times.
On page 132 in my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II after 8...Bxe4, I

wrote:
“What does White have for his gambit pawn? White is behind in
development and his rook is under attack. I must confess that I am skeptical
of the Kampars Gambit, but White does have open lines and that can
sometimes prove quite effective.”
I have not written much on the BDG Vienna Kampars Gambit 7.fxe4, but
here we were blessed with a recent tournament game. Black had more
promising choices on more 9 and 11.
White missed an unusual tactical shot with 23.Qf1! heading up the f-file
while threatening Black's Na6. All in all, this is a good example of real life
chess.
Simons (2087) - Brusey (1951), 101st ch-GBR 2014 Aberystwyth WLS

(5.27), 23.07.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6
6.g5 Nd5 7.fxe4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bxe4 9.Nf3 e6 [or 9...Qd5 10.Bg2 f5=/+]
10.Bg2 Be7 11.Qe2 Bxf3?! [11...Bd5=/+] 12.Qxf3 c6 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rb1 b6
15.Qh5 Qc7 16.Rf3 g6 17.Qh6 f5 18.gxf6 Rxf6 19.Bf4 Qd7 20.Be5 Bf8
21.Qh3 Rxf3 22.Bxf3 Na6 23.Bg4?! [23.Qf1! Nc7 24.Bxc6 Qxc6 25.Qf6
Bh6 26.Qh8+ Kf7 27.Rf1+ Ke7 28.Qxh7+ Kd8 29.Bxc7+ with a winning
attack.] 23...Re8 24.Re1 Nc7 25.Qg3 Nd5 26.c4?! Ne7 27.Qf4 [Draw
agreed, although Black could play on with 27...Nf5.] 1/2-1/2
146 - Baguet in Hara-Kiri
This game between Frederic Baguet and Thierry Van Houtte is a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit Vienna Hara-Kiri 7.Nxe4 (Tartakower's line).
White's main challenge in this materially equal variation is for him to quickly
coordinate his development in a way he can use the White space advantage
without dropping one of his scattered pawns. If Black can attack with real
serious threats, White will be in trouble.
After 7.Nxe4 Black usually plays 7...e6. Then White has sharp continuations
8.c4 or 8.h4 in addition to the 8.c3 set-up chosen here. The major alternative
7...Nc6 is seen below.
Generally White should play 8.Bb5 or 9.Bb5. Both sides have issues, but the
line is fully playable. Here the higher rated player as Black stood better until
White found a tactical draw.
Baguet (2014) - Van Houtte (2174), Charleroi Open BEL, 30.07.2013

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4
Nc6 8.c3 e6 9.Bd3 [Up through 2009 "x-player" on ICC played multiple
games vs Rookie or blik with the line: 9.Bb5 a6 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Ne2 Be7
12.h4= (or 12.N2g3)] 9...h6 [A good alternative is 9...Qd7 10.Ne2 0-0-0=/+
and Black's pieces are better placed.] 10.f4 [Better is 10.Qb3! Nb6 11.h4
hxg5 12.Bxg5= and White is ready to castle queenside.] 10...Bxe4 [10...hxg5!
11.Nxg5 Qf6 12.h4 Nxf4 13.Bxf4 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Qxf4-/+ and Black has won
a pawn.] 11.Bxe4 hxg5 12.fxg5 Qd6 13.Bxd5?! [13.Qf3! Rxh2 14.Rxh2
Qxh2 15.Ne2 0-0-0 16.Bd2=] 13...Qxd5 14.Qf3 0-0-0 15.Qxd5 Rxd5 16.Be3
Ne7 [16...e5!-/+] 17.0-0-0 Nf5 18.Bf4 g6 19.Nf3 Rh3 20.Rdf1 Bd6 21.Ne5
Bxe5 22.Bxe5 b5 23.a3 c5 24.Rf2 Kd7 25.Rd1 Ke8 26.Bf6 c4 27.Re1 a5
28.Kd2 Kd7 29.Be5 Kc6 30.Kc2 Rd7 31.Kc1 Rb7 32.Bf4 b4 33.Re5 bxc3
[33...Rb5=/+] 34.Rc5+ Kd7 35.Rxc4 cxb2+ 36.Rxb2 Rxb2 37.Kxb2 Nd6
38.Rc5 a4 39.Ka2 Rd3 40.Be5 Rd2+ 41.Ka1 Ne4 42.Rc7+ Kd8 43.Rc4 Rf2
44.h4 Rf1+ 45.Kb2 Rf2+ 46.Ka1 Re2 47.Rxa4 Nc3 [Before Black plays his
mate in one, White has a perpetual check. If Black tries to avoid it with ...Kc6
or ...Kc8, then Rc7+ picks off the knight with Rc7xc3.] 1/2-1/2
147 - Harimau Hara-Kiri
This was my final game in a holiday training blitz match against the strong
computer Harimau.
I got an excellent position in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined Vienna

5.g4 Hara-Kiri 7.Nxe4 variation.
The line is sound but complex due to the scattered position of the White
pawns.
A tricky issue is where to place the White king, and when.
One thing I picked up from this game was the value of grabbing the
sometimes opened g-file with Rg1.
This prompted me to go back and work more seriously on the Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit.
I try to keep two main repertoires that I am playing at any given moment,
preferably one with 1.d4 and one with 1.e4.
Of course many of these opening lines can be reached via either of those first
moves when Black chooses common defenses with 1...b6, 1...c6, 1...d6,
1...e6, or 1...g6.
Sawyer - Harimau, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 30.12.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4 Nc6 8.Bb5 e6
9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Ne2 c5 11.dxc5 Nb4 12.Be3 Rb8 13.a3 Qxd1+ 14.Kxd1
Nd5 15.Bc1 h6 16.gxh6 gxh6 17.c4 [17.Rg1! Bg7 18.Ra2 Be5 19.b4 a5
20.Bb2 Bxb2 21.Rxb2 axb4 22.Kc1=] 17...Ne7 18.b4 Rd8+ 19.Ke1?!
[19.Kc2!=] 19...Bg7 20.Ra2 Nc6 21.Rd2 Ke7 22.Bb2? [22.Kf2 Ne5=/+]
22...Bxb2 23.Rxb2 Ne5 24.Kf2? [24.Nf2 Nxf3+ 25.Kf1 Rhg8-+] 24...Nd3+
White resigns 0-1
148 - Tartakower Big Win
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit was a favorite of Tartakower in his later years.
One of his most important games was played against Simonovic in a Paris
tournament. I quote a portion written by Anders Tejler about this game:
“In the Paris Christmas Tournament (admittedly an "unimportant"

tournament), wily old Tartakower beat the winner of the tournament,
Simonovic, with a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. It is true that Simonovic held
out for 59 moves, but the BDG got him in the end.”
Earlier as Black Tartakower had lost a gambit to Huebsch which is important

to BDG theory. Later as White the grandmaster demonstrated a good way to
face the BDG Vienna with the Hara-Kiri attack 5.g4 as a good alternative to
Diemer's 5.fxe4.
Tartakower tried 5.Bg5. After 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 he played 7.Nxe4 e6 8.c4.
This holds the pawn and attacks. I add a 2014 game I found on The Week In
Chess (TWIC) by Mark Crowther.
Tartakower - Simonovic, Paris, 1954 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4 e6 8.c4 [A recent game continued: 8.c3
Be7 9.Bd3 h6 10.f4 hxg5 11.fxg5 Bxe4 12.Bxe4 Bxg5 13.Bxg5 Qxg5 14.Nf3
Qe3+ 15.Qe2 Qxe2+ 16.Kxe2 Nc6 17.Ng5 Ke7 18.Rae1 Rad8 19.Kd1 Rh5
0-1 Harnandan,S - Krishna,U / Katerini GRE 2014] 8...Ne7 9.Ng3 Nbc6
10.Be3 Nf5 11.Nxf5 Bxf5 12.Bh3 Bxh3 13.Nxh3 Be7 14.Qa4 Bb4+ 15.Kf2
0-0 16.Rad1 Bd6 17.c5 Be7 18.Rhg1 Rb8 19.Rg4 Qd5 20.Nf4 Qf5 21.Ne2
Rfd8 22.b4 a6 23.Nc3 Rd7 24.h4 Rbd8 25.Kg2 Bf8 26.Qb3 Ne7 27.Re4
Nd5 28.Ne2 Nxe3+ 29.Qxe3 Qd5 30.Nc3 Qf5 31.Rd2 Qg6 32.Ne2 Qf5
33.Rb2 Qd5 [33...h6!?] 34.Nc3 Qc6 35.a4 b5 36.axb5 axb5 37.Qd3 Rb8
38.Ra2 Qb7 39.Re1 c6 40.Rea1 Rbd8 41.Ra7 [Or 41.Ne2 e5 42.Qe4 exd4
43.Ra7 Qc8 44.Ra8 Qc7 45.R1a7 Rxa8 46.Rxc7 Rxc7 47.Nxd4=] 41...Qb8
[41...Qxa7! 42.Rxa7 Rxa7=] 42.Rxd7 Rxd7 43.Qe4 g6 44.Ra6 Qd8 45.Ne2
Rd5 46.Rxc6 Bg7 47.Ra6 Bf8 48.Rb6 h6 49.f4 hxg5 50.hxg5 Bg7 51.Kg3
[51.Rxb5 Bxd4 52.Rb7+-] 51...Bxd4 [51...e5 52.Rb8 Qxb8 53.Qxd5 exd4
54.Nxd4+/-] 52.Nxd4 Rxd4 53.Qe5 Rd3+ 54.Kh4 Qe8 55.c6 Rd8 56.c7
Rc8 57.Qd6 Kh7 58.Rb8 Kg7 59.Qd8 1-0
4.3 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Bxe4
The move 5.fxe4 was a favorite choice of Emil J. Diemer himself. The reply
5…Bxe4 is a critical try to refute the gambit.
149 - Vienna Famous Trap

In slow grandmaster tournaments, opening traps are rare. But in blitz, club,
and online games we see traps all the time.
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit can be declined with4.f3 Bf5 known as the

BDG Vienna. The most common continuations are 5.g4 Bg6 or5.fxe4 Nxe4.
If Black takes with the bishop by 5...Bxe4, then a trap winning the queen is
playable. All Black has to do is to see the hanging d4-pawn in the middle of
the board and grab it.
Blitz players fall for this as my opponent “kekendevi” did in our two minute
bullet game below.
The Yahoo chess rating system naturally pushes all ratings toward their
starting point of 1200. If a master chose to start playing in Yahoo, they would
give her a rating of 1200.
Anyone she beat would suffer the last to a 1200, even though she had a
strength of 2200. I only play there a little myself.
This same simple trap can also be found in the BDG Euwe variation. It
works!
Sawyer (1900) - kekendevi (1300), Yahoo! 2 0, 26.07.2000 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 Nf6 5.fxe4 [5.g4] 5...Bxe4 [5...Nxe4] 6.Nxe4 Nxe4
7.Bd3 [7.Nf3 is equally good, but the bishop move sets a trap.] 7...Qxd4?
[The queen goes too far. Better is 7...Qd5 8.Nf3+/=] 8.Bb5+ Qd7 9.Bxd7+
Nxd7 10.Nf3 [Or 10.Qe2+- Black has lost his queen but plays on. White's
task is to complete his development and then go after the Black king with his
much stronger army.] 10...0-0-0 11.Qe2 Ndf6 12.0-0 h5 13.Bf4 g6 14.Rad1
Rxd1 15.Rxd1 a6 16.Qc4 Bh6 17.Qxc7# 1-0
150 - Four Move Rook Journey
PII233Crafty let me play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in blitz on the
Internet Chess Club in the late 1990s.
My personal highest ratings have come when I played the same few opening
variations all the time.
I do not always feel like playing the same variations all the time. In 1998, I
did. I played the BDG daily and my rating went way up.
This BDG Vienna saw us meet the BDG Declined with 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4
(instead of 5.g4) 5...Bxe4 (more common is 5...Nxe4) 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bd3
e6! Humans often miss this but computers often find it.
My response was to play 8.Nf3 and sacrifice the Exchange on the queenside.
The hope is to work up a kingside attack.
Notable in this game is the four move rook journey from 13.0-0, 14.Rb1, and
15.Rb5 to 16.Rh5. Alas, I missed the drawing continuation 18.Ng5! This
could have led to the repetition of moves.
Sawyer (2420) - PII233Crafty (2784), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

04.10.1998 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Bxe4
6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bd3 e6! [The best move which threatens ...Qh4+! however
Black more often retreats the knight with 7...Nf6] 8.Nf3 [8.Ne2 solidifies c3,
but it does not support a quick kingside attack.] 8...Bb4+ 9.c3 Nxc3 10.bxc3
Bxc3+ 11.Bd2 Bxa1 12.Qxa1 Nc6 [If Black chooses to castle queenside with
12...Qd7 13.0-0 (13.Ne5!?=) 13...Nc6 14.Bc3 0-0-0 15.Qb2= White has open
lines and some attacking chances.] 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rb1 Rb8 15.Rb5 Qd6
16.Rh5 g6 17.Rh6 e5 18.Be3? [White could reach a draw after 18.Ng5!
Qxd4+ 19.Qxd4 exd4 20.Nxh7 Rfd8 21.Rh3 Ne5 22.Bg5 Nxd3 23.Nf6+ Kg7
24.Rh7+ Kf8 25.Nd7+ Kg8 26.Nf6+ Kf8 27.Nd7+ repeating moves.]
18...Qa3 19.Qd1 e4 20.Ng5 Qxd3 21.Qxd3 exd3 22.Nxh7 Rfd8 23.Nf6+
Kg7 24.Bg5 Rxd4 25.Rh7+ Kf8 26.Rh8+ Ke7 27.Nd5+ Kd7 28.Nf6+ Ke6
29.Rxb8 Nxb8 White resigns 0-1
151 - Jerome Checkmate Attack
I experiment with openings. Although I research and write on the BDG every
day and it played thousands of times over 30 years, I focus on other openings
in my own actual blitz games.
Sometimes I play the same Internet Chess Club opponents repeatedly. Below
is a game in the BDG Vienna 4.f3 Bf5 vs "jeromed".
We got the relatively rare line 5.fxe4 Bxe4. In the notes I added a game vs
the same opponent from 2012.
My goal in the Blackmar-Diemer is to play for a kingside attack unless

something better comes along. Playing quickly, I missed a winning
combination on move 14. However, I was gifted with an opportunity to play
checkmate on move 15.
This same opponent "jeromed" used a Jerome Gambit idea vs me in one of

the more popular blog posts I have written.
One of his Finger notes on ICC reads: "My greatest achievement in chess is
my inconsistency.....sigh". Maybe we shall see another game from him in the
future.
Sawyer - jeromed (1615), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 17.02.2013 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Bxe4 [I had not seen this
bishop capture in my own games in a long time. The line with 5...Nxe4 6.Qf3
is 8 times more popular.] 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bd3 Nf6 [Black does not fall for the
trap of 7...Qxd4? 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qxd4+- when White is up a
queen.] 8.Nf3 Nc6 [8...e6 9.0-0 (or 9.Bg5) 9...Bd6 (9...Be7 10.Qe1=) 10.c3 0-
0 11.Qe1 c6 12.Bg5 Nbd7 13.Qh4 Qa5 14.Rae1 Rae8 15.Ne5 Black resigns
1-0 Sawyer – jeromed / Internet Chess Club 2012] 9.c3 e6 10.0-0 Bd6
11.Bg5 0-0 12.Qd2 Be7 13.Qf4 Nd5 14.Qh4?! [White has an instant win
with 14.Bxh7+! Kxh7 15.Qh4+ Kg8 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Ng5 Nf6 18.Rxf6 with
mate in two.] 14...Bxg5? [14...g6 15.Rae1+/=] 15.Qxh7# [Black checkmated]
1-0
152 - Vienna 5...Nxe4 vs 6...Nxe4
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is a fight over e4 and some lines are very
similar and can be confusing. Pat Murray declined the gambit with the BDG
Vienna 4...Bf5. As White I chose Diemer's 5.fxe4 line.
The main line is 5...Nxe4 6.Qf3, where Black's bishop on f5 becomes a

target. Murray recaptured with the bishop by 5...Bxe4. This line differs from
5...Nxe4 in important ways.
After 5...Bxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 the missing minor pieces Nc3 and Bf5 require
both sides to change plans. Without the Nc3, White is more vulnerable to a
...Bb4+.
Without the Bf5, Black can no longer capture ...Bxc2 nor retreat ...Bg6 to
defend f7 and h7. White can play 7.Bd3 unopposed and attack the Black
kingside in BDG Euwe style, down a pawn but with two bishops and open
lines.
I played club games vs my Irish friend Pat Murray at Lycoming College in

Williamsport, Pennsylvania in their noisy coffeehouse. The fight was on in
what is a typical and critical variation.
Black regrouped and castled kingside where White promptly developed an

attack.
The notes show I could have won the Exchange. White still won about ten
moves later after some inaccuracies on both sides.
Sawyer (2010) - Murray (1707), Williamsport, PA 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Bxe4 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.Nf3 e6 9.0-
0 Be7 10.c3 0-0 11.Qe1 c5 12.Bg5 cxd4 13.Qh4 Nbd7 14.cxd4?! [White
would be up the Exchange for a pawn after 14.Bxh7+! Nxh7 15.Bxe7 Qb6
16.Bxf8 dxc3+ 17.Kh1 Nhxf8 18.bxc3+/=] 14...Re8 15.Rad1 g6 [15...h6!
16.Bxh6 gxh6 17.Qxh6 Bf8 18.Qh4 Bg7=/+] 16.Bb5!? [16.Ne5! Nxe5
17.dxe5 Nh5 18.Bxg6 Qb6+ 19.Rf2 fxg6 20.Bxe7+/=] 16...Nd5 17.Bxd7?!
[17.Rde1] 17...Qxd7 18.Ne5 Bxg5 19.Qxg5 Qe7 20.Qh6 Rad8? [Black
plays a routine development move, missing the big threat. 20...f5-/+] 21.Rxf7
Qxf7 22.Nxf7 Kxf7 23.Qxh7+ Kf8 24.Rf1+ 1-0
4.4 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
Black immediately places two active but potentially vulnerable pieces near
the center of the board.
153 - Tatai Takes On BDG

Looking at the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit variation called BDG Vienna 4.f3
Bf5 with 5.fxe4 Nxe4 it is clear that most players as White play 6.Qf3
attacking both the Black pieces Ne4 and Bf5.
Some players choose more natural development with 6.Bd3 as in the game
below. This allows White to play an eventual moves like 9.Nf3 and10.0-0.
The obvious problem is that although White's position is more active, Black
can exchange pieces and edge closer to an endgame with an extra pawn.
The chimbba vs Ornitologo game between two players with similar ratings at
the time demonstrates some of the possibilities in the 6.Bd3. My guess is that
White's choice of 6.Bd3 was a spur of the moment choice.
The handle chimbba is no longer active in the Internet Chess Club.

Ornitologo is the famous veteran IM Stefano Tatai, known for famous games
in the 1970s vs Jan Timman, Bent Larsen and Anatoly Karpov.
The Italian International Master Tatai's current / peak ICC blitz and 5-minute
ratings are 2170 / 2411 and 1859 / 2302. I know from my own personal
experience that it is very easy for an older player to watch his ICC blitz rating
go from over 2400 to the 1800s and back up again. All it takes is one bad
hour vs younger players rated below 2000 who are very fast and very tricky.
chimbba (1930) - Ornitologo (1958), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

05.01.2009 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Bd3
Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 Qd5 [The Black queen is a target here. Better is
8...e6! 9.Nf3 Nd7=/+] 9.Nf3 e6 10.0-0 Nd7 11.c4 Qf5? [11...Qc6 12.d5=]
12.Qb3 [12.Qxf5! exf5 13.Re1+ Kd8 (or 13...Be7 14.Ba3+/-) 14.Rb1 b6
15.Ng5+/-] 12...Qe4 13.Ng5 Qxd4+ 14.Be3 Qe5? [14...Qxe3+! 15.Qxe3
Bc5=] 15.Nxf7! Black resigns 1-0
154 - Johnny Bench and BDG
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit tempts the chess player of the Black pieces to
capture two White's center pawns after the initial moves of 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3.
When Black declines to take the f3 pawn in the Vienna 4...Bf5, White
challenges Black with 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3. Black's blunder picks up a second
pawn after 6...Qxd4?
My opponent's handle of "redcatcher" reminds me of the famous Baseball

Hall of Fame catcher Cincinnati Reds Johnny Bench. He retired in 1983, and
I was there for his last game in Houston.
His final game of actually playing was a few days earlier at his home park in
Cincinnati. Johnny Bench came to Houston, was suited in the dugout and
available. The Astros marketed it as his final game and honored the Reds
catcher.
After the blunder 6...Qxd4? White picks off the bishop on f5. This is worth
more than the two pawns sacrifice. Black is losing in the fashion illustrated
below.
Sawyer (2226) - redcatcher (1773), ICC 15 0 u Internet Chess Club,

23.09.1999 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3
Qxd4? [6...Nd6; 6...Nxc3] 7.Qxf5 Nd6 8.Qd5!? Qh4+ 9.g3 c6? [9...Qb4
10.Qf3+-] 10.Qxd6! exd6 11.gxh4 Nd7 12.Nf3 Be7 13.Bg5 f6 14.Bf4 0-0-0
15.Bh3 Rhe8 16.0-0-0 Kc7 17.Rhe1 Ne5 18.Nxe5 [18.Nd4!+-] 18...fxe5
19.Bg5 Bxg5+ 20.hxg5 g6 21.Ne4 Black resigns 1-0
155 - Ashcraft BDG Declined
Most of the time when White faces the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined,
Black has selected to play 4.f3 Bf5, the Vienna Variation. That leaves White
with a choice of 5.fxe4 (gambit play) or 5.g4 (unbalanced play). Both are
very playable.
I have preferred 5.fxe4 twice as much as 5.g4. That is because after 5.fxe4
White's pieces are better coordinated.
After the normal 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3, Black must choose between 6...Nd6
7.Bf4 or 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3. I chose the unusual 7.Qxf5 line which I have only
played four times. In this game I got a better position than I should have.
This game came from 1984 when I first began to play the BDG. There were
no strong computers, no databases, and few books on the gambit in English.
Eric Schiller’s early work did not appear until 1986.
My opponent in this game was John Ashcraft, rated 1837. I believe he was
John R. Ashcraft, but I could not swear to it. I am pretty sure that he was not
John David Ashcroft, former United States Attorney General (2001-2005).
Sawyer - Ashcraft, corr APCT 84R-20, 1984 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit] 4...Bf5 [Vienna Variation] 5.fxe4
[The alternative is 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4 with an unbalanced but equal
position.] 5...Nxe4 [Hitting f5 and b7.] 6.Qf3 Nxc3 [The main line is 6...Nd6
7.Bf4 with good compensation for White.] 7.Qxf5!? [Play usually continues
7.bxc3 Qc8 8.Bc4] 7...Nd5 [7...e6!=/+ looks promising. A mistake would be
7...Qxd4? 8.Qc8+ Qd8 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.bxc3 and White is up a bishop for
two pawns.] 8.a3 [8.c4 e6 9.Qe4=] 8...Qd7 9.Qd3 g6 10.Nf3 Bg7 11.Be2 0-0
12.Bd2 [12.0-0=] 12...Nc6 13.c4 [13.0-0-0=] 13...Nb6 14.Bc3 Na4 [14...e5!-
/+ tries open the center while the White king is still in the middle.] 15.0-0
Rfd8 16.Rad1 Qd6 17.Qe4 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Qxa3 19.Ng5 [Black can just play
19...Bf6. According to my records, Black resigned here, but he may have just
forfeited. At any rate, this was another very fortunate beginning to my BDG
career.] 1-0
156 - Unmack Wins BDG
This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game from 2012 sees an expert win as White.
I am naturally inclined to show White wins. In this case the game is
interesting.
Christian Unmack played the White pieces. He was rated 2161, and has been
rated over 2200. His opponent was Zdenko Naglic rated 1845.
The variation was a BDG Declined Vienna. As play continued, both sides
had popular alternatives: 5.fxe4 (5.g4) 5...Nxe4 (5...Bxe4) 6.Qf3 Nxc3
(6...Nd6) 7.Qxf5!? (7.bxc3).
Black castled queenside. White organized his army in that direction, winning
with a nice attack.
Unmack - Naglic, Deltalift Open 2012 Tylosand SWE (6.40), 18.05.2012

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3
7.Qxf5!? [Normal play is 7.bxc3 Qc8 (7...Bc8 8.Bc4 e6 9.Nh3) 8.Bc4 e6
9.Rb1 c6 10.Nh3] 7...Nd5 [7...e6 when White is likely to retreat to Qd3, Qf3
or Qh3; and Black would probably play 8...Nd5.] 8.c3 [I had played 8.a3 vs
Ashcraft in a previous post. More aggressive and good is 8.c4!=] 8...e6 9.Qf2
Qf6 10.Nf3 h6 11.Bd3 Nd7 12.0-0 0-0-0 [After Black commits his king,
White methodically heads his army in that direction.] 13.Qc2 Qe7 14.a3
c5+/= [Moving the pawn in front of your king two squares is not
recommended after you castle. 14...g5!?= trying to open up the opponent's
king seems reasonable.] 15.c4 N5f6 16.b4 cxd4 17.c5 Nb8 18.Ne5 Rd5
19.Nc4 Qc7 20.Qa4 a6? [20...Na6 21.Bf4+/-] 21.Nb6+ Kd8 22.Na8
[22.Bf4+-] 22...Qc6 23.Qa5+ Ke7 24.Bf4 e5 25.Nb6 [More powerful is
bringing in the rook with 25.Rae1!+-] 25...Nbd7 26.Nc4?! Ke8 [Black
missed a good defense with 26...b5! 27.Nxe5 Nxe5 28.Rae1 Nfg4 29.Be4
f6=] 27.Rae1 Be7 28.Bxe5 Nxe5 29.Nxe5 Qc8 30.Bc4 Qd8 31.Qa4+
[31.Qxd8+! Rxd8 32.Bxf7+ Kf8 33.Bb3+- wins more material immediately.]
31...Kf8 32.Qb3 Kg8 33.Nxf7 Kxf7 34.Bxd5+ Ke8 35.Bf7+ Kd7 36.Qe6+
1-0
4.5 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3
It is natural for Black to capture on c3 and for White to recapture there.
157 - Winning against Vienna

Most of the time when the official Blackmar-Diemer Gambit position (1.d4
d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3) is reached, Black accepts the gambit with
4...exf3. There are many ways to decline the gambit. One of the best is the
Vienna Variation with 4...Bf5.
At this point we have a BDG Declined where White has two popular methods
to attack the Vienna.
White can play developing moves like 5.Bg5 or Bc4. E.J. Diemer himself
preferred to move a pawn with either 5.fxe4 or 5.g4.
The bottom line is that 5.fxe4 is a gambit giving White good development
while down a pawn. The pawn attack 5.g4 allows White to regain the pawn
but his forces are not yet well coordinated. Here is a game where I won with
5.fxe4.
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 [Blackmar-Diemer Gambit] 4...Bf5 [Vienna Variation]
5.fxe4 [5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.Nxe4] 5...Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 g6!? 8.Bc4
[On page 141 of my Blackmar-Diemer Keybook II, I quote a game with
8.Qxb7!? Nd7 9.Bd3 which is also playable.] 8...Qc8 9.Ne2 Nd7 10.0-0 Nf6
[Previously Black had played 10...Nb6 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7 12.g4 with
compensation] 11.h3!? [Preparing g2-g4-g5xf6. The alternatives were
11.Ng3 or 11.Bg5] 11...Bxc2 12.g4 c6? [Black needs to play 12...h6 when
White is better after either 13.Ng3+/= or 13.a4+/=)] 13.g5 b5 [In another
game the same day blik tried 13...Be4 14.Bxf7+ Kxf7 15.Qxe4 Qxh3
16.gxf6!? exf6 17.Nf4 (17.Rb1; 17.Bg5) 17...Qg4+ 18.Qg2 We swapped off
into an ending where Black had only its six pawns and I had three pawns and
a bishop. I won after 50 more moves, 1-0 in 68.] 14.Bb3 Bxb3 15.axb3 Nd5
16.Qxf7+ Kd7 17.c4 [Dislodging the knight.] 17...bxc4 18.bxc4 Nb4 19.Nf4
a6 20.Ne6 h6 21.Bf4 [Because there is no good way to meet the threat of
22.Nc5+ and maybe 23.Be5, Black resigns.] 1-0
158 - Bill Walls Returns Pawn
This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game I played vs Bill Walls was a BDG
Vienna. William E. Walls of California has not played in rated tournaments
for over 20 years. His final rating was 1995, though probably he was rated
much higher at some point.
Walls was very active in ICC when I was at my peak in the late 1990s.
According to my records, we played four games. I scored two BDG draws
when I had White and two Alekhine Defence wins when I had Black. This
Bill Walls may be the postal player rated about 2000 who used the Sicilian
Smith-Morra Gambit.
William E. Walls can be easily confused with chess author William Dale
Wall, known commonly as Bill Wall. He supplied me with many of his BDG
Ryder games in 2012.
This Bill Wall was a very active rated expert from the 1960s-1980s with
military and computer backgrounds. He was famous for his game collections
and is the brother of graphic designer Jerry Wall. Other notable "Wall's" from
my blog include Brian Wall of Colorado and French Wall of Tennessee.
I do not recall the ICC handle of Bill Walls from the late 1990s, but I believe
it was a form of his name or his finger notes clearly stated who he was. In the
BDG Vienna 4.f3 Bf5 game below, Black leaves b7 undefended in an effort
to develop rapidly.
Analysis now shows that after 8.Qxb7 Nd7 the best way to play is 9.Bd3! I
tried for more and got less. Eventually I was able to draw.
Sawyer - Walls, Internet Chess Club, 21.03.1998 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5
3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 e6 8.Qxb7 Nd7 9.Bb5?
[9.Nf3 Rb8 10.Qc6 Bxc2=/+; 9.Bd3! Bxd3 10.cxd3 c5=] 9...Rb8 10.Bxd7+
Kxd7 11.Qxa7 Bd6?! [11...Qh4+! 12.Kf1 Bd6-+] 12.Nf3 [12.Qa4+ Ke7
13.Nf3=] 12...Ra8 13.Qb7 Qb8 [13...Ra5!=/+] 14.Qxb8 [14.Qb3!=]
14...Rhxb8 15.0-0 Bxc2 [15...f6!=/+] 16.Ne5+ Bxe5 17.dxe5?! [17.Rxf7+!
Ke8 18.Rf2=] 17...Ke8 18.Be3 Ra5 19.Bd4 c5 20.Be3 Bd3 21.Rfd1 c4
22.Bd4 Rb2 23.Re1 Raxa2 24.Rxa2 Rxa2 25.Re3 1/2-1/2
159 - Twin Queenside BDG Issues
One age old chess question is: When do you grab queenside pawns and when
do you let them go?
Play in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit usually has the focus on the kingside,
often on the center, and only sometimes on the queenside.
In the BDG Vienna lines where Black develops his light squared bishop to
4...Bf5 leaves both sides with queenside pawn issues. Black attacks c2 and
White (often after Qf3) attacks b7.
There are two related twin lines after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5
5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3: The main line is 6...Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2 and the other
popular choice is 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bxc2 (below).
My game played vs Heppenstall illustrated the thematic issue. Black chose to

chop off the c2 pawn with 7...Bxc2, but he left his b7 pawn hanging.
I grabbed 8.Qxb7. It would have been wise to complete my development with

8.Nh3. My idea was to roust out his king, but that is most effective only with
his co-operation.
After the opening, Black sacrificed material in an attempt to queen his d-

pawn. His king boldly worked his way forward in exchanges. From moves
10-20 Black moved his king six times, all on the e-, d- and c-files. Alas he
sacrificed two rooks along the way. When I was able to blockade his pawn on
d3, Black resigned when hopelessly down in material.
Sawyer (2391) - Heppenstall (1215), ICC 2 12 u Internet Chess Club,

16.03.2001 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3
Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bxc2 8.Qxb7 [8.Nh3!=] 8...Nd7 9.Bb5 Rb8 10.Bxd7+ Kxd7
11.Qxa7?! [11.Qa6=] 11...e5 [11...e6! 12.Nf3 f6=/+] 12.Nf3 exd4 13.0-0 d3?
[13...Bd6 14.Nxd4+/=] 14.Ne5+ Ke8 15.Nxf7 Qd5 16.Qxb8+ Kd7 17.Qd8+
Kc6 18.Qxd5+ [18.Qa8+! Kb6 19.Be3+ Bc5 20.Rab1+ leads to the fastest
mate.] 18...Kxd5 19.Nxh8 Bc5+ 20.Kh1 Kc4 21.Bd2 Black resigns 1-0
160 - You Snooze You Lose
It helps for you to be a little sneaky in chess if you want to catch an adversary
napping.
An excellent tactical move is when you make one move that allows a threat
by one of your other pieces.
This is especially effective in blitz where your opponent already has his next
move in mind.
Just as a point on note, this game in 2012 was my recorded game number
44,444 of my career.
Now I have played over 50,000 recorded games.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Vienna variation my opponent played

reasonable moves quickly.
Black had taken 31 seconds for the first 10 moves which is a good pace for a
3 minute blitz game.
Alas he missed the threat that my 10.0-0 made with my queen.
Black took only 2 seconds to develop his light squared bishop 10...Bd7.
I took 3 seconds to mate him in response. For all my 11 moves in total, I took
only 22 seconds.
In fact I was not really out of the book. In 2007 "SackMyDisk" won the same
way in another ICC blitz game.
Sawyer - Shafkat, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 20.10.2012 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bc8 8.Bc4 e6
9.Nh3 Nc6 [9...Be7 10.0-0 0-0] 10.0-0 Bd7 [10...Qe7] 11.Qxf7# Black is
checkmated 1-0
161 - Deflections of My Life
On the day I wrote this, I discovered there were 12 official world chess
champions born before I was. I have already surpassed four of them! How? I
have lived more years than they did!
Spassky and Karpov are still alive and kicking. Capablanca, Alekhine, Tal
and Petrosian all died before age 60.
I have not caught the other eight champions yet, but I hope to catch them if I
can live long and stay healthy!
Back in my middle age years, one of my favorite opponents was Bob Muir.
He was in his late 60s when this game was played.
I headed toward a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit about half the time as White vs

him. Rarely did Bob accept it. Bob Muir declined the gambit (as here) or
avoided it altogether.
In the BDG Vienna after 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3, Black has to deal with threats to
his Ne4, Bf5 and the pawn on b7.
Bob Muir's choices are reasonable until he is deflected and sidetracked,

grabbing my knight on the rim, making his chances dim.
Sawyer (2010) - Muir (1800), Williamsport, PA 01.03.1998 begins 1.d4 d5

2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bc8 [If
7...Qc8 then 8.Bc4 or 8.Bd3 which Scheerer discusses.] 8.Bc4 e6 9.Nh3 Nd7
[It is logical to put another knight on f6. Almost everyone plays 9...Be7 10.0-
0 0-0 when White has 11.Qg3!+/=; Stockfish and Houdini prefer 9...Qh4+!
10.Nf2 Bd6=] 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Nf4 Bd6 [Better is 11...Be7 12.Nh5 0-0=]
12.Nh5 Nxh5? [12...0-0 13.Nxg7 Kxg7 14.Bg5 Be7 15.Qg3 Ng4 16.Bxe7
Qxe7 17.Qxg4+! +/- and White regains the gambit pawn with a better
position.] 13.Qxf7# 1-0
162 - March Madness and BDG
The month of March is marked by constant basketball games on TV. In
March 2013 I watched a game between Marquette and Butler. They met for
the second time that season.
In each game Butler scored 72 points. In November 2012 Butler won 72-71
with a last second shot. In March 2013 they met again. Turnovers had the
score seesawing back and forth near the end, but this time Marquette won 74-
72 when Butler missed a last second shot.
When I was a minister, I spent a week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and briefly

visited Marquette University. I also spent a week in Indianapolis, Indiana
(home of Butler University). I found each city to be fascinating in its own
way. Milwaukee is 93 miles North of Chicago, and Indianapolis is 183 miles
South of Chicago.
There was March madness in a recent Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Vienna

game I played vs "Chicago4". The retreat 7...Bc8 protects the bishop and b7.
In the first half I got a big lead with a winning advantage out of the opening.
But I let my opponent come back.
As the clock ticked away in a 3-minute blitz game, we both missed shots and
made turnovers.
I won the Exchange and Black's position soon fell apart.
Sawyer - Chicago4, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 21.03.2013 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bc8 8.Bc4
e6 9.Nh3 [Scheerer gives 9.Ne2 but both knight moves are good.] 9...Be7
10.0-0 0-0 11.Bd3 [11.Qg3!?] 11...h6 12.Qh5?! [12.Nf4 Nd7 13.Nh5+/=]
12...Bf6? [12...Qd5! 13.Qe2=] 13.Bxh6 Qd5 14.Qxd5 [14.Bg5! g6
15.Bxg6+- wins easily.] 14...exd5 15.Bg5 [15.Rxf6+/-] 15...Bxh3 16.Bxf6
Be6 17.Be5 [17.Bh4+/=] 17...c6 18.h3 Nd7 19.Bd6 Rfe8 20.Rab1 b6
21.Rfe1 c5 [21...Nf6=] 22.Re3? [22.Bb5!+/-] 22...Rac8? [22...c4!=/+]
23.Rbe1 c4 24.Bf5 Rc6 25.Bxe6 Rxd6 [25...Rxe6=] 26.Bxf7+ Kxf7 27.Rxe8
Nf6 28.R8e7+ Kg6 29.R1e6 Rd8 30.Rxa7 Rb8 31.a4 Black resigns 1-0
4.6 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8
With this variation Black naturally defends both the bishop on f5 and the
pawn on b7.
163 - Ward Sansone Vienna

The Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is where the crossroads of
preparation and opportunity meet.”
There is a lot of that type of luck in chess, but you can hardly prepare for
some opportunities.
In the 1989 USCF Golden Knights Semi-Finals Postal Tournament, Ward

Sansone unintentionally gave me his queen when he recorded a move wrong.
This happened to everyone in postal chess because the moves were made in
writing. Obviously he did not make this error very often, or Ward Sansone
would not have been rated so high.
He handled the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Vienna very well. We reached the

7.bxc3 Qc8 variation where I followed it up with the rare 8.Ba3?
This move is probably just bad. In his book on the BDG Christoph Scheerer
does not mention this 8th move.
Sawyer (2093) - Sansone (1892), corr USCF 89NS53, 15.08.1991 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8
8.Ba3? [White should play 8.Bc4 or 8.Bd3] 8... Qe6+ 9.Kd2 Nc6 10.Bb5
Be4-+ 11.Qg3 Qe5?? ["The move should have been 11...Qd5 not e5 - I
recorded the move wrong." - Sansone] 12.dxe5 1-0
164 - Nitish vs Kulmamadov
I love to see the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit played by kids. Belurkar Nitish
from India was born October 19, 2001 and was already rated 2046 at the time
of this 2014 game!
Chess-DB showed that Nitish played a variety of 1.d4 openings without 2.c4.
These included the London System, Torre Attack and Colle System. He
added the Blackmar-Diemer at age 12!
His teenage opponent in the World Junior Open was David Kulmamadov
from Tajikistan. David was age 18.
These young people battled it out in a BDG Vienna 4.f3 Bf5. White chose the
Diemer line 5.fxe4 and Black responded with the knight exchange6...Nxc3
and 7...Qc8. The question then became where should White develop his light
squared bishop? My traditional favorite was 8.Bc4 aiming at d5, e6, f7.
Nitish confronted the move Bf5 with 8.Bd3, a line recommended by

Christoph Scheerer in his book on the BDG. The ensuing exchange of
bishops gave White a stronger pawn center and removed a defender from the
Black kingside. Chances were about equal out of the opening, but youth
prevailed in the end. The game below was played eight days before Belurkar
Nitish turned age 13.
Nitish (2046) - Kulmamadov (1625), World Junior Open 2014 Pune IND
(6.65), 11.10.2014 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 Nf6 5.fxe4 Nxe4
6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.cxd3 e6 10.Nh3 Be7 11.0-0 0-0
12.Rb1 c6 13.Qg3 Kh8 14.Bg5 Qd7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Qg5 Qd7 17.Qh4 b6
18.Ng5 h6 19.Rf6 Kg8 20.Ne4 Qe7 21.Qg3 Kh7 22.Rf2 Nd7 23.Re1 f6
24.Nd6 Rg8 25.Qf4 c5 [25...Kh8 26.Nf5 Qf7 27.Nd6= could repeat moves.]
26.Qf5+ exf5 27.Rxe7 Nf8 28.dxc5 bxc5 29.Rxf5 Ng6 30.Rc7 Ne5 31.Rxf6
Nxd3 32.Nf5 Kh8 33.Rd6 Rad8 34.Nxh6 Rxd6 35.Nf7+ Kh7 36.Nxd6 a5
37.h3 Rb8 38.Nf5 [38.Rb7! Rf8 39.Ra7+/-] 38...Kg6 39.Nxg7 Rb1+ 40.Kh2
Rc1 41.Ne6 [41.Ne8 Rc2 42.Rg7+ Kh6 43.Rg3+/-] 41...Rxc3 42.Rc6 Kf7
43.h4 Rc2 [43...Ke7 44.Ng5+/=] 44.h5 Ne1 [Or 44...Kg8 45.Kg3+-]
45.Ng5+ Kg8 46.Rg6+ Kf8 47.h6 Rc4 48.h7 Rh4+ 49.Kg3 Rh5 50.Rg8+
Ke7 51.h8Q Kd6 1-0
165 - Al Fulton Declines BDG
BDGer Al Fulton played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit vs me six games from
one side or the other in the winter of 1998. Probably he was the Albert Fulton
of Texas who had a USCF rating of 1812 during the months we played on the
Internet Chess Club.
I had White twice and Black four times. Five of those games began 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 accepting the gambit, including one game that
Al Fulton won as White.
In the other game below, Al Fulton chose a BDG Vienna 4...Bf5. White has
two popular choices: 5.g4 (I play in one third of my games) and 5.fxe4 I play
in two thirds of my games).
My performance rating was about the same with 5.g4 or 5.fxe4. I tended to
play 5.g4 vs higher rateds and lost more frequently, while I played 5.fxe4 vs
lower rateds and won more frequently.
In this game, Black chopped off my knight with 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3
7.bxc3 Qc8 (the main move). This queen protected the key weak points: the
Bf5 and the b7-pawn.
Typically, White mounts pressure vs f7, g6 and d5. Blitzing away, we both
missed the best 13th moves.
It could be considered either lucky or unlucky, depending on your viewpoint.

The fact is that I had an advantage as White. I let it slip and got it back twice.
Sawyer - Fulton, Internet Chess Club, 22.01.1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8 8.Bc4 Bg6 9.Nh3
Nd7 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Nf4 e6 12.d5!? [12.Nxg6! hxg6 13.g4!+/-] 12...Bc5+
13.Kh1? [13.Be3+/=] 13...0-0? [13...e5!-/+] 14.dxe6 Be4 15.exf7+ Kh8
16.Qh3 [16.Qe2!+-] 16...Qxh3 17.Nxh3 Bg6 18.Ng5 Nd7 [18...h6 19.Nf3=]
19.Ne6 [19.Bd3+/-] 19...Rfc8 [19...Rxf7!=] 20.Nxc5 Nxc5 21.Ba3 Nd7
22.Be6 Nf8 23.Bxc8 Rxc8 24.Bxf8 Rxf8 25.Rae1 h6 26.Re8 Rxe8
27.fxe8Q+ Bxe8 28.Rf8+ 1-0
166 - Frickmann vs BDG
When I was learning the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, I tried it out vs many
players in blitz, postal and club games. Here is a game I played in the
Chaturanga Chess Club which met for a long time in the area of Hatboro or
Warminster, Pennsylvania.
In this game with Eric Frickmann we transposed to the BDG after 1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. Here Black chose to decline the gambit with 4...Bf5
BDG Vienna.
I followed Diemer's idea of 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 attacking both the Bf5 and b7
in a manner similar to that chosen by Lev Zilbermints in one of his BDG
Gunderam games.
The main line defense is 6...Nd6. Black chose the common and critical
alternative line 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8.
I focused my army toward the Black king. First I swapped off his defending
bishops. Then I pushed my g-pawn and h-pawn.
My plan was to use the moves h4-h5xg6 like an old can opener. I hoped to
crank open the h-file to obtain a winning attack.
Black would have to give up a massive amount of material to avoid

immediate checkmate. It worked in this game.
Eric Frickmann raised his rating to 2018 and played in various tournaments
in the Philadelphia area over a 30 year period.
Sawyer (1981) - Frickmann (1948), Hatboro, PA 1989 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8 8.Bc4 e6
9.Ne2 [9.Rb1] 9...Bd6 10.0-0 [10.Ng3] 10...0-0 11.Bf4!? Bxf4 [11...Bxc2!-
/+] 12.Nxf4 Bxc2? [12...Nd7=] 13.Rac1 [13.Nxe6!+-] 13...Bg6 14.Nxg6
[14.Nxe6!+-] 14...hxg6 15.g4? [15.d5!+-] 15...Nc6 16.Rce1 Na5 17.Bd3
Qd7 18.g5 Nc6 [18...c5!-+] 19.h4 Ne7 20.h5 gxh5? [20...c5!=] 21.Qxh5 g6
22.Qh6 Qd6 23.Rf3 1-0
167 - Blood gets Revenge
My first time crossing over the 2200 Master threshold in USCF
correspondence play was with my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit win against
John Blood Sr. in section 89N214. Some months later John gets his revenge
in this BDG Vienna game.
Blood plays the critical line 7.bxc3 Qc8 (the queen covers points of attack: b7
and Bf5). I analyzed this in my BDG Keybook II. It was further commented
on by Christoph Scheerer. White has some improvements and some
alternatives as I mention below.
Regarding the BDG Vienna, White has two major options: 5.fxe4 and 5.g4.
The 5.g4 line allows White to make threats while behind in development but
not behind in material.
I have played them both many times. I have a preference for the Diemer
gambit line 5.fxe4, because I like the rapid piece play.
Sawyer (2089) - Blood (1960), corr USCF 89N275, 1990 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8 8.Bc4
[Computer engines tend to prefer 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.cxd3=] 8...e6 9.Rb1 c6
[9...Bd6! Scheerer 10.Rxb7 (10.Nh3 0-0 11.0-0 Nc6 12.Bd3 Bxd3=/+) 10...0-
0 11.Nh3 c5 12.Ba3 Nd7 (12...Nc6 13.Ba6) 13.0-0 Nf6=/+] 10.Nh3 Bxc2
[The critical line here is 10...Bd6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.cxd3
(13.Qxd3!?) 13...Nd7 14.Ng5 Be7 (14...Nf6 15.Qh3 h6 16.Rxf6 hxg5
17.Bxg5+/-) 15.Qe4 Bxg5 16.Bxg5 Nb6 17.Rf3 f6 18.Rh3 g6 19.Bh6=] 11.0-
0 Bg6 12.Ng5 [12.Bd3! Qd7 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Ng5+/-] 12...Be7 13.Rb2 0-0
14.Bd3 Ba3 [14...Bxd3! 15.Qxd3 Bxg5 16.Bxg5 f6-/+] 15.Bxg6 [15.Qh3!
Bxd3 (15...Bxb2 16.Bxg6 h6 17.Rxf7 Bxc1 18.Qxe6+-) 16.Qxd3 f5 (16...g6
17.Nxh7! Kxh7 18.Rbf2 f5 19.Qh3++/=) 17.Re2 Bxc1 18.Rxc1 Nd7
19.Qh3= KBII] 15...fxg6 16.Qh3 Rxf1+ 17.Kxf1 h6 18.Rf2? [18.Rb1 Bxc1
19.Qxe6+ Qxe6 20.Nxe6 Nd7 21.Rxc1 b6-/+] 18...Bxc1 19.Nxe6 Na6!?
[Black sacrifices his queen for a rook, bishop, knight and pawn. Also strong
is 19...Nd7! 20.Qg3 Bg5 21.Nxg5 hxg5 22.Qxg5 Qe8-+ and Black remains
up a knight.] 20.Rf8+ Qxf8+ 21.Nxf8 Rxf8+ 22.Ke2 Re8+ 23.Kd1 Bg5
24.Qd7 Re7 25.Qd6 Kf7 26.g3 Nc7 27.h4 Bf6 28.c4 h5 29.a4 Ne8 30.Qc5
Re4 31.d5 Rd4+ 32.Ke2 cxd5 33.Qxa7 Rxc4 34.Qxb7+ Ke6 35.a5 Nd6 0-1
168 - PII233Crafty in Vienna
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game I played vs PII233Crafty was a Vienna
4...Bf5. Take note that I played my move 8.Bc4.
On page 109 of his Blackmar-Diemer Gambit the IM Christoph Scheerer

discusses my 8.Bc4, preferring 8.Bd3. The young Belurkar Nitish played
8.Bd3 in a game I covered earlier.
This variation is similar to my win vs Perplexity (see next game) where Black
played 10...Be7 (instead of 10...Bd6 below) and White played 14.Qg3
(instead of 14.Ng5 below).
In this game vs PII233Crafty we both castled kingside. Then I ripped apart

his defense and successfully chased his king around the board, capturing
most of his army along the way.
I play the BDG now and then. I cannot remember things like I used to. I am a
lot slower in my 60s than I was in my 40s. But chess is still fun!
Sawyer (2492) - PII233Crafty (2738), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

01.10.1998 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 [This is my
favorite move, although I suspect that 5.g4 is stronger.] 5...Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3
[6...Nd6 is more popular.] 7.bxc3 Qc8 [To protect f5 and b7.] 8.Bc4 [Aiming
at f7.] 8...e6 9.Rb1 [Aiming at b7.] 9...c6 10.Nh3 Bd6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bd3 [To
remove the best defender Black has on the kingside.] 12...Bxd3 13.cxd3 Nd7
14.Ng5 [Trying to provoke a weakness in Black's position.] 14...Nf6 15.Qh3
[With a threat of Rxf6 and Qxh7 mate.] 15...h6 16.Rxf6! [Wham!] 16...hxg5
[16...gxf6 17.Qxh6!+-] 17.Bxg5 Be7 [17...gxf6? 18.Bxf6+-] 18.Rbf1 Bxf6
[18...gxf6 leads to mate in six 19.Bh6 Kh7 20.Bf4+ Kg7 21.Qg4+ Kh7
22.Rf3 f5 23.Rh3+ Bh4 24.Rxh4#] 19.Bxf6 Qd8 [19...Rd8 leads once again a
mate in six. 20.Qg4 Kf8 21.Qxg7+ Ke8 22.Qg8+ Kd7 23.Qxf7+ Kd6
24.Qe7+ Kd5 25.Qc5#] 20.Bxd8 Raxd8 21.Rf4 f5 22.Qh5 Rd5 23.Rh4 [It is
just a matter of technique to win.] 23...Rfd8 24.Rh3 R5d6 25.Qh7+ Kf7
26.Rg3 Rg8 27.Qg6+ Ke7 28.Re3 b5 29.Qxf5 a6 30.Qg5+ Kd7 31.Qg6
Re8 32.Rf3 Re7 33.Rf7 Rxf7 34.Qxf7+ [Once the rooks are swapped, the
win is simple.] 34...Kd8 35.Qxg7 a5 36.h4 Rd7 37.Qg8+ Kc7 38.Qxe6 Rd6
39.Qe5 b4 40.Qxa5+ Kd7 Black resigns 1-0
169 - BDG Mates Perplexity
I played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit when I was at my peak in the 1990s. I
played an ICC game vs Perplexity, a chess engine computer program often
rated in the 2800s.
We entered a BDG Vienna 4...Bf5 5.fxe4 variation. That allowed Black to

keep the gambit pawn in exchange for my better White development.
Here I chose my favorite 8.Bc4. Christoph Scheerer wrote about this in his
excellent book on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
This game shows that after 9.Rb1, 10.Nh3 and 11.0-0, White can redeploying
the bishop to meet Black's completed development. White I do not know the
time control of this game, nor my rating at that moment. I was probably rated
in around 2400.
Analysis shows how both sides could have played better. I love to checkmate
a strong opponent in only 26 moves, even if I can only do that in rapid blitz
play.
The month after this game, my Internet Chess Club blitz rating hit its all-time
peak of 2492.
Sawyer - Perplexity, Internet Chess Club, 08.09.1998 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8 8.Bc4 e6
9.Rb1 c6 10.Nh3 Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.cxd3 Nd7 14.Qg3 Kh8
15.Rf3 [15.Ng5!=] 15...Nf6 16.Qh4 Nd5 17.Bg5 [17.Ng5! h6 18.Qh5!=]
17...Bd6? [17...f6! 18.Bd2 f5=/+] 18.Bd2 [Correct is 18.Nf2! e5 19.Ne4+-;
18.c4+/-] 18...Kg8 19.Ng5 h6 20.Ne4 Bc7? [20...Be7!=] 21.Bxh6 gxh6
[21...f5 22.Rh3!+-] 22.Qxh6 Qd8 23.Rh3 Bxh2+ 24.Kh1 Qh4 25.Rxh4 Bf4
26.Qh8# 1-0
4.7 – 6.Qf3 Nd6
The Black knight on d6 defends the bishop on f5 and the pawn on b7.
170 - Shredder Shows Way

One Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game that I played in practice blitz vs
Shredder was in a critical line of the BDG Vienna 4...Bf5. Shredder is a great
name for a strong computer program.
High rated chess engines rip me apart in any opening. There is no real contest
between us.
The advantage a computer provides is that you can test a line in multiple blitz
games from both sides of the board. Chess engines show which lines are
critical and where vulnerable targets lie.
From 2005 to 2010 I played games vs Shredder 8. For this I loaded its
opening book with thousands of Blackmar-Diemer games from my database.
You don’t need a big database to do this. All you need is enough games that
it will play your opening.
Both of us took take turns playing both sides. How could I keep Shredder
from winning? I played the lines that it played against me. Shredder played
the same line over and over until it failed to win. Then it searched for the next
best line in its algorithm.
Here Black held the position with the active 7...Nc6 8.0-0-0 Qd7 instead of
the solid approach 7...e6 8.0-0-0 c6. Shredder's 9.d5! left me with a
vulnerable knight, bishop and my fair lady queen.
Shredder (3317) - Sawyer (2054), Florida, 04.09.2006 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4

dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Nc6 8.0-0-0
[8.Bxd6?! Nxd4! leads to a forcing line that favors Black. 9.Qxb7 Rb8
10.Qxa7 Nxc2+ 11.Kf2 exd6 12.Bb5+ Rxb5 13.Nxb5 Qh4+ (13...Nxa1=)
14.g3 Qc4=/+] 8...Qd7 9.d5! [9.h3? e6=/+] 9...Nb4 [9...Nd8 10.Nge2 Bg4
11.Qe3+/=; 9...Bg4 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Qd3+/-] 10.Bxd6 exd6 11.Rd4 c5
[11...Nxd5 12.Nxd5+/-] 12.Bb5 cxd4 13.Bxd7+ Bxd7 14.Qe4+ Kd8
15.Qxd4 Na6 16.Nh3 f6 17.Nf4 Be7 18.Re1 Nc7 19.Nh5 Bf8 20.Nxf6 1-0
171 - Vienna Yace 7.Bf4 Bg6
I played a number of practice blitz games vs Yace Paderborn. That chess
engine made up its own ratings for us. Our ratings sometimes went up and
other times down.
For an opening book, I gave Yace my database of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

games. It adjusted its defensive choices depending on its success or lack of it.
Here we look at a BDG Vienna variation that was in a critical line 4...Bf5
5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6. In theory the variation is equal.
The particular line chosen gave left pawns unprotected on the queenside for
both players. I was able to castle kingside while Yace as Black had its king
stuck in the center.
I included this because the game is a reasonably good example of the 7.Bf4
Bg6 line. That particular line is relatively rare.
Sawyer (1931) - Yace Paderborn (1967), Florida, 17.04.2010 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bg6 [7...e6]
8.Bxd6 cxd6 9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.Bb5 Rc8 11.Qxa7 Bxc2 12.Nd5 Bf5 13.Nf3
Rc2 14.0-0 e6 15.Bxd7+ Qxd7 16.Qxd7+ Kxd7 17.Ne3 Rxb2 18.Nxf5 exf5
19.Rfb1 Rxb1+ 20.Rxb1 g6 21.Rb7+ Ke8 22.a4 Be7 23.a5 Bf6 24.a6 Kf8
25.a7 Kg7 26.Rb8 1-0
172 - Vienna Sausage Soup
When the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is Declined Black most often plays
4...Bf5 the Vienna Variation. The postal game below turns into a soupy mess
where I sacrifice a knight to chase the king.
Most of the time White plays Diemer's line BDG Vienna 5.fxe4. This is my
game from the USCF 1988 Knight Squires vs Tony Campbell.
In 1972 Nikolajs Kampars and Anders Tejler wrote a book on this line called
"Discover The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Volume 3, The Vienna Defense".
It was published by Ken Smith of Chess Digest Magazine. The Index has an
outline of sub-variations.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5

A) 5.fxe4, the so-called "Diemer Gambit" played for the first time by Diemer
1936. Continuations included are: 5...Nxe4 and 5...Bxe4.
B) 5.g4, with continuations: 5...Bg6 6.h4, the Gunderam Attack. 5...Bg6 6.g5
Nd5 7.Nxe4 ["Tartakower" {note by Sawyer}], and 5...Bg6 6.g5 Nd5 7.fxe4,
the "Kampars Gambit", played for the first time by Kampars in 1962 in a
postal game with Don Day.
C) 5.Bc4, the "Soller Attack".
D) 5.Qe2, recommended by von Popiel but later dropped by him because of
the strong reply: 5...Nc6.
E) 5.d5, the "Sperling Attack", a played for the first time in a 1955-56 postal
game: Sperling vs Kiupel.
F) 5.Bg5, the "Polish Attack".
G) 5.Bf4, the "Tejler Attack", played for the first time in 1962 in a game vs
C. Harris. (Out of modesty, I must add here that when I first played this move
I felt that it had some power but I am no longer so sure - A.T.)
Sawyer - Campbell, corr USCF 88NS3, 14.08.1989 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5
3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Qc8 8.Bxd6 cxd6
9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Nge2 Bxb5 11.Nxb5 a6 12.0-0 [This piece sacrifice is
possible because the trapped B/f8 is insufficiently defended.] 12...axb5
13.Qxf7+ Kd7 14.Nf4 Qc4 15.d5 Qd4+? [15...Na6 16.Qf5+ Kc7=] 16.Kh1
Qf6 17.Ne6 Qxf7 18.Rxf7 Na6 19.Raf1 Nc7 20.Nxf8+ Ke8 21.Ne6 Nxe6
22.dxe6 Rxa2 23.Rxg7 Rxb2 24.h4 Rf8 25.Ra1 1-0
4.8 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2
Black often chooses to pick off this pawn.
173 - Bond vs Corneau

We hear again from our friend Jocelyn Bond: "Hi Tim, Here’s a game from
my Jonquiere chess championship, second opponent... This Wednesday I
played against a player rated about 1400. Still of Blackmar Diemer mood, I
outplayed my opponent fastly. I won easily with a BDG Declined, the Vienna
Variation in our first game."
Thanks Mr. Bond. It so happened that on that same day I played about 100
test blitz games on ICC, many in that very same line. My own book theory
recommends a slightly different move order to reach the same "crushing
position" that Scheerer gives in his book.
Taking Jocelyn Bond, vs Normand Corneau as the stem game, we reach the
BDG Vienna after four moves. The normal move order is 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5. Now White has the choice between 5.fxe4 (Diemer
Variation) and 5.g4 (Hara-Kiri Variation). BDGers prefer 5.fxe4 at about a 2
to 1 ratio. I play both lines interchangeably.
This game prompted me to look up my recommendation. After 5.fxe4 Nxe4

6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2?! I have preferred the move order 8.Bxd6 exd6 9.Rc1
Bg6 10.Qxb7 Nd7 11.Nd5. In fact I had a note about 8.Rc1 Nc6 in the notes
to my analysis. 8.Rc1 is good, but 8.Bxd6 exd6 9.Rc1 seems to be even
better.
Bond - Corneau, Championnat club d'échecs de Jonquiere (3), 04.07.2012

begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 [My opponent is upset.] 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 Nf6 5.fxe4
Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2 [7...e6!] 8.Rc1 Nc6N [Scheerer gives 8...Bg6
9.Bxd6 exd6 10.Qxb7 Nd7 11.Nd5 leading to a "crushing position in favor of
White."] 9.Bb5 [Not the best. Deep Fritz found 9.d5 Nd4 10.Qf2+/-]
9...Qd7?? [9...Be4! was the last chance. 10.Qe2 e5=] 10.Bxc6 Qxc6
11.Qxc6+ bxc6 12.Rxc2 e6 13.Nf3 Be7 14.0-0 0-0 15.Ne5 Nf5 16.Nxc6 Bd6
17.Nb5 Bxf4 18.Rxf4 and I won later. 1-0 [Notes by Bond/Deep Fritz]
174 - Alan Lindy Game
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game that I played vs Alan Lindy below was
from the Chaturanga Chess Club. During this time I was just learning this
gambit. Both of us were about to become USCF tournament experts rated
over 2000.
Alan and I were about the same age. Both of us have had periods of chess
inactivity, but in 1988-1989, we had some great times playing each other.
The Chaturanga club in Hatboro, Pennsylvania at that time often had Dan
Heisman, Eric Tobias, Bill Campion and Joe Kennedy. They were all very
good to me when I needed it for my chess comeback.
My database has us playing eleven games and I won them all. It is hard for
me to believe that Alan Lindy did not beat me or draw at least one game. My
memory is foggy after these many years, but I think our games were typically
unrated blitz affairs.
Both my “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook” 1992 (Game 48) and my

book “Alapin French” 1995 (Game 45) included games by Alan Lindy. I
hope life has been good for him. I have not seen Alan in more than 25 years,
but he gave me good memories.
This game is in a critical line in the BDG Vienna 4...Bf5. Natural moves led
us down Diemer's main path with 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4.
Initially Black has defended everything. Now suddenly Alan Lindy switches
gears with the dangerous 7.Bxc2 allowing both sides to pick up queenside
pawns. White was better poised for the ensuing tactics.
Sawyer (1981) - Lindy (1976), Hatboro, PA 1989 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2 8.Bxd6 Qxd6
[8...cxd6 9.Rc1 Nc6 10.Bb5+-] 9.Qxb7 Qxd4 10.Qc8+ Qd8 11.Bb5+!
[White wins a rook.] 11...c6 12.Bxc6+ Nxc6 13.Qxc6+ Qd7 14.Qxa8+ Qd8
15.Qxd8+ Kxd8 16.Nf3 e6 17.Ne5 Ke7 18.Rc1 Bf5 19.g4 Bg6 20.Nxg6+
hxg6 21.Ne4 Kd7 [Or 21...f5 22.Ng5+-] 22.0-0 Rh4 23.Rfd1+ 1-0
175 - Leuba vs Schenker
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game Didier Leuba vs J. Schenker played way
back in 1981 is a BDG Vienna 4...Bf5 variation that is still critical today.
In the Diemer line5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2, Can Black grab this
pawn and live to tell about it? White has many reasonable options.
Leuba chose what has proved to be an excellent way to play with 8.Rc1 Bg6
9.Bxd6 exd6 10.Qxb7. Let’s look at this example.
Didier Leuba of Switzerland went on to become a FIDE Master who was

sometimes listed with a 2300 rating and many other times in the 2290s.
Leuba played the BDG in his early years when he was learning tactics and
working his way up.
Later Didier Leuba switched to more common 1.d4 lines. He is not known as
a major BDGer nowadays.
Do any of my readers know who "J. Schenker" is or was? It is a typical name

from Switzerland, but I can find no one listed in FIDE who has that name.
The only other game I have by someone with that name is a BDG Lemberger
where J. Schenker won as White in 57 moves from 1993 vs an opponent
called "The King". Twenty years ago I might have known who this was, but
if so then I forgot.
Leuba - Schenker, Zurich, 1981 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3
Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2 [7...e6] 8.Rc1 Bg6 9.Bxd6 exd6
10.Qxb7 Nd7 11.Nd5 Qh4+ 12.g3 Qe4+ 13.Ne2 Rb8 14.Rxc7 Be7 15.Qc6
Rd8 16.Bg2 Qb1+ 17.Kf2 Qf5+ 18.Nef4 Kf8 19.Re1 Ne5 20.dxe5 dxe5
21.Rxe7 f6 22.Bh3 Qg5 23.Ne6+ Kg8 24.Rxg7# 1-0
4.9 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6
It is natural for Black to support the d5 square and to prepare for rapid
development.
176 - Slip on Unlucky 13

As I dig deep into the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, I find chess engines
approve of certain lines for White to obtain a playable or even winning game.
At the same time I discover lines that were previously played or
recommended but they lose.
Here I played a blitz game vs the 2965 rated program "paj" in the BDG
Vienna 4...Bf5. It follows a critical book variation.
I chose the Diemer variation 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4. My opponent
defended well with the critical line 7...e6 8.0-0-0 Be7 9.g4 Bg6.
White castled queenside and proceeded to attack all over the board as the
next three moves reveal: 10.h4! (kingside), 11.Bxd6 (center) and 12.Qxb7
(queenside). My follow-up was the logical piece development 13.Nf3, but at
this specific moment my choice was a blunder.
The knight cuts off the White queen from a good retreat square. Things go
badly quickly.
Sawyer (2047) - paj (2965), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 09.11.2011 begins
1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 8.0-
0-0 Be7 9.g4 Bg6 10.h4! [Stockfish likes this move 30 ply deep.] 10...h5
11.Bxd6 [11.g5 0-0 12.Nge2= looks like a good try. Scheerer had given
11.Bd3 "!", but maybe he missed 11...hxg4 12.Qxg4 Bh5! 13.Qxg7 Bf6-+
when White is in deep trouble.] 11...Bxd6 12.Qxb7 Nd7 13.Nf3? [Better is
for White to play 13.gxh5 Rxh5 14.Qf3 Nf6 15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 Rb8
17.Nge2= and hope for some good targets to pop up.] 13...Rb8 14.Qxa7
Bf4+ 15.Kb1 0-0 16.Ne5 Ra8 17.Qb7 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Qe7 19.gxh5? [This is
fatal, but even after 19.Bc4 Bxe5 20.Qf3 Rfb8-+ Black's attack is still
overwhelming.] 19...Rab8 20.Qc6 Rxb2+ 21.Kxb2 Qb4+ 22.Ka1 Bxe5
23.hxg6 Bxc3+ White resigns 0-1
177 - Focus On Enemy King
In 2012 I did a lot of work on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. That year I
annotated many BDG games and related lines in other openings that BDGers
must face as White. A lot of those BDGs were played by Bill Wall, especially
with the Ryder Gambit after 4…exf3 5.Qxf3.
Here I look at a wild struggle that I played in the BDG Vienna after 4…Bf5.
My opponent was “marcoss” in a three minute blitz game at the Internet
Chess Club.
Instead of developing, I foolishly went fishing for a pawn in a dubious

manner. My opponent missed the refutation.
Then we castled opposite sides. Both of us worked up our own simultaneous

attacks.
Black forced me to defend for a little bit. After Black missed 23...c4! I was
able to push my own attack.
Once I played the knight sacrifice 30.Nxg5! it was just a matter finding some
way to end the game with checkmate.
Sawyer - marcoss, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 02.09.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0-0 Nd7
9.Bxd6?! [I decided to go fishing but better is 9.g4 Bg6 10.Qe3=] 9...Bxd6
10.Qxb7? Rb8 11.Qf3? 0-0 [White idea is punished by 11...Qg5+! 12.Kb1
Bg4!-+] 12.Bd3 Bg6 [12...Qg5+!-+ still works as in the previous move.]
13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.h4 Nf6 15.g4 c6 16.h5 Qb6 17.b3 Ba3+ 18.Kb1 g5
19.Ne4 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Qb4 21.Qd3 c5 22.c3 [22.c4 cxd4 23.Nf3+/-]
22...Qb7 23.Nh3? [23.Qf3=] 23...f6 [Black can break through by 23...c4!-+
with a winning attack.] 24.h6 cxd4 25.hxg7 Qxg7 26.cxd4 Rfc8 27.Rd2 Bb4
28.Rdh2 Rc3 29.Qe4 e5 30.Nxg5! fxg5? 31.Qd5+ Kf8 32.Rh8+ Ke7
33.Rxb8 [33.R1h7!+- leads to a forced mate.] 33...Bd6 34.Rb7+ Rc7
35.Rxc7+ Bxc7 36.Re1 Qf6 37.dxe5 Qf2 38.Qe4 [Better is 38.Rd1+-]
38...Bb6 39.e6 Qf4 40.Qb7+ [More accurate is 40.Qh7+!+-] 40...Kf6
41.Qf7# Black is checkmated 1-0
178 - Michal Stepan in BDG
In the summer of 2013 I found this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. It came from
the 11th Niki Open.
There Michal Stepan played Wladyslaw Kuciel in a Blackmar-Diemer

Declined Vienna with 7.Bf4 e6. This is a main line of the 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4
variation.
In this seesaw contest White started out with a good game. By move 20 Black
was better.
However on move 23 the position was difficult and complex. Then Black
made the fatal error.
This flipped the evaluation at that point from a likely Black win to a White
advantage. It led to a nice mating attack.
Stepan (2093) - Kuciel (1986), 11th Niki Open 2013 Nachod CZE (3.11),
01.07.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3
Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0-0 Nd7 9.g4 Bg6 10.Bg2!? [The most popular has been
10.Qe3?! but Black is better after 10...Nf6=/+; Rybka, Stockfish and Houdini
all prefer 10.h4! h5 11.g5=] 10...Be7 [10...c6=/+] 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Qe2 c6
13.h4 h6 14.g5 [14.Nf3+/=] 14...h5 15.Bf3 Qa5 16.Bxh5 Bxh5 [16...Nc4]
17.Qxh5 Nc4 18.Rd3 [18.Nge2=] 18...e5 [Or 18...Qb4 19.b3 a5] 19.Bc1
exd4 20.Ne4 [Chances are equal after 20.Rxd4 Na3+ 21.bxa3 Qb6+ 22.Rb4
Bxb4 23.axb4 Qxb4+ 24.Bb2=] 20...Qd5 [20...Nde5!-/+ is good here and
even better after White's next move.] 21.Ng3 Nc5 22.Rf3 g6 23.Qh6 Rfe8?
[The losing move. Black is winning after 23...Ne5! (threatening ...d3) 24.Nf5
gxf5 25.g6 fxg6 26.h5 Ng4 27.Qxg6+ Kh8 28.h6 Qf7-+ and White's attack is
over.] 24.Nh5! gxh5 [24...Ne6 loses to 25.Rf6! Ne5 26.Rxe6 gxh5 27.g6+-]
25.g6 fxg6 26.Qxg6+ Kh8 27.Rf7 [White has a mate in 11 beginning with
27.Qh6+! Kg8 28.Rg3+] 27...Qxf7 28.Qxf7 Ne3 29.Nf3 Bf8 30.Rg1 1-0
179 - Quinones vs Husemann
The most popular BDG Declined variation is the Vienna Defence. This
begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5.
Diemer often played 5.fxe4 (5.g4 is also good.) 5...Nxe4 when we come to
the main line Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Vienna 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 variation.
Here is a 4…Bf5 game between Jorge Victor Quinones Borda and Andreas
Husemann. Both sides castled queenside.
White pushed for activity on the kingside. Then all of a sudden he saw an
opportunity with 21. Bxa6!
What followed was a successful attack on the Black king.
Quinones (1905) - Husemann (1869), SB-2012-0-00268 Lechenicher

SchachServer, 24.11.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5
5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0-0 Nd7 [The main line is 8...c6 9.g4
Bg6 10.Qe3 Be7 11.Nf3 Nd7 when White has chosen either 12.d5, 12.Ne5 or
12.h4] 9.g4 Bg6 10.Qe3 Nf6 11.d5 [11.h3!?] 11...Nxg4 12.Qg3 e5 13.Bd2
Qc8 14.Nf3 Be7 15.Rg1 e4 16.Nd4 Nf6 17.Be2 Qd7 18.h4 [18.Kb1!?]
18...0-0-0 [18...Nh5-/+] 19.Qf2 Kb8 20.Bf4 a6? [20...h5-/+] 21.Bxa6! Ng4
22.Qe2 Bf6 23.Bxb7 Kxb7 24.Nb3 Qc8 [24...Kb8 25.Nc5+/-] 25.Rxg4
Bxc3? [25...Bh5 26.Bxd6 Rxd6 27.Qb5+ Ka8 28.Rxe4+/-] 26.Nc5+ Ka8
27.bxc3 Bh5 28.Rd4 Bxg4 29.Ra4+ Kb8 30.Rb4+ Ka8 31.Qe3 Bd7 32.c4
1-0
180 - Byron Funkhouser BDG
A generation ago, moves that got "!" (for a good move) due to creativity may
now get "?" (for a bad move) due to their tactical unsoundness. The
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit used to have many playable options. Fortunately
we still have a few good moves.
I encountered the BDG Declined Vienna variation 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3
Nf6 4.f3 Bf5. I chose Diemer’s 5.fxe4 in my USCF 1989 Golden Squires
Finals game vs Byron Funkhouser
In 2013 Byron Funkhouser saw my coverage of this game. He noted, “Nice

walk down memory lane. Your analysis seems sound. Glad to see that you're
doing well.”
I replied in part, “Great to hear from you! Yes, it appears we are both still
alive and kicking. I loved playing postal chess back in the olden days. I met a
lot of good players like yourself. Thanks for the comment and best wishes!
Tim”
We played the BDG Vienna 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6. After8.0-0-0
c6, I chose the bold sacrifice 9.d5?! This had been successful in earlier years.
White opens up the game at the possible cost of a piece. We drifted into a
drawn position. Nowadays 9.g4! is known to give White a good game.
Christoph Scheerer writes: "9.d5? is premature. This kind of move might

have worked in the early days of the Gambit, but today such rash advances
are swiftly countered..."
Sawyer (1961) - Funkhouser (1718), corr USCF 89SF7, 04.05.1992 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 8.0-
0-0 c6 9.d5?! [9.g4!=] 9...cxd5 10.Nxd5? [10.Bxd6 Bxd6 11.Nxd5=/+]
10...Be4 11.Qe3 exd5 12.Rxd5 Be7 [12...f5 13.Bd3 Qb6 14.Qe2 Nc6-/+]
13.Rd1 0-0 [Funkhouser wrote that he didn't play 13...f5! because I would
maintain the initiative with 14.Qa3 (or first 14.Bb5+ Nc6-+) which sounded
reasonable to me in 1992, but looking at now after 14...Qc8! 15.Qb3 Nf7-+ I
have no compensation for the sacrificed knight.] 14.Bxd6 Bg5 15.Bf4 Qc7
16.Qxe4 Qxf4+ 17.Qxf4 Bxf4+ 18.Kb1 Nc6 1/2-1/2
181 - Master Wiander Wins
When the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is not accepted by 4...exf3, White has
good choices for attack. The normal declined defense is the BDG Vienna
with 4...Bf5.
Here is a game where Michael Wiander of Sweden plays the Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit from a position that began as a Scandinavian Defence.
Michael Wiander is a rated master and a FIDE titled Candidate Master,
Wiander plays the first nine book moves accurately. He finds a reasonable
alternative to 10.Qe3 with his selection of 10.Nge2.
Fifteen moves later vs Staffan Thomasson the game was over.
Note that in the past I have written on many BDG players from Sweden.
They included such players as Pelle Lingsell, Walfrid Nilsson, Leif Svensson,
Tom Rydstrom, and Torsten Oscarsson.
Sweden must be a fun place to live!
Wiander (2204) - Thomasson (1887), Deltalift Open 2014 Halmstad SWE

(1.17), 29.05.2014 begins 1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0-0 c6 9.g4! Bg6 10.Nge2 [The main line is 10.Qe3
Be7 11.Nf3 Nd7 12.Ne5 Nf6 13.h4 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Nxg6 hxg6 when
Houdini and Deep Rybka suggest 16.h5=] 10...Be7 11.Ng3 [11.Be5!?]
11...Qa5 12.h4 h5 13.Be5 hxg4 14.Qxg4 Nd7 15.h5 Bf5 16.Qf4 Nxe5?
[16...Bh7=] 17.dxe5 Nb5 [There is still some hope in 17...Bh7 18.Rxd6 Bxd6
19.exd6 0-0-0 20.h6 Bg6 21.hxg7+/-] 18.Bxb5 cxb5 19.Nxf5 exf5 20.Qxf5
b4 21.Rhf1 0-0 22.Nd5 Rae8 23.Kb1 Qc5 24.Rg1 Rd8 25.h6 1-0
182 - Yace is No BDG Vienna
This Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game that I played vs Yace Paderborn was in
a test line of the BDG Vienna 4...Bf5.
It helped me focus on the advance of the kingside pawns.
This seemed to discourage my silicon opponent from castling on the side and
instead slither off to the queenside.
No matter. I managed to outplay it anyway.
The opening is a critical variation where Black sets up a solid defense of the
vulnerable f7 and b7 squares with moves like 6...Nd6, 7...e6, 8...c6 and
9...Bg6.
But Black cannot hide forever. White ripped open the position and won
tactically.
Sawyer (1931) - Yace Paderborn (1967), Florida, 21.04.2010 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 [7...Bxc2]
8.0-0-0 c6 9.g4 Bg6 10.h4 h5 11.g5 Nd7 12.Bd3 Nf5 13.Nge2 Qb6 14.Rhf1
Nxh4 15.Qg3 Nf5 16.Bxf5 Bxf5 17.Qf2 0-0-0 18.Ng3 Bh3 19.Rfe1 Bb4
20.Nge4 e5 21.Be3 Bg4 22.Rd2 Nb8 23.dxe5 Qc7 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Bf4
Bxc3 26.Nxc3 b6 27.e6 Qe7 28.Bxb8 Kxb8 29.exf7 Qxg5+ 30.Kb1 Qf6
31.Qxf6 gxf6 32.Re8 Rc8 33.Rxc8+ 1-0
183 - Save vs Dave DelRosario
I was amazed. When I played through all the known games of Bobby Fischer,
I saw that often he lost material. It happens to everyone, especially if the
opponents are strong.
Many times Bobby Fischer saved the game with a draw. Fischer actually won
some from lost positions! This was especially true during his school age or
his teenager years.
How do you save a game when you lose material? You make it harder for
your opponent to win.
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game that I played vs Dave DelRosario was a

very critical line of the BDG Vienna 4...Bf5. It was similar to my game vs
Shyborg (next game).
In both cases I played 10.Qe3. This moved the White queen in line with the
Black king. Also it cleared the way for my next move 11.Nf3. Chances are
even. But then I got too frisky with 12.d5!? Then I recaptured the wrong way
with 13.Rxd5? This led to a worse position.
I swapped off all kingside pawns. I was down a rook for a bishop and pawn.
With all pawns on one side of the board, it is harder to win. So we agreed to a
draw. Also about this time my opponent resigned our other BDG game where
I played Black.
Sawyer - DelRosario, corr BDG thematic (1), 1997 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0-0 c6 9.g4
Bg6 10.Qe3 Be7 11.Nf3 Nd7 12.d5!? [Or 12.Ne5 Nf6 13.h4 Nd5 14.Nxd5
cxd5 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Kb1 Rxh4 17.Bxd6=] 12...cxd5 13.Rxd5? [13.Nxd5
exd5 14.Bxd6=] 13...exd5 14.Bxd6 Kf8 15.Qxe7+ Qxe7 16.Bxe7+ Kxe7
17.Nxd5+ Kd6 18.Nf4 Be4 19.Be2 Rac8 20.Rd1+ Kc7 [Wrong way! After
20...Ke7 21.Nd5+ Bxd5 22.Rxd5 Rhd8-+ Black is winning up both the
Exchange and a pawn.] 21.Ng5 Bg6 22.h4 Ne5 [The creative idea 22...Nf6!
23.h5 h6-/+ looks quite promising for Black.] 23.h5 h6 24.Nf3 Nxf3 25.hxg6
Ne5 26.gxf7 Nxf7 27.Ne6+ Kb8 28.Nxg7 Rhd8 29.Rf1 Ng5 30.Nf5 Rc6
31.Rh1 Nf7 32.c3 Rg6 33.Kc2 Re8 34.Rh2 Kc7 35.Nd4 Ne5 36.g5 Rxg5
37.Rxh6 1/2-1/2
184 - Shyborg Sneaks Draw
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game I played vs Shyborg was a BDG Vienna
4...Bf5. I was winning late in the game vs a 2727 rated opponent. This was
played back when I was playing at my peak in the 2400s.
The particular path we followed is a very critical line for the 4...Bf5 5.fxe4
variation.
Black is up a pawn, and White is on the attack. The theoretical chances are
even. May the better player win!
Now that I am in my 60s, it is hard to remember how mentally sharp I was

when I was in my 40s.
Not sure what went wrong in this game. Why did I give up the bishop on
move 44?
Either I thought wrongly that the pawn ending was winning for White, or I
may have been low on time and might have wanted to force a draw quickly.
At least I drew this game and did not lose it!
Sawyer (2405) - Shyborg (2727), ICC 4 0 u Internet Chess Club, 19.12.1998

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4
e6 8.0-0-0 c6 9.g4 Bg6 10.Qe3 h5 11.d5 cxd5 12.Rxd5 Be7? [This is the
most common move in this position, but it is not good. Correct is 12...Qb6!
13.Qxb6 axb6 14.Rxd6 Bxd6 15.Bxd6 hxg4=] 13.Rd2 a6 14.Nf3 [Or
14.gxh5!? Rxh5 15.Be2 Rf5 16.Nf3+/-] 14...hxg4 15.Ne5 Nd7? 16.Nxg6 Nf5
17.Qe4 fxg6 18.Qxe6 Qc8 19.Qxg6+ Kf8 20.Qxf5+ Nf6 21.Qg6 Rh5
22.Bg2 Qf5 23.Qxf5 Rxf5 24.Bg3 Ra7 25.Bf2 Bc5 26.Bxc5+ Rxc5 27.Ne4
Ra5 28.Nxf6 gxf6 29.Kb1 Re5 30.Rf1 Ke8 31.b3 Ke7 32.h3 gxh3 33.Bxh3
b5 34.Rf5 b4 35.Rxe5+ fxe5 36.Rd5 Kf6 37.Rd7 Rxd7 38.Bxd7 Ke7
39.Bc8 a5 40.Kc1 Kd6 41.Ba6 Kd5 42.Kd2 Kd4 43.Bd3 e4 44.Bxe4?!
[44.Ba6!+- is winning.] 44...Kxe4 45.c4 bxc3+ 46.Kxc3 Kd5 47.a3 Kc5
48.a4 [48.Kd3 Kd5 49.Ke3 Ke5=] 48...Kd5 49.b4 axb4+ 50.Kxb4 Kc6
51.a5 Kb7 52.a6+ Kxa6 Game drawn because neither player has mating
material 1/2-1/2
5.0 – 2.f3 d5 3.e4
This line could transpose to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3
d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. What if Black avoids the BDG? Here I consider games
where Black does not take on e4.
One such line is 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5. This is called the Sawyer
Variation of the French Defence. It is one of the few opening lines I invented
that is actually named after me.
185 - Need Plan of Attack

From the movie "The Avengers":
Steve Rogers: "Stark, we need a plan of attack!"
Tony Stark: "I have a plan: attack!"
In this three minute blitz game, my original plan of attack was to transpose
into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. However after 3.e4
c6 4.Nc3 e6, that is not going to happen. After I complete my development, I
need a plan of attack.
After move 15 I decided to just attack! I combined my pawns and pieces to

open up the defenses around Black's king. My attack was not deeply thought
out, nor was it played accurately. But an attack by itself threatens stuff. An
attack puts pressure on the opponent. In the end White had an easy win in a
BDG Avoided.
Sawyer - idledim, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 16.05.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5 3.e4 c6 4.Nc3 e6 [4...dxe4 5.Bc4 exf3 6.Nxf3] 5.Bg5 [White can play
a standard Steinitz Variation of the Classical French Defence with 5.e5 Nfd7
6.f4 c5 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.Be3 where both sides have lost one tempo.] 5...Be7
6.Bd3?! [Better is 6.e5 Nfd7 7.Bxe7 Qxe7 8.f4 c5 9.Nb5+/=] 6...h6?!
[6...dxe4! 7.fxe4 Qxd4=/+] 7.Be3 Nbd7 8.Qd2 [8.e5!+/=] 8...g5 9.e5 Nh5
10.Nge2 c5 11.g4 Ng7 12.dxc5 Nxc5 [12...Nxe5!=] 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.Nd4 0-
0 15.Bxd7 Qxd7 16.h4! Rac8 17.hxg5 hxg5 18.Bxg5 Rfd8? 19.Bf6! Bxf6
20.exf6 e5 21.Qg5 [Winning, but sloppy. Fastest is 21.Rh8+! Kxh8 22.Qh6+
Kg8 23.Qxg7#] 21...Nce6 22.Nxe6 Black resigns [22.Qh6!+-] 1-0
186 - Coleman BDG Avoided
In 1989 I entered the maximum 10 7-player sections of the USCF Golden
Knights Postal Tournament. In almost every game as White, I tried to play
Often I was successful in reaching my favorite opening. But of course some

players just would not take my pawns.
When I did not score enough in the first round, I would find myself dumped
into the Golden Squires for the second round. I had to score well from there
to make the Finals.
Geoffrey Coleman and I made the 1989 USCF Golden Squires Finals in two
sections. We played our two games for the most part simultaneously on the
same postcard.
In our first game he chose a BDG Declined Vienna 4.f3 Bf5 which was
covered previously. This time around Black Avoided the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit with the Paleface Attack 2.f3.
Coleman did not capture my e-pawn by 3...dxe4 4.f3 reaching the BDG.
Instead he played the unusual reply 3...Nc6!?
Almost anything can be played against a move like 2.f3. We quickly reached
an original position.
It appears that both of us could have done better on move 8. Eventually we

agreed to draws in both games.
Sawyer (2004) - Coleman (1977), corr USCF 89SF10, 15.09.1992 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 Nc6 4.e5 [4.Nc3!?] 4...Ng8 5.g4!? [I wanted to prevent
something like 5.Be3 Bf5=] 5...Bd7 6.Nc3 e6 7.Be3 Na5 [7...h5!?] 8.Nce2?
[8.h4] 8...Bb5 [Black can take over the initiative with 8...Nc4! 9.Qc1 c5-/+]
9.Ng3 Bxf1 10.Kxf1 Nc4 11.Bc1 c5 12.b3 Nb6 13.c3 c4 [13...Rc8=/+]
14.N1e2 Qd7 15.Kg2 Ne7 16.Ba3 a5?! [16...Ng6 17.Bxf8 Rxf8=] 17.Bc5
Nbc8 18.Qc2 b6 19.Ba3 b5 20.Bc5 Qb7 [20...Ng6 21.Bxf8 Kxf8 22.h4+/=]
21.b4 [21.Rhb1+/- is promising for White.] 21...axb4 22.Bxb4 Nb6 23.a3 0-
0-0?! [23...g6=] 24.Ba5 [White still has 24.Rhb1+/-] 24...Nc6 25.Bb4 1/2-1/2
187 - BDG Avoided Paleface
Sometimes I have played many three minute blitz games per day. My focus
has been to play opening moves where I had the best performance rating. I
have about the same performance with 1.d4 and 1.e4. I swing back and forth
between them.
After 1.d4 Nf6, my best performance rating is between 2.f3 and 2.Nc3. Both
of those can lead to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. My highest winning
percentage is with 2.c4, but that performance is lower because I tend to play
2.c4 vs lower rated opponents.
The Paleface Attack 2.f3 has been very common in my games. There is often
only one rating point difference between that and 2.Nc3. Then comes 2.c4.
Other moves such as 2.Nf3, 2.Bf4 and 2.Bg5 have brought me much less
success.
In the game below, Black delays ...dxe4 until move six. After that I got a
kingside attack which eventually won.
I kicked myself that I missed 19.Qe4! Of course at 3 0 speed I am playing a

move every two seconds or so. I often see a good move a couple seconds
after I make a move.
Sawyer - vladdfallavenna, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 23.05.2012 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 [Two alternatives are the solid
5.e5 or the gambit 5.Be3] 5...Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 dxe4 7.fxe4 h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6
9.Nf3 0-0 10.e5 [Or 10.Bd3+/=] 10...Qe7 11.Bd3 c5 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Qd2
cxd4 14.cxd4 Nb4 15.Be4 Nd5 16.c4 Nb6 17.Bd3 [17.Rac1] 17...Bd7
18.Qf4!? g5? [18...Bc6 19.Rac1+/=] 19.Qg4 [Even stronger was 19.Qe4! f5
20.exf6 Rxf6 21.Ne5+-] 19...f6 20.exf6 Qxf6 21.Ne5 Qe7 22.Rxf8+ Rxf8
23.Ng6 Qa3 24.Nxf8 Qxd3 25.Nxd7 Qc3? 26.Qxe6+ Kh8 27.Qf6+ Kh7
28.Qf7+ [28.Nf8+ Kg8 29.Qg6+ Kxf8 30.Rf1+ leads to a quick mate.]
28...Kh8 29.Rf1 Qxd4+ 30.Kh1 Qxd7 31.Qf8+ Kh7 32.Rf7+ 1-0
188 - James Regan vs Sawyer
This game features James Regan playing an original albeit solid move against
my own BDG style opening. We played the French Defence Sawyer
Variation after 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5.
This is a classic battle of chess opening strategies. White wants to open lines
for attack using a space advantage and active pieces. Black wants to close
everything off.
In this game Black got carried away. He closed off too much with 9...c4?!
This is a typical mistake in strategy.
Black had short term activity on the queenside. The problem would be the
long term advantage.
White had a long term potential kingside attack. When Black played to open
up the kingside, it did not work well for him.
Sawyer - Regan, corr USCF 1989 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5
[Sawyer Variation] 4...c6 [This is the only time I have ever seen this solid but
passive move. If 4...Be7 then 5.e5 or 5.Nc3 are reasonable.] 5.e5 h6 6.Be3
[6.Bh4=] 6...Nfd7 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qc1 c5 9.c3 c4?! [Closing this position does
not generally lead to much unless Black is ready to make a pawn break on the
queenside. 9...Nc6=] 10.Nf3 Qc7 11.Be2 b5 12.a3 Nc6 13.Nbd2 Be7 14.0-0
Rb8 15.g4 Nb6 16.b4 a5 17.Bd1 0-0 18.Bc2 axb4 19.axb4 Ra8 20.Rxa8
Nxa8 21.Rf2 Bd8 [21...Nb6 22.Bb1=] 22.Nf1 [22.Bb1+/=] 22...f5 [This
gives White a huge advantage. Black might try 22...Nb6 23.Ng3+/-]
23.exf6+- 1-0
189 - Too Fast Sawyer French
About once a year I whip out the only opening variation that was totally
original with me. I played it first in 1989 against James Regan in a USCF
postal chess game (see previous game).
That game and two other games were mentioned in Game 7 of my 1992
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook.
The Sawyer Variation is a response to the BDG Avoided via French Defence
after 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5!?
Of course 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 is very rare. Most players would not try 2.f3 unless
White was headed for a BDG hoped for 2...d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3.
I doubt 4.Bg5 was the best move. I just wanted something to take Black out
of the book.
The game below is a very fast blitz game. I was trying to stay ahead of my
opponent on the clock. He was also very fast. I played too fast. I missed my
first two chances to win.
Fortunately, my opponent gave me more chances. It was a 3 0 blitz game; I

used 77 seconds to make all 48 moves.
Sawyer - subamaya, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 05.05.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 [Sawyer Variation] 4...h6 5.Bxf6 Qxf6 6.e5 Qd8
7.f4 c5 8.c3 cxd4 9.cxd4 Bb4+ 10.Nc3 Qa5 11.Qd2 Bxc3 12.Qxc3 Qxc3+
13.bxc3 [We head toward an endgame where I have a better bishop, but not
much else. I just play fast and hope for a blunder.] 13...Nd7 14.Nf3 b6
15.Bd3 0-0 16.0-0 f6 17.g4 Kf7 18.g5 f5 19.gxh6 gxh6 20.Kf2 Rg8 21.Rg1
Bb7 22.Rxg8 Rxg8 23.Rg1 Rxg1 24.Kxg1 a6 25.Kf2 b5 26.Ke3 Nb6
27.Nd2 Nc4+ 28.Nxc4 bxc4 29.Be2 Ke7 30.Bh5 Bc6 31.Bd1 Be8 32.Kd2
Kd7 33.Kc1 Kc6? [Black blunders and playing fast I missed it. 33...Ke7=]
34.Kb2? [34.Ba4+] 34...Kb5 35.Ka3 a5? [35...Ka5=] 36.Kb2= [36.Ba4+!+-
wins.] 36...Bg6 37.Kc1 h5?+- [The losing move. 37...Bf7=] 38.Kd2 Kc6
39.Ke3 Kd7 40.Kf2 Ke7 41.Kg3 Kd7? 42.Kh4 Be8 43.Ba4+ Kd8 44.Bxe8
Kxe8 45.a4 Ke7 46.Kxh5 Kf7 47.Kh6 Kg8 48.Kg6 [Final Clocks: 1:43-
1:30] 1-0
190 - Win My Own Variation
When first I invented the French Defence Sawyer Variation twenty years ago,
my original goal was to transpose into a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
The Euwe variation can be reached after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 e6
4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nc3 exf3 6.Nxf3. Sometimes these very same moves were
played.
What I found was that Black usually did not capture my e4 pawn
immediately. Sometimes he never took it at all.
Here my ICC blitz opponent "Muravey" rated 1773 kicked my bishop from
g5. This time I redeployed it to Be3.
Anyone who plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit type positions should be

very aware of several tactical themes. One popular option is the Bxh6
sacrifice.
This especially works well if Black has castled kingside. Then White hopes
that Black will play ...h7-h6.
Here even after the light squared bishops were exchanged, the sacrifice was
still promising. This was due to White's very active pieces which targeted the
Black king.
White followed up the Bxh6 sacrifice with an attack using his queen, knight
and rook.
Sawyer - Muravey, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 06.02.2013 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 Sawyer Variation 4...h6 5.Be3 dxe4 6.Nc3 exf3
7.Nxf3 b6 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.0-0 Bb4 10.a3 Bxc3 11.bxc3 0-0 12.Qd2 Ne4 [If
12...Nbd7 then 13.Bxh6 still follows.] 13.Bxe4 Bxe4 14.Bxh6 gxh6 [Maybe
14...Nc6 15.Rae1] 15.Qxh6 Bg6 [15...Bxc2 16.Ne5+-] 16.Ne5 [Houdini 3
gives 16.Nh4+- as more accurate.] 16...Bf5? [16...Nd7 17.Nxg6 fxg6
18.Qxg6+ Kh8 19.Qh6+ Kg8 20.Qxe6+ Kg7 21.Rae1+-] 17.Rf3 Re8
18.Rg3+ Bg6 19.Rxg6+ fxg6 20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Nf7# Black checkmated 1-0
191 - Luis Ledesma vs Sawyer
From 1989 to 1991 I tried to play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit at every
opportunity with the White pieces. If Black avoided it with a move like 1.d4
Nf6, then I went with either 2.Nc3 or 2.f3.
That way I could still reach the BDG if Black played 2...d5. Many of my
games transposed back to the BDG.
Most often I played 2.f3. When Black did not cooperate with my devious
plan, then I tried to create something original.
One idea I invented was the Sawyer Variation which could come from a
French Defence, although 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 Nf6 4.Bg5 is highly unlikely
from that move order.
The Sawyer variation combines 2.f3 with 4.Bg5. White holds back Nc3 for at
least a move or two.
Usually Black played 4...Be7. Luis Ledesma delayed the move ...Be7, but he
castled 6...0-0 quickly.
After Black’s move 4...dxe4 in some other games I tried for the BDG with
5.Nc3. Instead here I recaptured the pawn with 5.fxe4.
Against Luis Ledesma, I just developed toward the center and kingside. After
Black allowed a pawn fork, I turned down the win of a piece to play for
checkmate.
As I recall, if I failed to score 4.5 out of 6 games in a section of the

preliminary round, then I was dumped from the Golden Knights to the
Golden Squires (SS) event for the Semi-Final round. This game comes from
one of those.
Sawyer (2032) - Ledesma (1694), corr USCF 89SS40, 11.02.1991 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 dxe4 [4...Be7 is the most common reply.]
5.fxe4 Be7 6.Nc3 0-0 7.Nf3 b6 [Houdini and Fritz prefer 7...h6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6
9.e5= when White's Nf3 is at the moment looks better than Black's Bc8.]
8.Qd2 Bb7 9.Qf4 [Wandering closer to the Black king just to see what might
happen...] 9...Bd6? [A tactical error. Logical is 9...Nbd7 10.0-0-0=] 10.e5
Bb4 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.exf6 Kh8 13.Qh6 1-0
192 - William Stirling in French
Once again I attempted to reach a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in the 1989
USCF Golden Squires Postal Chess Tournament.
This time my opponent was William Stirling. I believe he was the same
person that I played in a tournament near Philadelphia some years earlier.
Here Stirling avoided the BDG. We went for originality with my French
Defence Sawyer Variation 4.Bg5!?
Diemer sometimes played the speculative 1.d4 Nf6 2.g4!?. That is called the
Gibbins-Wiedenhagen Gambit, or GW Gambit for short.
I tried the GW Gambit a few times, but it felt too speculative for me. Only
2.Nc3 and 2.f3 were covered in my 1992 book Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Keybook.
Against Sterling, I chose 2.f3 and we moved into my own invention.
After 4.Bg5, I have had mixed success. This time, it worked like a charm.
Sawyer (2023) - Stirling (1769), corr USCF 89SS66, 21.05.1991 begins 1.d4
Nf6 2.f3 d5 [In KB1 I give the move order 2...e6 3.e4 Nxe4?! is unsound, but
White must be careful. 4.fxe4 Qh4+ 5.Ke2! Qxe4+ 6.Be3 b6 7.Nd2 Ba6+
8.Kf2 Qh4+ 9.g3 Qf6+ 10.Qf3! Bb7 11.Qxf6 gxf6 12.Bg2+- Purser - Watson,
West Germany 1978] 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5!? [The Sawyer Variation!? The
alternatives are 4.Nc3, the non-gambit line 4.e5! or 4.Be3?! the Rasa-Studier
Gambit] 4...Be7 [Another try is 4...c6?! 5.e5 h6 6.Be3 Nfd7 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qc1
c5 9.c3 c4 10.Nf3+/= Sawyer - Regan, corres 1989] 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.e5 Nd7
7.Be3 f6 8.f4 0-0 9.Nf3 fxe5 10.fxe5 Bb4 11.Bd3 Nb6 12.Bxh7+ [and here
Black resigned. My intention was to play after 12.Bxh7+ Kxh7 13.Ng5+ Kg6
14.Qd3+ (14.Qg4!+- is even stronger) 14...Rf5 15.g4 Nc4 16.gxf5+ exf5
17.h4+-] 1-0
193 - Ray Mrofka vs Sawyer
Once again I provide an example of French Defence Sawyer Variation. This
was reached by a specific Blackmar-Diemer Gambit move order: 1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5!? Even here 4...dxe4 5.Nc3!? exf3 6.Nxf3 would
transpose to a BDG Euwe.
In a game from the 1989 USCF Golden Squires Postal Chess Tournament,
Ray Mrofka played the normal 4...Be7. I responded with the logical but risky
5.Nc3?!
Black could have set off a series of captures with 5...Nxe4! If he did, Black
would end up on top after the dust cleared.
Take note of this one particular line 4.Bg5 Be7. This is a time when is better
to close the position with 5.e5.
Then White can swap off his bad bishop for Black's good one. Both sides
would compete development with equal chances.
Here against Mrofka I did close the position on my next move with 6.e5
because Black did not play 5…Nxe4!
We exchanged bishops. After that, I got to play the move 8.Nb5! This
threatened some tactics that Black missed.
Sawyer (1997) - Mrofka (1608), corr USCF 89SS104, 10.12.1991 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 e6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nc3?! [5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bxe7 Qxe7 7.c3=]
5...c5 [5...Nxe4! 6.Bxe7 Nxc3 7.Bxd8 Nxd1 8.Bxc7 Nxb2 9.Rb1 Nc4
10.Bxc4 dxc4 11.Rb4 Nc6 12.Rxc4 Kd7 13.Bg3 b6=/+] 6.e5 Nfd7 7.Bxe7
Qxe7!? [Maybe Black should play 7...Kxe7=] 8.Nb5! Na6? [8...Kd8 has to
be played.] 9.Nd6+ Kd8 10.c3 [10.Bxa6! bxa6 11.f4+- with a big positional
advantage for White.] 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 b6 12.Nxc8 Nb4 13.Nxe7 1-0
194 - Surprised Sawyer French
In a blitz game I was surprised by an opportunity to play my own Sawyer
Variation.
The situation arose when Black opened in the Classical French Defence style.
This avoided my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
For the moment I had forgotten why the natural 5.Nc3 was a bad move, so I
played it.
Once again I got away with it when Black missed the refutation of 5...Nxe4!
Better is to play 5.e5 and be in effect down a tempo in a variation of the

French Defence Steinitz.
Sawyer - sdrrtc (1643), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 21.10.2014 begins

1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nc3?! [This is a natural move that
should fail tactically. More accurate is 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bxe7 Qxe7 7.c3 f6 8.f4=
when White's better bishop and space advantage compensate for losing a
tempo with his f-pawn.] 5...dxe4 [5...Nxe4! 6.Bxe7 Nxc3 7.Bxd8 Nxd1=/+]
6.fxe4 0-0 7.Nf3 c6 [7...h6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.e5 Be7 10.Qd3=] 8.Bd3 Re8 9.0-0
Nbd7 10.e5 Nd5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Qe1 Nf4 [12...Nb4 13.Qd2+/-] 13.Qe4
[Another idea is 13.Bxh7+!? Kxh7 14.Qg3!+-] 13...Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Nf8
15.Ne4 Rd8 [15...f5 16.Nd6+/-] 16.Qe3 [16.Nfg5!+- is very powerful.]
16...b6 17.Nd6 c5 18.c3!? h6 19.Rad1 cxd4 20.cxd4 [20.Nxd4!+- threatens
both 21.Rxf7 and 21.Nc6.] 20...Bd7 21.Nd2 Be8 22.N2e4 Ng6 23.g3 a6
24.Rc1 Bb5 25.Rf2 [My plan was to double rooks on the c-file, but I missed
that all of a sudden I had 25.Rxf7!+-] 25...Ra7 26.Rfc2 Be8 27.Rc8
[27.Nc8!+-] 27...Kh7 28.Qc3 [28.Rxd8! Qxd8 29.Rc8+-] 28...b5 29.b4 h5
30.h4 Bd7 31.Rxd8 Qxd8 32.Ng5+ Kg8 33.Ngxf7 Qe7 34.Ng5 Nf8 35.Qd3
Be8 36.Rc8 Bg6 37.Rxf8+ [37.Qxg6!+-] 37...Qxf8 38.Qxg6 Qe7 39.Qh7+
Kf8 40.Qh8# Black checkmated 1-0
5.1 – 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4
This begins coverage of the BDG Huebsch Gambit. White has sacrificed a
pawn in exchange for Black’s best defensive piece.
195 - BountyHunter 4.Nf3

White almost always captures the knight with 4.Nxe4. I noticed a curiosity
years ago. When very high rated computers played this line as White, they
often did not take on e4. Instead these chess engines developed a piece such
as 4.Nf3, 4.Bd3 or 4.Bb5+!?
“BountyHunter” was usually some version of Rybka. Here it won a

Blackmar-Diemer Huebsch Gambit against the very high rated unknown
opponent with the handle “uncles”.
The moves 4.Nf3 Nxc3 5.bxc3 give White a few little advantages in
exchange for the disadvantage of being a pawn down.
What are White’s advantages?

1. A strong pawn on d4.
2. A better control of e5.
3. A lead in development.
4. A rating over 3000!
BountyHunter (3055) - uncles (2934), ICC 3 1 Internet Chess Club,

27.08.2007 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nf3 Nxc3 5.bxc3 Nc6
[5...e6 6.Be2 Bd6 7.0-0 0-0=/+; 5...g6 6.h4 Bg7 7.h5 c5=/+] 6.Bb5 e6 7.0-0
Bd6 8.c4 0-0 9.Re1 dxc4 10.Bxc4 h6 11.Bb2 Ne7 12.a4 Nd5 13.Ne5 Bb4
14.Re4 f6 15.Ng6 Re8 16.Qh5 c6 17.Bc1 Qc7? [17...f5! 18.Ne5 fxe4
19.Qf7+ Kh7 20.Qg6+ Kg8= with a draw by perpetual check] 18.Rg4 Bc3?
[18...Bd6 19.Bxh6 Bxh2+ 20.Kh1+/-] 19.Rb1 f5 20.Rg3 Bxd4 21.Bxh6 b5?
22.Bxd5 cxd5 23.Ne5 Bxf2+ 24.Kxf2 Qxc2+ 25.Qe2 Qxe2+ 26.Kxe2 Re7
27.axb5 Rb7 28.Rbb3 Kh8 29.Rg6 f4 30.Bxf4 Rxb5 [30...Bd7 31.Nxd7
Rxd7 32.Rxe6+-] 31.Rbg3 Rb2+ 32.Kd1 Rab8 [32...Rb1+ 33.Bc1+-]
33.Nf7+ Kg8 34.Rxg7+ Kf8 35.Bd6+ Ke8 36.Bxb8 Rb1+ 37.Kc2 Rxb8
38.Nd6+ Kd8 39.Rxa7 Rb7 40.Nxb7+ Kc7 41.Nd8+ Kb6 42.Ra8 Ba6
43.Rb3+ Bb5 44.Rb8+ Kc7 45.R3xb5 Kd6 46.R8b6+ Kc7 47.Nxe6+ Kd7
48.Rxd5+ Ke7 49.Nc5 Kf8 50.Rd7 Ke8 51.Rb8# 1-0
196 - Machinegun 5.f3 e5
Machinegun won a Blackmar-Diemer Huebsch Gambit against Belalugosi.
Black’s terrifying handle brings back thoughts of my childhood.
When I was a kid, there were scary old horror movies on TV in black and
white. Some featured the Hungarian actor known as Bela Lugosi. He was
famous for playing Count Dracula.
IM Alfonso Almeida as “Machinegun” had played a wide variety of chess

openings. Sometimes that has included the BDG.
This International Master is obviously a very good chess player. However, I

do not know how well he knows the Huebsch Gambit.
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4, usually White develops a
bishop on move five. But there are other ideas.
Almeida played 5.f3!? This is certainly in line with BDG concepts. Black
responded with 5…e5.
One player attacked e4. The other player attacked d4. The battle continued as
in a black and white horror film.
Black did not castle. He was trapped in the center. What a frightening sight!
His pieces swarmed around the Black king.
White castled queenside. He took a stab on the queenside with 13.Bxg7. He

took a stab on the kingside with 17.Qxb7. Then White stabbed Black in the
heart with 19.Rxe6.
Machinegun (2179) - Belalugosi (2071), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

22.09.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.f3 e5 6.Be3
exd4 7.Bxd4 Nc6 8.Bb5 Bd7 9.Bc3 Bc5 10.Qd5 Bxg1 [10...Qh4+! 11.g3
Qe7 12.Qxe4 Qxe4+ 13.fxe4 f6 14.0-0-0 0-0-0=/+] 11.Qxe4+ Ne7? [11...Kf8
12.Bxc6 Bxc6 13.Qb4+ Qe7+ 14.Qxe7+ Kxe7 15.Bb4+ Ke8 16.Rxg1=] 12.0-
0-0 c6 13.Bxg7 [13.Rhxg1! cxb5 14.Bxg7 Rg8 15.Bf6+-] 13...Rg8 14.Bf6
cxb5 [14...Rg6 15.Rhxg1 Rxf6=] 15.Rhxg1 Rg6 16.Bh4 [16.Qe5+-] 16...f5
[16...Rc8 17.Rge1+/-] 17.Qxb7 [17.Qe3+-] 17...Rc8 18.Rge1 Re6? 19.Rxe6
Black resigns 1-0
5.2 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4
This bishop move fights against the freeing move …e5. It also attacks c7 in
case that pawn is left undefended.
197 - Chandler Beats BDG

William Chandler sent me a few of his Internet Chess Club blitz games. Here
he won an endgame as White. Black sidetracked the effort toward a BDG and
went into a Huebsch Gambit with 3...Nxe4. Bill Chandler used the handle:
ProjectAlpha.
ProjectAlpha - ealps, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 01.01.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 [This is the Huebsch Gambit. More common is
3...dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 transposing to the BDG Accepted.] 4.Nxe4 dxe4
[Generally it is thought that trading the knights helps White more than Black,
because the Nf6 is more useful for the kingside defense than the Nc3 for the
planned kingside attack.] 5.Bf4 [White fights against an early ...e5.
Historically White has usually chosen 5.Bc4.] 5...c6 6.f3 Bf5 7.Bc4
[Theoretically here the best move is probably 7.Qd2! with good.] 7...e6
8.fxe4 Bxe4 9.Nf3 Bd5 [The bishop is vulnerable here.] 10.Bd3 Nd7 11.0-0
h6? [Black wastes time to create a weakness. He should try 11...Qb6 =]
12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Qb6 14.Qh5 [14.c4!+-] 14...0-0-0 15.Qxf7 [15.Rxf7!
is better.] 15...Rd7 16.Qf2 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Rxd6 18.c3 g5 19.Qf6? [White has
a little combination here with 19.c4!+- winning material.] 19...Qd8? [Black
has 19...Qxb2! with the threat of 20.c4 Qxg2#] 20.Qxd8+ Rdxd8 21.a3 Rdf8
22.Rxf8+ Rxf8 23.Rf1 Rxf1+ 24.Kxf1 b5 25.g3 Kd7 26.Bg6 Kd6 27.Ke2
e5 28.Kd3 exd4 29.cxd4 c5 30.dxc5+ Kxc5 31.b4+ Kb6 32.Kd4 Bc4
33.Ke5 a5 34.Kf6 Be2 35.Kg7 h5 36.Kh6 h4 37.Kxg5 hxg3 38.hxg3 axb4
39.axb4 Kc6 40.Be4+ Kd6 41.Kf4 Ke6 42.g4? Kf6? [Black can save the
game with 42...Bxg4! 43.Kxg4 Ke5 44.Bc6 Kd4 45.Bxb5 Kc3 winning the
final pawn with a draw.] 43.g5+ Kg7 44.g6 Kf6 45.Bc2 Bc4 46.Ke4 Kg7
47.Ke5 Bf1 48.Kd6 Bc4 49.Kc5 Bf1 50.Be4 Be2 51.Bc6 Kxg6 52.Bxb5 Bf3
53.Bc6? [53.Kd6!+- and there is no helps for ealps.] 53...Be2 54.Bd5 Kf6
55.Bc4 Bf3? [55...Bh5! 56.Kd6 Be8 and the forced win disappears.] 56.b5
[56.Kd6!+- with an easier forced win.] 56...Ba8? 57.Bd5 Bxd5 58.Kxd5 Ke7
59.Kc6 Kd8 60.Kb7 Kd7 61.b6 Black forfeits on time 1-0
198 - Helin vs Skovgaard BDG
Many players from Sweden have played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Here
is a game won by Mikael Helin.
Helin defeated his higher rated opponent Ib Skovgaard of Denmark in the

5.Bf4 variation of a BDG Huebsch Gambit.
The key point of the 5.Bf4 line Helin chose is to prevent 5...e5. White also
prepares to castle queenside.
This 5.Bf4 line has been seen more in recent years. This is due to the book by
Christoph Scheerer on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit published by Everyman
Chess.
Slightly more popular than 5.Bf4 are 5.Be3 and the traditional 5.Bc4. Less
common is 5.f3!? All four score about the same.
When Black attacked d4 with 6...c5, White had three choices:

1. Prepare to castle with 7.Qd2;
2. Snatch the pawn with 7.dxc5; or
3. Walk on by with 7.d5, which was White's actual selection.
The battle took place all over the board. Eventually the Black king was
checkmated on the b-file.
Helin (1885) - Skovgaard (2019), Politiken Cup 2014 Helsingor DEN

(8.102), 27.07.2014 begins 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4
Nd7 6.f3 c5 7.d5!? [Logical, although not the only alternative: 7.Qd2 Qb6
8.0-0-0 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Rxd4 exf3 11.Nxf3=; 7.dxc5 e5 8.Be3 Bxc5
9.Bxc5 Nxc5 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.0-0-0+ Ke7 12.Rd5 b6 13.Rxe5+ Kf6
14.Rd5=] 7...Nf6 [Black could play 7...Qb6!=/+ when White does not have
time to castle.] 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.Qd3 Nd6 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Qf3 g6 12.g4 Bg7
13.h4 Qb6 14.c3 h5 15.gxh5 Rxh5 16.Bg5 Bf5 17.Re1 [If 17.Bd3 Bxd3
18.Qxd3 Qb5-/+] 17...0-0-0 [17...Qa5!-+] 18.Rxe7 c4 19.Bh3 Rxh4
[19...Bh6 20.Bxh6 Rxh6=] 20.Bxf5+ Nxf5 21.Bxh4 Nxh4 22.Qxf7 [White
wins with 22.Rxh4! Qxg1+ 23.Kc2 Qc5 24.d6+-] 22...Nf5 23.Re8 Bh6+
24.Kb1 Bg5 25.Nf3 Rxe8 26.Qxe8+ Bd8 27.Rh7 Nd6 28.Qd7+ Kb8
29.Rh8 Ka7 30.Nd4 [30.Qxd8!+-] 30...Bc7 31.Rh7 Nb5 32.d6 Nxc3+
33.Kc2 Qxd4 34.dxc7 Nd5 35.c8N+ Kb8 36.Qxb7# 1-0
199 - Investigating 5.Bf4
In the year 2011 I decided to investigate the Huebsch Gambit 5.Bf4 line.
Here I present three games.
As mentioned before, the obvious advantages to 5.Bf4 are:

1. White develops a piece.
2. The bishop covers the e5 square.
3. The rook on a1 is connected to the queen on d1.
Humans did not seem to play the Huebsch Gambit as frequently as

computers. These practice blitz games with it were all vs chess engines.
The other two games in the notes were vs a computer that was usually rated
about 3000 in ICC blitz. I found an improvement.
Since its more fun to show a win than a loss, I give my game vs Junior 10.
How could I beat such a strong program?
I adjusted Junior’s blitz rating to be 1930 for this game. Routinely I would
move its rating up or down depending on whether I was winning or losing.
As I recall, I set it to resign whenever it thought that it was down by a rook
for more than one move.
White had a slight edge in this game. Then Black made three second rate
pawn moves in a row.
This led to assault on the Black king. Soon White won the Black queen in the
process.
Sawyer - Junior, Florida 08.03.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4
4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 Nc6 [5...c6 6.Qd2! (6.c3 Qd5 7.f3 exf3 8.Nxf3? Qe4+
White resigns 0-1 Sawyer – Squash, Internet Chess Club 2011; 6.Bc4 Bf5
7.Qd2 e6 8.0-0-0 Nd7 9.f3 Nb6 10.Bb3 Nd5 11.fxe4 Bxe4 12.Nf3 Bb4
13.c3? Nxc3! White resigns 0-1 Sawyer – Squash, Internet Chess Club 2011)
6...Bf5 7.f3! with good compensation.] 6.c3 Bf5 7.d5 Nb8 8.Ne2 Nd7
[8...c6=] 9.Ng3 [9.Nd4+/=] 9...Bg6 10.Qa4 f5? 11.0-0-0 a5? 12.h4 b6?
13.h5 b5 14.Bxb5 Bf7 15.Nxf5 e5 16.dxe6 Bxe6 17.Qxe4 Kf7 18.Bc4 Nc5
19.Bxe6+ Nxe6 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.Re1 Nxf4 22.Qxf4 1-0
200 - Williams Rasmussen Story
Long time BDGer David K. Williams provided us with an anecdote about the
famous BDG player Ernst Rasmussen. David's victory over J.R. Thacker
provided me an occasion to delve once again in the BDG Huebsch 6.Bf4
variation.
This time I analyzed an interesting variation that was not given by Scheerer.
Here were three nice e-mails David sent me:
“This game might be of some interest. – David”
I love getting games from readers! But, ah, David who?
“I'm curious to see what you think of the game. By the way, our paths might
have crossed in Pa. My wife is from Hatboro. From late 70s until several
years ago, we spent several weeks a year there. I played mostly at the
Chaturanga CC and a couple of times at North Penn CC. Played in several
tournaments in Hatboro, Morrisville, and Philly. Ernst Rasmussen saw me
playing in a World Open side tournament and struck up a conversation about
the BDG, which he saw me play. Spent an hour with him in the skittles room.
He showed me his Nge2 variation against the hated Lemberger. Funny thing.
He delved right into the BDG forgetting to introduce himself. I didn't know
who the heck he was, but it was clear he knew a lot about the BDG and had
boundless enthusiasm for it. I sheepishly asked his name. He kindly
autographed my Keybook I, including his address and phone. A really nice
gentleman. – David”
Great Rasmussen story! Ernst autographed David's copy of my first BDG

Keybook. Wow! I played in both the North Penn CC and Chaturanga CC off
and on throughout the 1980s. Maybe I should sheepishly ask, "David
who!??"
"Oh, I am David K. Williams (Colortini). :-)"
Aha! In my 50,000 games I have played a David Williams, but there are no
games against that particular David Williams.
However, there is a good chance we were in the same room at the same time.
Love those e-mails. Thanks!
colortini - Thacker, Plasticbishop.com #1405 (2), 27.07.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 Bf5 6.Qe2 [Almost everyone
plays 6.f3, 6.Qd2 or 6.g4. Scheerer writes: "White should play 6.Qe2!? which
eyes the e-pawn, threatening Qb5+, and prepares to castle."] 6...c6 [Scheerer
mentions 6...e6, 6...Qxd4!? and the most common move 6...c6. He does not
cover 6...Nc6! 7.Qb5 (Maybe 7.0-0-0 or 7.c3) 7...e5! with sharp possibilities
no matter how White captures on e5. 8.Bxe5! (8.dxe5 a6 9.Qc4 g5 10.Be3
Nxe5-/+) 8...Qd7 9.c3 (If 9.Qxb7?! Black has an amazing attack after 9...Rb8
10.Qxc7 Qxc7! 11.Bxc7 Rxb2 12.c3 Nxd4! 13.cxd4 Bb4+ 14.Kd1 Rd2+
15.Kc1 e3 16.fxe3 Bc3 17.Rb1 Bxb1 18.Kxb1 Rd1+ 19.Kc2 Rxf1 20.Kxc3
Rc1+ 21.Kd3 Rxc7-/+Wow! Black is up the Exchange for a pawn.) 9...0-0-0
10.Bf4 Kb8=/+ when material is even but Black has a lead in development.
Still, there is nothing obvious to me that would keep White from catching up
in a few moves with roughly equal chances.] 7.0-0-0 e6 8.g4 Bg6 9.Bg2 f5
10.f3 Be7 11.Kb1 [Or 11.fxe4+/-] 11...0-0 12.fxe4 Nd7 13.gxf5 exf5 14.e5
Nb6 15.Nh3 Nd5 16.c4 Nxf4 17.Nxf4 Bf7 [If 17...Bg5 18.Nxg6 hxg6
19.d5+- The steamroller pawns are on the way.] 18.d5 Qc8 [If 18...cxd5
19.Bxd5 Qb8 20.Rhg1+-] 19.e6 Be8 20.d6 Bg5 21.d7 Qc7 22.e7 Bxd7
23.exf8Q+ Rxf8 24.Ne6 Bxe6 25.Qxe6+ Kh8 26.Qd6 Qf7 27.Rd3 Bf6
28.Re1 Kg8 29.Qe6 g6 30.Qxf7+ Rxf7 31.Red1 1-0
201 - Danieli vs Loeffler in Huebsch
Those who study tactics in great detail tell us that one of the most difficult
tactical motifs to foresee is the bishop retreat.
In this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game the German IM Stefan Loeffler (rated

2425), White missed a bishop retreat late in the game, possibly in time
trouble. The Italian player Enrico Danieli (2093) otherwise played a very nice
game.
The players headed for the Huebsch Gambit variation. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3
d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4, White chose 5.Bf4. This covers e5 while
preparing 0-0-0.
A similar idea is 5.Be3 which protects d4. The historically popular alternative
is 5.Bc4.
Danieli kept his pieces active, kept an eye on the Black king, kept making
middlegame threats, kept finding compensation for the extra Black e4 pawn,
and just kept his International Master opponent from consolidating the
victory. In the end, one mistake decided the game.
Danieli (2093) - Loeffler (2425), 5th Capo d'Orso Open 2013 Porto Mannu
ITA (9.5), 08.06.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4
5.Bf4 Bf5 6.Qd2 [Christoph Scheerer likes 6.Qe2!?] 6...e6 7.0-0-0 Bd6
8.Ne2 Nd7 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Bc4 [Maybe White can improve on the line: 10.d5!?
Nf6 11.dxe6 Bxe6 12.Be2 Bb4 13.Qxd8 Rfxd8 14.Rxd8+ Rxd8 15.Bxc7 Rc8
16.Be5 Bxc3 17.Bxc3 Bxa2=/+] 10...Bg6 11.Bg5 Be7 12.h4 h6 13.Bxe7
Qxe7 14.g4 Nb6 15.Bb3 a5 16.a3 a4 [16...Rfd8=/+] 17.Ba2 Rfd8 18.Qe3
Nd5 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Rdg1 Bh7 21.Ne2 Ra6 22.Nf4 f6 [22...c5=/+] 23.Rg2
c5 24.Ne2 cxd4 25.Nxd4 Qe5 [The queen is better protected after
25...Qe8=/+] 26.Rhg1 [26.g5!+/=] 26...g5 27.c3 Kf7 28.Kb1 Rg8 29.Rh1
Qf4 30.hxg5 fxg5 31.Qe2 Rb6 32.Ka1 Kg7 33.Rgh2 Re8 34.Rh3 Qe5
35.Re3 Rf8 36.Qc2 Qf4 37.Qxa4 Qxf2 38.Re2 Qf7 39.Rhh2 [39.Nc2 Qf3
40.Qd4+ Qf6 41.Qxd5=] 39...Qf1+ 40.Ka2 Rf7 [40...e3-/+ open an attack on
b1.] 41.Qa5 Rff6 42.Qxd5? [Missing the bishop retreat. White had 42.Qc5
e3 43.Qc7+ Kg8 44.Qd8+ with a possible repetition of moves.] 42...Bg8 0-1
[The queen is lost.]
5.3 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 e6
The move 5…e6 seems to be a very popular line against 5.Bf4.
202 - Sawyer Tests Scheerer

Once again I played a bunch of fun practice blitz games vs computers to test
lines.
One game was in the popular Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Avoided Huebsch

variation.
I decided to compare my game with the analysis of Christoph Scheerer in his

excellent BDG book.
My Internet Chess Club computer opponent was Colossus rated 3069.
IM Christoph Scheerer only gave 10...0-0.
I was on my own after 10...Qd6!?
It does appear that White has a playable game.
Sawyer - Colossus, ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club, 08.09.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 e6 6.Qd2 Nc6 7.0-0-0 Bd6 8.f3
Bxf4 9.Qxf4 exf3 10.Nxf3 Qd6!? 11.Qe4 [Junior 12 likes 11.Qg4!? 0-0
12.Bd3 f5 13.Qh4 h6 14.Rhe1=] 11...f5 12.Qe3 0-0 13.Bc4 Na5 14.Bd3 Bd7
15.Rhe1 Rad8 16.g3 [16.Ne5+/=] 16...Bc6 17.Ne5 [17.Kb1=] 17...Qxd4
18.Nxc6? [18.Qxd4 Rxd4=/+] 18...Qxe3+ 19.Rxe3 Nxc6 20.Rxe6 g6 21.Bc4
Rxd1+ 22.Kxd1 Kg7 23.Re3 f4 24.gxf4 Rxf4 25.b3 Kf6 26.Re6+ Kg5
27.Re8 a5 28.Rc8 Rd4+ 29.Ke1 Rd7 30.a4 [Somewhat better is 30.c3 Re7+
although Black is better.] 30...Nd4 31.Bd3 Nf3+ 32.Kf2 Nxh2 [White
resigns] 0-1
203 - Pert Wins in Huebsch
International Master Richard Pert met the dangerous Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit by playing the BDG Huebsch Gambit. This proved to be an excellent
way to handle the Black pieces.
White attempted to transpose into a BDG after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4. Here
3...dxe4 4.f3 would reach the standard BDG position. However Pert captured
with the knight 3...Nxe4 and after the standard Huebsch moves 4.Nxe4 dxe4,
Martin Simons chose 5.Bf4, instead of the alternatives 5.Bc4 or 5.Be3.
Any regular BDG player is familiar and reasonably comfortable with these
lines because 1.d4 Nf6 is so popular. Another path to the BDG is the Paleface
Attack with 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. Here 2...c5 Benoni Defence or 3...e6
French Defence leaves the White pawn on f3 in a dubious position.
Comparatively, 2.Nc3 is a stronger move, except for having to face the
Huebsch Gambit.
Eric Jego in his Huebsch book gave the game Attig - Barton, corr 1993. That
game continued 5.Bf4 e6 6.Qd2 Bd6.
Richard Pert demonstrated in this BDG game that Black can also
immediately play 6...c5. Rather than trying to swap into an ending up a pawn,
Pert attacked White at d4. In hindsight, White should have protected d4 with
the developing move Ne2. By the time he played 18.Nh3, it was already too
late.
Simons (2087) - Pert (2430), 101st ch-GBR 2014 Aberystwyth WLS (1.9),
19.07.2014 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 e6
6.Qd2 [6.c3!?] 6...c5 7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.Bb5 [8.Ne2 Be7=/+ Houdini] 8...cxd4
9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Rxd4 f5 11.f3 [11.Ne2! Bd7 12.Rd2=] 11...Bd7 12.Rd2?!
[The rook is better placed on d1, although Black is still good after 12.Rd1
a6=/+] 12...Bc5 13.Re2 [If 13.Ne2 exf3 14.gxf3 0-0-0=/+] 13...0-0 14.c3 Ne5
15.Bxe5 [Only slightly better is 15.Bxd7 Nd3+ 16.Kb1 Nxf4-/+] 15...Bxb5
16.Re1 Bf2 17.Rd1 Rad8 18.Nh3 Be3+ 19.Kb1 Bd3+ 20.Ka1 exf3 21.gxf3
Be2 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.f4 [White might try to hide in a bishops of opposite
color ending, 23.Re1 Bxf3 24.Nf4 Bxf4 25.Bxf4 Be4-+ but with rooks on the
board and two extra pawns, Black should win.] 23...h6 24.Re1 Bg4 25.Ng1
Rd1+ 26.Rxd1 Bxd1 0-1
204 - Quinones vs Polbete
I received another note from Jorge Victor Quinones Borda along with a
game. It is always nice to see his games.
Here is another in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit family. The variation is the

BDG Huebsch Gambit.
“Good Morning Mr. Sawyer!”
“I have been reading most BDG pages since almost 13 years ago when I
started to play chess, and yours and Mr. Purser pages are the ones that I
remember the most :) ...”
“Jorge Quiñones”
This game is between Jorge Victor Quinones Borda and Litos Poblete. I
found it notable it’s for logic, accuracy and creativity.
The analysis of the games is mine. The deeper I analyzed it, the more
beautiful the game became. The bishop sacrifice sped up the attack with
17.Bh7+!
Quinones (1919) - Poblete (1674), ZI-2012-0-01428 Lechenicher

SchachServer, 23.11.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4
5.Bf4 [This move has the advantage of preventing an immediate ...e5. The
alternatives are 5.Bc4, 5.f3, 5.Be3 and 5.c3.] 5...e6 [5...Bf5 is also common.]
6.Qd2 Bd6 7.0-0-0 0-0 8.f3 exf3 9.Nxf3 Bxf4 [Swapping pieces when up a
pawn is almost always a good idea. Scheerer gives a game with 9...b6 10.Bd3
where White has compensation for the pawn in a potential kingside attack.]
10.Qxf4 Qd6 11.Qh4 Nc6 12.Bd3 h6 13.a3 [13.c3!? also keep the Black
knight out of b4 and protect d4.] 13...Rb8 14.Rhf1 b5 15.g4 b4 [When
castling opposite sides, you want to keep attacking and spend as little time as
possible defending. Here redeploying for defense with 15...Ne7 16.g5+/= still
allows a strong White attack.] 16.g5 bxa3 [Black presses on with the attack.
If 16...g6 17.gxh6+/-] 17.Bh7+! Kxh7 18.gxh6 axb2+ 19.Kb1 f6 [If
19...gxh6 20.Ng5+ Kg7 21.Ne4+-] 20.hxg7+ Kxg7 21.Ne5 Nxe5 22.dxe5
Qxe5 23.Rg1+ Kf7 24.Qh7+ Ke8 25.Rg7 1-0
205 - Three Blind Mice 5.Bf4
On December 30, 2012 I decided to focus on the Blackmar-Diemer Huebsch
Gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4. Play normally continues 4.Nxe4 dxe4.
Now White has several choices, among them 5.Bf4, 5.Be3, and 5.Bc4. I am a
blind mouse when it comes to these lines. So I decided to try all three fifth
moves.
In this game vs Anesthesia I play the BDG Huebsch Gambit 5.Bf4 variation.
This move has two advantages over 5.Bc4.
First, 5.Bf4 clears the way for an earlier queenside castle. Second, it controls
the e5 square.
I rather like this line. I had won games with 5.Bf4, but not against a computer
rated 3100!
Super computers make every opening look like it loses by force. They are
good for occasional test games.
I have not played a lot of Huebsch Gambits as White. When I was the most
active in the BDG, I often reached the standard position by playing the move
order 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3. The move 2.f3 avoids the Huebsch
Gambit.
The Huebsch popularity has picked up in recent years with its

recommendation by some notable authors, like Dzindzichasvili, Kaufman and
Dembo. Instead what I get a lot of after 2.Nc3 is the French, Pirc or Benoni
defences.
Sawyer - Anesthesia, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 30.12.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 e6 6.Qd2 Bd6 7.0-0-0 Nd7
[7...Nc6 8.f3 Bxf4 9.Qxf4 Qd5!? 10.c4 Qa5 11.a3=] 8.f3 Nf6 9.c3 [Houdini 3
considers the best line here to be 9.fxe4 Nxe4 10.Qe3 Nf6 11.Be5 0-0
12.Qg3=/+ where White has some compensation for the pawn.] 9...Bd7
10.Nh3 Bc6 11.Rg1 Qe7 12.Bg5 Bxh2 13.Rh1 Bg3 14.fxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe7
Nxd2 16.Bg5 Ne4 17.Bd3? [This drops a piece, but Black has a comfortable
two pawn edge after 17.Be3 h6-+] 17...Nxg5 18.Nxg5 Bf4+ 19.Kc2 Bxg5
White resigns 0-1
206 - Quinones vs Tarasov
Here is yet another game Jorge Quinones sent me. This time he played
against Grigoriy Tarasov.
The opening is the Blackmar-Diemer Huebsch Gambit. There White castled

queenside.
"Here I´m sending you 3 games, that maybe you would like to see, in the first
there are attacks that won the game, but the 3rd game, the Huebsch although
is a draw, I think it have some theoretical importance.
“Have a nice 2013! :)
“Jorge Quiñones"
Yes, this is a well-played game. White castes queenside. Then he traps the
Black king in the center.
Black he must beware of weaknesses on the dark squares. Middlegames with

bishops of opposite colors can be very dangerous to defend.
It appears that Black was afraid of a potential disaster that really might have
happened. Therefore Black offered a draw while up three scattered pawns.
Quinones (1893) - Tarasov (1750), ZI-2012-0-01425 Lechenicher

SchachServer, 21.11.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4
5.Bf4 e6 6.Qd2 Bd6 7.0-0-0 Nd7 8.Ne2 Nf6 9.g4 Nxg4 [9...Bxf4 10.Qxf4
Qd6 11.g5 Qxf4+ 12.Nxf4 Nd5 13.Nh5 with compensation for the pawn that
may lead to its capture.] 10.Rg1 [Maybe White can find something with
10.Nc3!? f5 11.Rg1 Bxf4 12.Qxf4 Qd6=/+ with a small edge to Black.]
10...Nxh2 11.Rxg7 Qf6 12.Rg3 h5 13.Be5 Qxf2 14.Bxh8 Bxg3 15.Nxg3
Qxg3 16.Be5 Nxf1 17.Rxf1 e3 18.Qe2 Qg5 19.Bf6 Qh6 20.Kb1 Bd7 Draw
agreed 1/2-1/2
5.4 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3
This line strengthens d4 and prepares to castle.
207 - How Not to Play

Derek Ward writes:
"Wow. I just found this blog after ~10 years of playing the BDG! I will have
to read all your posts from scratch - a very interesting resource indeed.
Couple of questions for you Rev. 1) I was thinking about purchasing one of
your keybooks, so which keybook should I buy? 2) Also, I wanted to ask if
you recommend / play the Huebsch Gambit yourself - I have never had much
success with it when trying to transpose into the BDG, I am perhaps playing
it incorrectly. Which keybook might help me with this? Best regards and
keep up the great work!"
Glad you found me! Thanks for the kind comments on my blog. Tell you
chess friends! Now to answer the questions.
1. The best for early transpositions is my original BDG Keybook by Thinkers'

Press (Bob Long). The best overall is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook
II by Pickard & Son: ChessCentral.com.
2. The Huebsch Gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 is a tough nut to crack.
Traditionally I have preferred 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 reaching a BDG that
way. However having a pawn on f3 is not to every ones liking in a French,
Benoni, Pirc, or Modern.
This game is my most recent example of the Huebsch Gambit. I played vs a

computer "paj" rated 2864. It didn't need all those points, though. One of the
problems I have with the BDG is that precise knowledge is very helpful in
getting a good game vs strong defense. I remember principles but forget the
exact lines.
Sawyer - paj, ICC 3 3 Internet Chess Club 06.10.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Nc6 6.Bb5?! [I forgot the book
move which I wrote about before. Scheerer gives 6.d5 Nb4 7.c4. Once I
wrongly gave it as 6.c3, but that was Scheerer's recommendation after 5.Bc4
Nc6, not 5.Be3 Nc6.] 6...e6 7.f3? [7.Nh3!?] 7...Bd7 8.Qd2 Bd6 9.0-0-0 exf3
10.Nxf3 Nb4 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.c3 [12.a3 Nd5=/+] 12...Qc6 13.Kb1??
[Instant loss.] 13...Qe4+ 14.Ka1 Nc2+ White resigns 0-1
208 - The One That Got Away
Ever play a nice game …
Then all of a sudden, Whoops.
Big mistake.
Yup.
Comes with being human.
In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Huebsch Gambit variation, there are a

variety of interesting lines.
Here White played 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3.
Black chose an unbalanced approached 5...c5.
This gave White more queenside pawns and Black more kingside pawns.
After the game, with the help of Houdini, I found a good way for the BDG
player to get an advantage.
Maybe next time I can win.
Sawyer - rocardinha, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 18.12.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 c5 6.dxc5 Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Bf5
8.Ne2 e6 9.Ng3 [At 30-ply Houdini 3 gives 9.Nd4! a6 (9...Nd7 10.Nxf5 exf5
11.Bc4 Be7 12.Bxf7+ Kxf7 13.Rxd7+/=) 10.Nxf5 exf5 11.Bc4 Nc6 12.Bb3
a5 13.a4+/=] 9...Bg6 10.Bc4 Nc6 11.c3 Be7 12.b4 0-0 13.0-0 a5 14.a3 Rfc8
15.Be2 axb4 16.axb4 Ne5 17.Rd7? [Ugh!! 17.Ra1=] 17...Nxd7 White
resigns 0-1
209 - Huebsch after 1.d4 Nf6
Black does not always wish to pick the fruit of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
pawn. This is especially true if his normal defensive set-up is a Benoni or
King's Indian and does not include an early ...d5 pawn push.
One alternative is from the game Huebsch-Tartakower, Vienna 1922. It

played more than ten years before Diemer started playing his gambit.
Huebsch began 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d4 3.e4. Dr. Tartakower captured on e4 with
3...Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4.
Due to the play and suggestion of Christoph Scheerer in his book "The
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit" by Everyman 2011, I have tried 5.Be3, allowing
the Ra1 to connect with the Qd1.
My opponent had made repeated draw offers. We expect those offers from
lower rated players. I had plenty of play. There was no reason to take the
draw, especially when I was ahead on time. Given the opportunity again I
would play for the win. Sadly here I blundered. I still tried to win on time, but
he beat me.
From that point my opponent played well. He checkmated me in less than 30

more moves with 14 seconds still left on his clock.
Sawyer - mridge, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 13.08.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 e5!? 6.dxe5 Bb4+ [Normal is
6...Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Nc6 8.f4=] 7.c3 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 Ba5 9.Ne2 Bf5 10.Ng3
Bg6 11.Bc4 0-0 12.Bd5 [Another try is 12.h4!] 12…Nd7 13.Bxe4 Nxe5
14.Bxg6 fxg6 15.0-0 Ng4 16.Bc5 Rfe8 17.h3 Nf6 18.Rfe1 Bb6 19.Bxb6
axb6 20.a3 Rad8 21.Kf1 Rxe1+ 22.Kxe1 Rxd1+ 23.Kxd1 Kf7 24.Kd2 Ke6
25.Kd3 c5 26.Ne4 Nd5 27.g3 h6 28.b4 cxb4 29.axb4 Ke5 30.f4+ Nxf4+
31.gxf4+ Kxf4 32.Nd6 g5 33.Nxb7 h5 34.c4 g4 35.hxg4 h4 36.c5?? [I
obtained a winning advantage. I threw it away. Correct is 36.Ke2!+-] 36…h3
37.c6 h2 38.c7 h1Q 39.c8Q Qd1+ 40.Kc4 Qc2+ 41.Kb5 Qxc8 42.Kxb6
Qe6+ 43.Kb5 Kxg4 44.Nc5 Qe5 45.Kc6 Kf5 46.b5 g5 47.b6 g4 48.Nd7
Qc3+ 49.Kd6 Qb3 50.Kc7 g3 51.b7 g2 52.Nb6 Qc3+ 53.Kd8 Qh8+ 54.Kc7
g1Q 55.b8Q Qxb8+ 56.Kxb8 Qxb6+ 57.Ka8 Qh6 58.Kb7 Ke5 59.Kc7
Kd5 60.Kd7 Qh7+ 61.Ke8 Kd6 62.Kf8 Qa7 63.Kg8 Ke6 64.Kf8 Qf7#
White is checkmated 0-1
210 - Grafl Huebsch 5.Be3
International Master Florian Grafl (listed in FIDE as rated 2403) took on
Jaime Anguera Maestro. White tried to play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
The game began as a Queens Knight Attack after 1.Nc3. Black deviated to a
Huebsch Gambit with 3...Nxe4 (instead of 3...dxe4 4.f3 which is a BDG).
White had three choices. They were the traditional moves 5.Bc4 or 5.Bf4
hindering ...e5, or what seems to be the strongest move 5.Be3!
So again we have a master headed toward a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit only to

have Black avoid it.
Thanks to Mark Crowther and TWIC, I have enjoyed many years of new
games provided each week.
Mark Crowther's work has truly been a labor of love. He is much appreciated.
Grafl (2399) - Anguera Maestro (2172), TCh-CAT 2014 Catalonia ESP

(11.2), 05.04.2014 begins 1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3
Nd7 6.f3 exf3 [6...e6!?] 7.Nxf3 Nf6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3 c6 [9...Qd5!=] 10.Bd3
Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Qh3 g6 13.Qh6 Nd5 [White has built up a strong attack. If
13...Bd6 14.Rf4 Bxe5 15.Rh4!+-] 14.Rf3 f5 15.Rh3 Nf6 16.Nxg6 [Or
16.g4!+-] 16...Rf7 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Rg3+ Kh8 [If 18...Rg7 19.Bg5+-]
19.Bf4 Bd7 20.Be5 [Another good move is 20.Re1+-] 20...Rg8 21.Rg5 Qf8
22.Rxg8+ Kxg8 23.Qg5+ Qg7 24.Qxg7+ Kxg7 25.g4 Kg6 26.h3 h5
27.gxf5+ exf5 28.Kh2 Be6 29.Rg1+ Kh6 30.Bf4+ Kh7 31.Rg5 Nd5
32.Rxh5+ Kg7 33.Bd2 Kf8 34.c4 Nb6 35.b3 Ke8 36.Rh8+ Rf8 37.Rh6
Kd7 38.Rh7+ Kc8 39.Bf4 Nd7 40.h4 [Or 40.Re7!+-] 40...Rf7 41.Rxf7 1-0
211 - Nasser Saeed Wins
IM Nasser A Saeed was a veteran FIDE player rated 2350 from the United
Arab Emirates. He has played a wide variety of openings. Once in a while he
has chosen the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
On Internet Chess Club he uses the handle "Ashkeef." That is the name I use
in the Index of Names to Games.
In the BDG Huebsch Gambit, the International Master chose 5.Be3. This
strengthens d4 and prepares to castle queenside.
This is a line that I like myself. White can often continue with an eventual f3.
Playing a gambit requires specific accurate moves. The gambit player is

down material and cannot just choose anything.
White must pay attention to the defensive set-up. Then he must attack the
weakest points of the opposition.
Here "Myway" played with the Black pieces. He prepared to counter attack
with the pawn push ...e5.
Black prepared his advance with 5...Nc6. White challenged the center with
6.d5. This kicks the Black knight.
Both sides had chances. In the end White was able to develop an attack with
checkmate.
Ashkeef (2040) - Myway (2235), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 03.12.2014

begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Nc6 6.d5 Ne5
[6...Nb4 7.c4=] 7.Qd4 Qd6 [7...Ng4=] 8.0-0-0 f5 9.Kb1 g6 10.f4
[10.Qc3+/=] 10...Nf7 11.Nh3 Bd7 12.Ng5 Qf6 [12...Bh6=] 13.Qb4 Nxg5
14.Bd4? [14.fxg5+-] 14...e5 15.Qxb7 exd4 16.Qxa8+ Kf7? [16...Ke7
17.Qxa7 Nf7=] 17.fxg5!? Qe5 [17...Bc5 18.Qb7+/=] 18.Bc4 [18.Qxa7+/-]
18...Bc5 19.d6+ Kg7 20.Qb7 Qxd6 21.h4 Bc6 22.Qa6 Rb8 23.b3 Rb6?
[23...e3!-/+] 24.Qc8 Qf8 25.Qxc7+ Qe7 26.Qxe7+ Bxe7 27.Rxd4 e3 28.Re1
Bc5 29.Rd8 Bxg2 30.Rg8# Black checkmated 1-0
5.5 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 e6
The move 5…e6 seems to be a critical line against 5.Be3.
212 - Ashkeef wins 5.Be3 e6

International Master Nasser A Saeed has sometimes attempted to play the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit in blitz games.
For several years he has played on the Internet Chess Club. There he uses the
handle "Ashkeef." Usually in my books, I list him as his handle “Ashkeef” in
the Index of games.
Black sidetracked this opening from a BDG. He changed it into the BDG
Huebsch Gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4.
After 4.Nxe4 dxe4, White has three main ideas. All these are with bishop
moves.
The traditional is 5.Bc4. White attacks from the center to f7. This will
probably see a follow-up of kingside castling.
Another idea is 5.Bf4 preventing e5. This will probably see a follow-up of
queenside castling.
Here Ashkeef won a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Huebsch Gambit after 5.Be3

e6. Black was an International Master who used the handle “Antidrome”.
Ashkeef (2250) - Antidrome (2301), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

13.02.2016 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 e6
6.Qd2 c5 7.0-0-0 cxd4 8.Bxd4 Nc6 9.Bb5 Bd7 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.Qe3 Qa5
12.Kb1 0-0-0 13.Ne2 Be7 14.Bxa7 [14.Bxg7 Rxd1+ 15.Rxd1 Rg8 16.Bc3
Qc5=] 14...Rxd1+ 15.Rxd1 Rd8 16.Rxd8+ Bxd8 17.Bd4 Bg5 [17...Qe1+
18.Nc1 Qxe3=/+] 18.Qc3 Qb5 19.Ng3 h5 20.a3 f5 21.Nxh5 Qf1+ 22.Ka2
g6 23.Ng7 Kd7 24.Bf6 Bf4 25.g3 Bd6 26.b3 Qxf2 27.h4? [The players
could repeat moves with 27.Qc4 Bd5 28.Qa4+ Bc6 29.Qc4=] 27...e3
[27...Qc5! 28.Qxc5 Bxc5 29.h5 gxh5 30.Nxh5 Bf2-+] 28.Bd4 [28.Qc4 Qd2
29.Bd4 b6 30.Qxe6+ Kc7=/+] 28...Qd2 [28...Qg2 29.Bxe3 Qxg3-+] 29.Qc4
Bd5 30.Qb5+ Ke7 [30...Bc6=/+] 31.Qe8# Black checkmated 1-0
213 - Three Blind Mice 5.Be3
On December 30, 2012 I played the Blackmar-Diemer Huebsch Gambit after
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4. White has three choices, among
them 5.Bf4, 5.Be3, and 5.Bc4.
I tried them all, but I am a blind mouse when it comes to these lines. In this
game I tried 5.Be3. This line was actually the one with which I had the higher
performance rating.
This 5.Be3 move has the same advantage of clearing out for a possible
queenside castling and also it strengthens d4. The best idea seems to be play
similar to the Alapin French 3.Be3 where two knights have been swapped
off. It is a game. Have fun!
My opponent was Anesthesia (rated 3100). I opened the position prematurely

with 7.fxe4? Then I got hit with an uncomfortable check 7...Qh4+! I managed
to castle kingside a few moves after I lost a second pawn to 9...Qxg2.
The notes to the game demonstrate that White has two probable
improvements with 7.Nh3 or 7.Qe2. Once again let me reiterate: It is highly
unlikely that a human opponent will be well prepared for these three blind
mice lines.
Just as the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit entails some risk, so too does trying to
reach the BDG after 1.d4 Nf6. The good lines for Black are rarely played.
Also the reward for White can be very high. Therefore I enjoy heading
toward a BDG in this manner.
Sawyer - Anesthesia, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 30.12.2012 1.d4 Nf6

2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 e6 6.f3 Nd7 7.fxe4? [White has two
better ideas: 7.Nh3 exf3 8.Qxf3 Qf6 9.Be2 Qxf3 10.Bxf3 Be7 11.0-0 0-0
12.Rae1 White is more active, but with queens off the board, compensation
for the pawn is limited. Or 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.0-0-0 Be7 10.g4 Bd7
11.Nf3 Bc6 12.Bg2=/+ when Black has to find a safe place for his king.]
7...Qh4+ 8.Bf2 Qxe4+ 9.Be2? [9.Qe2 Nf6-/+] 9...Qxg2 10.Bf3 Qg5 11.Ne2
Qa5+ 12.c3 Bd6 13.0-0 0-0 14.Be4 14...Nf6 15.Bc2 [Or 15.Bf3 Qg5+
16.Bg3 Nh5-+ and Black remains up two pawns.] 15...Bd7 16.Ng3?! Bc6
17.Qd3? Qd5 18.Ne4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4? Qg5+ 20.Bg3 Bxe4 White resigns 0-1
5.6 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Bf5
This 5…Bf5 line is very logical against 5.Be3.
214 - Pressing the Easy Button

Some authors recommend the moves 1...Nf6 and 3...Nxe4 as a good antidote
to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit for players of the Indian Defences vs 1.d4.
Here is a BDG Huebsch game where Black is more co-operative than need
be.
Yes, "ez1" was an easy one to beat when he took on f3 and did not protect his
king against a White kingside attack.
Black would have done better with some of the improvements listed below.
White would have played better with 6.g4 or 7.Qxf3.
Note that the normal move order for the Huebsch is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
Nxe4.
I chose the Veresov move order of 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 because at that moment I
had a slightly higher historical performance rating with 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 (and
2.c4 and 2.Nf3) than I had with 2.e4.
Sometimes I choose openings move order in blitz games based on my own

higher performance ratings.
Sawyer - ez1, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 01.12.2012 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3
Nf6 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Bf5 6.f3?! [6.g4] 6...exf3 [6...e6-/+]
7.Nxf3 [7.Qxf3! Qc8 8.Bc4 e6 9.0-0-0 with some compensation for the
pawn.] 7...e6 8.Bc4 c6 9.0-0 Be7 10.c3 0-0 11.Qe1 Nd7 12.Rd1 Nb6 13.Bd3
Bxd3 14.Rxd3 Nd5 15.Bc1 Rc8 16.Qg3 Kh8 17.Ne5 Nf6? [Black's position
still looks defensible after 17...Qe8-/+] 18.Qf4?! [18.Qh4!+/=] 18...Qc7
[18...c5 19.Qh4=] 19.Rh3 c5 20.Qh4 cxd4 21.Rxf6 h6 22.Rxh6+ Black
resigns 1-0
215 - Huebsch Bishop Ideas
Traditionally in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Huebsch variation after 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4. Nxe4 dxe4, White has most often chosen to play
5.Bc4.
Here is a blitz game between our friend Andre of Germany. He played using
the handle “Ichsehnix”.
Black used the handle “Oblivion”. White chose to combine the trendy 5.Be3
with the later move7.Bc4.
Active play brings its own rewards.
The computer programs Houdini and Deep Rybka like to answer with 7...h5,
but Black did not follow these chess engines.
In the end, White gets a nice game and victory.
The next three games employed the more dependable continuation of 7.Ne2.
Ichsehnix (2105) - Oblivion (2200), Freundschaftspartie, 5 min Grosser

Spielsaal, 18.08.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4
5.Be3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.Bc4 [7.Ne2 Sawyer] 7...e6 [7...h5-/+ Houdini, Deep
Rybka] 8.Ne2 c6 9.h4 h6 10.Nf4 Bh7 11.c3 Nd7 12.Qb3 Nb6 13.g5 Nxc4
14.Qxc4 Bg6 15.Nxg6 fxg6 16.Qxe6+ Qe7 17.Qxg6+ Qf7 18.Qxe4+ Qe7
19.Qg6+ [19.Qg4 Andre] 19...Qf7 20.Qe4+ Qe7 [Oblivion offers a draw.]
21.Qf5 hxg5 22.Qg6+ Qf7 23.Qxf7+ Kxf7 24.Bxg5 Re8+ 25.Kd2 Be7
26.Bxe7 Rxe7 27.Rae1 Rxe1 28.Kxe1 Kf6 29.Ke2 Kf5 30.Kf3 Rh5 31.Kg3
g5 32.Rh3 gxh4+ 33.Rxh4 Rg5+ 34.Kf3 Ke6 35.Rh7 Oblivion resigns 1-0
216 - Critical Huebsch Gambit
Let us look again at the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Huebsch 5.Be3 variation.
The players plan to castle on opposite sides, White on the queenside and
Black on the kingside.
In this game Andre from Germany plays 7.Ne2 as Ichsehnix vs Oblivion.

White gets a quick kingside pawn assault.
Thus Black keeps his king in the center. White could improve later with
10.Qe2!
Once again White succeeds in winning a five minute game vs a 2200 rated
opponent.
And this came in one of the lines that was supposed to refute the BDG by
essentially avoiding it.
The main line of the BDG could have been reached after 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3, and
the gambit could then be accepted by 4...exf3 allowing 5.Nxf3 or 5.Qxf3.
For those interested in another game between these players, see 7.Bc4 in the
previous game.
Ichsehnix (2105) - Oblivion (2200), Freundschaftspartie, 5 min Grosser

5.Be3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.Ne2 e6 8.h4 h6 9.Nf4 Bh7 10.g5 [10.Qe2! Qd7 11.0-
0-0= Houdini] 10...c6 [10...hxg5 11.hxg5 g6 12.Qg4+/- Andre; 10...Bf5
11.g6 fxg6 12.h5 g5 13.Ng6 Rg8=/+ Houdini] 11.g6 Bxg6 12.Nxg6 fxg6
13.Qg4 Qf6 14.Bc4 [14.Bh3 Andre] 14...Kd7 15.Qxe4 Bd6 16.0-0-0 Na6
17.Rhg1 Qf5 18.Qg2 [18.Qxf5 gxf5 19.Rxg7++- Andre] 18...Bf4 19.Qxg6
Bxe3+ 20.fxe3 Qxg6 21.Rxg6 Oblivion resigns 1-0
217 - Fleischmann Huebsch
Andre Fleischmann games continue:

“I send a few interesting games. Two are Hübsch gambits against strong
players. In one of it I saw the small time of my opponent and moved only as
quickly as possible for the win in the end.
“Greetings from Germany and a big Fan of our Gambit
“Andre”
Andre Fleischmann wins BDG Huebsch Gambit while using the handle
"Ichsehnix" vs the higher rated "MihMih". This handle makes me think of
women's fashion MiH Jeans.
In his game notes to move 32 Andre wrote, "Now, Black was down with a
few seconds on the clock, so I moved only as quick as possible."
White's fast play at the end of the game achieves a win on time. In quick
games at fast speeds, victory does not always go to the best position on the
board, but to the player who can best play very rapidly without getting
checkmated.
Ichsehnix (2092) - MihMih (2401), GroÃŸer Spielsaal GroÃŸer Spielsaal,

06.05.2015 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Bf5
6.g4 Bg6 7.Ne2 h5 8.Nf4 Qd6 9.c3 [9.c4 Andre] 9...hxg4 10.Qxg4 Nd7
11.0-0-0 [11.Nxg6 Qxg6 12.Qxg6 fxg6 13.Rg1 Andre] 11...Nf6 12.Qe2 Bf5
13.Qb5+ Bd7 14.Qxb7 Bc6? [14...Rd8=] 15.Bb5 Bxb5 16.Qxa8+ Qd8
17.Qb7 a6 18.a4 [18.d5!+- Andre] 18...Bxa4 19.Qxa6?! [19.Rdg1!+-]
19...Bxd1 20.Rxd1 Rxh2 21.Qc6+ [21.d5!+-] 21...Qd7 22.Qa8+ Qd8
23.Qc6+ Nd7? [23...Qd7=] 24.Nd5 e6 25.Nxc7+ Ke7 26.d5 [26.Bg5+!+-
Andre] 26...Ne5 27.d6+ [White has 27.Bg5+ f6 28.Qxe6#] 27...Kf6 28.Bd4
Qxd6 29.Ne8+ Kg6 30.Qxd6 [White wins a queen with 30.Rg1+! because if
30...Kh7 31.Rxg7+ Kh8 32.Nxd6 Nxc6 33.Nxf7# mate!] 30...Bxd6 31.Nxd6
Nd3+ 32.Kc2 Nxf2 33.Be3? [33.Rd2+- Andre] 33...Nxd1+ 34.Kb3? Nxe3
35.Nxe4 Nd5 36.Nd6 e5 37.Ka4 e4 38.b3 e3 39.Ne4 e2 40.Nd6 e1Q
41.Nxf7 Qa1+ 42.Kb5 Kxf7 43.Kc6-+ Apparently Black lost on time before
he could find a mate in four. 1-0
218 - Like Leningrad Cowboy
Andre Fleischmann writes the following:
“Every day I have a look on your wonderful website about the Blackmar
Diemer. I send a few interesting games. Two are Hübsch gambits against
strong players. Greetings from Germany and a big Fan of our Gambit
“Andre”
The Huebsch Gambit is a logical 1.d4 Nf6 defense to avoid the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit.
White would not be denied open lines for attack. He boldly continued with
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4!?
This would transpose to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after 3...dxe4 4.f3.
Instead Black takes first with 3...Nxe4 and after 4.Nxe4 dxe4 White usually
develops a bishop with 5.Bc4 (aiming at f7), 5.Bf4 (preventing ...e5) or 5.Be3
(protecting d4).
Often White castles queenside, depending on Black's set-up.

"Leningradcowboy" brings his bishop to 5...Bf5 presenting a target for
Andre's attack.
Ichsehnix (2092) - Leningradcowboy (2324), GroÃŸer Spielsaal GroÃŸer

5.Be3 Bf5 6.g4 Bg6 7.Ne2 h5 8.Nf4 Bh7 9.Bc4!? [9.Nxh5= regaining the
pawn is obviously good; 9.d5 hxg4 10.Qxg4= is more active.] 9...e6 10.Nxh5
Nd7 11.a4 [11.Qe2= with intent to castle queenside soon.] 11...Nf6
[11...Nb6=] 12.g5 Nxh5? [Black does better with 12...Nd5=/+] 13.Qxh5
Bb4+ 14.c3 Bd6 15.g6 fxg6 16.Qg4 Qf6 17.Bxe6 g5 18.Bd7+ [Or
18.Bxg5!+-] 18...Ke7 19.Bxg5 Leningradcowboy abbandona 1-0
5.7 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4
This section reflects the old main line 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4
dxe4 5.Bc4 which remains the most popular.
219 - Checkmalt Variation

I wrote a detailed book on the Alapin French Gambit. While the book was
being prepared for publication (1995) by Bob Long of Thinkers' Press, I
played that gambit vs two opponents.
One took me out of the book on move 5 and the other on move 4. It always
happens. Books cannot cover everything. Note: I was able to add those two
games in the Addendum of that book. At some point one must stop writing
and publish.
Our chess friend Eric Jego recently published a really nice book on the
Huebsch Gambit. Jego's book is very good, a big upgrade over the pamphlet
on the Huebsch published by our gambit heroes Pape, Jensen and Burk many
years ago.
Peter Mcgerald Penullar played the BDG Huebsch Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3
d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4). After the standard 5.Bc4, his opponent
"checkmalt" plays simply 5...f5!? This is a cousin of the BDG Poehlmann
without the knights on the board.
Could I find 5.Bc4 f5 in the book? In any book? In any database? No. Nope.
No way. 6.Nh3 is a good reply. Penullar continued in thematic BDG fashion
with 6.f3 exf3?! 7.Nxf3. This gave White a good game. Peter applied
checkmate to checkmalt.
Penullar - checkmalt, Live Chess Chess.com, 27.06.2012 begins 1.d4 Nf6

2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 f5!?N 6.f3 [6.Nh3 Nc6 7.Ng5 e6
(7...Qxd4? 8.Bf7+ Kd8 9.Be3+-) 8.c3 Qf6 9.Qb3=] 6...exf3?! [6...Nc6! 7.c3
e5 8.d5 Na5 9.Qa4+ c6 10.dxc6 Nxc6=/+] 7.Nxf3 e6 8.0-0 Be7 9.c3 c6
10.Ne5 0-0 11.Qh5 b5 12.Bb3 Qe8 13.Qh3 [Penullar chooses to play for a
mate. The alternative is to regain the gambit pawn with 13.Qxe8 Rxe8
14.Rxf5+- and White stands much better.] 13...g6 [13...Kh8 14.Re1+/-]
14.Bh6 Rf6 15.g4 fxg4 16.Qxg4 Rxf1+ 17.Rxf1 Bd6 18.Rf6! [Leading to a
forced mate.] 18...c5 19.Nxg6 hxg6 20.Rxg6+ Kh7 21.Rg7+ Kxh6 22.Qg5#
1-0
220 - Heidenfeld vs Kirby
Wolfgang Heidenfeld defeated Euwe and Najdorf. He played a BDG
Huebsch vs Kirby. These two players tied for first place.
“Wolfgang was born in Berlin in 1911. Later he studied law and played chess
there but, being a Jew, he was forced to emigrate and in the mid-1930’s
moved to South Africa. He stayed there for over twenty years, winning the
South African championships many times and representing them in their
debut Olympiad in 1958. He made his living in a variety of ways including
designing crossword puzzles, writing short stories, journalism and door-to-
door sales. During the war he helped decode German messages for the
Allies.” [Mark Orr, Irish Chess Union, 1998]
Heidenfeld - Kirby, South Africa ch, 1959 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4
[Surprise, surprise! So the gloves were off from the start. After a little
thought I reasoned that my opponent must have studied the variation while I
was absolutely ignorant of it beyond the third move.] 3...Nxe4?! [I was fairly
certain that this was objectively inferior to 3...dxe4 but I could only hope that
Heidenfeld, for that reason, might be less familiar with it.] 4.Nxe4 dxe4
5.Bc4 e6 6.f3 c5 [I decided after long thought that it was much too dangerous
to try to hold the gambit Pawn with 6...exf3] 7.d5 [This touches off a sharp
struggle in which Black just manages to hold the balance. There does not
seem anything much better however, e.g. 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Bxd4 Nc6; or 7.c3
cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+] 7...exd5 [From now on Black's moves are all practically
forced.] 8.Bxd5 Bd6 9.Be3 0-0 10.fxe4 Nd7 11.Nf3 Nf6 12.0-0 Nxd5
13.Qxd5 Qc7 [It did not seem that 13...Be6 14.Qxb7 Rb8 gave satisfactory
counter-chances.] 14.e5 Be7 15.Ng5 [The move on which White had relied.]
15...Qd8! [Forcing off the Queens and breaking the attack. Now 15...Bxg5
16.Bxg5 would give White an almost certain win, as examination will show.
The White pieces combine in an attack on the black King with eventual
sacrifices against the square g7 which Black is powerless to prevent.
Fortunately, Black has a much stronger move which I was able to find.]
16.Qxd8 Bxd8 17.e6! [But for this liquidation, Black would gain the upper
hand in his turn.] 17...Bxg5 [17...f6 18.Bxc5 Re8 19.Nf7 the draw is
unavoidable.] 18.exf7+ Rxf7 19.Bxg5 Rxf1+ 20.Rxf1 Be6 Draw agreed. 1/2-
1/2 [Notes by Kenneth F. Kirby "The South African Chessplayer"]
5.8 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Bf5
This 5…Bf5 is the most popular move after 5.Bc4.
221 - FM Herbrechtsmeier
“DrLethargo” is the FIDE Master Christof Herbrechtsmeier from Germany.
He is my age, so he has been playing a long time.
Herbrechtsmeier played the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit a lot when he was

young. When writing this I remember he was mentioned in one of those
German BDG books.
I grabbed my copy of “Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Band 3” by

Georg Studier. Near the back as game number 100 on page 160 was his 1974
game Herbrechtsmeier vs Striebich.
For most of his career as White FM Herbrechtsmeier has played 1.e4. That is
one of my favorite first moves.
In blitz as “DrLethargo”, Herbrechtsmeier quite often goes back to the BDG.

I have seen hundreds of his BDG games.
Here DrLethargo wins in the main line of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

Huebsch Gambit after 5.Bc4 Bf5. The Internet Chess Club notes that
“HellasPutzer” was an International Master.
DrLethargo (2193) - HellasPutzer (2202), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club,

21.01.2004 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Bf5
6.g4 Bg6 7.Ne2 e6 8.h4 h6 9.Nf4 Bh7 10.g5 e5 [10...Nc6 11.c3 Na5 12.Bb5+
c6 13.Bf1=] 11.g6 exf4? [11...fxg6 12.Ne6 Qe7 13.c3 Bg8 14.d5+/=]
12.Bxf7+ Ke7 13.Bxf4? [13.Qe2 e3 14.fxe3 Bxg6 15.Bxg6+-] 13...Bg8
14.Bxg8 Rxg8 15.Qh5 Ke8 16.Qf5 Qd7 17.Qxe4+ Qe7 [17...Kd8 18.Qxb7
Qc6 19.Bxc7+ Kd7 20.Qxc6+ Nxc6=] 18.Be5 Nc6 19.Qd5? [19.0-0-0 Rh8
20.Rh3 Qe6 21.Re3+-] 19...Rh8 20.0-0-0 Rd8 [20...Qd7! 21.Qe4 Kd8=]
21.Qb5 [21.Qb3! Nxe5 22.Rhe1 Nxg6 23.Qxb7+-] 21...Qb4 22.Qe2 Kd7?
[22...Nxe5! 23.Qxe5+ Kd7 24.Qf5+ Kc6=] 23.Qg4+ Ke8 24.Rhe1 Nxe5 [Or
24...Ne7 25.Bxc7 Rd7 26.Qf4+-] 25.Rxe5+ Be7 26.c3 Qd6 27.Re6 Qd5
28.Rde1 Rd7 29.Qe2 Qxe6 30.Qxe6 Rf8 Black resigns 1-0
222 - Jego Huebsch book
Our Blackmar-Diemer Gambit friend Eric Jego gave us “Gambit Huebsch
Antidote or Leurre?”
This book focuses on the practice of playing aggressive chess using his 14
elementary principles.
Jego's books demonstrate that many people have been very successful with
this opening variation.
The Eric Jego book on the Huebsch Gambit has 124 pages with 122 verbally
annotated games (in French).
Over 40 of the games were played since 2000, often by titled players or
correspondence players who had time to analyze deeply.
Games are arranged by variation. This makes it easy to find analysis on any
particular line.
I recommend this book to anyone who expects to reach the Huebsch Gambit
position from either side.
Theory found in books on my desk by Yelena Dembo (2008), Roman

Dzindzichashvili (2009), and Larry Kaufman (2012) say Black is better in
theory. In practice White scores well. Chess engines evaluate Black as better,
but humans make mistakes.
The first Huebsch Gambit in Eric Jego's book is E. Huebsch vs the GM Dr. S.
Tartakower. The notes here are mine.
Huebsch - Tartakower Vienna, 1922 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4
4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Bf5 6.Ne2 e6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.d5 [Better than 8.Bf4 Bxf4
9.Nxf4 Qg5-/+ Kozelek - Baier, corr 1969] 8...e5 [8...0-0 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.Nd4
Kh8 (10...Qf6=/+) 11.Nxe6 Bxe6 12.Bxe6 Qf6= Riessbeck - Andre, corr]
9.Ng3 Bg6 10.f3 exf3 11.Qxf3 0-0 12.Nf5 Nd7 13.g3 Nc5 14.h4 e4 15.Qg4
h5 16.Qh3 a5 17.Nxd6 Qxd6 18.g4 Qd7 19.Be3 hxg4 20.Qg3 b6 21.Rf4
Bh5 22.Raf1 Rae8 [22...f5!-/+] 23.Rf5 g6 24.Rxh5 gxh5 25.Qf4 f6 26.Qh6
Qf7 [26...Qh7!=] 27.Bxc5 bxc5 28.Rxf6 Qxf6 29.d6+ Qf7 30.Qg6+ 1-0
5.9 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Nc6
This appears to be the critical line for 5.Bc4.
223 - Zenkner Catches King

In 2013 I found this Blackmar-Diemer Avoided Huebsch Gambit.
The game is between Christian Zenkner and Hans Mildenberger.
I thought that this game looked particularly interesting.
White tried a different set-up after 5.Bc4 Nc6 with 6.Be3 instead of the usual
6.c3.
In either case, the typical counter play for Black after 5...Nc6 is the pawn
push 6...e5!
Black often loses in this popular line 5.Bc4 Nc6, but not everyone plays
correctly as Black.
Here Black backs off with 6...e6 and allows White a good game.
I thought it was a good opportunity to show how a gambit player can win.
Zenkner (1909) - Mildenberger (1622), 12th Lichtenberger Sommer Berlin

GER, 18.08.2013 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4
Nc6 6.Be3 [The traditional main line has been 6.c3 e5 7.d5 Ne7=/+] 6...e6
[6...e5!=/+ when White can choose between 7.dxe5 (take); 7.d5 (push); or
7.Ne2 (protect)] 7.f3 exf3 [7...a6 8.Qd2 Nb4 9.0-0-0 b5=/+] 8.Nxf3 Bd6 9.0-
0 [Or 9.Qe2 0-0 10.0-0-0=] 9...0-0 10.Qe1 Be7 [10...b6!?] 11.Qg3 Bf6
12.Rad1 [12.Ne5!+/=] 12...Ne7 13.Qe1 Nd5 [13...b6=/+] 14.Bc1 Bd7 15.c3
Bc6 16.Qg3 Rc8 17.Bd3 Qd6 18.Qh3 g6 19.Ng5 Bxg5 20.Bxg5 f5 21.Qh4
f4 22.Qh6 e5 [22...Rf7=] 23.dxe5 Qxe5 24.Bc4 Kh8? [24...Qe3+
25.Kh1+/=] 25.Bxd5 Bxd5 26.Bxf4 Qe4 27.Be5+ 1-0
224 - Three Blind Mice 5.Bc4
On December 30, 2012 I focused on the Blackmar-Diemer Huebsch Gambit
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4. Play normally continues 4.Nxe4 dxe4.
Now White has several choices, among them 5.Bf4, 5.Be3, and 5.Bc4. I am a
blind mouse when it comes to these lines. So I decided to try all three fifth
moves.
I do not see any way to force an advantage for White. Eric Jego did a nice
book on the Huebsch. He showed that using general BDG gambit principles,
White does have a reasonable a chance at victory, especially since Black is
rarely prepared for it.
I tested these lines in three blitz games vs Anesthesia (rated 3124). Computer
chess engines that strong will not make any blunders and will see and will
punish all my blunders instantly. But it makes for an interesting analysis
opportunity of the critical lines.
We begin with the traditional main line BDG Huebsch 5.Bc4 which has been
the most popular until Christoph Scheerer focused more attention on
alternatives. Extensive analysis over the past decade has shown 5...Nc6! to be
the best move for Black.
In fact nowadays it has become the most popular move that I have faced. I
did well in many games after 6.c3 e5 7.d5 Ne7 8.Qa4+ Bd7 9.Qb3. Here
Scheerer points out that Black is better after 9...Nf5. I agree. I have reached
that position 8 times, winning one game vs a 1500 player and losing to
everybody else. So here I ventured 8.f3!?
Sawyer - Anesthesia, ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 30.12.2012 begins 1.d4

Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Nc6 6.c3 e5 7.d5 Ne7 8.f3 exf3
9.Nxf3 f6 10.0-0 Nf5 11.Kh1 a6 12.Qe2 Bc5 13.Bb3 [Black has a solid extra
pawn, better bishops and potentially a safer king. 13.Bd3 0-0 14.Nd2 Nd6=/+
and Black is better.] 13...0-0 14.c4 Qe8 15.Bc2? Ng3+! 16.hxg3 Qh5+ White
resigns 0-1
225 - Tocco Wins Huebsch
When I found this Blackmar-Diemer Gambit game, I saved it because I knew
I would want to analyze it.
The game P. Tocco vs G. Ottaviani shows how White could play for an
advantage in the BDG Huebsch Gambit.
Sometimes White has preferred to develop the dark squared bishop (and
castle queenside) with the fifth moves 5.Bf4 (fights against e5) or 5.Be3
(protects d4).
In this game Paolo Tocco played the traditionally most popular light squared
bishop attack (and castle kingside) with 5.Bc4.
Things got a little messy at the end, so I assume these players in Italy were
under some time pressure.
Tocco (2133) - Ottaviani (1983), 35th Arco Open ITA (6.16), 17.10.2013
begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Nc6 6.c3 e5 7.d5
Ne7 8.f3 Nf5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.fxe4 Nd6 12.Qe2 0-0-0
13.Nf3 f6 14.0-0 Qg4 15.Re1 Be7 [15...Nf7=] 16.c4 Nf7 17.Bd2 g5 18.b4 h5
19.c5 Kb8 20.a4 h4 21.a5 h3 22.g3 f5 23.Bc3 Bf6 24.Nd2 Qxe2 25.Rxe2 f4
26.a6 b6 27.Nc4 Rhe8 28.d6?! [28.Kf2!+/=] 28...Re6 [28...cxd6-/+]
29.dxc7+ Kxc7 30.cxb6+ axb6 31.a7 Ra8 32.b5 Be7 33.gxf4 Bc5+ 34.Kf1
gxf4 35.Rd2 f3 [35...Rg6=] 36.Rd3 f2? [36...Re7 37.Rxf3+/-] 37.Rxh3 Rg6
38.Rh7 Rf6 39.Bxe5+ Kd7 40.Bxf6 1-0
Book 2: Index of Names to Games
Aangeenbrug – 49
AdamsX – 69
Aglave – 36
Anderberg – 15
Anderson – 99
Andersson – 131
Anesthesia – 205, 213, 224
Anguera Maestro – 210
Antidrome – 212
Arden – 48
Arsaga – 56
ArthurSU – 11
Ashcraft – 155
Ashkeef – 211-212
badris – 126
Baguet – 146
Bauer – 127
bcnjjj – 118
Beardsley – 137
beinai – 102
Belalugosi – 196
Bengherabi – 103
Berthelsen – 15
Bianchi – 16
Biskopp – 81
BlackDragon – 95
blik – 138, 157
Blood – 167
Bohley – 144
Bond – 12, 173
BountyHunter – 195
Brusey – 145
Buchko – 55
Bury – 91
caliente77777 – 79
Campbell – 172
capablanca1 – 114
caucadrez – 39
Cavicchi – 19, 40-41
Chan Peng Kong – 10
Chandler – 71, 197
Checharov – 115
checkmalt – 219
CHELLER – 24
chessattack1 – 37
ChessBeta – 26
ChessDoc – 51
Chess-Dream – 97
Chicago4 – 162
chimbba – 153
chuluperu – 108
Clauser – 20, 45, 53, 61
Coleman – 136, 186
Colossus – 202
Corneau – 173
Crosbie – 3
Cullen – 84
dalling – 128
daniele1979 – 65
Danieli – 101, 201
DelRosario – 183
Diemer – 110
drmhmd3id – 75
Dubé – 12
ealps – 197
Edmundich – 21
eldee – 96
Elliott – 89
Elwin – 83
ez1 – 214
faetont – 66
Felber – 50, 85
Ferguson – 76
Ferreira – 16
FlagFell – 111
Frickmann – 166
Fulton – 165
Funkhouser – 180
GAF – 124
Glickman – 86
Goan – 46
Grafl – 210
Grava – 107
guest579 – 77
guest7749 – 18
Halloj – 71
Harding – 43
Harimau – 147
Harthor – 51
Hauser – 91
Heidenfeld – 220
Heisman – 80
Helin – 198
HellasPutzer – 221
Heppenstall – 159
Herbrechtsmeier – 221
Hernando – 130, 140
Herve – 4
Hess – 22
Hirn – 120
Huebsch – 222
Husemann – 179
Ichsehnix – 30, 215-218
idledim – 185
InaOm – 82
Iturbide Arnedo – 106
jeromed – 151
Johnlove – 30
JUGGERNOT – 32
juho – 47
Junior – 199
Karason – 101
kekendevi – 149
Khlichkova – 9
Kirby – 220
Kluge – 8
Konakjan – 6
Kuciel – 178
Kuling – 49
Kulmamadov – 164
Lane – 59
Lau – 23
Lawrence – 125
Le Montagner – 133
Ledesma – 191
Leningradcowboy – 218
LeonidP – 58
Leuba – 175
LeviRook – 7, 29
Liddy – 92
Lindy – 174
Loeffler – 201
Luk65 – 119
Lungley – 109
Lykke – 90
lynov2000 – 74
Machinegun – 196
Malmstrom – 52
marcoss – 177
Markus – 35
Martin – 13
Maslik – 105
Mason – 70, 125
Massie – 62
McGrew – 94
McPherren – 3
Mercure – 129
MihMih – 217
Mildenberger – 223
Mingos – 123
Morin – 63
morphy-1857 – 112
Morris – 25
mridge – 209
Mrofka – 193
Muhr – 44
Muir – 60, 64, 100, 161
Muravey – 190
Murray – 152
Myway – 211
Naglic – 156
Nardol – 127
Nielsferatu – 54
Nilsson – 131
Nitish – 164
NN – 40
Nora – 132
Norris – 117
Oblivion – 215-216
Offenborn – 90
Ottaviani – 225
paj – 176, 207
PalmTree – 142
patekphilippe – 121
Penullar – 11, 31, 219
Perez – 42
Perplexity – 169
Pert – 203
PII233Crafty – 150, 168
Poblete – 204
pousbois – 31
Quinones – 62, 81, 179, 204, 206
Rabadan Velasco – 106
Raetsky – 141
Raizman – 72
Rasa – 109
redcatcher – 154
Regan – 188
rocardinha – 208
RockyTop – 116
Rosenstielke – 52
Rybka – 67
SafeHouse – 34
Sansone – 163
Sawyer – 1-2, 5-8, 14, 17-18, 21-29, 32-34, 39, 43, 45-48, 50, 53-58, 60-61,
63-69, 73-80, 82, 84-89, 92-100, 102, 104, 108, 111, 113-114, 116-119, 121,
124, 126, 128-129, 136-139, 147, 149-152, 154-155, 157-163, 165-172, 174,
176-177, 182-194, 199, 202, 205, 207-209, 213-214, 224
Schelvis – 35
Schenker – 175
Schlenker – 143
Schmoldt – 44
Schreiber – 143
Schuda – 28
sdrrtc – 194
Sgroi – 4
Shafkat – 160
Shamkovich – 123
Sherwin – 37
Shibut – 68
Shredder – 1, 93, 139, 170
Shyborg – 184
Sidali – 103
Simioli – 41
Simonovic – 148
Simons – 83, 122, 145, 203
Skovgaard – 198
Smerdon – 70
SNAPPERED – 73
Stead – 59
Stepan – 178
Stirling – 192
Stowe – 107
Strauss – 134
stupy77 – 2
subamaya – 189
SugarMagnolia – 13
Szadkowski – 36
Szymanski – 104
Tarasov – 206
Tartakower – 72, 132, 148, 222
Tatai – 153
Tate – 38
Taylor – 122
TBricker1 – 14
Terrigood – 98
Thacker – 200
Thomasson – 181
Tocco – 225
Tom – 87
tomnoah – 5
Toth – 135
Trimpi – 57
Unbeliever – 27
uncles – 195
Unmack – 156
Uris – 42
Van Houtte – 146
Van Oirschot – 88
Vandenbroucke – 78
Varro.kun – 20
Vasiukov – 38
verdugo21 – 113
vladdfallavenna – 187
Walch – 120
Walls – 158
Warren – 144
Weinspach – 110
whereisitat – 17
Wiander – 181
Williams – 200
Wolfangel – 133
worldcitizen – 33
Yace Paderborn – 171, 182
Yang Hainan – 10
Zaiatz – 9
Zenkner – 223
Zilbermints – 105, 112, 115, 130, 134-135, 140-142
Zimina – 19
How to Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Accepted
By Tim Sawyer
Is Blackmar-Diemer Gambit sound? That’s a loaded question. Statistically
White has scored 58% from the official 4.f3 BDG position. That compares
favorably to 54% for all openings. I’ve scored 57% as White after 4.f3. On a
practical level, it is sound.
My chess ratings have gone up because of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. My

ratings have fluctuated wildly during my 45 years of chess play. My average
rating as White in the 4.f3 position is 2030. My performance rating after 4.f3
is 2131. That’s a gain of 101 rating points when I play the BDG. Your results
may vary!
This book has been arranged according to the variations that you are most
likely to see. A few critical lines are hidden in the notes. I hope that you can
find improvements. When you wonder about a specific position, I suggest
that you test it with a chess engine.
My goal for this Book 3 is to provide accurate Blackmar-Diemer theory of

the Gambit Accepted after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3. I simply
show the critical lines as concisely as possible.
Playing a gambit is like being in a horse race. There is always a “rabbit”

horse that starts quickly out front. That horse is passed by another moving
faster once that winner gets up to speed.
The player who accepts the gambit is out front at the first turn. The gambit
player has a lead in development and open lines, so he is gaining quickly
making threats as he assembles his army. How do you win from behind? You
must go fast and hard. Does it work? Often it does. If not, this book can help
you start better.
The opening is important. If you begin well you can end well. But understand
this. The start is just the beginning. What happens next? That is up to the
players. The solution is at the finish line.
I’ve won about 2000 games with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. For many
years players have sent me their games and told me how much fun it is to win
with the BDG. This is exciting chess!
This Blackmar-Diemer series of six books has skin, bones, and muscle.
Books 1 and 2 verbally describe how the BDG looks and feels in hundreds of
annotated games by players from all levels. Those are the outer skin level,
what it feels like to play the BDG.
Now to the skeleton on which the opening stands. Books 3 and 4 cover the
theory of BDG. This is bare bones analysis. There are no player stories, and
no explanations about what is going on. What you have is 50 variations of the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit clearly outlined and divided so that you can find
any line quickly.
The muscle that follows is planned for future books. They show the power of
the opening through master games but without any annotations. Some of
those games did appear with annotations in my first two books. More books
are planned.
Now a word about transpositions. The BDG can be reached by many move
orders. Here are the most common paths to 4.f3:
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3.
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3 Nf6 4.Nc3.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3.
1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3.
1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3.
1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4.f3.
Here are BDGs that do not pass through the same 4.f3 position:
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 (Ziegler).
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nf6 (Euwe).
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Bf5 4.f3 exf3 5.Nf3 Nf6 (Gunderam)
In my first Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook I wrote this: “Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit is not a boxing jab; it is a knockout punch. White gets to
throw the first punch! Stop playing for the endgame; start playing to end the
game! Be a winner. Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit!”
Theoretical analysis brings you into the middle of the boxing ring. Now you
can knock out your opponent. I place White in the best situation possible.
Start throwing your punches. It’s your move!
The gambit nature of the Blackmar-Diemer makes the evaluation of lines a
challenge. Typically White has more active pieces and more serious threats
while Black has a material advantage.
Multiple chess engines evaluated all the lines found in this book. Komodo
and Houdini seemed the most reliable. Fritz, Rybka and Stockfish were
frequently consulted as well as a dozen others. Analysis was often 20-40 ply
deep. Preference was given to the latest versions of these chess engines and
to deeper analysis.
The symbols used allow a range of seven possible evaluations. Here is an

explanation of what these symbols mean in this book.
+-
White has an advantage equivalent to two pawns or more.
+/-
White has an advantage roughly equivalent to one pawn.
+/=
White has a slight advantage but not yet a winning one.
=
Position is equal in material, or there is adequate compensation.
=/+
Black has a slight advantage but not yet a winning one.
-/+
Black has an advantage roughly equivalent to one pawn.
-+
Black has an advantage equivalent to two pawns or more.
1.0 – 5.Qxf3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3
5.Qxf3 g6
5...Bg4? 6.Qxb7 Nbd7 7.Nb5 Rc8 8.Bf4 e5 9.dxe5 +/-
5...Nbd7 6.Bf4 c6 7.Bd3 g6 8.0-0-0 Bg7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Nf3 =
5...h6 6.Bf4 and now:

6...e6 7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.Bc4 Bd6 9.Nge2 Bxf4+ 10.Qxf4 =
6...Qxd4 7.Nb5 Qxb2 8.Nxc7+ Kd8 9.Rd1+ Bd7 10.Nxa8 +/=
5...Bd7 and now:

6.Qxb7? Nc6! 7.Bf4 Rb8 8.Qxc7 Qxc7 9.Bxc7 Rxb2 -/+
6.Qf2 e6 7.Nf3 c5 8.dxc5 Qa5 9.Bd2 Qxc5 10.Be3 Qb4 =/+
6.Bf4 Nc6 7.Nge2 Nb4 8.0-0-0 e6 9.Qg3 Nh5 10.Qe3 Nxf4 =/+
5...a6!? 6.Be3 Nc6 7.Nge2 e5 8.0-0-0 Bg4 9.Qf2 exd4 10.Bxd4 Nxd4
11.Rxd4 Bd6 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Rxe4+ Be6 14.Nf4 Qg5 -/+
6.Bf4
6.Bd3 and now:

6...Qxd4 7.Nge2 Qh4+ 8.g3 Qg4 9.Qf2 Bg7 10.Bf4 0-0 -/+
6...Bg7 7.Nge2 and now:

7...c6 8.Bf4 0-0 9.0-0-0 Nd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.c3 Nc6 =/+
7…Nc6! 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 11.Be3 Qb4 -/+
6.Be3 and now:

6...Nbd7 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Qe2 Nb6 9.Nf3 0-0 10.0-0 Nbd5 =/+
6...c6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Bc4 Nbd7 9.Nge2 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nb6 =/+
6…Bg7 7.0-0-0 0-0 8.h3 c6 9.Kb1 Nd5 10.Bc1 Nxc3+ =/+
6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Nge2 Nc6 8.Be3 Bg4 9.Qf2 Bf5 10.h3 0-0 =/+
6...Bg7
6...c6 and now:

7.Bd3 Qxd4 8.Nge2 Qc5 9.Be3 Qh5 10.Qg3 Bg7 11.0-0-0 0-0 -/+
7.Qf2 Nd5 8.Nxd5 cxd5 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.c3 Bg7 11.Nf3 0-0 =/+
7.0-0-0
7.Nb5 Na6 8.0-0-0 c6! 9.h3 Bf5! 10.Nc3 Nb4 11.Rd2 Nfd5 12.Nge2 Nxf4
13.Nxf4 Nxc2 14.Rxc2 Bxc2 15.Kxc2 Qxd4 -+
7.h3 0-0 8.0-0-0 c6 9.Bc4 Nbd7 10.Nge2 Nb6 11.Bb3 a5 =/+
7...0-0
8.h3
8.Bd3 and now:

8...Nc6 9.Nge2 Bg4 10.Qg3 Nxd4 11.Be5 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 c5 -/+
8...Bg4!? 9.Qxb7 Bxd1 10.Kxd1 and now:
10...Nbd7 11.Bxc7 Qc8 12.Ba6 Ng4 13.Qxc8 Rfxc8 -/+
10...Qxd4! 11.Nge2 Qb6 12.Qxa8 Nc6 13.Na4 Rxa8 -/+
8.Nge2 c6 9.h3 Nd5 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bh4 Be6 12.Kb1 Nd7 =/+
8...c6
8…Nc6 9.d5 Nb8 10.g4 c6 11.dxc6 Qb6 12.Be3 Qxc6 13.Bg2 =
9.g4
9.Bc4 and now:

9...e6 10.Kb1 Nd5 11.h4 Nxc3+ 12.Qxc3 e5 13.Bg5 exd4 =
9...Nbd7 10.Nge2 Nb6 11.Bb3 a5 12.a3 Nbd5 13.g4 Nxf4 =/+
9...Be6
9...Nd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Kb1 Be6 12.c4 Qa5 13.Rh2 Rd8 =/+
10.Kb1 Nd5
11.Nge2 Nd7
12.Bg2 Nxf4 =/+
1.1 – 5.Qxf3 c6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 c6
6.Be3
6.Bd3 and now:

6...Bg4 7.Qf2 e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.Nge2 Nbd7 10.Nf4 Bg6 11.Nxg6 =
6...Qxd4! 7.Nge2 Qh4+ and now:
8.g3 Qh5 9.Qxh5 Nxh5 10.Ng1 Bg4 11.Kf2 e5 -/+
8.Ng3 Nbd7 9.Bf4 e5 10.Bd2 Nc5 11.Bf5 Bxf5 -/+
6.h3 and now:

6...e6 7.Be3 Nd5 8.Nxd5 cxd5 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.Ne2 0-0 =/+
6...g6 7.Qf2 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd2 Bf5 10.0-0-0 Ne4 =/+
6...Qxd4 and now:
7.Bd2 e5 8.0-0-0 Be6 9.Qg3 Nbd7 10.Nf3 Qc5 11.Ng5 Bd5 -/+
7.Be3 and now:
7...Qd8 8.Bc4 e6 9.Nge2 Be7 10.Bd3 0-0 11.0-0-0 Nbd7 -/+
7...Qd6 8.Bc4 e6 9.Nge2 Nbd7 10.Rd1 Qb4 11.Bb3 Bc5 -/+
6.Qf2!? Ng4 7.Qf4 g6 8.Bc4 Bf5 9.h3 Bh6 =/+
6...Bg4
6...e6 and now:
7.0-0-0 and now:

7...Be7 8.Kb1 0-0 9.Bd3 Na6 10.a3 Nc7 11.Nge2 =
7...Bb4 8.Nge2 Nd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Ng3 0-0 11.Bd3 =
7...Nd5 8.Bd2 Bb4 9.Nge2 0-0 10.Kb1 Nd7 11.g4 =
7.Bd3 and now:

7...Nd5 8.Nxd5 cxd5 9.0-0-0 Nc6 10.Kb1 Bd6 11.Nh3 Qf6 =
7...Bd6 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.Kb1 Na6 10.a3 Nc7 11.Nge2 =
7...Nbd7 8.Qg3 Qb6 9.0-0-0 Nd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Nf3 =
7...Bb4 8.Nge2 0-0 9.a3 Be7 10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Bd2 =
7...Be7 8.Nge2 Nd5 9.Bd2 Nb4 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Kb1 =
6...Qb6 7.Rb1 Bg4 8.Qg3 Bf5 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.cxd3 g6 =/+

6...g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.0-0-0 Nd5 9.Bc4 Be6 10.Bxd5 Bxd5 =/+
6...Nbd7 7.Bd3 Nb6 8.Qe2 g6 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.0-0-0 0-0 =/+
7.Qf2
7.Qf4 e6 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.Qf2 0-0 10.Nge2 Nbd7 11.0-0 Nd5 =/+
7.Qg3 and now:

7...Bf5 8.0-0-0 e6 9.Nf3 Bb4 10.Nh4 Bg6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 =/+
7...Qb6 8.Rb1 Bf5 and now:
9.d5 Qd8 10.dxc6 Nxc6 11.Nf3 Bxc2 12.Rc1 Bg6 -/+
9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.cxd3 g6 11.Nf3 Bg7 12.0-0 0-0 =/+
7...e6
7...Qb6 8.Qd2 e6 9.h3 Bh5 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.g4 Bg6 =/+
8.h3 Bf5
8...Bh5 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.Nge2 Bg6 11.Bxg6 hxg6 =/+
9.0-0-0
9.g4 and now:

9...Bg6 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Nf3 Bb4 12.g5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 =/+
9...Ne4 10.Qf3 Nxc3 11.gxf5 Bb4 12.a3 Ba5 13.b4 Bb6 =/+
9...Bb4
9...Qa5 10.Kb1 Na6 11.Bxa6 bxa6 12.Nge2 Rb8 13.g4 Bg6 =/+
9...Be7 10.Kb1 Nd5 11.Nge2 0-0 12.g4 Bg6 13.Bg2 Bh4 =/+
9...Bd6 10.g4 Bg6 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Rxd3 0-0 13.Kb1 Nbd7 =/+
9...Nbd7 10.g4 Bg6 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Rxd3 Bd6 13.Nge2 0-0 =/+
9...Nd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Nf3 Be7 12.Kb1 Nc6 13.Bd3 Bxd3 =/+
10.Nge2 Nd5
10...Bxc3 11.Nxc3 0-0 12.g4 Bg6 13.Kb1 Nd5 14.Bd2 Nd7 =

10...0-0 11.g4 Bg6 12.a3 Bd6 13.Nf4 Nd5 14.Ncxd5 cxd5 =/+
10...Nbd7 11.g4 Bg6 12.a3 Bd6 13.Nf4 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 =/+
11.Nxd5 cxd5
12.g4 Be4
13.Bg2 Bxg2
14.Qxg2 0-0 =/+
1.2 – 5.Qxf3 e6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 e6
6.Bf4
6.Nge2 Bd7 7.Bg5 Bc6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Qxf6 gxf6 10.0-0-0 Nd7 11.d5 exd5
12.Nxd5 0-0-0 =/+
6.Bd3 and now:

6...c6 7.Nge2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qg3 Nbd7 10.Bh6 =
6...Nc6 7.Nge2 and now:
7...Nb4 8.Bf4 Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.0-0-0 Bxf4+ 11.Nxf4 0-0 =/+
7...Bb4 8.0-0 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 10.Be3 Qg4 11.Bb5+ Kf8 =
7...Nxd4 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qe5 10.0-0-0 Bd6 11.Kb1 a6 =/+
6...Qxd4! and now:
7.Be3 Qh4+ 8.Bf2 Qg4 9.0-0-0 Qxf3 10.Nxf3 a6 -/+
7.Bf4 and now:
7...Nc6!? and now:
8.Nb5 Qxb2 9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Rd1 e5 11.Nxa8 exf4 -/+
8.Nge2 Qb6 9.0-0-0 Bd6 10.Rhf1 0-0 11.Qg3 e5 =/+
7...Nbd7 8.Nge2 Qc5 9.0-0-0 Bd6 10.Qg3 0-0 -/+
6.Be3 and now:

6...c6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Nge2 Nd5 9.Bd2 Nb4 10.0-0-0 Nxd3+ 11.Qxd3 =
6...Nbd7 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Nge2 c5 9.0-0-0 cxd4 10.Nxd4 0-0 =
6...Bb4 and now:
7.Bd3 Nc6 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 e5 10.Ne2 0-0 11.Bg5 Bg4 =/+
7.Bb5+ Nc6 8.Nge2 0-0 9.0-0 Be7 10.a3 Nd5 11.Nxd5 =
6...Be7 and now:
7.Bd3 Nc6 8.0-0-0 Nb4 9.Bf4 0-0 10.Nge2 Rb8 =/+
7.0-0-0 0-0 8.Kb1 Bd7 9.Bc4 Bc6 10.d5 exd5 11.Nxd5 Nbd7 12.Qf5 Nxd5
13.Bxd5 Bxd5 14.Rxd5 Bd6 =/+
6...Bd6 7.0-0-0 0-0 8.Kb1 and now:
8...Bd7 9.Qf2 Bb4 10.Nge2 Ng4 11.Qg3 Nxe3 12.Qxe3 Bc6 =/+
8...Nc6 9.Ne4 a6 10.Nxd6 cxd6 11.Bg5 e5 12.dxe5 Bg4 =/+
6...Bd6
6...Nc6!? 7.0-0-0 Bd6 8.Kb1 0-0 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 Be7 11.Nge2 Nb4 12.Bg3
Nbd5 =/+
6...Bb4 7.0-0-0 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 Nd5 9.Qg3 Nxf4 10.Qxf4 Qd6 11.Qh4 0-0
12.Bd3 h6 13.Nf3 =
6...Be7 7.0-0-0 0-0 8.Bc4 Nbd7 and now:

9.Nb5 Ne8 10.Ne2 Nb6 11.Bd3 Nd5 12.Kb1 Bd7 =/+
9.Nge2 Nb6 10.Bd3 Nfd5 11.Be5 f6 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Bg3 =
7.Bg5
7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.Kb1 0-0 9.Bc4 Bxf4 10.Qxf4 Qd6 11.Qh4 Ne7 =/+
7.Bb5+ Nbd7 8.Bxd6 cxd6 9.Qg3 Qe7 10.Nf3 0-0 11.0-0 Nh5=/+
7...Be7
7...h6 8.Bh4 Be7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.Nge2 Rb8 12.Rhg1 b5
13.Bxb5 Nb6 14.Bc6 =
7...Nbd7 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.Bd3 e5 10.Nge2 exd4 11.Nxd4 h6 12.Bh4 Ne5 13.Qf1
Neg4 14.Ne4 =
8.0-0-0 Nc6
8...Nbd7 9.Bd3 0-0 10.Kb1 h6 11.Bf4 Bd6 12.Nh3 =
8...c6 9.h4 0-0 10.g4 Nbd7 11.Kb1 Nd5 12.Nge2 =
9.Nge2
9.Bb5 0-0 10.Nge2 Nd5 11.Bxe7 Ncxe7 12.g4 Bd7 =/+
9...0-0
10.Kb1 Nd5
11.Bxe7 Ncxe7
12.g4 b6
13.Rg1 Bb7 =/+
1.3 – 5.Qxf3 Nc6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Nc6
6.Bb5
6.Be3 Nxd4 7.Bxd4 Qxd4 8.Bb5+ Nd7 9.Rd1 Qc5 10.Nd5 e6 -/+
6.d5 Nd4 7.Qf2 e5 8.Bg5 Ng4 9.Bxd8 Nxf2 10.Kxf2 Kxd8 -/+
6...Bd7
6...Qxd4? 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Qxc6+ Qd7 9.Qxa8 e5 10.Nf3 +-
6...Bg4 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Qxc6+ Bd7 9.Qc4 e6 10.Nf3 =
6...e6 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Qxc6+ Bd7 9.Qc4 Rc8 10.Nf3 =
7.Nge2
7.Be3!? and now:
7...e6 8.Qe2 Bd6 9.Nf3 0-0 10.0-0 Ng4 11.Rad1 Nxe3 =/+
7...a6 and now:
8.Bxc6 Bxc6 9.Qe2 b5 10.a3 Nd5 11.Nf3 Nxc3 -/+
8.Ba4 e6 9.Nge2 Be7 10.0-0 Nb4 11.Bb3 0-0 =/+
7...a6
8.Ba4
8.Bd3 Bg4 9.Qf2 Nb4 10.0-0 Nxd3 11.cxd3 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 g6 -/+
8.Bxc6 Bxc6 9.Qf2 e6 10.Bf4 b5 11.0-0 b4 12.Nd1 Be7 -/+

8.Bc4 Bg4 9.Qf2 e6 10.0-0 Bf5 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 =/+
8...b5
8...e6 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rad1 b5 =/+
9.Bb3 Na5
10.Bg5
10.0-0 Bc6 11.Qg3 b4 12.Nd1 e6 13.c4 Bd6 =/+
10.Nd5 Bc6 11.Nxf6+ exf6 12.Qg3 Nxb3 13.axb3 Qd5 =/+
10...h6
10...b4 11.Ne4 and now:
11...Nxb3 12.axb3 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Qc8 14.0-0 f6 15.Bf4 =
11...Bc6 12.Bxf6 Nxb3 13.axb3 and now:
13...exf6 14.0-0-0 Qd5 15.Nf4 Qd7 16.Qe2 0-0-0 =+
13...Qd5 14.Bxg7 Bxg7 15.Ng5 a5 16.Rf1 Qxf3 =/+
11.Bxf6
11.Bh4 g5 12.Bg3 Bc6 13.d5 Nxb3 14.Rd1 Bd7 15.axb3 Bg7 =/+
11...exf6
11...gxf6 12.0-0 f5 13.Ng3 Nxb3 14.axb3 e6 15.Nce4 Be7 16.Nh5 =
12.Qg3
12.0-0 Be7 13.Nd5 0-0 14.Ng3 Nxb3 15.axb3 Be6 =/+

12...Nxb3
12...Bc6 13.0-0 Qd7 14.Qe3+ Qe7 15.Qh3 Nxb3 16.axb3 Qd7 =/+
13.axb3 Bc6
14.0-0 Qd6
15.Qe3+ Qe7
16.Qh3 b4 =/+
1.4 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4
6.Be3
6.Nb5 Qe5+ 7.Be2 Na6 8.a3 c6 9.Nc3 Nc5 -+
6...Qb4
6...Qd6 7.Nb5 and now:

7...Qb4+ 8.c3 Qxb2 9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Rd1+ Bd7 11.Bc1 +-
7...Qd8 8.Bf4 e5 9.Bxe5 Bb4+ 10.c3 Ba5 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 =/+
7…Qe5 8.0-0-0 Na6 9.Bf4 Qe4 10.Qf2 Be6 11.a3 c6 =/+
6...Qd7 and now:

7.Bd3 e5 8.0-0-0 Nc6 9.h3 Bd6 10.Nge2 0-0 =/+
7.Rd1 Qg4 8.Nb5 Na6 and now:
9.Nd4 Qxf3 10.Ngxf3 e6 -/+
9.Nxa7 Bd7 10.Bxa6 Qxf3 11.Nxf3 bxa6 -/+
6...Qd8 and now:

7.Nh3 e6 8.Ng5 Nc6 9.Bb5 Bd6 10.0-0-0 0-0 -/+
7.Rd1 Nbd7 and now:
8.Bc4 e6 9.Nh3 Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Qe2 a6 -/+
8.Qg3 e6 9.Nf3 Bd6 10.Qxg7 Rg8 11.Qh6 Ng4 -/+
6...Qe5 7.0-0-0 and now:

7...Bg4 8.Qxb7 Qxe3+ 9.Rd2 Qe1+ 10.Rd1 Qe3+ 11.Rd2 =
7…c6 8.h3! Nbd7 9.g4 e6 10.Kb1 Be7 11.Nge2 0-0 12.Bg2 Nb6 -/+
6...Qh4+ 7.g3 and now:

7...Qb4 8.0-0-0 c6 9.Qe2 Bg4 10.Nf3 Nbd7 =/+
7...Qg4 8.Qf2 e6 9.Bg2 c6 10.h3 Qf5 -/+
7.0-0-0 e5
7...Bg4? 8.Nb5 and now:

8...e5? 9.Nxc7+ Ke7 10.Qxb7 Qxb7 11.Bc5!# mate
8...Nbd7 9.Qxb7 Qe4 10.Qxe4 Nxe4 11.Rd4 +-
8…Na6 9.Qxb7 and now:
9...Bxd1 10.Qxa8+ Kd7 11.Nxa7 Be2 12.Qc8+ Kd6 13.Bd2 +-
9…Qe4 10.Qxa6 Qxe3+ 11.Kb1 Qc5 12.Qb7 Bxd1 13.Qxa8+ +-
7...Nc6 8.Nb5 Qa5 9.Bd2 Qb6 10.Be3 Qa5 =
7...a6 8.Qg3 Qa5 9.Bf4 Nc6 10.Bxc7 Qh5 11.Be2 =
7...e6 8.Nb5 Qa5 9.Bd2 Qb6 10.Be3 Bc5 11.Bxc5 Qxc5 12.Qa3 =
7...c6 8.Qg3 g6 9.a3 Qa5 10.Nf3 Bg7 11.Bc4 0-0 12.Rhe1 =
8.Nb5
8.a3 Qe7 9.Bg5 Qe6 10.Kb1 Be7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Nd5 Bd8 =/+
8.Qg3 Nc6 9.Bb5 Be6 10.Nge2 Rd8 11.Rxd8+ Kxd8 =/+
8...Na6
9.Qg3
9.a3 Qe4 10.h3 c6 11.Nc3 Qxf3 12.Nxf3 Bc5 =
9…Ng4
9...Be6 10.a3 Qa4 11.Nf3 Be7 12.Nxe5 0-0 13.Nc3 =
9...Be7 10.a3 Qe4 11.Bd3 Qg4 12.Qxe5 0-0 13.Nf3 =
9...Qe7 10.Nf3 e4 11.Nfd4 Nh5 12.Qf2 Qf6 13.Nc3 =

10.a3 Qe7
11.Nc3 f6
12.Bd2 Qc5
13.Qf3 Qf2
14.Bb5+ Ke7
15.Bxa6 =
1.5 – 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4
7.Qf2
7.Nb5 and now:
7...Qxf3 8.Nxf3 Na6 9.0-0-0 e6 10.Bg1 Nd5 11.Nxa7 Bd7 =/+

7...Na6 8.0-0-0 c6 9.Nc3 Nb4 10.Bd4 Bf5 11.Rd2 0-0-0 -+
7.0-0-0 Qxf3 8.Nxf3 c6 and now:
9.Be2 e6 10.h3 Nbd7 11.Rhf1 Be7 12.Kb1 0-0 -/+

9.Bc4 e6 10.Rhe1 Nbd7 11.Bf4 Be7 12.g3 0-0 -/+
7...e5
7...Qb4 8.0-0-0 c6 9.Nf3 Nbd7 10.Kb1 e5 11.Qe1 =
7...a6 8.Nf3 e5 9.0-0-0 Bd6 10.h3 Qe6 11.g4 =
7...c6 8.Nf3 Nbd7 9.0-0-0 e6 10.Kb1 Be7 11.Rd4 =
7...Ne4 8.Nxe4 Qxe4 9.Bd3 and now:
9...Qg4 10.Nf3 Nc6 11.h3 Qe6 12.0-0 f6 13.b3 =

9...Qe6 10.Nf3 f6 11.0-0 Nc6 12.Rad1 =
7...e6 8.h3 Qh5 9.g4 Qa5 10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 =/+
7...Qf5 8.Nf3 Ng4 9.Qe2 Nxe3 10.Qxe3 e6 11.Nb5 Na6 -/+
7...Nc6 and now:

8.h3 Qb4 9.0-0-0 e5 10.Nf3 Be7 11.Kb1 0-0 =/+
8.Nf3 e5 9.h3 Qe6 10.Ng5 Qf5 11.Bc4 Qxf2+ =/+
8.Nf3
8.Be2 Qf5 9.0-0-0 Qxf2 10.Bxf2 Ng4 11.Bh4 f6 -/+
8.h3 Qf5 9.0-0-0 Qxf2 10.Bxf2 Bd6 11.Nf3 Nc6 -/+
8.a3 and now:
8...Qf5 9.Nf3 e4 10.Nd2 Bd6 11.Bb5+ c6 12.Be2 0-0 -/+

8...Nc6 9.Nf3 e4 10.Nd4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Be7 12.Be2 Qf5 -/+
8...Bd6 9.Nf3 e4 10.h3 Qg3 11.Nd2 Qxf2+ 12.Kxf2 Be5 -/+
8.Bd3 and now:
8...Bb4 9.Nge2 Ne4 10.Bxe4 Qxe4 11.0-0 Qg6 -/+

8...e4 9.Bc4 Be6 10.h3 Qg6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.0-0-0 Bd6 -/+
8...Nc6 9.h3 Qh5 10.Nf3 Ng4 11.Qd2 Nxe3 12.Qxe3 Qh6 -/+
8...Bb4
9.Nxe5 Qe4
10.Qf4
10…Qxf4 11.Bxf4 Nd5 12.Bd2 Bxc3 13.bxc3 0-0 -/+
10…0-0
11.0-0-0
11.Bc4 Nc6 12.Qxe4 Nxe4 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.0-0 Nxc3 -/+
11...Qxf4
11...Bxc3 12.bxc3 Be6 13.c4 Re8 14.Bd3 Qxf4 15.Bxf4 Na6 =/+
12.Bxf4 Bxc3
13.bxc3 Be6
13...Ne4 14.Re1 Nc5 15.Nd3 Ne6 16.Bg3 Nd7 =/+
14.c4 Na6
15.Bd3 Rfe8
16.Rhe1 Rad8 =/+
1.6 – 5.Nxf3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3
5…c5
5...b6 6.Ne5 Bb7 7.Bb5+ c6 8.Qf3 e6 9.Nxc6 +/=
5...Bd7 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Qe1 Bc6 9.Be3 =
5...Be6 6.Bf4 g6 7.Ng5 Bd5 8.0-0-0 Bg7 9.Nxd5 =
5...Nbd7 6.Bd3 g6 7.Qe2 Bg7 8.Bg5 0-0 9.0-0-0 =
5...Qd6 and now:

6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Nb5 Qd8 8.Bf4 Nd5 9.Bg3 =
6.Ne5 Be6 7.Bf4 Nd5 8.Qf3 Nd7 9.0-0-0 =
6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 a6 8.Ng5 Nc6 9.Be3 =
5...a6 and now:

6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 g5 8.Bg3 Nc6 9.d5 Nb4 10.Be5 Bf5 =
6.Be3 g6 7.Ne5 Bg7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.Qf3 Qd6 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 =
6.Bf4
6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.dxc5 e6 8.Be3 Qc7 9.b4 b6 10.Bc4 a6 11.0-0 =
6.Bg5 cxd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 a6 9.Bxf6 exf6 10.Nd5 =
6.dxc5 Qxd1+ and now:

7.Kxd1 a6 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.Re1 Bg4 10.Be3 e6 11.a3 =
7.Nxd1 e6 8.Be3 Nd5 9.Bf2 Nb4 10.Ne3 Bxc5 11.a3 =
6.d5 and now:

6...Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Nbd7 9.Bf4 g6 10.Nb5 +/-
6...e6 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.dxe6 fxe6 9.Qe2 Bxb5 10.Nxb5 +/=
6...a6 7.a4 Nbd7 8.Qe2 g6 9.g3!? Nb6 10.Bf4 Bg7 =/+
6...g6 7.Bc4 Bg7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.a4 Nb6 =/+
6...cxd4
6...Qb6 7.Nb5 Na6 8.Qe2 Be6 9.dxc5 Qxc5 10.0-0-0 +/=
6...Nd5 and now:

7.Bb5+ Nc6 8.Ne5 Nxf4 9.Qf3 Bd7 10.0-0-0 cxd4 11.Bxc6 +/=
7.Qd2 e6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bxd7+ Nxd7 11.0-0-0 +/=
6...Bg4 and now:

7.d5 Nbd7 8.Qe2 a6 9.0-0-0 g6 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 +/=
7.h3 and now:
7...cxd4 8.hxg4 dxc3 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.0-0-0+ Kc8 11.Bc4 +/-
7...Bxf3 8.Qxf3 cxd4 9.Qxb7 dxc3 10.Qxa8 cxb2 11.Rb1 +/-
7...Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Bb5+ Nbd7 10.dxc5 a6 11.Ba4 +/-
7...Bf5 8.Qe2 e6 9.0-0-0 Bd6 10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.dxe5 +/-
7...Be6 8.dxc5 Nc6 9.Bb5 a6 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.0-0 +/=
6...Bd7 7.dxc5 e6 see 6...e6 7.dxc5 Bd7
6...e6 7.dxc5 and now:

7...Bd7 8.Nb5 Bxb5 9.Bxb5+ Nc6 10.b4 Nd5 11.Bd2 +/=
7...Bxc5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.0-0-0+ Bd7 10.a3 Nc6 11.Be2 =
7...Qa5 8.a3 Qxc5 9.Qd2 Be7 10.b4 Qb6 11.Nb5 Nd5 12.c4 =
6...a6 7.dxc5 and now:

7...Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 Bg4 9.b4 e6 10.a3 Nc6 11.Be2 =
7...Qa5 8.a3 Qxc5 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.b4 Qa7 11.0-0-0 =
7.Nb5 Na6
8.Bc4
8.Nfxd4 g6 9.Qe2 Bg4 10.Nf3 Qa5+ 11.Bd2 Qb6 12.Be3 =

8.Nbxd4 e6 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Qe2 Bxb5 11.Qxb5+ Qd7 12.0-0-0 =
8...Qa5+
8...e6 9.Nfxd4 Be7 10.Qe2 0-0 11.0-0-0 Qb6 12.g4 Re8 13.Be5=
9.Bd2 Qb6
9...Qd8 10.Qe2 e6 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.Nfxd4 0-0 13.Bg5 =
10.Qe2 e6
11.Nfxd4 Bc5
12.Nb3 0-0
13.0-0-0 =
1.7 – 5.Nxf3 Nc6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Nc6
6.Bb5
6.Be3 e6 7.a3 Be7 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 a6 =/+
6.Bc4 a6 7.a3 e6 8.0-0 h6 9.Qd3 Bd6 =/+
6.Bf4 e6 7.Qd2 Bd6 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.a3 Bxf4 =/+
6.d5 Nb4 and now:

7.Bc4 e6 8.dxe6 Bxe6 9.Bxe6 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 fxe6 =/+
7.Bb5+ and now:
7...Bd7 8.Bc4 e6 9.0-0 Bc5+ 10.Kh1 exd5 11.Nxd5 Nbxd5 =/+
7...c6 8.dxc6 Qxd1+ 9.Nxd1 Nxc6 10.Ne5 a6 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 12.0-0 e6
13.Nf2 Bc5 =/+
6...Bd7
6...Bg4 7.d5 a6 8.Ba4 b5 9.Nxb5 axb5 10.Bxb5 Bd7 11.dxc6 +/=
6...e6!? 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qd2 Bd7 10.Rad1 h6 11.Bxf6 =
6...a6 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Ne5 e6 9.0-0 Bb7 10.Na4 Be7 11.Bg5 =
7.0-0 e6
7...a6 8.Bxc6 Bxc6 9.Ne5 e6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Qf3 =
8.d5
8.Bg5 and now:

8...a6 9.Ba4 Be7 10.d5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Qxd5 =
8...Bb4 9.d5 Bxc3 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.bxc3 cxb5 12.Ne5 =
8...Be7 9.d5 Nb4 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Qe2 0-0 12.Bc4 =
8...exd5
8...Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Qxd5 Ne7 11.Qxb7 c6 12.Ne5 +/-
8...Nb4 9.dxe6 Bxb5 10.Nxb5 Qxd1 11.Rxd1 Bc5+ 12.Kh1 =
8...Bc5+ 9.Kh1 Nb4 10.dxe6 Bxb5 11.Nxb5 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 =
9.Nxd5 Be7
9...Be6 10.Nxf6+ gxf6 11.Be3 Qxd1 12.Raxd1 a6 13.Bxc6 +/=
9...Bc5+ 10.Kh1 Be6 11.Nxf6+ gxf6 12.Bh6 Qxd1 13.Raxd1 =
10.Bg5 Nxd5
10...0-0 11.Bxf6 and now:

11...gxf6 12.Nd4 Re8 13.Nf5 Bc5+ 14.Kh1 Kh8 15.Qg4 +/-
11...Bxf6 12.Nxf6+ gxf6 13.Qe1 Ne7 14.Rd1 c6 15.Bc4 +/=
11.Qxd5 0-0
11...a6 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Bxd7+ Qxd7 14.Qxd7+ Kxd7 15.Ne5+ Ke8

16.Nxf7 Rf8 17.Ng5 +/-
12.Bxe7
12.Rad1 Be6 13.Qe4 Bc5+ 14.Kh1 Qc8 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Qxc6 =
12...Qxe7
13.Rae1 Qd6
13...Qd8 14.Qh5 h6 15.Rd1 Qe8 16.Rde1 Qd8 17.Bc4 =

13...Be6 14.Bxc6 Bxd5 15.Rxe7 Bxc6 16.Nd4 Bd5 17.Rxc7 =
14.Qxd6 cxd6
15.Rd1 Rad8
16.Rxd6 Bf5
17.Rxd8 Rxd8
18.Ba4 =
1.8 – 5.Nxf3 c6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6
6.Bd3
6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 Bg4 8.Bf2 e6 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.h3 Bf5 =/+
6.Bf4 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.gxf3 Nh5 9.Qd2 Nxf4 10.Qxf4 e6 =/+
6.Be3 Bf5 7.Bd3 Bg6 8.Bxg6 hxg6 9.Qd3 e6 10.0-0-0 =
6.Be2 Bg4 7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.h4 Ne4 10.Nxe4 Bxe4 =
6.h3 Bf5 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 e6 9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 =
6...Bg4
6...g6 see 3.0
6...e6 and now:

7.Bf4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe1 Nbd7 10.Qh4 =
7.Qe2 Be7 8.Bd2 c5 9.dxc5 Nbd7 10.Na4 =
7.Be3
7.0-0 Bxf3 and now:

8.Rxf3 Qxd4+ 9.Be3 Qe5 10.Bf4 Qc5+ 11.Kh1 Nbd7 =/+
8.Qxf3 Qxd4+ 9.Be3 and now:
9...Qe5 10.Nb5 e6 11.Bf4 Qc5+ 12.Be3 Qe7 13.Rad1 a6 =/+
9...Qg4 10.Qf2 e6 11.Ne4 Nbd7 12.c3 Be7 13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 =/+
7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 and now:

8...e6 9.Be3 see 5.8
8...Qxd4 9.Be3 and now:
9...Qb4 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Rhf1 e6 12.Kb1 Be7 13.a3 Qa5 =/+
9...Qh4+ and now:
10.Bf2 Qh5 11.g4 Qe5+ 12.Be2 e6 13.Bg3 Qa5 =/+
10.g3 Qb4 11.0-0-0 Nbd7 12.g4 e6 13.g5 Ne5 =/+
7...e6
8.Qe2
8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Qe1 Bd6 10.Qh4 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 h6 12.Raf1 Qe7 =/+
8.h3!? and now:

8...Bxf3 9.Qxf3 see 5.8
8...Nd5 9.Nxd5 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Qxd5 11.Be4 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 =
8...Bf5 9.Bxf5 exf5 10.0-0 Bb4 11.Qd3 Nbd7 12.Qxf5 =
8...Bh5 9.Qe2 and now:
9...Nbd7 10.0-0-0 Bd6 11.Rhf1 0-0 12.g4 Bg6 13.Bxg6 =
9...Nd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Rf1 Be7 12.0-0-0 Nd7 13.g4 =
9...Bg6 10.a3 Nbd7 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.0-0-0 Nd5 13.Rd3 =
9...Bb4 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.0-0 Qc7 13.Qf2 =
8...Nbd7
8...Bd6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Kb1 Nbd7 11.h3 Bf5 12.Rhf1 =
8...Be7 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 0-0 11.0-0-0 Nd5 12.Nxd5 =
8...Bb4 9.a3 Ba5 10.Qf2 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 =
8...Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5 10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Bf4 =
8...Bh5 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.Kb1 Bb4 11.Bd2 Nd5 12.Nxd5 =
9.h3 Bh5
9...Bxf3 10.Qxf3 and now:

10...Bd6 11.0-0-0 Nd5 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Rhf1 0-0 14.Bg1 =
10...Be7 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.Kb1 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Rhf1 =
10.0-0-0 Nd5
10...Qc7 11.Kb1 0-0-0 12.Rhf1 Bb4 13.Bd2 Kb8 14.a3 =
10...Bd6 11.g4 Bg6 12.Kb1 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 0-0 14.Rhf1 =
10...Bb4 11.Bd2 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Nd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd2+ 14.Rxd2 =
11.Nxd5 cxd5
12.Bf4 Rc8
13.Kb1 Be7
14.g4 =
1.9 – 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 c6
6.Bc4 e6
6…Bf5 see 4.2
6...Bg4 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Ne5+ and now:
8...Ke8 9.Nxg4 Nbd7 10.0-0 g6 11.Qf3 Bg7 12.Bh6 +-

8...Kg8 9.Nxg4 Nbd7 10.Qe2 h6 11.Bf4 Nxg4 12.Qxg4 +/-
6...g6 7.Ne5 and now:
7...e6 8.Rf1 Be7 9.Bh6 b5 10.Bb3 a5 11.Bg7 +/-

7...Be6 8.Bxe6 fxe6 9.0-0 Bg7 10.Nf3 c5 11.dxc5 +/=
6...h6 7.Qe2 e6 8.Bd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 b5 10.Bd3 =
6...a6 7.Bg5 e6 8.Qe2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.Kb1 =
6...Nbd7 7.0-0 e6 8.Qe1 Be7 9.Qg3 0-0 10.Be3 =
6...b5 and now:
7.Be2 b4 8.Nb1 e6 9.a3 Bb7 10.axb4 Bxb4+ 11.Bd2 =
7.Bd3 and now:
7...g6 8.Ne4 Bg7 9.c3 0-0 10.0-0 Be6 11.a4 =

7...Bg4 8.0-0 and now:
8...Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Qxd4+ 10.Kh1 a6 11.Bf4 b4 12.Be4 Nxe4 13.Rad1 +-
8...e6 and now:

9.Bf4 Be7 10.Ne2 Nd5 11.Ne5 Nxf4 12.Rxf4 Bh5 13.g4 =
9.h3 and now:
9...Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Qxd4+ 11.Be3 Qd7 12.a4 b4 13.Ne4 +/=
9...Bh5 10.Ne4 Be7 11.c3 Nbd7 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.a4 =
7.Bb3 b4 and now:
8.Ne2 and now:

8...Ba6 9.a3 e6 10.axb4 Bxb4+ 11.c3 Bd6 12.Bg5 =
8...e6 9.0-0 a5 10.c4 bxc3 11.Nxc3 Ba6 12.Rf2 =
8.Na4 and now:
8...Nbd7 9.0-0 e6 10.Bf4 Nd5 11.Bxd5 cxd5 12.Ne5 =
8...e6 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Ne5 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Bh6 =
7.0-0
7.Qe2 Be7 8.Bd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 a5 10.Ne4 =
7.Bg5 Nbd7 8.0-0 Qb6 9.Rb1 Bd6 10.Qd3 =
7...Be7
7...Nbd7 8.Qe1 Bd6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 h6 11.Bd3 =
7...Bd6 8.Qe2 Nbd7 9.Bd2 h6 10.Rae1 0-0 11.Bxe6 =
7...h6 8.Bf4 Nbd7 9.Bd3 Be7 10.Qd2 a6 11.Rae1 =
8.Qe1
8.Bg5!? and now:

8…Nbd7 9.Kh1 h6 10.Bf4 0-0 11.Qe1 =
8…0-0 9.Qe1 Nbd7 10.Qh4 Qb6 11.Bd3 =
8...Nbd7
8...0-0 9.Qg3 Nbd7 10.Kh1 Nh5 11.Qg4 Nb6 12.Bd3 =

9.Bd3 c5
10.Be3 0-0
10...cxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc5 12.Bxc5 Nxc5 13.Rd1 Qe7 14.Qe5 =
11.Kh1 cxd4
12.Bxd4 Bc5
13.Rd1 Bxd4
14.Nxd4 =
Summary
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted 4.f3 exf3 gives White two obvious
recapture choices: 5.Qxf3 known as the Ryder Gambit and 5.Nxf3 leading to
four main lines 5…e6, 5…g6, 5…Bf5, and 5…Bg4 which are covered in the
rest of the book.
This first chapter looks at the Ryder Gambit and the less popular lines after
5.Nxf3, such as 5…c5, 5…Nc6, and 5…c6.
Ryder Gambit 5.Qxf3 offers Black an additional pawn on d4. From a

theoretical standpoint the Ryder Gambit is very risky. From a practical
standpoint the Ryder is very tricky. Players like the swindles and traps. White
scored 61% with the Ryder in my database, but Black wins in this line are
rarely published.
Since Black is already a pawn ahead in the Ryder, he can simply ignore d4
and continue his development by 5...g6, 5...c6, 5...e6, or 5...Nc6. These are
covered in the first four sections 1.0 to 1.3.
The most critical continuation is to accept the second pawn with 5…Qxd4.
The loss of time gives White compensation for one full pawn but not for the
two pawns. That leaves some question as to whether or not the Black king
can be caught by the White army.
E.J. Diemer published many of his wins with 5.Qxf3 in his book “From the
First Move until Mate” 60 years ago. Diemer intended to write a second book
on 5.Nxf3 but he never got around to it. The traps are tricky in 1.4 but Black
should play as given in 1.5.
The analysis of 5.Nxf3 begins in 1.6. The primary branch of that tree is 5…
c5, but other moves are also mentioned. Pietrowsky Variation 5.Nxf3 Nc6 is
1.7. It feels like a Nimzowitsch Defence 1.e4 Nc6 or Queens Knight Defence
1.d4 Nc6 2.e4. Black stands equal in theory, but it does poorly in practice.
White has scored 64% in my database after 5.Nf3 Nc6 in 500 games.
Ziegler Variation 5.Nxf3 c6 was recommended by Boris Avrukh. It is solid,

although it can also be passive. I find it harder to win with 5…c6 as Black
than with other defenses. Ziegler Variation 6.Bc4 Bf5 transposes to 4.1 to
4.4. The line 6.Bc4 without 6…Bf5 is section 1.9. The alternative 6.Bd3 is
covered in section 1.8.
2.0 – 6.Bc4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6
6.Bc4
6.Be3 Nc6 7.a3 a6 8.Bd3 Be7 9.h3 0-0 10.0-0 b5 =/+
6.Be2 Bd6 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nb5 Be7 9.c4 a6 10.Nc3 0-0 =/+
6.Bb5+ Nbd7 7.Qe2 Be7 8.Bf4 0-0 9.0-0-0 a6 10.Bd3 b5 =/+
6.Bf4 Bd6 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 Bxf4 9.Qxf4 Qd6 10.Ne5 =
6...Be7
6...c6 see 1.9
6...h6 7.Qe2 Bd6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Ne4 Nc6 10.c3 =
6...a6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.Ne5 =
6...Bd6 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qd3 Nc6 9.Ne4 h6 10.c3 =
6...Bb4 7.0-0 0-0 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.Qe2 h6 10.Bh4 =
6...Nc6 7.0-0 Be7 8.a3 0-0 9.Qd3 h6 10.Be3 =
6...Nbd7 7.Qe2 Bd6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Rad1 =
7.Bg5
7.Be3 0-0 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Qe2 a6 10.Rad1 Nb4 =/+

7.0-0 and now:
7...Nc6 8.Be3 a6 9.a3 0-0 10.Qe2 b5 =

7...h6 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qe1 0-0 10.Rd1 Nd5 =
7...a6 8.Be3 b5 9.Bd3 Bb7 10.Qe1 Nc6 =/+
7...0-0 8.Be3 Ng4 9.Bf4 Nc6 10.h3 Nf6 =/+
7...Nbd7 8.Qe1 0-0 9.Qg3 c5 10.Be3 Qb6 =/+
7...0-0 8.Qe2 c5 9.dxc5 Nbd7 10.Bf4 Nxc5 =/+
7...0-0
7...c6 see 1.9
7...h6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Ne4 Nd7 10.Qe2 0-0 11.0-0-0 =
7...Nc6 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 a6 10.Rhe1 b5 11.d5! =
7...a6 8.Qe2 0-0 9.0-0-0 b5 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Bd3 Bb7 =/+
7...Nbd7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.0-0-0 Nd5 10.Ne4 a5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 =/+
8.0-0
8.Qe2 and now:

8...Nc6 9.0-0-0 Nd5 10.Bd2 a6 11.Kb1 b5 12.Bd3 =
8...Nbd7 9.0-0-0 a6 10.Ne5 Nd5 11.Bxe7 Nxc3 12.Bxd8 =
8...a6 9.0-0-0 b5 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Bd3 Bb7 12.Kb1 Nc6 =/+
8...Nbd7
8...c6 see 1.9
8...Nc6 9.Qd2 a6 10.a3 b5 11.Ba2 Bb7 12.Rad1 =
8...c5 9.d5! Na6 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Qe2 =
8...a6 9.Qe1 h6 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Rd1 Nd7 12.Qe4 Be7 =/+

9.Qe1
9.Qe2 a6 10.a4 c5 11.dxc5 Bxc5+ 12.Kh1 Qc7 =/+
9...c5
10.dxc5
10.Rd1 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Qb6 12.Kh1 Qc5 =/+
10...Qc7
11.Kh1 b6
12.Qh4 h6 =/+
2.1 – 6.Bd3
6.Bd3 Be7
6...Nc6 7.a3 a6 8.Ne4 Be7 9.c3 Nd5 10.0-0 =
6...a6 7.Bg5 Nc6 8.Qe2 Be7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Kb1 =
6...Bd6 7.Qe2 0-0 8.0-0 h6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 =
6...b6 7.Qe2 Bb7 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.0-0-0 Be7 10.Kb1 =
6...h6 7.Ne5 Nc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Qf3 Rb8 10.Qxc6+ =
6...Bb4 7.a3 and now:

7...Be7 8.Qe2 a6 9.Bg5 Nc6 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Kb1 =
7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 c5 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Kh1 Qd5 11.Qe2 =
7.0-0
7.Bf4 0-0 8.a3 a6 9.Qe2 Nc6 10.Rd1 h6 =/+
7.a3 Nbd7 8.Qe2 c5 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nd5 =/+
7.Qe2 Nc6 8.Be3 Nb4 9.Bc4 0-0 10.0-0 Nbd5 =/+
7.Be3 and now:

7...b6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Ng5 h6 10.Qf3 c6 11.Nge4 =
7...0-0 8.Qe2 a6 9.0-0 Nc6 10.a3 Ng4 11.Rad1 =
7...Ng4 8.Bf4 Nc6 9.Qe2 Nf6 10.0-0-0 Nb4 11.Bc4 =
7...Nbd7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.0-0-0 Nd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Rhf1 =
7...0-0
7...Nbd7 8.Qe1 c5 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qg3 cxd4 11.Bxd4 =

7...c6 8.Kh1 0-0 9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.Qe1 Nd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 =
7...b6 8.Ne4 Nbd7 9.Nfg5 h6 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.Qh5+ Nxh5 =
7...Nc6 8.Kh1 Nb4 9.Be2 0-0 10.a3 Nbd5 11.Na4 Bd6 =/+
7...c5 8.Be3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 0-0 10.Qe2 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 =/+
8.Qe1
8.Bg5 see 2.7
8.Kh1 c5 9.dxc5 Nbd7 10.Na4 Qa5 11.c3 Nxc5 =/+
8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qe2 Ng4 10.a3 Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Bf6 =/+
8...Nbd7
8...c5 and now:

9.Bg5 see 2.7
9.Qh4 cxd4 10.Bg5 g6 11.Nxd4 Nd5 =
9.dxc5 Nbd7 10.Ne4 Qc7 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4 Nxc5 =
9.Qh4 Re8
9...b6 10.Bg5 see 2.7
9...g6 10.Bg5 see 2.7
9...c5 10.Bg5 Re8 11.Ne5 see 9.Qh4 Re8 10.Ne5 c5 11.Bg5
9...h6 10.Bxh6 gxh6 11.Qxh6 Re8 12.Ng5 Nf8 13.Ne2 +-
10.Ne5 c5
11.Bg5 Nxe5
11...Nf8 12.dxc5 Qc7 13.Rae1 Qxc5+ 14.Kh1 Ng6 15.Bxg6 fxg6 16.Ne4 +/-
12.dxe5 Qd4+
12...c4 13.exf6 Bc5+ 14.Kh1 cxd3 15.Ne4 Bd4 16.fxg7 +-
13.Qxd4 cxd4
14.Nb5 Nd5
15.Bxe7 Rxe7
16.Nxd4 =
2.2 – 6.Bd3 c5
6.Bd3 c5
7.Be3
7.0-0 and now:
7...Be7 8.dxc5 Nbd7 9.Be3 Ng4 10.Bf4 Nxc5 11.Bc4 0-0 =
7...cxd4 and now:
8.Ne4 Nxe4 9.Bxe4 Nd7 10.Bd3 Be7 11.Qe1 0-0 -/+
8.Nb5 Bc5 9.Qe1 a6 10.Qe5 Nbd7 11.Nd6+ Kf8 -/+
7.Bf4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 a6 9.Nb3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 =/+
7.Bg5 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Be7 9.Nf3 h6 10.Bh4 Nc6 =/+
7.dxc5! and now:
7...Bxc5 8.Qe2 and now:
8...Nc6 9.Bf4 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Bd2 Ncb4 12.Bc4 =

8...Nbd7 9.Bf4 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Bd2 N7f6 12.Kb1 =
8...Bd7 9.Bf4 Bc6 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Ne5 =
7...Nbd7 and now:
8.Bf4 Nxc5 9.Be2 Bd7 10.Ne5 Be7 11.Nxd7 Nfxd7 12.Qd2 0-0 =/+
8.Qe2 Nxc5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bg5 a6 11.Bxd7+ Ncxd7 =
7...cxd4
7...Nc6 8.dxc5 Qa5 9.Nd2 Qb4 10.Nb3 Nd5 11.Bd2 =

7...Ng4 8.Bf4 a6 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Ne4 Be7 11.Qe2 =
7...Nbd7 8.Qe2 Be7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Bc4 Qc7 11.d5 exd5 =/+
8.Nxd4
8.Bxd4 Nc6 9.Bf2 Bb4 10.Qd2 Qa5 11.0-0 0-0 =/+
8…Bb4
8...a6 9.Qf3 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 Bd6 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Ne4 =
8...Bd7 9.Qf3 Nc6 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Qg3 Qb8 12.Bf4 =
8...Nc6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qf3 Be7 11.Rd1 Qc7 12.Nb5 =
8...Nbd7 9.Qf3 Bb4 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rad1 Ne5 12.Qg3 =
8...Be7 and now:
9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Kb1 Bb4 12.Ne4 Nd5 =
9.Qf3 0-0 10.0-0-0 Qa5 11.Qg3 Nc6 12.Kb1 Rd8 =
8...e5 9.Nf5 and now:
9...Nc6 10.Qf3 Bxf5 11.Bxf5 Bb4 12.0-0 Bxc3 13.bxc3 =
9...Be6 10.Qf3 Nbd7 11.0-0-0 g6 12.Nh6 Rc8 13.Bb5 =
9.Qf3 0-0
10.Nde2 Nc6
11.0-0-0 Ne5
11...Ne5 12.Qg3 Qa5 13.Kb1 Be7 14.Nf4 Bd7 15.Bd4 Nxd3 =/+
12.Qg3 Qa5
13.Kb1 Be7
14.Nc1
14.Nf4 Bd7 15.Bd4 Nxd3 16.Nxd3 Bc6 17.Rhf1 Nh5 =/+
14...Nxd3
15.Nxd3 Bd7
16.Rhf1 Bc6 =+
2.3 – 6.Bg5
6.Bg5 Nbd7
6...c5 and now:

7.d5 and now:
7...Be7 8.Bb5+ Kf8 9.0-0 a6 10.Be2 exd5 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Nxd5 Bxb2
13.Rb1 Bd4+ 14.Nxd4 Qxd5 15.Nb3 Qxd1 16.Rbxd1 =
7...a6 8.Qe2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nxd5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Qxe7+ Kxe7
13.Rxd5 =
7.Bxf6 and now:
7...gxf6 8.d5 a6 9.Qd2 Bg7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Kb1 exd5 12.Nxd5 =
7...Qxf6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 and now:
9.0-0 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Qe5 11.Kh1 a6 12.Re1 Qd6 13.Nxe6 Qxd1 14.Nc7+
Kd8 15.Raxd1 Kxc7 16.Nd5+ Kd6 17.Nb6+ Kc5 =
9.d5 and now:
9...Be7 10.Qe2 a6 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 12.0-0-0 0-0-0 13.d6 Qf4+ 14.Kb1 Bf6
15.Ne4 +/=
9...a6 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 12.Qe2 Qh6 13.0-0 0-0-0 14.Rae1 Kb8
15.Qxe6 Qxe6 16.Rxe6 =
6...h6 and now:

7.Bf4?! Bd6 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.a3 Bxf4 11.Qxf4 Nd5 =/+
7.Bb5+!? and now:
7...Nbd7 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Qe2 a6 10.Bd3 Nb6 11.0-0 Bd7 12.Ne4 =
7...Bd7 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Qe2 Bb4 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qe7 12.0-0=
7…c6 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Bc4 f5 10.Qe2 Bg7 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.Rhg1 =
7.Bxf6! and now:

7...Qxf6? 8.Bb5+! and now:
8...Nd7 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.Rxf6 Bxf6 12.Ne4 +/-
8...Bd7 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 12.Rxf6 +/-
8...Nc6 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.Rxf6 Bxf6 12.d5 +-
8...c6 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.Rxf6 Bxf6 12.Bc4 +/=
7...gxf6 and now:
8.Qe2!? and now:
8...Be7 9.0-0-0 Nd7 10.g3 Nb6 11.Bg2 c6 12.Rhe1 Bd7 13.Nh4=
8...Bb4 9.Qe3 Nd7 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Rg8 12.g3 f5 13.Bg2 =
8.Qd3 and now:
8...Nd7 9.0-0-0 Nb6 10.Qe3 c6 11.Ne4 f5 12.Nc3 Nd5 13.Nxd5 =
8...Nc6 9.a3 Ne7 10.0-0-0 Bg7 11.Be2 0-0 12.g4 b6 13.Rhg1 =
8...a6 9.0-0-0 Nd7 10.Be2 b5 11.Nd2 Bb7 12.Bf3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 =
7.Bd3 c5
8.d5
8.dxc5 and now:

8...Bxc5 9.Qe2 h6 10.Bh4 Bb4 11.0-0 0-0 12.Kh1 =
8…Nxc5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Qe2 Be7 11.0-0-0 Qa5 =/+
8...exd5
8...Qb6 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.Qd2 c4 11.Bxc4 Bb4 12.Bxf6 +/=
8...Nb6 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Qe2 Bd6 12.Qxe6+ +/=
9.Nxd5
9.Bb5 a6 10.Bxd7+ Bxd7 11.Nxd5 Be7 12.0-0 Nxd5 13.Qxd5 =
9...Be7
9...Bd6 10.Qe2+ Kf8 11.0-0 h6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Bc4 +/=
10.Nxf6+
10.Nxe7 Qxe7+ 11.Qe2 Qxe2+ 12.Bxe2 h6 13.Bh4 =
10...Nxf6
10...Bxf6 11.Qe2+ Qe7 12.Qxe7+ Bxe7 13.0-0-0 Nf6 14.Bb5+ =
11.Bb5+ Bd7
12.Bxd7+ Qxd7
13.Qxd7+ Nxd7
14.Bxe7 Kxe7
15.0-0-0 =
2.4 – 6.Bg5 Bb4
6.Bg5 Bb4
7.Bd3
7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 and now:

8...0-0 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.0-0 c5 11.Ne5 h6 12.Bh4 +/-
8...Nbd7 9.Bd3 h6 10.Bh4 c5 11.0-0 Qa5 12.Qe1 =
8...h6 9.Bh4 c5 10.Bd3 cxd4 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.cxd4 =
7...Bxc3+
7...0-0 8.0-0 h6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Qe2 Qd8 11.a3 =
7...Be7 8.Qe2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Kb1 Nb4 11.Rhf1 =
7...Nc6 8.a3 Be7 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nd5 11.Bxe7 =
7...Nbd7 8.0-0 and now:

8...Bxc3 9.bxc3 c6 10.Qe1 h6 11.Qh4 Qa5 12.Ne5 +/-
8...c6 9.Ne4 h6 10.Nxf6+ Nxf6 11.Bh4 Be7 12.Qe2 =
8...0-0 9.Qd2 Be7 10.Qf4 c5 11.Qh4 Re8 12.Ne5 =
8...Be7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Rad1 h6 11.Be3 c5 12.Ne5 =
7...h6 and now:

8.Be3 c5 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3 cxd4 11.Bxd4 Ba5 =/+
8.Bh4 0-0 9.Qe2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 Be7 11.Rhe1 =
8.Bf4 Nc6 9.Qd2 a6 10.a3 Ba5 11.Rd1 =
8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 0-0 11.0-0 =
7...c5 and now:

8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Qa5 11.0-0 Qxc3 12.Qe2 =
8.0-0 cxd4 9.Ne4 h6 10.Bh4 Be7 11.Ne5 Nbd7 12.Bb5 =
8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Nc6 10.0-0 cxd4 11.cxd4 Nxd4 12.Ne5 =
8.dxc5!? 0-0 9.0-0 Bxc5+ 10.Kh1 Nc6 11.Qe1 h6 12.Qh4 +/-
8.bxc3 h6
8...c5 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Qe1 h6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Ne5 +/=
8...0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Ne5 and now:

10...h6 11.Bh4 g5 12.Bg3 Qe7 13.h4 +-
10...Qe8 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.Rxf6 gxf6 13.Bxh7+ Kxh7 14.Qh5+ Kg7 15.Qg4+
Kh7 16.Rf1 +-
8...c6 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Qe1 Qc7 11.Qh4 h6 12.Rae1 +/-
8...Nc6 9.0-0 and now:

9...0-0 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Qd5 12.Bxf6 Qc5+ 13.Kh1 +-
9...h6 10.Bh4 Ne7 11.Qe1 Ng6 12.Bxg6 fxg6 13.Ne5 +/-
8...Nbd7 9.0-0 and now:

9...h6 10.Bh4 see 8...h6 9.Bh4 Nbd7 10.0-0
9...0-0 10.Ne5 h6 11.Bh4 g5 12.Bg3 Qe7 13.Qf3 +-
9...c6 10.Qe1 h6 11.Bf4 Qe7 12.Ne5 Nd5 13.Bd2 +/-
9...c5 10.Qe1 h6 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Qd2 Nd5 13.Bxh6 +/=
9.Bh4
9.Bxf6 and now:

9...gxf6 10.0-0 Nc6 11.Qd2 f5 12.Rab1 =
9...Qxf6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Ne5 Qe7 12.Qe2 =
9.Bd2 c5 10.0-0 Nc6 11.Qe1 cxd4 12.cxd4 0-0 13.Rd1 +/=
9...Nbd7
9...Qd6 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Bg3 Qc6 12.c4 +/=
10.0-0 c5
10...0-0 11.Ne5 see 8...0-0

10...Qe7 11.Qe1 0-0 12.Ne5 g5 13.Bg3 +/-
10...c6 11.Ne5 Qa5 12.Nxd7 Bxd7 13.Qf3 0-0-0 14.Bg3 +/-
11.Qe1 Qa5
12.Ne5 cxd4
13.cxd4 Qxe1
14.Raxe1 =
2.5 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bg5 Be7
7.Qd2 0-0
7...Nbd7 8.0-0-0 a6 9.Bd3 h6 10.Bh4 b5 11.d5 =
7...Nc6 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.Kb1 Nb4 10.a3 Nbd5 11.Bd3 =
7...b6 8.0-0-0
8...0-0 see 7...0-0 8.0-0-0 b6
8...Bb7 9.Bb5+ and now:
9...c6 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Qf4 c5 13.Qh4 =
9...Bc6 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.d5 Bxb5 12.Nxb5 a6 13.Nc3 =
7...h6 and now:

8.Be3 Nc6 9.a3 a6 10.Bd3 Ng4 11.Bg1 0-0 =/+
8.Bf4 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Bb4 10.Qe1 Bxc3 11.Qxc3 Nd5 =/+
8.Bh4 Nbd7 9.Bb5 0-0 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Bxd7 Bxd7 =/+
8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Ne4 Be7 11.Kb1 Nd7 =/+
7...Nd5 and now:

8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bd3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 f6 11.Bh4 =
8.Bxe7 and now:
8...Qxe7 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rae1 Nxc3 12.bxc3 =
8...Nxe7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Bd3 Nbc6 11.Rhe1 Nb4 12.Be4 =
7...c5 and now:

8.Bb5+ and now:
8...Nbd7 9.0-0-0 a6 10.Bxd7+ Bxd7 11.d5 exd5 12.Nxd5 =
8...Nc6 9.dxc5 0-0 10.0-0-0 Qxd2+ 11.Nxd2 Bxc5 12.Nde4 =
8...Bd7 9.dxc5 0-0 10.0-0-0 Bxb5 11.Nxb5 Qxd2+ 12.Nxd2 =/+
8.0-0-0 cxd4 and now:
9.Bb5+ Nc6 10.Nxd4 Bd7 11.Qe1 Qc7 12.Bxf6 gxf6 =/+
9.Nxd4 0-0 10.Qe1 Qb6 11.Nf5 exf5 12.Qxe7 Nc6 =
8.0-0-0
8.Bd3 c5 9.0-0-0 cxd4 10.Nxd4 and now:

10...Nbd7 11.Kb1 Nc5 12.Rhf1 Bd7 13.Nb3 Nxd3 =/+
10...Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Qf4 Nh5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 =/+
8...Nbd7
8...Nc6 9.Kb1 a6 10.Bd3 Nb4 11.Ne5 Nxd3 12.Qxd3 =
8...Nd5 and now:

9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bf4 Bd6 11.Bd3 Nc6 12.c3 Bxf4 13.Qxf4 Qd6=/+
9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Kb1 Bd7 11.Bc4 Bc6 12.Rhe1 Qd6 13.Bxd5 =
8...a6 9.Bd3 and now:

9...Nc6 10.Kb1 Nb4 11.Ne5 Nxd3 12.Qxd3 Nd5 13.Bxe7 =
9...b5 10.Qf4 Bb7 11.Qh4 and now:
11...Nbd7 12.Bxh7+ Nxh7 13.Bxe7 Qc8 14.Bxf8 Nhxf8 15.Rhf1+-
11...g6 12.d5 exd5 13.Rhe1 Nbd7 14.Ne5 h6 15.Nxg6 =
8...c5 and now:

9.Qe1 cxd4 10.Rxd4 Bd7 11.Qh4 Nc6 12.Bd3 g6 13.Ne4 =
9.dxc5 Qxd2+ 10.Nxd2 Bxc5 11.Nde4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 =
8...b6 and now:

9.d5 exd5 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Nxd5 Bb7 12.Bc4 Bxd5 13.Bxd5 =
9.Bd3 and now:
9...Ba6 10.Bxa6 Nxa6 11.a3 c5 12.Qe2 Nc7 13.dxc5 =
9...Bb7 10.Qf4 Nh5 11.Qh4 Bxg5+ 12.Nxg5 g6 13.Rhf1 =
9.Kb1
9.h4 and now:

9...b6 10.Kb1 Bb7 11.h5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.Bf4 =
9...a6 10.Ne5 Nd5 11.Bd3 f6 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Nxd7 Bxd7 =/+
9.Bd3 and now:

9...c6 10.Qf4 c5 11.Qh4 h6 12.Bxh6 gxh6 13.Qxh6 =
9...Nd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Rde1 Qd6 13.Rhf1 =
9...c5 10.Qf4 cxd4 11.Qxd4 and now:
11...Qa5 12.Kb1 Rd8 13.Qe3 h6 14.Bh4 Nb6 =/+
11...h6 12.Bh4 Nc5 13.Bxf6 Nxd3+ 14.Rxd3 Bxf6 =/+
9...b6
10.Bc4 Bb7
11.Rhe1 c6
12.Bd3 c5
13.Bc4 =
2.6 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3
7.Bd3 c5
7...c6 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Qe1 h6 10.Be3 Ng4 11.Bf4 =
7...b6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Qe2 Bb7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.h4 =
7...Nd5 and now:

8.Nxd5 exd5 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0 Nd7 11.c3 =
8.Bxe7 and now:
8...Nxe7 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nbc6 11.a3 a6 12.Kb1 =
8...Qxe7 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rae1 Nxc3 12.bxc3 =
7...h6 and now:

8.Be3 Nc6 9.a3 Ng4 10.Bg1 a6 11.h3 Nf6 =
8.Bf4 Nc6 9.a3 a6 10.Qd2 b5 11.Rd1 Bb7 =/+
8.Bh4 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Qe2 c5 11.Rad1 cxd4 =/+
8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Ne4 and now:
9...Be7 10.Qe2 0-0 11.0-0-0 Nc6 12.c3 Qd5 13.Kb1 =
9...0-0 10.Nxf6+ Qxf6 11.Qe2 c5 12.Qe4 g6 13.Qe3 =
9...Bh4+ 10.Nxh4 Qxh4+ 11.g3 Qe7 12.0-0 Nd7 13.c3 =
8.dxc5
8.Be3 0-0 9.Qe2 cxd4 10.Nxd4 e5 11.Nf3 Nc6 =/+
8.Bb5+ Nbd7 9.d5 a6 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 =/+
8...Qa5
8...Bxc5 9.Qe2 h6 10.Bh4 Bb4 11.0-0 Nc6 12.Kh1 =
8...Nc6 9.Qe2 Nd7 10.h4 h6 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.0-0-0 =

8...0-0 and now:
9.a3 Nd5 10.Bd2 Bxc5 11.Qe2 Nd7 12.0-0-0 =
9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 Qc7 11.Ne4 Nxc5 12.Nxc5 =
9.0-0
9.Qd2 and now:

9...Nbd7 10.0-0-0 Qxc5 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Rhf1 Rd8 13.g4 =
9...Qxc5 10.Bxf6 and now:
10...gxf6 11.0-0-0 f5 12.Rhe1 Nc6 13.a3 a6 14.Qh6 =
10...Bxf6 11.Ne4 Qe7 12.0-0-0 Nd7 13.g4 0-0 14.Rhe1 =
9...Qxc5+
10.Kh1 Nbd7
11.Qe1
11.a3 h6 12.Bf4 Nh5 13.Bd2 0-0 14.Qe1 Nhf6 15.Rd1 =
11.Qe2 a6 12.Rad1 Qb4 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Bxe7 Ng3+ 15.hxg3 =
11.Qd2 0-0 12.a3 a6 13.Rae1 b5 14.Ne4 Qc7 15.Nxf6 +/=
11...0-0
11...a6 and now:

12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Qxe4 g6 15.Rad1 =
12.Rd1 h6 13.Bf4 0-0 14.a3 and now:
14...Qb6 15.b4 a5 16.Be3 Qd8 17.Qg3 Kh8 18.Ne4 +/=
14...Rd8 15.b4 Qb6 16.h3 Nh5 17.Bh2 Nhf6 18.Ne5 +/=
12.Qh4
12.Rd1 h6 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Bf4 Rd8 15.Nd2 =
12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 g6 14.Qg4 Nb6 15.Rae1 =
12...Re8
13.Rae1 h6
14.Be3 Qc7
15.Nd2
15.Bxh6 gxh6 16.Qxh6 Bf8 17.Qh4 Bg7 18.Ng5 Nf8 19.Rxf6 Bxf6 20.Nd5!
Qd8 21.Nxf6+ Qxf6 22.Rf1 =
15...Qd8
16.Qg3 Nh5
17.Qf3 Nhf6
18.Qg3 +/=
2.7 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0
7.Bd3 0-0
8.0-0
8.a3 h6 9.Bf4 Re8 10.0-0 Nc6 11.Kh1 Bd6 =/+
8.Qe2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Nb4 10.Kb1 Nxd3 11.Rxd3 b6 =/+
8.Qd2 Na6 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.0-0-0 Nb4 11.Be4 c5 =/+
8...Nbd7
8...b6 9.Qe1 Ba6 10.Bxa6 Nxa6 11.a3 c5 12.Rd1 =
8...Ng4 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Qe1 Nc6 11.Qg3 f5 12.Rae1 =
8...Nc6 and now:

9.Qe1 Nxd4 10.Qh4 Nf5 11.Bxf5 exf5 12.Rad1 Qe8 -+
9.Kh1 Nb4 10.Ne5 Nxd3 11.Qxd3 Nd5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 =/+
8...h6 and now:

9.Be3 Nc6 10.a3 Ng4 11.Qe2 Nxe3 12.Qxe3 Bf6 =/+
9.Bh4 Nbd7 10.Qe2 b6 11.Rad1 Bb7 12.Bf2 Ng4 =/+
9.Bf4 c5 10.Kh1 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nbd7 12.Qd2 Nc5 =/+
8...c5 and now:

9.Qe1 and now:
9...cxd4 10.Qh4 g6 11.Nxd4 Nd5 12.Nf3 Nc6 13.Nxd5 exd5 =
9...h6 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.dxc5 Nd7 12.Na4 g6 13.Qd2 Bg7 =
9.dxc5 and now:
9...Nbd7 10.b4 a5 11.a3 Ne5 12.Nxe5 Qd4+ 13.Kh1 +/=
9...Nc6 10.Qd2 Bxc5+ 11.Kh1 Be7 12.a3 Ng4 13.Rad1 =
9...Bxc5+ 10.Kh1 h6 11.Bf4 Nc6 12.Qd2 Nb4 13.Bxh6 =
9.Qe1 c5
9...b6 10.Qh4 Bb7 11.Bxh7+ Nxh7 12.Bxe7 Qe8 13.Bxf8 +-
9...Re8 10.Qh4 Nf8 11.Ne5 Ng6 12.Bxg6 fxg6 13.Rae1 +/=
9...c6 10.Qh4 and now:

10...h6 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.Qxh6 Re8 13.Ng5 Nf8 14.Ne2 +-
10...g6 11.Rae1 h5 12.Ne4 Nd5 13.c4 Bxg5 14.Nfxg5 +-
10...Re8 11.Ne5 Nf8 12.Rad1 c5 13.dxc5 Qc7 14.Nxf7 +/-
9...h6 10.Qh4 and now:

10...c6 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.Qxh6 Re8 13.Ng5 Nf8 14.Ne2 +-
10...hxg5 11.Nxg5 Bb4 12.Bh7+ Kh8 13.Nce4 g6 14.Bxg6+ +-
10...Nd5 11.Nxd5 Bxg5 12.Nxg5 Qxg5 13.Qxg5 hxg5 14.Ne7+ +/-
10...c5 11.Bxh6 cxd4 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Qg5+ Kh8 14.Qh6+ +-
10...g6 11.Qxh6 Nh7 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Ne4 f6 14.Qxg6+ +-
10...Re8 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Qxe4 Nf6 14.Qh4 =
10.Qh4
10.dxc5 Nxc5 11.Rd1 Qb6 12.Kh1 Nxd3 13.Rxd3 Rd8 =/+
10...Re8
10...g6 11.dxc5 Kg7 12.Rad1 Ng8 13.Ne4 h6 14.Bxe7 +-
10...cxd4 11.Bxh7+ Nxh7 12.Bxe7 Qb6 13.Ne4 d3+ 14.Kh1 +-
10...h6 11.Bxh6 g6 12.Bg5 Kg7 13.Qh6+ Kg8 14.Bxg6 +-
11.Ne5 Nxe5
11...h6 12.Bxh6 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Qd4+ 14.Qxd4 cxd4 15.exf6 +/=
11...Nf8 12.dxc5 Qc7 13.Rae1 Qxc5+ 14.Kh1 Ng6 15.Bxg6 +/-

12.dxe5 Qd4+
13.Qxd4 cxd4
14.Nb5 Nd7
14...Nd5 15.Bxe7 Rxe7 16.Nxd4 Bd7 17.c4 Ne3 18.Rf4 =
15.Bxe7 Rxe7
16.Rae1 Nc5
17.Rd1 Bd7
18.Nd6 =
2.8 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7
7.Bd3 Nbd7
8.Qe2
8.0-0 c5 9.Qe2 h6 10.Bh4 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nc5 =/+
8.Qd2 a6 9.0-0-0 h6 10.Bxf6 Nxf6 11.Kb1 b5 =/+
8.a3 c5 9.Qe2 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Qa5 11.Nf3 0-0 =/+
8...0-0
8...Nb6 9.0-0 h6 10.Bh4 0-0 11.Rad1 a6 12.a3 =
8...h6 9.Bf4 0-0 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Rhf1 b5 12.Kb1 =
8...b6 9.0-0-0 Bb7 10.Kb1 0-0 11.h4 a6 12.Ne5 =
8...c6 9.0-0-0 h6 10.Bh4 Nh5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.g3=
8...c5 9.0-0-0 cxd4 10.Nxd4 0-0 11.Kb1 a6 12.Rhf1 =
8...0-0 9.0-0-0 h6 10.Bf4 Bb4 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 =
9.0-0-0 h6
9...c6 10.Kb1 a5 11.Rhf1 h6 12.Bf4 Qb6 13.Ka1 =
9...a6 10.Kb1 b5 11.d5 exd5 12.Nxd5 Re8 13.Bxh7+ Kxh7 14.Rhe1 Nxd5
15.Rxd5 Bxg5 16.Qxe8 Qxe8 17.Rxe8 =
9...c5 10.d5 and now:

10...Nxd5 11.Bxh7+ Kxh7 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Nxd5 Qd8 14.Nc3 +/=
10...exd5 11.Rhe1 d4 12.Qxe7 Qxe7 13.Rxe7 dxc3 14.bxc3 =
9...Nd5 10.Bxe7 and now:
10...Nxe7 11.Kb1 Nd5 12.Qd2 N7f6 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 =
10...Nxc3 11.Bxh7+ Kh8 12.bxc3 Qxe7 13.Bd3 Kg8 14.Rhf1 =
9...Nb6 10.Rhe1 h6 11.Bd2 Nbd5 12.Ne4 Nh5 13.g3 =
9...b6 10.h4 Bb7 11.Ne5 and now:

11...h6 12.Rh3 Kh8 13.Rg3 Qe8 14.Kb1 Rd8 15.Bb5 +/=
11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.c4 Bb7 14.Kb1 Qe8 15.Qh5 =
11...a6 12.Rhf1 b5 13.Bxf6 and now:
13...Nxf6 14.g4 Nd7 15.Nxf7 Rxf7 16.Qxe6 Qe8 17.Rde1 =
13...Bxf6 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Rxf6 gxf6 16.Qh5 f5 17.Qg5+ Kh8 =
10.h4!?
10.Bh4 b6 11.Rhf1 Bb7 12.Kb1 Nd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Bg3 =
10.Bf4 Bb4 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 Nf6 13.Qe2 Nd5 14.Bg3 =
10.Be3 Bb4 11.Bd2 Nd5 12.Nxd5 Bxd2+ 13.Qxd2 exd5 14.Rhe1 =
10...Bb4
10...Nd5? 11.Nxd5 Bxg5+ 12.hxg5 exd5 13.gxh6 +-
10...b5 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Bxb5 Nb6 13.Bc6 Bxc6 14.Nxc6 +/-
10...c5 11.Kb1 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Nb6 13.g4 Qxd4 14.Bh7+ +/=
10...c6 11.Kb1 and now:

11...Re8 12.Ne5 Nd5 13.Bd2 f6 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Nxd7+/=
11...c5 12.dxc5 Qa5 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Ne5 Qxc5 15.g4 =
11.g4
11.Ne5 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Qe7 13.Nxd7 Bxd7 14.Kb2 Rfe8 15.Rdf1 =

11...Bxc3
11...Nb6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qe4 g6 14.g5 Qf5 15.Qe3 +/=
12.bxc3 c5
13.Bxf6 Qxf6
14.g5 Qf4+
15.Nd2 =
2.9 – 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 Nc6
7.Bd3 Nc6
8.a3
8.0-0 and now:

8...0-0 9.Kh1 Nb4 10.Bc4 b6 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.a3 Nbd5 =/+
8…Nxd4 9.Kh1 and now:
9...Nf5 10.Qe1 0-0 11.Rd1 Qe8 12.g4 Nxg4 13.Bxf5 +/=
9...Nxf3 10.Qxf3 0-0 11.Qh3 and now:
11...g6 12.Rae1 Bd7 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Rd1 c6 15.Qf3 =
11...e5 12.Qh4 h6 13.Bxh6 Qd4 14.Qg5 Qg4 15.Rae1 =
9...c5 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Ne4 Be7 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 =/+
9...Nc6 10.Qe1 and now:
10...Bd7 11.Rd1 h6 12.Bf4 0-0 13.Ne4 Nh5 14.Be3 Qe8 =/+
10...h6 11.Qh4 Bd7 12.Rad1 a6 13.Rfe1 Kf8 14.Ne4 Nxe4 =/+
8.Qd2 and now:

8...a6 9.0-0-0 Nb4 10.Ne5 b5 11.Be2 Bb7 12.Bf3 Nbd5 =
8...Nd5 and now:
9.Bxe7 Ncxe7 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rae1 =
9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.Bxe7 Nxe7 11.c4 Qd6 12.c5 =
8...0-0 and now:
9.0-0-0 Nb4 see 8...Nb4 9.0-0-0 0-0
9.a3 and now:
9...a6 10.0-0-0 b5 11.Qf4 Bb7 12.Qh4 g6 13.d5 +/-
9...Nd5 10.Bxe7 Ncxe7 11.0-0 Nxc3 12.Qxc3 f6 13.Rad1 =
8...h6 and now:
9.Be3 Nb4 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bc4 c5 12.a3 cxd4 -/+
9.Bf4 Nb4 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Ne5 b6 12.Be2 Bb7 =/+
9.Bh4 Nb4 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Be2 c5 12.0-0-0 Bc6 =/+
8...Nb4 and now:
9.Bc4 and now:
9...0-0 10.0-0 b6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Ne4 Be7 =/+
9...Nbd5 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rae1 Nxc3 12.Qxc3 b6 =/+
9.0-0-0 and now:
9...Nxd3+ 10.Qxd3 0-0 11.Ne5 Nd5 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Rhe1 f6 =/+
9...0-0 and now:
10.Rhe1 b6 11.Bc4 Bb7 12.Ne5 Nbd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 =/+
10.Bc4 a6 11.a3 Nbd5 12.Bd3 Nxc3 13.Qxc3 Nd5 =/+
8...h6
8...a6 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 b5 11.Qf4 Nd5 12.Bxh7+! Kxh7 13.Qh4+ Kg8
14.Bxe7 Ncxe7 15.Ng5 +-
8...b6 9.Bb5 Bd7 10.Qe2 0-0 11.0-0-0 Nd5 12.Bd2 =
8...Nd5 9.Bxe7 Ncxe7 10.Nxd5 Nxd5 11.Qd2 0-0 12.c4 =
8...0-0 9.Qd2 Nd5 10.Bxe7 Ncxe7 11.0-0 Nxc3 12.Qxc3 =
9.Bf4
9.Be3 Ng4 10.Bg1 a6 11.h3 Nf6 12.Be3 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Qd2 Be6
15.0-0 =
9...Bd6
9...g5 10.Be3 Ng4 11.Bg1 Bd6 12.Qe2 Qe7 13.0-0-0 =
9...0-0 10.Qd2 Re8 11.0-0-0 Nd5 12.Kb1 Nxf4 13.Qxf4 =
9...Nd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.0-0 0-0 12.c3 Bd6 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Bc5+
15.Kh1 Qh4 16.Bc2 =
10.Qd2 0-0
10...Bxf4 11.Qxf4 0-0 12.0-0-0 Nd5 13.Qe4 f5 14.Qe1 =
10...a6 11.0-0-0 b5 12.Rhf1 Bb7 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 =

11.Bxh6 Ne7
11...gxh6 12.Qxh6 Re8 13.Ng5 Qe7 14.Nce4 +-
11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Be3 Ne7 14.0-0-0 Re8 15.Ng5 +/=
12.Bf4 b6
13.0-0-0 Ned5
14.Be5 Bb7
15.Nxd5 +/=
Summary
Euwe Variation 5.Nxf3 e6 is often recommended by authors who do not play
the BDG as their refutation to the gambit. I find this to be rather curious. It is
not that 5...e6 is bad. I like it as Black.
The problem for Black is that White scores a huge 64% against the Euwe. I
find most players as Black do not sense the danger in time. Wins come
against humans and against chess engines.
Simple logical development often leads to very easy quick White victories
leading to checkmate. Many games do not make it to move 20. No
resignation is needed. It’s mate pure and simple.
It takes about a dozen moves to set up White’s attack using his entire army.
Then White begins swinging away directly at Black’s king. After five to ten
moves of this assault, many kings get knocked out cold. In theory Black does
have a good position. This book is about that theory. Let us consider the
lines.
White will most often combine Bd3 (attacking h7) with Bg5 (with a threat to
eliminate the defender of h7). The major alternative to this plan 6.Bc4 is 2.0.
This aims at the squares d5, e6, f7 and g8.
After 6.Bd3 Black has the sharp reply 6…c5 in 2.2 or any other sixth moves
in 2.1. Usually 7.Bg5 will transpose to 6.Bg5.
Most common for White is 6.Bg5. Rare replies are considered in 2.3 such as
6…Nbd7, 6…c5 and 6…h6.
The worst idea for Black is 6.Bg5 Bb4 which is covered in 2.4. The threat is
to capture on c3 and double White’s c-pawns. This will strengthen the d4
square which helps White immensely. One common scenario later is for
Black to pick off that doubled c3 pawn while White is checkmating the king
on the h-file.
Furthermore the bishop is more useful at 6…Be7 to protect the Nf6. After
7.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 White is prepared to castle on the queenside. This approach
is recommended by many BDGers.
The most common continuation is 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3. Black has the options
7…c5, 7…0-0, 7…Nbd7, or 7…Nc6 (see 2.6 to 2.9).
3.0 – 6.Bd3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6
6.Bd3
6.Be3 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 Bf5 9.Kb1 Nc6 10.a3 Nd5 11.Bc4 Nxc3+
12.Qxc3 Qd6 13.Bf2 =
6.Bb5+ c6 7.Ba4 Bg7 8.Bf4 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Qd2 Nb6 =/+
6.Ne5 Bg7 and now:

7.Be3 Nc6 8.Bb5 0-0 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.0-0 Bb7 =/+
7.Bg5 0-0 8.Qd2 Qd6 9.Nf3 c5 10.0-0-0 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Qxd4 12.Nxd4 a6 =/+
6...Bg7
7.Bg5
7.0-0 and now:

7...c6 8.Qe1 and now:
8...0-0 and now:
9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Kh1 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Be6 12.Nf3 Re8 13.Ng5 =
9.a3 Bg4 10.Qh4 Na6 11.Be3 Bxf3 12.Rxf3 =
8...Bg4 and now:
9.Bg5 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Qxd4+ 11.Kh1 Nbd7 -/+
9.Be3 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Ng4 11.Bc4 0-0 =/+
9.Qh4 Na6 10.a3 Nc7 11.Ne2 Ne6 12.c3 0-0 13.Nf4 Nxf4 14.Bxf4 =
7…0-0 and now:
8.Bg5 see 7.Bg5.
8.h3 Nc6 9.Ne2 Re8 10.Bd2 Qd6 =/+
8.Qe1!? and now:
8...Nbd7 9.Qh4 c5 10.Be3 cxd4 11.Bxd4 e5 12.Be3 e4 13.Bxe4 Nxe4
14.Qxe4 Nf6 15.Qf4 =
8...Bg4 9.Qh4 h5 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Rxf3 Nc6 -/+
8...Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3 Nb4 11.Rad1 c6 12.h3 Nxd3 -/+
7...0-0
7...h6 8.Bf4 Nc6 9.Qd2 Bg4 10.0-0-0 Bxf3 11.gxf3 Nxd4 =/+
8.0-0!?
8.Qe2 Nc6 9.Be3 Ng4 10.0-0-0 Bxd4 11.Bxd4 Nxd4 -/+
8...Nbd7
8...Bg4!? and now:

9.Ne2 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 c5 11.dxc5 Qd5 -/+
9.Be2 Nc6 10.Be3 Bf5 11.Nh4 Be6 -/+
9.Be3 Nc6 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Nxd4 12.Qxb7 Qd6 =/+
8...c6 9.Qe1!? and now:

9...Bg4 10.Qh4
10...Nbd7 11.Kh1 Qb6 12.Rab1 Rad8 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Ng5 Bh5 15.b4 =
10...Bxf3 11.Rxf3 Nbd7 12.Kh1 Nb6 13.Raf1 Nbd5 14.a3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 =
9…Nbd7 10.Qh4 and now:
10...Qc7 11.Rae1 Re8 12.Bc4 Qd8 13.Ne4 +/=
10...b5 11.Bh6 and now:
11...Bb7 12.Ng5 +/=
11...Bxh6 12.Qxh6 b4 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Nf6 15.Bxc6 =
9.Qe1 c5!
9...b6 10.Qh4 Bb7 11.Bh6 =
10.Qh4
10.d5 Nb6 11.Rd1 c4 12.Be2 Qd6 13.Qh4 Bf5 14.Nd4 Bd7 =/+
10...Qb6
11.Na4 Qc6
12.Nxc5 Nxc5
13.dxc5 Qxc5+
14.Kh1 Bf5 =/+
3.1 – 6.Bf4
6.Bf4 Bg7
7.Qd2 0-0
8.0-0-0 c5
8...Nd5 9.Be5 c6 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Bc4 =
8...Nbd7 and now:
9.Kb1 a6 10.Bh6 Nb6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Ne5 Bf5 13.Be2 =
9.Bh6 and now:

9...Bxh6 10.Qxh6 Ng4 11.Qd2 Nb6 12.h3 Nf6 13.Kb1 =
9...Nb6 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Kb1 Nbd5 12.Bc4 c6 13.Bxd5 Nxd5 14.Rde1 =
8...a6 and now:

9.h4 b5 10.h5 b4 11.hxg6 bxc3 12.gxh7+ Kh8 13.bxc3 =
9.Kb1 Nbd7 10.Bh6 Nb6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Ne5 Bf5 13.Be2 =
9.Ne5 Be6 10.Kb1 Nc6 11.h3 Nd5 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.h4 =
8...Bg4 and now:

9.h3 Bxf3 10.gxf3 e6 11.Kb1 Nc6 12.Bg5 Qd7 =/+
9.Bh6 Bxf3 10.gxf3 e6 11.Bg5 Nc6 12.Kb1 =
9.Be2 Nd5 10.h3 Be6 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.Kb1 =
8...Bf5 and now:

9.Bh6 Nc6 10.h3 Nb4 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.a3 Nbd5 13.Bc4 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Rb8
15.Rhe1 b5 =/+
9.h4 c5 10.dxc5 Qxd2+ 11.Bxd2 Rc8 12.Nd4 Bg4 13.Re1 e6 =/+
9.h3 and now:

9...Nc6 10.Bc4 a6 11.g4 Ne4 12.Qe3 Nxc3 13.Qxc3 =
9...Ne4 10.Nxe4 Bxe4 11.Ng5 Bd5 12.Kb1 e6 13.Bd3 Bxd4 14.Bxg6 hxg6
15.Qxd4 =
9.Bd3 Bg4 10.Be2 Nd5 11.h3 Be6 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.Kb1 =
8...c6 and now:
9.h4 Bg4 10.Kb1 Nbd7 11.Bd3 b5 12.Ne4 Qb6 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 =/+
9.Kb1 Bf5 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Nbd7 12.Rhf1 Nb6 13.Bd2 =
9.Bh6 and now:

9...Bf5 10.h3 Nbd7 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Re1 Qa5 13.Rxe7 =
9...Bg4 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.Kb1 b5 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Ne5 =
9…b5 10.Bd3 Bg4 11.Rhe1 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Bxf3 13.gxf3 =
9.d5
9.dxc5 Qa5 10.Kb1 Nc6 11.Nb5 Qxd2 12.Bxd2 =
9...a6
9...Bg4 10.Qe3 Nbd7 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 =
10.Be2
10.d6 Nc6! 11.Bc4 e6 12.Bh6 b5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 =/+
10...Re8
10...b5 11.Ne5! Qe8 12.Bf3 b4 13.Ne2 Bb7 14.Qe3 =
10...Nbd7 11.d6 e6 12.Ne5 Nd5 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Bxf6 N7xf6 15.Rhf1 =
11.Kb1 Nbd7
12.Ng5 Qb6
13.Qe3 c4
14.Qxb6 Nxb6
15.Be3 =
3.2 – 6.Bg5 Bg7 7.Qd2
6.Bg5 Bg7
7.Qd2
7.Bd3 see 3.3 after 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Bg5.
7.Bc4 see 3.3 after 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Bg5.
7...0-0
7...h6 8.Bf4 and now:

8...g5 9.Bg3! 0-0 10.0-0-0 c5 11.dxc5 Nc6 12.Bb5 Qa5 13.Rhe1 =
8...c6 and now:
9.Bd3 g5 10.Be3 Be6 11.0-0-0 Qa5 12.Qe2 Nbd7 13.Kb1 =
9.0-0-0 and now:
9...Be6 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.Rhe1 g5 12.Bg3 Nb6 13.Rxe6 +/-
9...Bf5 10.Kb1 Nbd7 11.Re1 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qb4 =
8.0-0-0 Bg4
8...c5 9.d5 and now:

9...a6 and now:
10.h4 b5 11.h5! and now:
11...Nxh5 12.Bh6 Bg4 13.Rh4 f5 14.Be2 Nd7 15.Bxg7 Nxg7 16.Qh6 Bxf3
17.Bxf3 Nf6 18.d6 =
11…b4 12.Na4 Nxh5 13.Bh6 Qd6 14.Nxc5 Qxc5 15.Rxh5 =
9…Nbd7 and now:
10.d6 exd6 11.Qxd6 Qa5 12.a3 h6 13.Bd2 Qb6 =/+
10.Bh6 and now:
10...Nb6 11.Rg1 Re8 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Bb5 Bd7 =/+
10…a6 11.Rg1 b5 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.g4 b4 14.g5 bxc3 =/+
10.h4 and now:
10...b5 11.Nxb5 Ne4 12.Qe1 Ndf6 =
10...h5 11.Bd3 Nb6 12.Rhe1 Nfxd5 13.Bxg6 fxg6 14.Nxd5 =
10...Nb6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.h5 Bg7 13.Be2 Qc7 14.Rh4 =
8...a6 9.Bh6 b5 10.h4 Bg4 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Kb1 Nbd7 13.Be2 b4 14.Na4 =
8...Nbd7 and now:

9.Kb1 Nb6 10.Re1 c6 11.Bd3 Bg4 12.h4 Bxf3 13.gxf3 Qxd4 14.h5 =
9.Bh6 Nb6 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Kb1 Nbd5 12.Ne5 Nxc3+ 13.Qxc3 Nd5
14.Qd2 =
8...c6 and now:

9.Kb1 Bf5 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Na6 12.a3 Nc7 13.h4 =
9.Bd3 Bg4 10.Be2 Na6 11.h3 Be6 12.Bxa6 bxa6 13.Rhe1 =
9.Bh6 Bg4 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.Rhe1 Nd5 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Kb1 =
8...Bf5 and now:

9.Bh6!? and now:
9...Nbd7 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Kb1 c6 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 =
9...Nc6! 10.a3 e6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Kb1 Qd6 13.h3 Qg3 =/+
9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 c6 11.Rhe1 Na6 12.Kb1 Nc7 13.Ne5 =
9.Be2
9.Kb1 Nd5 10.Bc4 Bxf3 11.gxf3 Nxc3+ 12.Qxc3 Nc6 13.h4 =
9...c6
9...Nbd7 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 c6 12.Rhe1 Nb6 13.Kb1 =
10.Kb1
10.h3 Be6 11.Rhe1 b5 12.Bf1 Nbd7 13.Rxe6 fxe6 14.Qe3 =

10...Nbd7
11.Rhe1 Be6
12.Bd3 Nb6
13.h3 =
3.3 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Bg5
6.Bc4 Bg7
6...Bg4 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Ne5+ and now:
8…Kg7 9.Nxg4 h5 10.Ne5 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.0-0 +/-
8...Ke8 9.Nxg4 Bg7 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Nxf6+ Nxf6 12.Qe2 c6 13.0-0-0 +/-
6...c6 7.Ne5 Be6 8.Bxe6 fxe6 9.0-0 Bg7 10.Ne2 +/=
6...e6 7.Qe2 Bg7 8.Bg5 0-0 9.0-0-0 h6 10.Bh4 =
6...Bf5 7.Ne5 e6 8.g4 and now:
8...Be4 9.Rf1! Bd5 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Bxd5 Nxd5 12.Nxf7 +-
8...Bxg4 9.Nxg4 Nc6 10.Bb5 Nxg4 11.Qxg4 Be7 12.h4 +-
8...Nfd7 9.Nxd7 Qh4+ 10.Kf1 Qh3+ 11.Kf2 Qh4+ 12.Kf1 =
8…Nxg4! 9.Nxg4 Qh4+ 10.Nf2 Nc6 11.Bb5 Bg7 12.Ne2 =
7.Bg5!
7.Bf4 0-0 8.Qd2 c5 and now:
9.d5 a6 10.a4 Ne8 11.0-0 Nd7 12.Rae1 Nd6 13.Ba2 Qb6 =/+
9.dxc5 Nc6 10.Qxd8 Rxd8 11.Bc7 Re8 12.h3 Bf5 13.0-0-0 Rec8 =/+
7...0-0
8.Qe2
8.0-0 Nc6 9.h3 Bf5 10.Qd2 a6 11.a3 Ne4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.c3 b5 14.Bb3
Bd5 =/+
8.Qd2 and now:

8...c5 and now:
9.0-0-0 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nc6 11.Nxc6 Qxd2+ 12.Rxd2 bxc6 =/+
9.d5 Nbd7 10.0-0 Nb6 11.b3 Nxc4 12.bxc4 Ne8 13.Bh6 Nd6 =/+
9.dxc5 Qxd2+ 10.Nxd2 Nbd7 11.Be3 Ng4 12.Bg1 Bh6 13.0-0-0 =
8…Nbd7 and now:

9.0-0-0 Nb6! 10.Bb3 c6 11.Kb1 a5 12.a4 Nbd5 13.Rde1 Bf5 =/+
9.0-0 c6 10.Rae1 Nb6 11.Bb3 Nbd5 12.Bh6 and now:
12...Bg4 13.Qg5 Bxf3 14.Rxf3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 =
12...Bf5 13.Ne5 e6 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.h3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 =
8...c6
8...a6 9.0-0-0 h6 10.Bf4 b5 11.Bb3 Nc6 12.a3 =
8...Bg4 9.0-0-0 Nc6 10.Kb1 Na5 11.Bd3 Bxf3 12.gxf3 =
8...Nbd7 and now:

9.Bb3 Nb6 10.0-0 a5 11.a4 c6 12.Rae1 =
9.0-0-0 Nb6 10.Bb3 a5 11.a4 Nfd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Rhe1 =
9.0-0-0
9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Rae1 Nb6 11.Bb3 Re8 12.h3 Nbd5 13.Bd2 =
9...b5
9...Nbd7 10.Rhe1 Nb6 11.Bb3 a5 12.a3 =
10.Bb3 a5
11.a4 b4
12.Ne4 Nbd7
13.Rhe1 Ba6
14.Qe3 Nd5
15.Qd2 =
3.4 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.Ne5 0-0
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7
7.Ne5 0-0
8.Bg5 c5!
8...Nbd7 9.0-0 and now:

9...a6 10.Bb3 Nb6 11.Qd2 a5 12.a4 c6 13.Rad1 Nbd5 14.Bh6 =
9...c6 10.Bb3 Nb6 and now:
11.Ne2 a5 12.a4 Nbd5 13.Ng3 h6 14.Bc1 h5 15.Nf3 Ng4 -/+
11.Qd2 and now:
11...Bf5 12.Rae1 a5 13.a4 Nbd5 14.Bh6 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Qb6 16.Qh4 Rad8
17.Re2 Be6 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bxd5 Rxd5 =/+
11...a5 12.a4 Nbd5 13.Rae1 Be6 14.Bh6 Nc7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Nc4 Nce8
17.Ne4 Bd5 18.Nxf6 Nxf6 19.Qe3 Kg8 20.Rf4 =
11...Nfd5 12.Bh6 Bf5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Rae1 =
11...Nbd5 12.Rae1
12...Be6 13.Bh6 Qc7 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Rxe4 Bf6 16.Bxf8 +/=
12...Bf5 13.Bh6 and now:
13...e6 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Na4 Qd6 16.c4 Ne7 17.c5 =
13...Bxh6 14.Qxh6 Nxc3 15.bxc3 e6! 16.h3 Nd5 17.g4 +/-
13…Nxc3 14.bxc3 and now:
14...e6 15.Bg5 h5 16.h3 Qc7 17.Qf4 Nd5 18.Bxd5 =
14…Nd5 15.Rf3 Qc8 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.c4 Nf6 18.Qf4 =
14...a5 15.Rxf5 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 gxf5 17.Qg5+ Kh8 18.Nxf7+ +/-
8...Nc6 and now:

9.Qe2 Nxd4 10.Qd3 Bf5 11.Nxf7 Rxf7 12.Bxf7+ Kxf7 13.Qc4+ Be6 14.Qd3
Qd6 -+
9.Nxc6 bxc6 and now:
10.0-0 Ng4! 11.Ne2 Qd6 12.Bf4 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Qxd6 cxd6 15.Bb3
Ba6-+
10.Qd2 and now:
10...e5 11.dxe5 Qxd2+ 12.Bxd2 Ng4 13.h3 Nxe5 14.Bb3 Nd7=/+
10...Qd6 11.0-0-0 a5 12.h3 Nd5 13.Rhf1 Rb8 14.Bb3 Nxc3 =/+
10...Rb8 11.0-0-0 Bf5 12.h3 h5 13.Bb3 Re8 14.Rhe1 Qd7 =/+
10...Nd5 11.0-0-0 Rb8 12.Rhe1 Re8 13.h3 a5 14.Bb3 Rb4 =/+
10...Bf5 11.0-0-0 Re8! 12.h3 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Kb1 Bd5 =/+
8...Bf5 and now:

9.g4!? Be6 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.Qd3 Nbd7=/+
9.Qd2 c5 10.dxc5 Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2 e6 -/+
9.0-0 and now:
9...Nbd7 10.Nxf7 Rxf7 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7 12.g4 Nxg4! 13.Qxg4 =
9...Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bb3 a5 12.h3 Nd5 13.g4 Be6 =/+
9.d5
9.dxc5 and now:

9...Qa5 10.Qe2 Qxc5 and now:
11.0-0-0 Bg4! 12.Nxg4 Qxg5+ 13.Ne3 Nc6 14.h4 Qc5 -/+
11.Nf3 Nc6 and now:
12.Be3 Qb4 13.0-0 Qxb2 14.Nb5 Bg4 15.Rab1 Bxf3 -+
12.0-0-0 Bf5 13.Kb1 Rad8 14.Be3 Qa5 15.Bb3 e6 -/+
9…Qc7 and now:
10.Nxf7 Rxf7 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7 12.Qd2 Qxc5 13.0-0-0 Nc6 -/+
10.Nd3 and now:
10...Bg4 11.Nd5! Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Bxd1 13.Bxa5 Bxc2 14.Nxe7+ Kh8 15.0-0 =
10...Bf5 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Nd5 Qd8 13.Qe2 Bg5 -/+
9...Nbd7
9...a6 10.a4 Qa5 11.0-0 Bf5 12.d6 Nc6 13.Nxf7 e6 14.Nh6+ =
9...h6 10.Bh4 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Bxd7 12.0-0 g5 13.Bg3 Ng4 -/+
9...Bf5 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.h3 a6 13.a4 Ne8 -/+
10.Nxd7 Bxd7
11.0-0! a6
11...b5 12.d6! Bg4 13.dxe7 Qxe7 14.Qxg4 =
12.d6 Bc6
13.dxe7 Qxe7
14.Nd5 Bxd5
15.Bxd5 Rad8 -/+
3.5 – 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.h3
7.0-0 0-0
7...Nc6 8.Bf4 0-0 transposes to 7...0-0 8.Bf4 Nc6.
7...b6 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qd2 Bb7 10.Rad1 =
7...c6 8.Bb3 0-0 9.Qe2 Bf5 10.h3 Na6 11.Re1 Re8 12.Ng5 =
7...Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 0-0 10.Be3 c6 11.Rad1 Nbd7 12.Bf4 Nb6 13.Bb3
Nbd5 14.Bh2 =
7...e6 and now:

8.Qe1 0-0 9.Qh4 Nd5 10.Bg5 f6 11.Bd2 Nc6 12.Rae1 =
8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 0-0 10.Ne4 Nbd7 11.Nxf6+ Nxf6 12.c3 =
7...Bf5 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qd2 and now:

9...a6 10.Rae1 b5 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 =
9...Nh5 10.h3 Nf6 11.Rae1 a6 12.g4 Bd7 13.a3 =
9...Nc6 10.Rae1 Bg4 11.d5 Na5 12.Be2 c6 13.d6 =
9...Nbd7 10.Rae1 Nb6 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Re8 13.b3 =
8.h3!?
8.Ne5 Nc6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 and now:

10.Ne2 Nd5 11.c3 and now:
11...Rb8 12.Qe1 a5 13.Ng3 a4 14.a3 f5 =/+
11...Nb6 12.Bd3 Rb8 13.Qc2 e5 14.dxe5 Bxe5 =/+
10.Bf4 and now:
10...Bf5 11.Bb3 e6 12.Qd2 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.c3 Qe7 =/+
10...Rb8 11.b3 Ng4 12.Ne2 e5 13.dxe5 Qe7 14.Nd4 Nxe5 =/+
10…Ng4 11.Ne2 e5 12.dxe5 Qe7 13.Qd2 Nxe5 14.Qe3 Re8 -/+
8.Bf4 and now:
8...c6 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.Bh6 Nb6 11.Bb3 Nbd5 =
8...Bf5 9.Qd2 e6 10.Rad1 Nbd7 11.Bb3 Nb6 =/+
8...Bg4 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.Rad1 Ne8 11.Ne2 Nd6 12.Bb3 e6 =/+
8…Nc6 9.Qd2 Bf5 and now:
10.Rae1 e6 11.h3 h5 12.Bb5 Nb4 13.Ba4 Nbd5 =/+
10.Rad1 e6 11.Rfe1 Nd5 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Bd3 Nxd4 =/+
8...Nc6
8...Nbd7 9.Qe1 Nb6 10.Bd3 Be6 11.a4 Bc4 12.Qe2 Bxd3 =/+
8...c6 9.Qe1 and now:

9...b5!? 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.Qh4 Bb7 12.Be3 b4 13.Ne4 Nxe4 =/+
9…Nbd7 10.Qh4 Nb6 and now:
11.Bd3 Nbd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.c4 Qd8 14.Bg5 Be6 15.Be3 =
11.Bb3 and now:
11...Bf5 12.Bh6 a5 13.a4 Qd6 14.Ng5 Rac8 15.g4 +/=
11...a5 12.a4 Nbd5 13.Bh6! Nh5 14.Bxg7 Nxg7 15.Ng5 =
11...Nbd5 12.Bh6 and now:
12...Be6 13.Ng5 Bf5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.g4 e6 16.Rae1 +-
12...Bf5 13.Ng5 e6 14.Bxd5 cxd5 15.g4 Re8 16.gxf5 +/=
12...e6 13.Bg5!? Qc7 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.c4 Nb6 16.Rad1 =
12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nh5 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.g4 Nf4 16.Ng5 =
12…Nh5 13.Bxg7 Nxg7 14.Rae1 f6 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.c4 =
9.a3
9.d5 Na5 10.Be2 c6 11.dxc6 Nxc6 12.Bc4 Bf5 13.Bb3 Qb6+ -/+
9.Be3 and now:

9...Ne8!? 10.d5 Na5 11.Bb3 Nf6 12.Bd4 Nxb3 13.axb3 e6 =/+
9...Na5 10.Bd3 Be6 11.Qe2 Nc6 12.Rad1 Nb4 13.Ng5 Bc8 =/+
9...a6
9...Bf5 10.Be3 Ne4 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.c3 Bd5 13.Bd3 e5 -/+
9...Ne8 10.d5 Nd6 11.Ba2 Ne5!? 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 =/+
10.Bg5 b5
11.Bb3 Bb7
12.Qd2 Na5 -/+
3.6 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1
6.Bc4 Bg7
7.0-0 0-0
8.Qe1 Nbd7
8...h6 9.Qh4 h5 10.Bf4 Bf5 11.Qg3 =
8...c6!? 9.Qh4 Bf5 and now:

10.Bb3 Na6 11.Bh6 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Qd6 13.Rad1 Ng4=/+
10.Bh6 Bxh6 11.Qxh6 Qd6 12.Rad1 Ng4 13.Qg5 Nd7=/+
8...a6 9.Qh4 and now:

9...e6 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Ne5 h6 12.Ne4 hxg5 13.Nxg5 +/-
9...b5 10.Bb3 Nc6 11.Bh6 Bg4 12.Ng5 Qxd4+ 13.Kh1 Bf5 =/+
9…Nc6 10.Bh6 Bf5 11.Rad1 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Ng4 13.Qd2 Qd6 =/+
8...Bg4!? and now:

9.Be3 Nc6 and now:
10.Qh4 transposes to 8...Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4 10.Be3.
10.Rd1 Nb4 11.Bb3 Bf5 12.Qd2 a5 13.Nh4 Be4 =/+
9.Qh4 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 and now:
10...c6 11.Bg5 Nbd7 12.Re1 Nb6 13.Bb3=
10...e6 11.Bg5 Nbd7 12.Ne4! c5 13.dxc5 Qc7 14.Bxf6 +-
10…Nbd7 11.Bh6 Bxh6! 12.Qxh6 Nb6! 13.Bb3 Qxd4+ -/+
9.Qh4
9.Bg5 Nb6 10.Bd3 Be6 11.Qh4 c6 12.Rae1 Bc4 13.Bh6 Bxd3 14.cxd3 Re8
15.Ne5 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 Qxd4+ 17.Kh1 =
9...Nb6
9...c6 and now:
10.Bh6 Nb6 11.Bb3 see 9...Nb6 10.Bb3 c6 11.Bh6.
10.h3 transposes to 8.h3 c6 9.Qe1 Nbd7 10.Qh4.
10.Bd2!? Nb6 11.Bd3 Bf5 12.Bxf5 gxf5 13.Bg5 =
9...c5 10.dxc5 Nxc5 and now:

11.Be3 and now:
11...Ne6 12.Rad1 Qa5 13.h3 a6 14.Bb3 Qc7!? 15.a4 =
11...Be6 12.Bxc5 Qc7 13.Bxe6 Qxc5+ 14.Qd4 Qxd4+ 15.Nxd4 =
11...Qc7 12.Nb5 Qc6 13.Ne5 Qe4 14.Qxe4 Nfxe4 15.Bxf7+ +/=
10.Bb3
10.Bd3 Bg4 11.Bg5 h5 12.Rae1 Re8 13.Kh1 =
10...c6
10...a5 11.a4 and now:

11…Bf5 12.h3 h5 13.Bg5 Nbd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Rae1 =
11...Bg4 12.Bg5! Bxf3 13.Rxf3 Qd7 14.Re1 Rae8 15.Rh3 =
11.Bh6
11.h3 transposes to 8.h3 Nbd7 9.Qe1 c6 10.Bb3 Nb6 11.Bh6.
11...Bf5
11...Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Ng4 13.Qh4 Nf6 14.Qh6 =
12.Ng5
12.h3 Bxh6 13.Qxh6 a5 14.g4 a4 15.Bxf7+ Rxf7 16.gxf5 =
12...Bxh6
13.Qxh6 Qxd4+
14.Kh1 Qg4
14...Nbd7 15.h3! Rad8 16.Rad1 Qe5 17.g4+-
15.Rf3 Qh5
16.Bxf7+ Rxf7
17.Qxh5 Nxh5
18.Nxf7 Kxf7
19.g4 =
3.7 – 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bf5
7.0-0 0-0
8.Qe1 Bf5
9.Qh4
9.Bb3 Nc6 10.Ne2 a5 11.a4 Nb4 12.Qd2 Ne4 -/+
9...Nc6
9...h5!? and now:

10.Ne5!? Nbd7 11.Bg5 Bxc2 12.Rf2 Bf5 13.h3 c5 =/+
10.Bb3 Nc6 11.h3 Na5 12.Rf2 c6 13.Bg5 Nxb3 14.axb3 b5 =/+
9...e6 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Bb3 Qc8 12.Rae1 c6 13.Nd1 Re8 =
9...Re8 10.h3 Nc6 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7 12.d5 Nb4 13.Qxb4 Nxd5 =
9...Nbd7 10.Bh6 Bxh6 11.Qxh6 Ng4 12.Qf4 e6 13.h3 Ngf6 14.g4 Bxc2
15.Rf2 g5 16.Nxg5 Bg6 17.Re1 =
9...Bxc2 10.Bh6 and now:

10...c6 11.Ng5 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 see 10...Bxh6 11.Qxh6 c6 12.Ng5
10...Nbd7 11.Ng5 and now:
11...Bf5 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Rxf5 h6 14.Nxf7 Rxf7 15.Qg3 +/-
11...e6 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Bxe6 h6 14.Nxf7 Rxf7 15.Bxf7 +/=
10...c5 11.dxc5 Nc6 12.Kh1 Bxh6 13.Qxh6 Ng4 14.Qg5 =
10...Bf5 11.Rad1 e6 12.d5 Qe7 13.dxe6 Bxe6 14.Bxg7 =
10...Nc6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Bxf7 Qd6 13.Nb5 Qb4 14.Nxc7 =
10…Bxh6 11.Qxh6 and now:

11...Nbd7 12.Ng5 Bf5 13.g4 Bxg4 14.Rxf6 Nxf6 15.Nd5 +-
11...Bf5 12.Rad1 Ng4 13.Qc1 Nf6 14.Qh6 =
11...Ng4 12.Qd2 Bf5 13.h3 Nf6 14.g4 b5 15.Bxb5 Be6 16.Ng5 =
11...c6 12.Ng5 Qxd4+ 13.Kh1 Nbd7 14.Be6 fxe6 15.Nxe6 =
11...e6 12.Ng5 Qxd4+ 13.Kh1 Re8! 14.Nb5 Qxb2 15.Nxc7 +/-
11…Nc6 12.Ng5 Qxd4+ 13.Kh1 Bf5 14.Nd5 Qxd5 15.Bxd5 +-
9...c6 and now:

10.Bh6 Bxh6 11.Qxh6 Qd6! 12.Rad1 Ng4 13.Qg5 Nd7 =/+
10.Bb3 Na6 11.Nd1 Nc7 12.Ne3 Be6 13.c3 Bxb3 =/+
10.h3
10.Be3 Nb4 11.Bg5 Nxc2 12.Rad1 c6 13.h3 Nb4 14.g4 Be6 -/+
10.Bb3 Na5 11.Bh6 Nxb3 12.axb3 Bxc2 13.d5 Bd3 -+
10.Bh6 and now:

10...e6 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxh6 Ng4 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 =/+
10...Ng4 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.d5 Nce5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Bb3 f6 =/+
10…Bxh6 11.Qxh6 Ng4 12.Qd2 e5 13.h3 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Ne3 =/+
10...Bxc2
11.Bh6
11.Rf2 and now:

11...Nb4 12.a3 Bd3 13.Bxf7+ Rxf7 14.axb4 =
11...Bf5 12.Bh6 and now:
12...Bxh6 13.Qxh6 e6 14.Rd1 Qd6 15.d5 Ne5 16.dxe6 =
12...e6 13.Bg5 Rb8 14.g4 h6 15.Bxh6 Nxg4 16.Qxd8 =
12...Na5 13.Bf1 e6 14.Bg5 Nc6 15.Bc4 Rb8 16.g4 =
12…Qd6! 13.Rd1 Rad8 14.a3 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 e6 16.Qh4 Qe7 =/+
11...e6
11...Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Nxd4 13.Ng5 Nf5 14.Rxf5 gxf5 15.Nd5 f4 16.Rd1 Qd6
17.Rd3 Bxd3 18.Bxd3 Kh8 19.Nxf4 Qc5+ 20.Kh2 =
12.Rac1 Bf5
12...Bxh6 13.Qxh6 Bf5 14.Rcd1 Qd6 15.Ng5 Nxd4 16.Nce4 +-
13.Bg5! h6
14.Bxh6 Ne4
15.Bxg7! Kxg7
16.Qe1 =
3.8 – 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Ng4
7.0-0 0-0
8.Qe1 Nc6
9.Qh4
9.Ne2 and now:
9...Bg4 10.c3 Na5 11.Bb5 Bxf3 12.Rxf3 Qd5 13.Ba4 e5 =/+
9…Bf5 and now:

10.c3 Na5 11.Bb5 c6 12.Ba4 Qc7 13.Qh4 b5 -/+
10.Bb3 a5 11.a4 Nb4 12.Qd2 Ne4 13.Qd1 Nd5 -/+
9...Ng4
9...e6 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxh6 Nh7 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Ne5 Nxe5
15.dxe5 =
9...Na5 10.Bd3 Nc6 11.Bh6 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Ng4 13.Qf4 Nb4 =/+
9...Nb4 and now:

10.Bh6? Nxc2! 11.Rad1 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Ng4 -/+
10.Bg5 Nxc2 11.Rac1 Nb4 12.a3 Nc6 =/+
10.Bf4
10.Rd1 Bf5 11.Bd5 Nf6 12.Bb3 Na5 13.Qf2 c6 -/+
10.Bg5 h6 11.Kh1 Qd7 12.Bf4 Nxd4 13.Rad1 e5 -/+
10.Nd5 Be6 11.c3 Bxd5 12.Bxd5 Qxd5 13.Qxg4 Rae8 -/+
10.Ne4 and now:

10...Bf5 11.c3 Bxe4 12.Qxg4 Bd5 13.Bb3 e5 14.dxe5 Bxb3 15.axb3 Qd5
16.b4 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 =/+
10…Nxd4 11.Nfg5 h5 12.Bxf7+ Rxf7 13.Nxf7 Qd7 -/+
10.Kh1 Nxd4 11.Bg5 Nxf3 12.Rxf3 Nf6 13.Rd1 Qe8=/+
10.d5!? Nce5 11.Bb3 c5 12.dxc6 Nxf3+ 13.Rxf3 Bd4+ 14.Kh1 Bxc3 15.Rf1
Bf6 16.cxb7 Bxb7 17.Qg4 a5 18.Bh6 =
10.h3 and now:
10...Nxd4 11.Ng5 Nh6 12.Be3 Ndf5 13.Rxf5 Bxf5 14.Nf3 c6 15.Bxh6 e6

16.Qxd8 Rfxd8 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Bb3 h5 =/+
10…Bf6 11.Bg5 Ne3 12.d5 Nb4 13.Ne4 Nf5 14.Qf2 b5 15.Bb3 Bxb2 =/+
10...h6!
10...e5 11.Qxd8! Rxd8 12.dxe5 Bf5 13.Rfe1 Nd4 14.h3 Nxf3+ 15.gxf3 Rd4
16.Bb3 =
10...Nxd4 and now:
11.Ng5 Nh6 12.Rad1 Qe8 13.Rxd4 Bxd4+ 14.Kh1 Bg7 15.Nd5 =
11.Rad1 and now:
11...Bf6 12.Bg5 c5 13.Nd5 Kg7 14.Nxd4 Bxg5 15.Qxg5 =
11...c6 12.Nxd4 Bxd4+ 13.Kh1 b5 14.Bb3 Qb6 15.Ne4 Bf5 16.Qxe7 Qd8
17.Qb4 c5 18.Nxc5 Nf2+ 19.Rxf2 Bxc5 20.Rxd8 =
10...Bxd4+ 11.Kh1 and now:
11...Bxc3 12.bxc3 Bf5 13.Rad1 Qc8 14.h3 Nf6 15.Rde1 +/=
11…Bf6 12.Bg5 and now:

12...Ne3 13.Rad1 Bd7 14.Bxf6 exf6 15.Ne4 Nxd1 16.Nxf6+ +/=
12...Kg7 13.Rad1 Bd7 14.Ne4 h6 15.Nxf6 exf6 16.Bd2 =
12…Bf5 13.Rad1 Qc8 14.Nd5 Bxg5 15.Nxg5 h6 16.Nxf7 =
11.Rad1 e5
12.Qxd8 Rxd8
13.Nxe5 Ncxe5
14.Bxe5 Nxe5
15.dxe5 Be6
16.Bxe6 fxe6 =/+
3.9 – 8.Qe1 Nc6 9.Qh4 Bg4
Nc6
9.Qh4 Bg4!
10.Be3
10.d5 Na5 11.Bb3 Bxf3 12.Rxf3 Nxb3 13.axb3 Nxd5 -/+
10.Ne2 Bf5 11.Bb3 Ne4 12.c3 e5 13.Qxd8 Rfxd8 =/+
10...Bxf3
10...a6 11.Ng5! h5 12.h3 e6 13.d5 exd5 14.hxg4 dxc4 15.gxh5 =
10...Bf5 11.Rad1 Na5 12.Be2 Nd5 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.b3 Qe4 =
10...Qd6 11.Ng5 h5 12.h3 Bf5 13.g4 Bxc2 14.Rac1 Qb4 =
10...Nb4 11.Bb3 c6 12.Rae1 Bf5 13.Re2 Nbd5 14.Bg5 b5 =
10...e6! 11.Rad1 Ne7 12.Bg5 Nf5 13.Qf2 c6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 =/+
11.Rxf3 e5
11...Qd6 12.Rd1 Qd7 13.Kh1 Rad8 14.h3 =
11...Na5 12.Be2! Nc6 13.Rd1 Qd6 14.Bf2 Rad8 15.d5 Ne5 =
11...Nh5 12.Rd1! e6 13.Qf2 Qe7 14.Rh3 Qf6 15.Rf3 =
11...h5 12.h3 e5 13.Raf1 exd4 14.Bg5 dxc3 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 =
11...Nb4 12.Bb3 Nbd5 13.Bh6 Bxh6! 14.Qxh6 e6 15.Nxd5 =

11...Qd7! 12.h3 Rad8 13.Rd1 Ne8 14.Bb3 Nd6 15.d5 Ne5 =/+
11...e6 12.Ne2 Nd5 13.Bg5 Qd7 14.c3 Nce7 15.g4 f6 16.Bd2 =
12.Rd1
12.Bg5 Qxd4+! 13.Qxd4 exd4 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Rxf6 dxc3 -/+
12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Rh3 Nxc4 14.Qxc4 Re8 15.Rd1 Qe7 -/+
12.Rh3 h5! 13.d5 Nd4 14.Rf1 Ng4 15.Qxd8 Raxd8 -/+
12.Ne2 Nd5 13.Bg5 Qd6 14.Raf1 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 exd4 =/+
12.d5 Nd4 13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Qxd4 c6 15.Rd1 b5 =/+
12...Nxd4
12...exd4 13.Bg5 Qe8 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Qxf6 dxc3 16.Qxc3 =
13.Rf2 b5
13...Ne8 14.Bg5 Qd7 15.Nd5 Kh8 16.Be7 Nf5 17.Qg4 Qc6 =/+
14.Bxb5
14.Bxd4 exd4 15.Nxb5 c6 16.Rxd4 Qb6 17.Nd6 Nd5 -/+
14...Nd5
15.Bg5
15.Qxd8 Raxd8 16.Nxd5 Rxd5 17.Bxd4 exd4 18.Bc4 Rd7 =/+
15.Qe4 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 Qh4 17.Bc4 Rad8 18.Rdf1 Nf5 -/+

15...f6
16.Bc4 c6
16...Kh8 17.Bxd5 fxg5 18.Rxf8+ Qxf8 19.Qxg5 Rd8 =/+
17.Be3 f5
18.Qxd8 Rfxd8
19.b3 =
Summary
Bogoljubow Variation 5.Nxf3 g6 resembles Gruenfeld Defence. White’s
open e-file and f-file will speed up the attack. Black has good counter play,
but he must play active and accurate moves. White has scored only 49% in
my database, but that has been colored by the fact that I tested it in hundreds
of games against high rated computer chess engines. My overall percentage
was 42%. Without my games White scored 51% in 3000 games.
Four bishop moves make up White sixth move options. Three are without
6.Bc4. Those include 6.Bd3, 6.Bf4 and 6.Bg5. The last two prepare an early
queenside castle 0-0-0.
In his book on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit the International Master

Christoph Scheerer covered the Long Bogo 6.Bf4 at some length. This was
recommended by Rajmund Emanuel.
White will continue with 7.Qd2 and 8.0-0-0 followed by pushing the h-pawn
or g-pawn. This may open up the h-file or dislodge the Nf6. White combines
central action with a kingside attack.
After 6.Bc4 Bg7 White again has three choices. Those include 7.Bg5, 7.Ne5
and 7.0-0. Diemer played all the lines. E.J.D. won many games with 7.Ne5,
but that does not appear to be best.
The continuation 7.0-0 0-0 may lead to the Studier Attack 8.Qe1. White plans
9.Qh4 aiming at the Black king. The threat is to drive away the Nf6 while
advancing Bh6, Ng5, Bxg7 and Qxh7 mate. This has been refuted by 8…
Nc6. Black must pressure d4. The best defensive options are with 9…Ng4
(3.8) or 9…Bg4! (3.9).
To win in those lines against a strong White attacker Black must play
complicated lines perfectly for a dozen more moves. Often I play 8.Qe1 as
White anyway since I know it fairly well. Half the time Black does not play a
critical line. The other half Black plays well, but even then Black often slips
and still loses.
A promising alternative for White is 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.h3!? (3.5). The
strategy is to take the g4 square away from the Black pieces. If Black plays
some move like 8…Nbd7 or 8…c6 then White can play 9.Qe1 headed for
Qh4 as in a Studier Attack.
4.0 – 6.Bd3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5
6.Bd3
6.Be3 e6 7.Be2 Bd6 8.Nh4 0-0 9.Nxf5 exf5 =/+
6.Bd2 e6 7.Bb5+ Nbd7 8.Rf1 c6 9.Be2 Bb4 =/+
6.Bf4 e6 7.Bd3 Bd6 8.Ne5 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 0-0 =/+
6.Be2 e6 7.Nh4 Bg6 8.Bf3 Nc6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 =/+
6.Bb5+ c6 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 e6 9.Bg5 Nbd7 =/+
6.Nh4 and now:

6...Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bg5 c6 9.Be2 e6 =
6...Be6 7.Be3 g6 8.Be2 c6 9.0-0 Bg7 =/+
6...Bg4! 7.Qd3 e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4 Nd5! =/+
6.h3 e6 and now:

7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 Nc6 9.Bd3 Be7 10.Bxf5 exf5 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 =/+
7.g4 and now:

7...Be4? 8.g5 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nd5 10.Bg2 Bd6 11.Nxd5 exd5 +/=
7...Bg6 8.Ne5 Bd6 9.Bg2 c6 10.Bf4 Nd5 11.Bxd5 Bxe5 =/+
6...Bxd3
6...Bg6 and now:

7.Ne5 e6 8.Qf3 c6 9.Bf4 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Be7 11.0-0-0 Nbd7 =
7.Bxg6 hxg6 8.0-0 e6 9.Qe2 Nc6 10.Be3 Bb4 11.a3 Bxc3 =
7.Bf4 e6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Bxg6 hxg6 10.Qe2 c6 11.a4 Qa5 12.Ne5 =
7.0-0 e6 and now:

8.Qe1 Bxd3 9.cxd3 Nc6 10.Be3 Be7 11.Qg3 0-0 12.a3 Rc8 -/+
8.Bf4 transposes to 7.Bf4.
8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qe2 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 0-0 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Rad1 =
6...Bg4 and now:

7.Bg5 Nc6 8.Bb5 h6 9.Bxf6 exf6 10.Qe2+ Qe7 11.d5 a6 12.Ba4=
7.0-0 e6 8.Ne4 Nbd7 9.Nxf6+ Nxf6 10.c3 Bd6 11.Qe1 Bh5 12.Qh4 =
7.Ne4 Nc6 8.c3 Qd5 9.Qb3 Qxb3 10.axb3 Bxf3 11.Nxf6+ gxf6 12.gxf3 =
7.Be3 Nc6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 e6 10.0-0-0 Bb4 11.Ne4 Nd5 12.c3 =
7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ne5 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 c6 11.Rf1 Nbd7 12.Nxf7 =
7.Qxd3 c6
8.Bg5
8.Bd2 e6 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.Kb1 Qc7 =
8.0-0 e6 and now:

9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.h3 Be7 11.Nd2 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 =
9.Bg5 and now:
9...Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Ne4 Be7 12.a4 0-0 13.c3 Nd7 =/+
9...Nbd7 10.Ne4 Be7 11.Nxf6+ Nxf6 12.Ne5 0-0 13.Rad1 Nd5 =/+
8...Nbd7
8...e6 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 transposes.
9.0-0-0 e6
10.Kb1
10.Ne5 Be7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Rhf1 h6 13.Bf4 0-0 =
10.Qe2 Be7 11.Kb1 0-0 12.h4 a5 =/+

10...Be7
11.Rhf1 0-0
12.a3 Nd5
13.Bxe7 Qxe7
14.g4 =
4.1 – 6.Bc4
6.Bc4 c6
6...e5 7.Nxe5 Bg6 8.Qf3 c6 9.Qh3 Bb4 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.Be3 +-
6...Nc6 7.d5 Nb4 8.0-0 e6 9.Bg5 Bc5+ 10.Kh1 exd5 11.Nd4 =
6...e6 and now:

7.Qe2 Nc6 8.Bb5 Bb4 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 h6 11.0-0 0-0 =/+
7.Bg5 Be7 8.d5 exd5 9.Bxf6 dxc4 10.Qxd8+ Bxd8 =/+
7.Be3 c6 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg4 10.Qe1 Bd6 11.h3 Bh5 =/+
7.d5 Bb4 8.dxe6 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 fxe6 10.Re1 Nc6 =/+
7.a3 Be7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.Be3 Nbd7 10.Bd3 c6 11.0-0-0 Qa5 =/+
7.0-0 Nc6!? 8.Bb5 Bd6 9.Ne5 Bxe5 10.dxe5 Qxd1 =/+
7.Bg5
7.Ng5 e6 8.0-0 see 4.4
7.Nh4 Bg6 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.Be3 Nbd7 10.Qf3 e6 =/+
7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 e6 9.Bd2 Be7 10.0-0-0 0-0 =/+
7.Ne5 e6 8.g4 Bg6 9.h4 Bb4 10.h5 Bxc2 11.Qd2 Rf8 =/+
7.Bf4 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.0-0-0 0-0=/+
7.Qe2 e6 8.Bg5 Bb4 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Nd1 0-0 11.Ne3 Bg6 =/+
7...e6
8.Nh4
8.0-0 Be7 9.Ne5 Bxc2 10.Nxf7! Kxf7 11.Qe2 Kf8 12.Qxe6 =
8...Bg6
9.Nxg6 hxg6
10.Qd3 Qa5
10...Nbd7 11.0-0-0 Qa5 12.h4 transposes to 10...Qa5.
10...Be7 11.0-0-0 b5 12.Bb3 Na6 13.Kb1 Nb4 14.Qe2 =
10...Qc7 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.Kb1 Nbd7 13.h4 0-0-0 14.Qf3 =
11.h4!
11.Bf4 Nbd7 12.0-0 0-0-0 13.Rae1 Nb6 14.Ne4 Nxc4 =/+
11...Nbd7
11...Qxg5 12.hxg5 Rxh1+ 13.Ke2 Rxa1 14.gxf6 Nd7 15.fxg7 =
12.0-0-0 Bb4
12...0-0-0 13.Qe2 Be7 14.Kb1 Qc7 15.Rhf1 Nb6 16.Bb3 =
13.Ne2
13.Ne4 Be7 14.Qe3 Nxe4 15.Bxe7 Ndf6 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 =/+
13...0-0-0
14.a3 Be7
15.Qh3
15.Qf3 Nb6 16.Bb3 Qf5 17.Rhf1 Rd7 18.g3 Qxf3 19.Rxf3 =/+
15...Nb6
16.Bd3 Kb8
16...Qd5 17.Kb1 Kb8 18.g4 Ka8 19.Be3 Ne8 20.Qf1 Rf8 =
17.Kb1 Bd6
18.Rhf1 Rd7
19.Nc1 Qd5
20.Nb3 Ne4
21.Bxe4 Qxe4 =/+
4.2 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bxc2
6.Bc4 c6
7.0-0 e6
8.Ne5 Bxc2
9.Nxf7!
9.Qd2?! and now:

9...Bb4 10.Qxc2 Qxd4+ 11.Kh1 Qxe5 12.Qb3 Bxc3 13.Qxb7 0-0 14.Qxa8
Bd4 =/+
9...Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.g3 Nbd7 12.Qf2 Qc7 -/+
9.Qe2?! and now:

9...Qxd4+ 10.Kh1 Bg6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bf4 Nbd7 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.Qxe6+
Be7 =/+
9...Bg6 and now:
10.d5?! Bc5+ 11.Kh1 cxd5 12.Bb5+ Kf8 13.Bg5 a6 14.Ba4 b5 15.Bb3 Nbd7
-+
10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.h3 Bd6 13.Bg5 0-0 -/+
9.Qxc2!? Qxd4+ 10.Kh1 Qxe5 11.Bf4 Qc5 12.Qb3 Nbd7 13.Qxb7 Rd8
14.Bc7 Qxc4 15.Rf4 Qc5 16.Rd1 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Qb6 18.Rb4 Qxb7 19.Rxb7
a5 20.Kg1 Nd5 21.Ne4 N7f6 22.Ng5 Nd7 23.Ne4 =
9...Kxf7
9...Bxd1 10.Nxd8 Kxd8 11.Rxd1 and now:

11…Nd5 12.Re1 Bb4 13.Rxe6 Nxc3 14.bxc3 +-
11…Bd6 12.Bxe6 Re8 13.Bf5 Nbd7 14.Bd2 Nb6 15.Bd3 Kc7 16.Rac1 +/=
10.Qxc2 Qxd4+
11.Be3 Qxe3+
11...Qxc4 12.Rf4 Qxf4 13.Bxf4 Nbd7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Nxc5 16.Ne2
Ncd7 17.Rf1 +/-
12.Kh1 Bd6
12...Ke7 13.Rae1 Qg5 14.Bxe6 Kd8 15.Rd1+ Nbd7 16.Bxd7 Nxd7 17.Qb3
+-
12...Nbd7 13.Rae1 Qd4 14.Bxe6+ Ke7 15.Bxd7+ Kxd7 16.Rd1 +-
12...Qc5 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.Rae1 Nbd7 15.Ng5+ Ke8 16.Rxe6 Kd8 17.Rxe7 +-
12...Qd4 13.Qe2 Qd7 14.Rad1 Bd6 15.Ne4 Ke7 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 +-
12...Bc5 13.Rae1 Qd4 14.Ne4 Ke8 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Rxe6+ Kd8 17.Rd1 +-
12...Be7 13.Rae1 and now:

13...Qd4 14.Qe2 Ke8 15.Qxe6 Qd7 16.Qe5 Rf8 17.Rd1 +-
13...Qc5 14.Ne4! Qh5 15.Nxf6 gxf6 16.Rxe6 Kf8 17.Qd2 +-
12...Ke8!? 13.Rae1 Qb6 14.Rxe6+ Kd8 15.Rexf6 gxf6 16.Rd1+ Bd6 17.Qd3
+/-
13.Rae1 Qh6
13...Qd4 14.Ne4 Be5 15.Ng5+ Ke8 16.Bxe6 Rf8 17.Qb3 Ke7 18.Bc8 +-
14.Bxe6+
14.g4 Kf8 15.Ne4 Qxh2+ 16.Qxh2 Bxh2 17.Kxh2 +/-
14...Kf8
15.Bh3 Na6
16.Ne4 Bb4
17.Rd1 Be7
18.Rd7 Rd8
19.Rxb7 +/-
4.3 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bg6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 c6
7.0-0 e6
8.Ne5 Bg6
9.g4
9.Ne2 Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Nf4 Qc7 12.Bxe6 fxe6 -/+
9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.h3 Qb6 12.a4 Bb4 =/+
9.Kh1 Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.h3 Qc7 12.a4 0-0-0 =/+
9.Be3 Nbd7 and now:

10.Qf3 and now:
10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd7 12.Rad1 Qc7 13.Be2 Be7 -/+
10…Bxc2 11.Qh3 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 -/+
10.Qe2 Qc7 11.Bf4 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.Ne4 Qb6+ =/+
10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qf3 Qc7 12.h3 0-0-0 13.Rad1 Bd6 =/+
9.Bg5 and now:

9...Nbd7 10.Qe2 Be7 11.Rad1 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 -/+
9…Be7 and now:
10.Ne2 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.h3 Qc7 13.a4 Nd5 -/+
10.h4 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bb3 Qb6 13.g3 c5 -/+
10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Be3 Nb6 13.Bb3 Nbd5 =/+
10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qd3 Nbd7 12.Rae1 Qc7 13.h3 0-0-0 =/+
10.Kh1 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.h3 0-0 13.Be3 Nd5 =/+
9...Bd6
9...Be7 and now:

10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.g5 Nd5 -/+
10.g5 Nd5 and now:
11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qg4 Nd7 13.Rf2 Qc7 14.Nxd5 cxd5 =/+
11.Qf3 0-0 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Qg4 c5 14.Qe4 Nb6 =/+
11.h4 Nd7 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Qf3 f5 14.Qf2 N7b6 =/+
11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Bd3 0-0 13.Nxg6 fxg6 14.Rxf8+ Bxf8 =
9...h6 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.Bxe6 g5 12.Qd3 Nbd7 13.Qg6+ Ke7 14.Ne4 +-
9...Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 and now:

11.Qf3 Qb6 12.Be3 Qxb2 13.Bf2 Qxc2 14.Bg3 Qd2 15.Rad1 Qg5 16.Be2
Bb4 17.Rd3 Bxc3 18.Rxc3 Nb6 19.Rb3 0-0 -+
11.g5 and now:
11...Nd5 12.Qf3 f5 13.gxf6 gxf6 14.Re1 Kf7 15.Rxe6 N7b6 16.Bxd5 Nxd5
17.Nxd5 Kxe6 18.Nf4+ Kd7 19.Qg4+ f5 =
11...Nb6 12.Bb3 Nfd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qf3 Qd7 15.Bf4 Be7 16.Rf2 Rh5
=/+
11...Qc7 12.Bf4 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Rf2 Nd5 15.Ne4 Qe7 16.Qf3 0-0 =/+
9...b5 10.Bb3 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.g5 b4 13.gxf6 bxc3 =
9...Nfd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qf3 Qf6 12.Qe3 Qh4 13.Qf4 =
9...Bxc2 10.Nxf7 and now:

10...Bxd1 11.Nxd8 Bxg4 12.Nxe6 Bxe6 13.Bxe6 Nbd7 14.Bf4 =
10...Kxf7 11.Qxc2 Qxd4+ 12.Be3 Qxg4+ 13.Kh1 Qxc4 14.Rf4 =
10.Nxg6
10.Bf4 Bxe5 11.Bxe5 Nbd7 12.Bf4 0-0 13.g5 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 -/+
10...hxg6
11.g5
11.Rf2 Rh4 12.g5 Ng4! 13.Rg2 Nxh2 -+
11...Bxh2+
12.Kg2 Qc7
13.Qf3 Nd5
14.Bxd5 cxd5
15.Rh1 Rh5
16.Bd2 Nc6
17.Nb5 Qb6 -/+
4.4 – 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ng5 Bg6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 c6
7.0-0 e6
8.Ng5 Bg6
8...Nd5 9.Nxf7! Kxf7 10.g4 Qh4 11.gxf5 Bd6 12.fxe6+ +-
8...Be7 9.Rxf5! and now:

9...exf5 10.Nxf7 Qc7 11.Nxh8 +-
9...0-0 10.Rf1 h6 11.Nge4 Nbd7 12.Qd3 +-
8...Bg4 9.Nxf7! and now:

9...Kxf7 10.Qxg4 Qd7 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Rae1 Kf8 13.Bxe6+ +-
9...Qe7 10.Rxf6 Bxd1 11.Rxe6 Kxf7 12.Rxe7+ Kxe7 13.Bg5+ +/=
8...b5 9.Rxf5 bxc4 10.Rf1 Nbd7 11.Qe2 Be7 12.Qxc4 =
8...g6 9.Nxf7 Kxf7 10.g4 Nxg4 11.Qxg4 Ke8 12.Qe2 Qxd4+ 13.Kh1 Bg4
14.Qg2 h5 15.Rf4 =
8...Qa5 9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.Bd2 Bg4 11.Qe3 Qb4 12.Bd3 =
8...Bxc2 and now:

9.Nxf7 see 4.2 after 8.Ne5 Bxc2 9.Nxf7.
9.Qe2 Bg6 10.Bxe6 Be7 11.Rxf6 gxf6 12.Bxf7+ Bxf7 13.Nxf7 =
9.Ne2
9.Bxe6 fxe6 10.Nxe6 Qd7 11.Bg5 Qxe6 12.Bxf6 Kd7 -/+
9.Bf4 Bd6 10.Bd3 Bxf4 11.Rxf4 Nbd7 12.Bxg6 hxg6 =/+
9.Be3 Bd6 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.h3 Nb6 =/+
9...Bd6
9...Be7 10.Nf4 0-0 11.Ngxe6 fxe6 12.Nxe6 Qc8 13.Nxf8+ +/=
9...Nbd7 10.Nf4 Nb6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Nfxe6 Qd7 13.Qe2 =
9...Nd5 10.Bd3 Nf6 11.c3 Bd6 12.Nf4 Qe7 13.Bxg6 =
9...h6 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.Nf4 Bf7 12.Nxe6 Bxe6 13.Bxe6 =
9...c5 10.c3 Bd6 11.Qb3 h6 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.Bf4 Be7 =/+
10.Nf4
10.Bf4 0-0 11.Qd2 h6 13.Nf3 c5 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 -/+
10…Bxf4!
10...Qe7!? 11.Re1 Bxf4 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.Rxe6 Qxe6 14.Bxe6 =
10...Nbd7?! 11.Nfxe6 fxe6 12.Nxe6 Qb6 13.c3 Ne4 14.Bd3 +/-
11.Bxf4
11.Rxf4 h6 12.Nh3 Nbd7 13.Rf1 0-0 14.Nf4 Be4 15.Be3 Nb6 -/+
11...0-0
11...Nd5 12.Qd2 0-0 13.Bg3 Nf6 14.Bf4 Nbd7 15.c3 c5 =/+
12.Qd2
12.Nf3 Qb6 13.Ne5 Nbd7 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.Rf3 c5 =/+
12.a4 Nbd7 13.Ra3 Nb6 14.Ba2 Nbd5 =/+
12...Nbd7
13.Nf3
13.c3 c5 14.Rac1 cxd4 15.cxd4 Nb6 16.Bb3 Nbd5 -/+
13...Rc8
13...Nb6 14.Bd3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Qd5 16.Rad1 Nc4 =/+
14.Qe2 Nd5
15.Bd6 Re8
16.Bd3 N7f6
17.Bg3 Bxd3 =/+
4.5 – 6.Ne5
6.Ne5 c6
6...Nc6 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.Nxd7 Qxd7 9.d5 a6 10.dxc6 Qxd1+ 11.Kxd1 axb5
12.cxb7 Rb8 13.Nxb5 Rxb7 =
6...Nbd7 and now:

7.g4? Nxe5! 8.gxf5 Qxd4 9.Qxd4 Nf3+ 10.Kf2 Nxd4 -+
7.Qf3 and now:
7...Bxc2 8.Qxb7 Rb8 9.Qxa7 Ra8 10.Qb7 Rb8 11.Qf3 +/-
7...g6 8.Qxb7 Rb8 9.Qxa7 Ra8 10.Qb7 Rb8 11.Qc6 =
7...e6 8.Qxb7 Rb8 9.Qxa7 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.Bb5 =
6...h5 and now:

7.Bc4 e6 8.0-0 Bg4 9.Qd3 Nbd7 10.Nxf7! Kxf7 11.h3 +/=
7.Qf3 Qc8 8.Bc4 e6 9.Nxf7 9...Bg4 10.Qd3 Kxf7 11.h3 +/-
7.g4
7.Be2 Nbd7 8.g4 Be6 9.Nd3 and now:

9…Bc4 10.g5 Nd5 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.0-0 e6 =+
9…h6 10.Be3 Bc4 11.b3 Bd5 12.0-0 e6 13.Bf4 Be7 =/+
7.Bf4 e6 8.Be2 Bd6 9.0-0 Bc7 10.Rf2 Nbd7 11.g4 Bg6 =/+
7.Bg5 h6 8.Bc4 e6 9.g4 Bh7 10.Bh4 Bb4 11.Qd2 Nbd7=/+
7.Bc4 and now:

7...Bg6 8.Bf4 e6 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qd3 =
7...e6 and now:
8.0-0 transposes to Gunderam after 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5.
8.g4 and now:
8...Nfd7 9.gxf5 Qh4+ 10.Kf1 Nxe5 11.Be2 Qh3+ =/+
8...Bg6 and now:
9.h4 Nbd7 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.h5 Be4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 =/+
9.0-0 transposes to 6.Bc4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.Ne5 Bg6 9.g4.
9.g5 Nd5 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qf3 Be7 12.h4 Qb6 13.Qf2 Nxc3 =/+
7…Be6
7...Be4 and now:

8.Bc4 Bd5 9.Nxd5 Nxd5 10.Qf3 f6 11.Nd3 +/=
8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Bc4 Nd6 10.0-0 f6 11.Be6 +/=
7...Bg6 8.h4 Nbd7 9.Qe2! Nb6 10.h5 Bxc2 11.Qxc2 +/=
8.g5
8.Bg5 Nd5 9.Bd2 Nd7 10.Qe2 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Nxe5 =/+
8.Be2 g6 9.Bf4 Bg7 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.0-0-0 Nxe5 =/+
8.Bg2 Nbd7 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 10.g5 Nd5 11.Ne4 Bg4 12.Bf3 Bf5 =/+
8...Nd5
8...Nfd7 and now:

9.Nd3 g6 10.Be3 h6 11.Qe2 hxg5 12.Bxg5 Bg7 13.0-0-0 Nf6 =
9.Nf3 Na6 10.Bxa6 bxa6 11.Bf4 Qb6 12.Qd2 g6 13.0-0-0 Bg7 =
9.Ne4 Nd7
9...g6 10.Nc5 Bf5 11.Bd3 e6 12.Nxb7 Qc7 13.Bxf5 gxf5 =/+
10.Nd3
10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.Nc5 Qc8 12.c4 Nb6 13.b3 g6 14.Qe2 Bf5 =/+
10...Bf5
10...g6 11.c3 Bg7 12.Bg2 0-0 13.a4 a5 14.0-0 Qb6 -/+
11.Bg2 Qb6
12.c3 e6
13.0-0 Be7
14.Nf4 0-0 =/+
4.6 – 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 Ne4
6.Ne5 e6
7.g4
7.Qf3?! c6 8.Be3 Bxc2 9.Be2 Nbd7 -/+
7...Ne4?!
7...Bxc2? 8.Qxc2 Qxd4 9.Qe2 Bb4 10.Bd2 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.0-0-0 0-0
13.a3 +/-
7...Nxg4?! 8.Nxg4 Qh4+ 9.Nf2 Nc6 10.Bb5 Be7 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 12.Qf3 0-0
13.Nce4 +/=
7...Nfd7?! and now:

8.gxf5 Qh4+ 9.Ke2 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Qg4+ 11.Kd2 Qf4+ 12.Ke1 =
8.Be3 Bg6 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Qf3 Nc6 11.0-0-0 Nb6 12.Bb5 Bd6 13.Kb1 a6
14.Bxc6+ bxc6 15.Qxc6+ Qd7 16.Qf3 +/=
8.gxf5!
8.Bb5+ c6 9.0-0 and now:

9...cxb5? 10.gxf5 Nf6 11.Bg5 Nbd7 12.Qe2 Qb6 13.fxe6 fxe6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6
15.Rxf6 gxf6 16.Qh5+ Kd8 17.Nf7+ +/-
9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bg6 11.Bd3 Bd6 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.Nxf7 Bxh2+ 14.Kg2
Qd5+ 15.Rf3 Rf8 16.Ng5 Bf4 17.Nh7 Rf7 18.c4 =
9...Bxg4 10.Nxg4 Nxc3 11.Qf3 f5 12.bxc3 cxb5 13.Re1 Be7 14.Qxb7 Nd7
15.Rxe6 0-0 16.Ne3 Rf7 17.Qxb5 Bg5 18.Qd5 =
9…Bd6 10.gxf5 Bxe5 11.fxe6 Qxd4+ 12.Qxd4 Bxd4+ 13.Kg2 fxe6 14.Nxe4
cxb5 15.Nd6+ Kd7 16.Nxb5 Bf6 17.Rd1+ =
8...Qh4+
9.Ke2 Qf2+
9...Nc6! 10.Nxc6 Nxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qe4+ 12.Kf2 Qxh1 13.Na5 Qd5 14.Nc4
Qxf5+ 15.Kg1 Bd6 16.Rb1 0-0 17.Bd3 Qd5 18.Qe2 +/=
9...f6 10.Nf3 Qf2+ 11.Kd3 Nc5+ 12.dxc5 Na6 13.Nb5 0-0-0+ 14.Nbd4 e5
15.c3 exd4 16.cxd4 Bxc5 17.Qe2 Bxd4 18.Qxf2 +/-
9...Nd7 10.Nxd7 Nxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qe4+ 12.Kf2 Qxh1 13.Nxf8 Qxh2+ 14.Bg2
exf5 15.Ba3 Qf4+ 16.Qf3 Qxf3+ 17.Bxf3 +/-
9...exf5 10.Qd3 Qh5+ 11.Nf3 Nc6 12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.Qxe4+ Be7 14.c3 0-0-0
15.Kd2 f5 16.Qd3 Kb8 17.Be2 Rhe8 18.Kc2 +-
10.Kd3 Nc5+
11.Kc4 a6
11...Qxf5 12.Qf3 Qxf3 13.Nxf3 Ncd7 14.Nb5 Na6 15.Bf4 c5 16.dxc5 Bxc5
17.a3 Nb6+ 18.Kb3 0-0 19.Ka2 +-
11...c6 12.a4 Qxf5 13.Be2 Nbd7 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 15.Kb3 Qa5 16.Rf1 Nf6
17.Ka2 0-0-0 18.Qd3 Bb4 19.Kb1 +-
11...Nbd7 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.fxe6 fxe6 14.Qe2 Qf5 15.Qe4 0-0-0 16.Bg2
Nb6+ 17.Kb3 Qxe4 18.Nxe4 Rxd4 19.a3 +-
12.a4 b5+
12...Qxf5 13.Bg2 Nbd7 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 15.Kb3 Nf6 16.Ka2 0-0-0 17.Rf1
Qa5 18.Kb1 c6 19.Qd3 +-
13.Kb4
13.axb5 axb5+ 14.Nxb5 Rxa1 15.Nxc7+ Kd8 16.Nb5 Kc8! 17.Qe2 Qxe2+
18.Bxe2 Nbd7 19.Nxd7 Nxd7 20.fxe6 =
13...bxa4
14.Ka3 Qxd4
15.Qxd4 Nb3+
16.Ka2 Nxd4
17.fxe6 fxe6
18.Bg2 Ra7
19.Be3 c5
20.Kb1 +-
4.7 – 6. Ne5 e6 7.g4 Be4
6.Ne5 e6
7.g4 Be4
8.Nxe4
8.Rg1? Bb4 9.g5 Nd5 10.Bd2 Bxc3 11.bxc3 0-0 -/+
8...Nxe4
9.Qf3 Qxd4
9...f6 10.Qxe4 fxe5 11.Qxe5 Qd6 12.Qe4 Nc6 13.Be3 Be7 14.c3 0-0-0 15.0-
0-0 +/=
9...Nd6 10.Bf4 Be7 11.0-0-0 Bg5 12.Bxg5 Qxg5+ 13.Kb1 0-0 14.Bd3 Nc6
15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Qxc6 =
9...Qh4+ 10.Kd1 and now:

10...Nd6 11.c3 Qf6 12.Qg2 Qe7 13.Kc2 Nd7 14.Bf4 0-0-0 =
10...Nf2+ and now:
11.Kd2 f6 12.Nd3 Nxh1 13.Qxb7 Qxh2+ 14.Kc3 Bd6 =/+
11.Ke2! Nxh1 12.Qxf7+ Kd8 13.Bg2 and now:
13...Bd6 14.Qxg7 Qf2+ 15.Kd3 Bxe5 16.Qxe5 Qxg2 17.Qxh8+ Kd7
18.Qxh7+ Kc6 19.Qe4+ Qxe4+ 20.Kxe4 Nf2+ 21.Kf3 +/-
13…Be7 14.Qxg7 and now:
14...Rf8? 15.Qxf8+! Bxf8 16.Bg5+ Qxg5 17.Nf7+ Ke7 18.Nxg5 +-
14...Re8 15.Bxb7 Qxh2+ 16.Kd3 Nf2+ 17.Kc3 Qh3+ 18.Nd3 =
14…Qf2+ 15.Kd3 Re8 16.Bxb7 Qf1+ 17.Kc3 Qe1+ 18.Bd2 =
10.Qxf7+ Kd8
11.Qf4 Bb4+
11...Bd6 12.Nf7+ and now:

12...Ke7 13.Nxd6 cxd6 14.Bd3 d5 15.Be3 Qb4+ 16.c3 Qd6 17.Bxe4 Qxf4
18.Bxf4 dxe4 19.0-0-0 Nd7 20.Rhe1 +/=
12...Ke8 13.Nxd6+ cxd6 14.Bg2 d5 15.c3 Qf6 16.0-0 Qxf4 17.Bxf4 Rf8
18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.Rae1 +/=
11...g5 12.c3 and now:

12...Qd5 13.Nf7+ Kc8 14.Qf3 Rg8 15.Bg2 Nc5 16.Qxd5 exd5 17.Bxd5 Rg7
18.Rf1 Nbd7 19.Bxg5 c6 20.Bc4 +-
12...Bb4 and now:
13.Nf7+ Ke8 14.Qe3 Bxc3+ 15.bxc3 Qxe3+ 16.Bxe3 Kxf7 17.Rb1 Nd6
18.c4 b6 19.c5 bxc5 20.Bg2 Nd7 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 =
13.Qe3 and now:
13...Qxe3+ 14.Bxe3 Nxc3 15.Bd2 Nd5 16.Nf7+ Ke7 17.Nxh8 Bxd2+
18.Kxd2 Nc6 19.h4 gxh4 20.Rxh4 Rxh8 21.Be2 +/=
13...Qxe5 14.Bg2!? and now:
14...Be7 15.Bxe4 Nd7 16.Bd2 c6 17.0-0-0 Kc7 18.Rhe1 Bd6 19.Kb1 +/=
14...Bd6 15.Qxe4 and now:
15...Qxe4+ 16.Bxe4 Kc8 17.Bxg5 Rg8 18.h4 h6 19.Bxh6 +/-
15...Nc6 16.Qxe5 Nxe5 17.Bxg5+ Kd7 18.h3 Nd3+ 19.Kd2 +/=
12.c3 Nd7
12...Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Qxc3+ 14.Kd1 and now:

14...Qxa1 15.Qxe4 Nd7 16.Nf7+ Ke7 17.Bc4 Nc5 18.Qf4 +-
14...Qd4+ 15.Bd3 Nf2+ 16.Ke2 Qxa1 17.Kxf2 Nc6 18.Nf7+ +-
14…Kc8 15.Qxe4 Rd8+ 16.Nd3 Qxa1 17.Qxe6+ Nd7 18.Kc2 +/=
13.Nxd7 Bxc3+
14.bxc3 Qxc3+
15.Ke2
15.Kd1 Qd4+ 16.Kc2 Qc3+ 17.Kb1 Qb4+ 18.Kc2 =
15...Qxa1
16.Ne5 Qxa2+
17.Kf3 Nd6
18.Qg5+ Ke8
19.Qxg7 Rf8+
20.Kg3 Qf2+
21.Kh3 Rf3+
22.Nxf3 Qxf3+
23.Kh4 Qxh1
24.Qg8+ Ke7 =
4.8 – 6. Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg2
6.Ne5 e6
7.g4 Bg6
8.Bg2
8.h4 Bb4 9.Bg2 Be4 10.0-0 Bxg2 11.Kxg2 0-0 12.g5 Nd5 =/+
8...c6
8...Nbd7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Bxd5 =
8...Nd5 9.h4 and now:

9...f6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Qd3 Qe7+ 13.Kf2 +-
9...Bb4 10.Bd2 Bxc3 11.bxc3 f6 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.c4 +/=
8...Bb4 9.Bxb7 Be4 10.Nxf7 Kxf7 11.Bxe4 Nxe4 12.Qf3+ Nf6 13.Qxa8
Qxd4 14.Qf3 Qxg4 15.Qxg4 Nxg4 16.0-0+ +/-
9.h4
9.Bg5 Bb4 10.h4 transposes to 9.h4 Bb4 10.Bg5 below.
9...Bb4
9...h5 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.g5 and now:

11...Ng8 12.Qe2 Ne7 13.Qxe6 Qd7 14.Qe4 Qf5 15.Qe3 +-
11...Nd5 12.Qe2 Qe7 13.Qd3 Na6 14.Qxg6+ Qf7 15.Qxf7+ +/-
9...h6 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.Qd3 and now:

11...Qc7 12.Qxg6+ Qf7 13.Qxf7+ Kxf7 14.0-0 Ke8 15.Bd2 +/-
11...Na6 12.Rf1 g5 13.hxg5 hxg5 14.Bxg5 Qd7 15.Ne4 +/-
9...Bxc2 10.Qxc2 Qxd4 11.Qe2 Bd6 12.Nc4 Bg3+ 13.Kf1 0-0 14.Ne4 Nxe4
15.Bxe4 f5 16.Kg2 +/=
10.0-0
10.h5 Be4 11.Bxe4 Nxe4 12.Qd3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Bd6 14.h6 Bxe5 15.dxe5
Qxd3 16.cxd3 g6 17.Rb1 b6 18.Bg5 Nd7 =/+
10.Bg5 h6 11.Nxg6 fxg6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qd3 Bxc3+ =/+
10...Nbd7
10...Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.Qe2 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nd5 14.h5 +/-
10...0-0 11.Rf2 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Ne4 13.Rf3 f5 14.Ba3 c5 =
10...Bxc2 and now:

11.Nxf7!? Bxd1 12.Nxd8 Kxd8 13.Rxd1 Nxg4 14.Bh3 =
11.Qd2 0-0 12.Rf4 Ba4 13.Qe3 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Nbd7 15.Ba3 =
11.Qe2
11.Nxg6!? hxg6 12.g5 and now:

12...Ng8 13.Ne4 Rxh4 14.c3 Be7 15.Qe1 =
12...Rxh4 13.gxf6 Nxf6 14.Rf4 Rh5 15.Ne4 Bd6 16.Nxd6+ =
12...Nd5 13.Qf3 f5 14.gxf6 gxf6 15.Qg3 Nf8 16.Nxd5 cxd5 =
12…Nh5! 13.Ne4 Qc7 14.c3 Bd6 15.Nxd6+ Qxd6 =/+
11...Nxe5
11...0-0 12.h5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 and now:

13...Bc5+ 14.Kh1 Nxh5 15.Qe1 Qd4 16.gxh5 Qg4 17.Rf4 =
13...Bxc2 14.exf6 Bc5+ 15.Rf2 Bd3 16.Qf3 Bxf2+ 17.Qxf2 =
12.dxe5 Bc5+
12...Qd4+ 13.Kh1 Qxg4! 14.Rf4 Qxe2 15.Nxe2 Be7 16.exf6 =
13.Kh2! Nd5
13...Ne4? 14.Bxe4! Qxh4+ 15.Kg2 0-0-0 16.Bf4 Rd4 17.Bg3 +-
13...Nd7 14.h5 Nxe5 15.Bf4 Nd3 16.Bg3 Bd6 17.Bxd6 =
13...Qc7 14.Bf4 Nd5 15.Bxd5 cxd5 16.h5 Be4 17.Nxe4 =
14.h5 Qh4+
15.Bh3 f5
16.Nxd5 exd5
17.Rf4 fxg4 =
4.9 – 6. Ne5 e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Qf3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6
7.g4 Bg6
8.Qf3 c6
8...Qxd4 and now:

9.Bb5+ Nbd7 10.Nxd7 Nxd7 11.Be3 Qe5 12.0-0-0 0-0-0 13.h4 =
9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Qxb7 Bc5 11.Qxa8! Qf2+ 12.Kd1 0-0 13.Bd2 =
8...Nd5 and now:

9.Bb5+ c6 10.Rf1 f6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bd3 Kf7 13.Bd2 =
9.h4 Nd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Be3 Rxh4 13.Bh3 =
8...Bb4 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Qxb7 Nd5 11.Qxa8 Qh4+ 12.Kd1 =
8...Nbd7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Bf4 =
8...Nfd7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Qxb7 Qh4+ 11.Kd2 Nb6 12.Nb5 =
8...Bd6 9.Qxb7 Nbd7 10.Nc6 Qc8 11.Ba6 Qxb7 12.Bxb7 +/=
8...Nc6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qxc6+ Nd7 11.Bg5 and now:

11...Be7 12.Bxe7 Kxe7 13.0-0-0 Nf6 14.Bg2 +/-
11...Qxg5 12.Qxa8+ Ke7 13.Rg1 Qe3+ 14.Ne2 +/-
9.g5 Nd5
9...Bh5 10.Qf4 and now:

10...Nfd7 11.Be2 Nxe5 12.Bxh5 Ng6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Rf1 =
10...Nd5 11.Qh4 g6 12.Qf2 f5 13.gxf6 Qxf6 14.Qxf6 Nxf6 =
9...Nh5 and now:

10.Bd3 Qxd4 11.Bxg6 Qxe5+ 12.Be4 Bb4 13.0-0 f5 14.Qxh5+ =
10.Be3 Bb4 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.a3 Bxc3+ 14.bxc3 =
9...Nd5 10.Bd3 Qc7 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.Rf1 Bb4 13.a3 =
9...Nfd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bf4 Nb6 12.0-0-0 Nd5 13.Ne4 =
9...Ng8 10.Bf4 Ne7 11.0-0-0 Nd7 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Kb1 =
9...Qxd4 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.gxf6 Qh4+ 12.Qf2 Qxf2+ 13.Kxf2 =
9...Bxc2 10.gxf6 gxf6 11.Nc4 Rg8 12.Qf2 Bg6 13.Bf4 +/-
10.Bd3 Qc7
10...Nd7 and now:

11.0-0 Nxe5! 12.dxe5 Bc5+ 13.Kg2 0-0 14.Nxd5 cxd5 -+
11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.0-0 and now:
12...Qe7 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Rf2 Rh5 15.Qf4 Rc8 16.Be3 +/=
12...f5 13.gxf6 N7xf6 14.Qg2 Qa5 15.Qxg6+ Kd7 16.Ne4 +/=
10...Qe7 and now:

11.0-0 Nd7! 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Bd2 f5 15.gxf6 =
11.Nxd5 cxd5! 12.Bb5+ Kd8 13.0-0 a6 14.Bd3 Nc6 15.Nxf7+ +/=
11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.0-0 Nd7 13.Nxf7 Rh4 14.Ne4 Rxe4 15.Qxe4 +-
11.Bxg6
11.Nxd5 and now:

11...exd5 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.Rf1 Bd6 14.Qxf7+ Qxf7 15.Nxf7 +/=
11...cxd5 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.Rf1 Rh4 14.c3 Re4+ 15.Kd1 Nc6 =
11...hxg6
12.Rf1
12.0-0 Bd6! and now:

13.Qxf7+ Qxf7 14.Nxf7 Bxh2+ 15.Kg2 Rh4! =+
13.Bf4 Nxf4 14.Qxf4 0-0 15.Ne4 Bxe5 16.dxe5 Nd7 17.Rae1 =
12...Bb4
13.Bd2 0-0
14.Nxd5 Bxd2+
15.Kxd2 cxd5
16.Nxg6 Nc6
17.Nxf8 Nxd4 =
Summary
Gunderam Variation 5.Nxf3 Bf5 is related to the Ziegler Variation 5.Nxf3 c6
with 6.Bc4 Bf5. These transpose to the same position after 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Bc4
c6. They are covered in this chapter. This Ziegler / Gunderam combination is
not popular in practice. If you reach the 4.f3 position as White then Black
plays 4…exf3 5.Nxf3 c6 6.Bc4 Bf5 about 3% of the time. White scored 45%
in my database. White can avoid this with 6.Bd3 (see section 1.8).
In theory this line is good for Black. I tried the Black side in more than 150
games. My personal experience with 5…c6 is that it is easy to screw up and
go from solid to passive to totally lost. My performance rating as Black with
5...c6 is far below other moves.
Gunderam Variation 5…Bf5 has been popular among BDGers. Historically it

leads to sharper play than 5...c6. Tactics abound. In my database White
scored 55%. It rises to 57% after 6.Ne5.
There is a tricky unnatural bishop retreat line that looks slightly better for
Black covered in 4.5. The line is 5.Nxf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 c6 7.g4 Be6. I’ve played
this only once from each side of the board in the last 30 years out of
thousands of BDG games. Black rarely thinks of it. If he does, Black rarely
chooses it. I avoid it as Black. White has several ways to attack with options
on moves 7 and 8.
Black prefers instead to have a pawn on e6. That pawn protects 5...Bf5. Most
games continue 6.Ne5 e6 7.g4 when White is equal or better in theory. Now
there are three basic choices for Black.
First, Black can try the very wild 7…Ne4. This threatens a check by 8…
Qh4+, but of course White will take the bishop by 8.gxf5. Analysis shows
that White can survive Black’s attack and win.
Second, Black may select the also wild 7...Be4. After 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qf3
both kings will be under assault. The most critical lines lead to draws if both
sides survive the tactical threats.
Third, Black can select the solid retreat 7...Bg6. Black’s material advantage
may consist of an extra doubled g-pawn. White has a choice of 8.Bg2 (4.8) or
8.Qf3 (4.9). Both are good. In theory the lines lead to equal play. In practice
White scores 59% either way.
5.0 – 6.Bc4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4
6.Bc4
6.Bb5+ c6 7.Be2 e6 8.0-0 Be7 =/+
6.Qd3 e6 7.Qb5+ Nbd7 8.Ne5 Bd6 9.Nxg4 Nxg4 10.Ne4 0-0 =/+
6.Bf4 e6 7.h3 Bh5 8.d5!? Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Qe2+ Be7 =/+
6.Be2 e6 7.h3 Bh5 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Be3 Bd6 =/+
6.Bd3 Nc6 7.h3 and now:

7...Bxf3 8.Qxf3 e6 9.Be3 Be7 10.0-0-0 0-0 =
7...Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Bb5 e6 10.Ne5 Bb4 11.g5 Bxc3+ =/+
6.Be3!? and now:

6...Nc6 7.h3 Bf5 8.Bb5 e6 9.0-0 Bb4 10.Nh4 Bg6 11.Nxg6 =
6…e6 7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Bg2 Bb4 10.0-0 0-0 11.Ne5 =
6.Bg5!? and now:

6...h6 7.Bh4 c6 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.0-0-0 e6 10.Kb1 =
6...e6 7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ne5 Be7 10.Bg2 c6 11.h4 Nd5 =
6…c6 7.Bd3 e6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Qxd4 10.0-0-0 Qe5 11.Bf4 =
6...e6
7.0-0
7.h3 and now:

8...c6 9.Be3 Nbd7 10.0-0 Be7 11.Bd3 0-0 12.Qg3 =
8...Nc6 9.Bb5 Qd7 10.Bf4 0-0-0 11.0-0-0 =
7…Bh5 8.0-0 and now:
8...Bd6 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Qe1 Be7 11.Rd1 Nbd7 =/+
8...Be7 9.d5 exd5 10.Nxd5 0-0 11.g4 Bc5+ 12.Be3 Bxe3+ 13.Nxe3 Bg6 =/+
7...c6
7...Nc6 8.Bb5 Be7 9.Qd3 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 0-0 =/+
7…Bb4 8.a3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 0-0 10.Rb1 b6 11.Bg5 =
8.h3 Bh5
8...Bxf3 9.Rxf3 and now:

9...Bd6 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Qe2 0-0 12.Rd1 Be7 =/+
9...Nbd7 10.Bf4 Nb6 11.Bb3 a5 12.a4 Bd6 =/+
9.g4 Bg6
10.Ne5 Nbd7
10...Bd6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qf3 0-0 =/+
10...Be7 11.h4 Bxc2 12.Qd2 b5 13.Nxb5 cxb5 14.Bxb5+ =
10...Bxc2 11.Nxf7 Kxf7 12.Qxc2 Qxd4+ 13.Be3 Qxe3+ 14.Kg2 =
11.Nxg6 hxg6
12.g5
12.Kg2 Bd6 13.Bb3 0-0 14.Qd3 Rc8 15.Bg5 c5 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 =/+
12...Nb6
12...Qc7 13.Qf3 Nb6 14.Bf4 Qd7 15.Bd3 Nfd5 16.Nxd5 Qxd5 =
12...Nd5 13.Qf3 f5 14.gxf6 gxf6 15.Re1 Kf7 16.Rxe6 N7b6 =

13.Bd3
13.Bb3 Nfd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Qg4 Bd6 16.Bd2 0-0 =/+
13...Nfd5!
14.Qf3 Qd7
15.Nxd5 exd5
16.Bf4 0-0-0 =/+
5.1 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 c6
6.h3 Bh5
6...Bd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.0-0 Bc6 9.Ne5 Bd6 10.Nxf7 Kxf7 11.d5 =
6...Be6 7.Be3 g6 8.Ng5 Bd5 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.c4 Qd6 11.Qb3 =
6...Bf5 7.g4 Be6 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Bd3 Qd6 10.Ne2 c5 11.dxc5 =
7.g4 Bg6
7...Nxg4? 8.hxg4 Bxg4 9.Qe2! Nc6 10.Be3 Nb4 11.0-0-0 +-
8.Ne5 c6
8...Nd5 9.Bg2 e6 transposes to 5.3 Teichmann 8...e6 9.Bg2 Nd5.
8...h6 9.Qf3 c6 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.Bd2 Qd7 12.Bd3 +-
8...Be4 9.Rh2! Nbd7 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.g5 0-0-0 12.gxf6 +-
8...Ne4 9.Qf3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 c6 11.Rb1 Qc7 12.Bf4 +-
8...Nfd7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Bg5 Nf6 11.Qf3 c6 12.0-0-0 +/=
8...Nc6 9.Bb5 Nd7 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.d5 a6 12.Ba4 +/=
8...Qd6 9.Bg2 c6 10.Bf4 Qb4 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qd3 +/=
9.h4
9.Bg2 e6 transposes to 5.3 after 8...e6 9.Bg2 c6.

9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Bg2 e6 transposes to 5.3.
9.Qf3 Qxd4 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Be3 Qd6 12.Bd3 Nbd7 =/+
9.Bc4 e6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Bb3 Nbd7 12.g5 Bh5 13.Qe1 Nd5 =/+
9.g5 Nd5 10.Qf3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Nd7 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Bc4 =
9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bg2 e6 12.Qd3 Bb4 13.a3 =
9.Be3 e6 10.Qf3 Bb4 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bd3 Nbd7 13.0-0 =
9...e6
9...h6 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.g5 hxg5 12.Bxg5 e6 13.Bd3 +-
9...h5 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.Qd3 Qd6 12.gxh5 gxh5 13.Bg5 +/-
9...Be4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qf3 Nd6 12.Bd2 e6 13.0-0-0 +/-
9...Ne4 10.h5! Nxc3 11.hxg6! Qd5 12.gxf7+ Kd8 13.Qf3 +-
9...Nbd7 10.Qe2 Nb6 11.h5 Bxc2 12.Rh4 Qxd4 13.Nf3 +/=
10.h5 Be4
10...Bxc2 11.Qxc2 Qxd4 12.Nc4 Nbd7 13.g5 Nd5 14.Qe4 +/=
11.Nxe4 Nxe4
12.Qd3
12.Qf3 Nf6 13.Be3 Qd5 14.Qh3 Nbd7 15.Bg2 Qa5+ 16.Bd2 =
12...Nf6
13.g5 Qd5
13...Nfd7 14.Nf3 Nb6 15.Rh3 Qc7 16.Bd2 N8d7 17.0-0-0 +/=
14.Rg1 Nfd7
15.Ng4 Na6
16.a3 Qf5
17.Qc3 Nc7
18.Qg3 =
5.2 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nbd7
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5
7.g4 Bg6
8.Ne5 Nbd7
9.Qf3
9.Bf4 and now:

9...Nxe5 10.dxe5 Ne4 11.Qf3 Nxc3 12.Qxb7 Rb8 13.Qc6+ =
9...e6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qf3 Bb4 12.0-0-0 Bxc3 13.Qxc3 Nd5 =/+
9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.g5 Nh5 11.Qg4 e5 12.Bd2 exd4 13.0-0-0 =
9.Qe2 and now:

9...Nxe5 10.dxe5 Nd5 11.Qb5+ c6 12.Qxb7 Rc8 13.Nxd5 +/=
9...e6 10.h4 Bb4 11.Rh3 c5 12.h5 Bxc2 13.Nxd7 Nxd7 14.Qxc2=
9...c6
9...e6 transposes to 5.4 after 8...e6 9.Qf3 Nbd7.
9...Nxe5 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.e6 fxe6 12.Qxb7 Rb8 13.Qxa7 +/-
10.Nxg6
10.g5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Qxd5 cxd5 =/+
10.Bc4 e6 (10...Qb6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bb3 Qxd4 13.Be3 Qd6 14.Bf4 e5=/+)
11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Rf1 Nb6 13.Bd3 Qxd4 14.g5 Qh4+ 15.Ke2 Be7=/+
10.h4! and now:

10...Bxc2 11.Rh2 h5 12.g5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Bf5 14.Rd2 +/-
10...e6 11.h5 Bxc2 12.Rh2 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nxg4 14.Qxg4 +/-
10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd5 12.h5 Bxc2 13.e6 f5 14.Rh2 +/=
10...Nb6! 11.h5 Bxc2 12.Qf2 e6 13.g5 Bf5 14.gxf6 +/=
10...hxg6
11.g5
11.Bg2 e6 see 5.4 8...e6 9.Qf3 Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bg2 c6.
11.Bc4 e6 12.Rf1 Nb6 13.Bd3 Qd7 14.Bd2 Bb4 15.0-0-0 =
11.Bd3 e5 12.Be3 Bb4 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rad1 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Qa5 =/+
11...Nh5
11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qxd5 and now:

13...Qc7 14.Bg2 Rc8 15.0-0 e6 16.Qf3 Nb6 17.Bf4 Qc6 18.Rf2 +/=
13...e6 14.Qxb7 Rb8 15.Qf3 Bd6 16.c3 Qc7 17.Bg2 Nb6 18.0-0 +/=
11...Nh7 12.h4! e5 13.d5 Qb6 14.Bg2 Bb4 15.Be3 Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 c5 17.d6
f5 18.Qd5 +/=
12.Bc4 e6
12...f5 13.gxf6 and now:

13...gxf6 14.Bd3 f5 15.Qg2 Qb6 16.Qxg6+ Kd8 17.Ne2 +/=
13...exf6 14.Bd2 Qe7+ 15.Ne2 0-0-0 16.0-0-0 Nb6 17.Bd3 +/=
13.Rf1
13.0-0 Qe7 and now:

14.Kg2 Nb6 15.Bd3 Qc7 16.Ne2 Nc8 17.Nf4 Nxf4+ 18.Bxf4 =
14.Ne4 f5 15.gxf6 gxf6 16.Qg4 0-0-0 17.Qxe6 =
13...Qe7
14.Bd2
14.Be3 f5 15.gxf6 gxf6 16.0-0-0 0-0-0 17.Kb1 Nb6 18.Bb3 =
14...Nb6
14...f5 15.gxf6 gxf6 16.0-0-0 0-0-0 17.Qg4 f5 18.Qxg6 =
15.Bb3 Qc7
16.0-0-0 Bb4
17.Kb1 Bxc3
18.Qxc3 0-0-0
19.Rf3 =
5.3 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Bg2
7.g4 Bg6
8.Ne5 e6
9.Bg2
9.Bc4 Bb4 10.Bg5 Nc6 11.Bb5 0-0 12.Nxc6 bxc6 =/+
9.h4 Bb4 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qd5 12.Rh3 Nbd7 =/+
9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Bg2 Nc6 11.Be3 Qd7 12.a3 0-0-0 =/+
9...c6
9...Nd5 10.h4 Bb4 11.Bd2 Bxc3 12.bxc3 f6 13.Nxg6 +/=
9...Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bxc6+ Nd7 12.h4 h5 13.Bg5 +/-
10.h4
10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.g5 Nd5 12.Ne4 Ne7 13.c3 Nf5 14.Bf4 Nd7 -/+
10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Qe2 Bb4 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.0-0 0-0 =/+
10.0-0!? Bd6 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.h4 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Bc5+ 14.Kh2 =
10...Bb4
10...h5 11.Nxg6 fxg6 12.g5 Nd5 13.Qe2 Qe7 14.Qd3 +/-
10...h6 11.Nxg6 fxg6 12.Qd3 Qc7 13.Qxg6+ Qf7 14.Qxf7+ +/-
10...Bxc2 11.Qxc2 Qxd4 12.Qe2 Bd6 13.Nc4 Bg3+ 14.Kf1 +/=

11.0-0
11.h5 Be4 12.Bxe4 Nxe4 13.Qd3 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Bd6 =/+
11.Bg5 h6 12.Nxg6 fxg6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Qd3 Bxc3+ =/+
11...Nbd7
11...Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nbd7 13.Qe2 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd5 15.h5 +/-
11...0-0 12.Rf2 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Ne4 14.Rf3 f5 15.Ba3 =
11...Bxc2 and now:

12.Nxf7!? 12...Bxd1 13.Nxd8 Kxd8 14.Rxd1 Nxg4 15.Bh3 =
12.Qd2 0-0 13.Rf4 Ba4 14.Qe3 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Nbd7 16.Ba3 =
12.Qe2!
12.Nxg6!? hxg6 13.g5 Nh5! 14.Ne4 Qc7 15.c3 Bd6 =/+
12...Nxe5
12...0-0 13.h5!? Nxe5 14.dxe5 Bc5+ 15.Kh1 Nxh5 16.Qe1 =
13.dxe5 Bc5+
13...Qd4+ 14.Kh1 Qxg4! 15.Rf4 Qxe2 16.Nxe2 Be7 17.exf6 =
14.Kh2! Nd5
14...Ne4? 15.Bxe4! Qxh4+ 16.Kg2 0-0-0 17.Bf4 Rd4 18.Bg3 +-
14...Nd7 15.h5 Nxe5 16.Bf4 Nd3 17.Bg3 Bd6 18.Bxd6 =
14...Qc7 15.Bf4 Nd5 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.h5 Be4 18.Nxe4 =

15.h5 Qh4+
16.Bh3 f5
16...Nxc3 17.bxc3 0-0-0 18.Bf4 18...Bb6 19.Rad1 +/=
17.Nxd5 exd5
18.Rf4 fxg4
19.Qxg4 =
5.4 – 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 e6 9.Qf3
7.g4 Bg6
8.Ne5 e6
9.Qf3 c6
9...Nd5 and now:

10.Bb5+ c6 11.Rf1! Qh4+ 12.Kd1 Qf6 13.Qg2 =
10.Bc4 Nxc3 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.bxc3 Bd6 13.0-0 0-0 14.Qxb7 =
9...Nbd7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bg2 c6 12.Rf1

12...Qe7 13.Bg5 Nb6 14.0-0-0 Nc4 15.a3 +/=
12...e5 13.g5 exd4 14.gxf6 gxf6 15.Qe2+ Ne5 16.Ne4 =
9...Bb4 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qxb7 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Nbd7 13.Bg2 Nd5 14.0-0 0-0
15.Bxd5 Rb8 16.Qc6 Rb6 17.Qc4 =
9...Qxd4 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qxb7 Bb4 12.Bd2! Bxc3 13.bxc3!? Qe4+

14.Qxe4 Nxe4 15.Bg2 f5 16.0-0-0 Nd7 17.Bxe4 =
10.g5 Nh5
10...Nd5 11.Bd3 and now:

11...Qe7 12.Bxg6 and now:
12...hxg6 13.0-0 Rh4 14.Ne4 Nd7 15.Nxf7 Rxe4 16.Qxe4 +-
12...fxg6 13.Rf1 Nd7 14.Nf7 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Rg8 16.Rb1 +-
11...f5 12.gxf6 Qxf6 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Bb5+ Nc6 15.Qxf6 +/=
11...Qc7 12.Bxg6 and now:
12...hxg6 13.0-0 Bd6 14.Qxf7+ Qxf7 15.Nxf7 Bh2+ 16.Kxh2 +-
12…fxg6 13.Qg4 Nxc3 14.Qxe6+ Be7 15.bxc3 Nd7 16.Qf7+ +/=
11…Nd7 12.Nxg6 and now:
12...fxg6 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.0-0 Qe7 15.Bd2 0-0-0 16.Qg4 +/-
12…hxg6 13.0-0 Qe7 14.Nxd5 and now:
14...exd5 15.Bd2 0-0-0 16.Rae1 Qd6 17.Kg2 f6 18.Bf4 +-
14…cxd5 15.Rf2 and now:
15...0-0-0 16.Qxf7 Rxh3 17.Qxg6 Rh4 18.Bf4 e5 19.dxe5 +/=
15...f5 16.gxf6 gxf6 17.Bxg6+ Kd8 18.Re2 Qg7 19.Rg2 +/=
10...Bh5 11.Qf2 and now:

11...Nd5 12.Be2 Bg6 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.0-0 +/-
11...Nfd7 12.Be2 Nxe5 13.Bxh5 Ng6 14.Rf1 Qd7 15.Ne4 +/-
10...Nfd7 11.Nxg6 and now:

11...fxg6 12.Bc4 Bb4 13.Bd2 Rf8 14.Qg4 Na6 15.0-0-0 Nc7 16.Bxe6 +-
11...hxg6 and now:
12.Bd3 Be7 13.Rf1 0-0 14.h4 =
12.Bf4 and now:
12...Be7 13.h4 Nb6 14.0-0-0 Nd5 15.Ne4 Nxf4 16.Qxf4 +/=
12...Nb6 13.0-0-0 Nd5 14.Ne4 Nxf4 15.Qxf4 Nd7 16.Be2 =
10...Qxd4?! 11.Nxg6 and now:

11...fxg6 12.gxf6
12...Qxf6 13.Qg3 Be7 14.Bf4 0-0 15.Be5 Qg5 16.Qxg5 +-
12...Qh4+ 13.Qf2 Qxf2+ 14.Kxf2 gxf6 15.Bc4 e5 16.Ne4 +/-
11…hxg6 12.gxf6 and now:
12...gxf6 13.Be3 Qh4+ 14.Bf2 Qh6 15.Rd1 +/-
12...Qh4+ 13.Qf2 Qxf2+ 14.Kxf2 gxf6 15.Be3 f5 16.Kg2 +/=
11.Bd3
11.Be3 Bb4 and now:

12.0-0-0 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Nd7 14.Nxg6 hxg6 =/+
12.Bd3 Qd5 13.0-0 Qxf3 14.Rxf3 Bxd3 15.Nxd3 Bxc3 =/+
11...Qxd4
12.Nxg6 fxg6
12...hxg6 13.Rf1 and now:

13…Qe5+ 14.Ne2 Qc7 15.Be3 Bb4+ 16.c3 Bd6 17.Bxg6 +/-
13…Qh4+ 14.Kd1 f5 15.gxf6 Nxf6 16.Bxg6+ Kd8 17.Ne4 =
13.Qg4
13.Be3 Qh4+ 14.Kd2 Ng3 15.Rhg1 Bd6 16.Rae1 Rf8 -/+
13...Bc5
14.Bd2 Qf2+
15.Kd1 Nd7
16.Rf1 Qd4
17.Qxe6+ Kd8
18.Ne2 Qd6
19.Nf4 Nxf4 =/+
5.5 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Qf2
6.h3 Bxf3
7.Qxf3 c6
7...Qxd4? 8.Qxb7 Qe5+ 9.Be2 e6 10.Qxa8+-
7...e6 8.Qxb7 Nbd7 and now:

9.Bb5 Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.a4 Nb6 12.Qf3 =
9.Bd3 and now:
9...Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nb5 e5 12.Nxd6 cxd6 13.Bf5 +/=
9...Be7 10.Qc6 Rb8 11.Bf4 Bd6 12.Bxd6 cxd6 13.Qxd6 =
7...Nc6 8.Bb5 and now:

8...e6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qxc6+ Nd7 11.Bg5 Qc8 12.d5 +/-
8...a6? 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qxc6+ Nd7 11.Nd5 +-
8...Rb8 9.d5 a6 10.dxc6 axb5 11.Be3 +/-
8...Qd6 and now:
9.Bf4 Qe6+ 10.Be5 0-0-0 11.0-0-0 g6 12.Kb1 Bg7 13.Bxc6 Qxc6 14.d5 +/=
9.d5 a6 10.dxc6 axb5 11.cxb7 Rb8 12.a4 +/-
8.Qf2 e6
8...g6 9.Bg5 Bg7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Kb1 Nbd7 12.g4 Qa5 13.Bd2 Qb6 14.Bg2
Nd5 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Bg5 =
8...Nbd7 9.Bd3 e5 10.0-0 exd4 11.Ne4! Be7 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Nxf6

14.Rae1 Kf8 15.Ng3 Bd6 16.Nh5 Bc7 17.Nxf6 gxf6 18.Qxf6 Qxf6 19.Rxf6
Re8 20.Ref1 Re7 21.Bg6 Kg7 22.Rxf7+ Rxf7 23.Rxf7+ Kxg6 24.Rxc7 =
9.Bd3
9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.Bd3 Be7 11.0-0 h6 12.Bd2 Qc7 13.Ne4 0-0 14.Nxf6+ Bxf6
15.c3 c5 16.Bf4 Qc6 17.dxc5 Nxc5 18.Bc2 =
9...Be7
9...Nbd7 10.0-0 h6 11.Bf4 =
9...Bd6 10.0-0 and now:

10...Qc7 11.Bg5 Nbd7 12.Ne4 Bh2+ 13.Kh1 0-0-0 14.g3 +=
10...Qe7 11.Bh6 gxh6 12.Qxf6 Qxf6 13.Rxf6 Nd7 14.Rf3 Rd8 =/+
10...Nbd7 and now:
11.Bg5 Qc7 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Rae1 Qa5 14.a4 h6 15.Bd2 Qd8 =
11.Ne4 Be7 12.c3 0-0 13.Qh4 Nd5 14.Ng5 h6 15.Rxf7 Bxg5 =
9...Bb4 and now:

10.a3!? Be7 11.Bd2 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 0-0 13.g4 =
10.0-0 and now:
10...Bxc3 11.bxc3 and now:
11...0-0 12.Qh4 Nbd7 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bxh6 Qa5 15.Rxf6 +-
11...Nbd7 12.Qg3 0-0 13.Bh6 Nh5 14.Qg4 Qa5 15.Rab1 +/=
10...Nbd7 11.Qg3 and now:
11...Nh5 12.Qg4 g6 13.Qf3 Qf6 14.g4 Qxf3 15.Rxf3 =
11...0-0 12.a3!? Ba5 13.Bg5 Bb6 14.Kh1 Re8 15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Ne4 Bxd4
17.Qd3 Kg8 18.Qxd4 e5 19.Qd3 +/=
10.Bd2
10.0-0 and now:

10...0-0 11.Qh4 Nbd7 12.Be3 Re8 13.Rae1 Bd6 14.Rf3 =
10...Nbd7 and now:
11.Bg5 0-0 12.Qh4 Re8 13.Rf3 Rc8 14.Raf1 Nf8 15.Qf2 Ng6 =/+
11.Qg3 0-0 12.Bh6 Nh5 13.Qf3 Qa5 14.Be3 Nhf6 15.a3 Qc7 =/+
10...Nbd7
11.0-0-0 Nd5
11...0-0 12.g4 Nd5 13.Kb1 a5 14.Rhf1 transposes.
12.Kb1 0-0
13.Rhf1 a5
14.g4 N7b6
14...h6 15.Ne4 Nb4 16.Be2 Nf6 17.Bf3 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 =
15.Qf3 Nxc3+
16.Bxc3 Bb4
17.Bd2 Bxd2
18.Rxd2 Qd5
19.Qe2 =
5.6 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 Qxd4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3
7.Qxf3 c6
8.g4 Qxd4
8...Nd5 and now:

9.Bg2 e6 10.0-0 Qd7 11.Ne2 Na6 12.c4 Nb6 13.b3 f6 14.Bb2 =
9.Bd3 and now:
9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 e6 11.0-0 Qd7 12.Bf4 +/=
9...e6 10.0-0 Qd7 11.a3 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bd6 13.c4 0-0 14.c5 +/=
8...Nbd7?! 9.g5 Nd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Qxd5 +/-
8...g6 9.g5 and now:

9...Nd5 10.Bc4 f5 11.gxf6 Nxf6 12.Be3 +/-
9...Nh5 10.Be3 e6 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.h4 Nd7 13.Be2 +/=
8...h6 and now:

9.Be3 e6 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.0-0 Bd6 and now:
12.h4 Qe7 13.g5 hxg5 14.hxg5 Nh5 -/+
12.Ne4 Bc7 13.b4 Qe7 14.Rab1 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 a6 16.c4 0-0 =/+
9.Bd2!? and now:
9...e6 10.0-0-0 Bb4 11.Bg2 Nbd7 12.a3 =
9...Qxd4 10.0-0-0 Qb6 11.Be3 Qa5 12.Kb1 =
9.Be3 Qb4
9...Qd6 and now:

10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.0-0-0 Ne5 12.Qf2 e6 13.Bd4 Qc7 =/+
10.g5 and now:
10...Nd5 11.0-0-0 e6 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Bb5+ Nc6 14.Rhf1 =
10...Nfd7 11.Ne4 Qb4+ 12.Bd2 Qxb2 13.Bc3 Qa3 14.Bd3 =
9...Qe5 10.0-0-0 e6 11.g5

11...Nd5 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Bf4 Qe4 14.Qxe4+! dxe4 15.Re1 +-
11...Nfd7 12.Be2 Be7 13.Kb1 Qa5 14.Qg3 Na6 15.h4 =
9...Qd8 10.g5 Nd5 and now:

11.0-0-0 e6 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Bb5+ Nc6 14.Rhf1 =
11.Bc4 e6 12.0-0 Qc7 13.Bxd5 cxd5 14.Rae1 Nc6 15.Nxd5 =
10.0-0-0 e6
10...Nbd7 11.g5 Ne5! 12.Qg3 Nfd7 13.Kb1 g6 14.Be2 Bg7 15.Rd4 Qa5
16.Rhd1 =
11.g5
11.Rd4?! Qa5 and now:

12.g5 Nd5 13.Ra4 Qd8 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 cxd5 =/+
12.Ra4 Qc7 13.Bd4 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Bb5+ Nc6 =/+
11.Kb1!? h6 12.Nb5 Qa5 13.Bf4 Na6 14.Be5 Rd8 15.Bc4 =
11.Nb5!? and now:

11...Qa5 12.Kb1 Nbd7 13.Bf4 Rc8 14.g5 Nd5 15.Nd6+ =
11...Na6 12.Bd4 Nd5 13.Nc3 Nac7 14.Kb1 Nxc3+ 15.Bxc3 =
11...Nd5
11...Nfd7 12.Be2
12...Be7 13.Kb1 0-0 14.h4 Nb6 15.a3 Qa5 16.Bd2 =
12...Ne5 13.Qg3 Nbd7 14.Kb1 Qa5 15.Rhf1 0-0-0 16.Bd2 +/=
12.Bd4! Nd7
12...Be7 13.Bxg7 Rg8 14.Bd4 and now:

14...Rxg5 15.a3 Qa5 16.h4 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Qf5 18.Qe2 =
14...Bxg5+ 15.Kb1 Nd7 16.Nxd5 cxd5 17.Rg1 0-0-0 18.a3 =
13.Kb1
13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.h4 Bd6 15.Bxg7 Qf4+ 16.Qxf4 Bxf4+ 17.Kb1 Rg8 18.Bd4
Ke7 19.c4 e5 20.Bc3 d4 21.Bb4+ Kd8 22.Bg2 =
13...Qa5
14.Bc4 0-0-0
15.Qxf7 e5
16.Nxd5 exd4
17.Nf4 Nb6
18.Rhf1 Bd6
19.Be6+ Kb8
20.Qxg7 =
5.7 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 e6
7.Qxf3 c6
8.g4 e6
9.g5
9.Bd3 Be7 10.g5 Nd5 transposes to the main line.
9.Be3!? and now:

9...h6 10.Bd3 Nbd7 11.0-0-0 Bb4 12.Ne2 Nd5 13.Rhf1 =
9...Bb4 10.Bd3 0-0 11.0-0 Nd5 12.Qe4 Qh4 13.Bd2 =
9...Nd5 10.Bd2 Qh4+ 11.Kd1 Qf6 12.Qxf6 Nxf6 13.g5 =
9...Nd5
9...Nfd7 and now:

10.Bd3 Be7 11.h4 Qb6 12.Rf1 f5 13.Qe3 g6 14.Bc4 =
10.Bf4!? Nb6 11.0-0-0 Nd5 12.Ne4 Nxf4 13.Qxf4 Be7 14.h4 +/=
10.Bd3 Be7
10...Nd7 and now:

11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.0-0 Qe7 13.Bf4 Rc8 14.Rae1 g6 15.c3 +/=
11.0-0 Qe7 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Bd2 g6 14.Kh1 h6 15.Bb5 +/=
10...Bd6 and now:

11.0-0 0-0 12.Ne4 Bc7! 13.Qh5 Nd7 14.c3 g6 15.Qh6 =
11.Ne4! and now:
11...Na6 12.c3 0-0 13.Bd2 e5 14.dxe5 Bxe5 15.0-0-0 +/=
11...Be7 12.Bd2 Qb6 13.c3 0-0 14.0-0-0 Nd7 15.Kb1 c5 =
11...0-0 and now:
12.0-0 transposes back to the 11.0-0 line
12.Bd2 e5 13.Nxd6 Qxd6 14.Qe4 =
12.Nf6+!? Nxf6 13.gxf6 g6 14.Bh6 Re8 15.0-0-0 Nd7 16.h4 =
10...Nxc3 and now:
11.0-0 Qxd4+ 12.Be3 Qd7 13.bxc3 Bd6! 14.Bd4 e5 -/+
11.bxc3 Bd6 12.0-0 and now:
12...Qe7 13.Rb1 0-0 14.Be3 =
12...0-0 13.Rb1 Qc7 14.c4 b6 15.Be4 f5 16.gxf6 Rxf6 17.Qg4 =
10...Bb4 11.0-0 and now:

11...Qe7? 12.Ne4 f5 13.gxf6 Nxf6 14.c3 Bd6 15.Nxd6+ +/-
11...0-0 12.Ne4 Be7 13.a3 Qb6 14.c4 Qxd4+ 15.Nf2 =
10...Nb4 11.0-0 and now:

11...Qxd4+!? 12.Be3 Qd7 13.Rad1 Qe7 14.g6! f6! 15.Qh5 =
11...Qd7 12.Be4 Bd6 13.Ne2 Nd5 14.c4 f5 15.Bxd5 =
11.h4!
11.Rf1!? 0-0 12.h4 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nd7 14.Qh5 g6 15.Qh6 =
11.0-0?! 0-0! and now:

12.Qh5 g6 13.Qg4 c5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.dxc5 Bxc5+ -/+
12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qg3 Qb6 14.c3 Bd6 15.Bf4 Bxf4 =/+
11...Nd7
11...h6 12.0-0 and now:

12...0-0 13.gxh6 f5 14.Re1 Nb4 15.Rxe6 Nxd3 16.Qxd3 +/-
12...Rf8 13.gxh6 Nb4 14.d5 gxh6 15.Bxh6 Bc5+ 16.Kg2 +-
12...f5 13.gxf6 and now:
13...Bxf6 14.Bg6+ Kd7 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.c4 dxc4 17.Qxb7+ +/-
13...gxf6 14.Bg6+ Kd7 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.c4 dxc4 17.Qxb7+ +/=
11...Qb6 12.Bd2 Qxd4 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.Be4 Qc4 15.0-0-0 =
11...0-0 12.Qe4 g6 13.h5 Bxg5 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.Qxe6+ +/-
12.Nxd5 cxd5
13.Bd2
13.Rf1 0-0 14.Bd2 Rc8 15.0-0-0 Nb6 16.Bxh7+ Kxh7 17.Qh5+ =
13...Qb6
14.0-0-0 Rc8
15.Rhf1 0-0
16.Kb1 Qxd4
17.Bc3 Qc5
18.Bd4 Qc6
19.Bxg7 Kxg7
20.Qh5 =
5.8 – 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3
7.Qxf3 c6
8.Be3 e6
8...Nbd7 9.Bd3 e6 see 5.9
8...g6 9.0-0-0 Bg7 and now:

10.h4 h5 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Bc4 Nbd7 13.Rhe1 Nb6 14.Bb3 =
10.g4 Nd5 11.Bc4 e6 12.h4 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nd7 14.Bg5 =
8...Nd5 and now:

9.Bg5!? Nxc3 10.bxc3 f6 11.Bd2 Qd5 12.Qxd5 cxd5 13.Rb1 =
9.Bc4 e6 and now:

10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.0-0 Qd7 12.Bb5 Nc6 13.c4 a6 14.Ba4 Bd6 =
10.0-0 Nf6 11.Ne4 Be7 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.Bd3 Nd7 14.c3 =
9.Bd3
9.Bc4 and now:

9...Bb4 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bd3 Nbd7 12.Qg3 Nh5 13.Qf3 =
9...Nbd7 10.0-0-0!? Nb6 11.Bb3 a5 12.a3 Bd6 13.g4 a4 =/+
9.0-0-0 Bb4 and now:

10.Bd2 and now:
10...Qxd4 11.Nb5 Bxd2+ 12.Rxd2 Qb6 13.Nd6+ Kf8 14.g4 +/=
10...0-0 11.Kb1 Qxd4 12.Be3 Qe5 13.Bd4 Qg5 14.Ne4 =
10.Ne4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 and now:
11...Qd5 12.Bd3 Qxe4 13.Bxe4 Nd7 14.c3 Be7 15.Rhf1 =
11...Be7 12.Qg4 Bf6 13.c3 Nd7 14.Bd3 Nb6 15.Kb1 =
9...Bd6
9...Be7 10.0-0-0 and now:
10...Nd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Kb1 Nc6 13.Qh5 g6 14.Qf3 =
10...0-0 11.Kb1 Nbd7 12.Qg3 Nh5 13.Qf2 Nhf6 14.Qh4 =
9...Bb4 10.0-0 and now:

10...Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.Rab1 b6 13.Qxc6 0-0 14.Qf3 +/=
10...Qc7 11.Bh6! Bf8 12.Rae1 Nbd7 13.Ne4 0-0-0 14.Bf4 +/=
10...0-0 11.Ne4 Nbd7 12.c3 Be7 13.Rae1 Nd5 14.Bf2 =
10.0-0
10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Rhf1 0-0 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Qg3 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 =
10...0-0
10...Nbd7 11.Ne4 Be7 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.Qg3 0-0 14.c3 =
10...Qc7 11.Bh6! Bf8 12.Bf4 Qb6 13.Be3 Be7 14.Ne4 =
11.Ne4
11.Rf2 Nbd7 12.Raf1 Qa5 13.g4 Rae8 14.g5 Nd5 =
11...Nxe4
11...Be7 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.c3 Nd7 14.Rae1 Qe7 15.Re2 =
11...Nd5 12.Ng5 Nf6 13.Rae1 Nbd7 14.Ne4 Be7 15.c3 =
12.Qxe4 g6
13.Bh6 Re8
14.Bc4 Nd7
14...Qe7 15.Qg4 Nd7 16.Bg5 Qf8 17.Rae1 Qg7 18.Rxf7 =

15.Qf3
15.Rae1 Nb6 16.Bb3 Qd7 17.Qh4 Be7 18.Qg4 Nd5 =
15...Qe7
16.Rae1 Rac8
17.Bb3 b5
18.a4 =
5.9 –8.Be3 e6 9.Bd3 Nbd7
7.Qxf3 c6
8.Be3 e6
9.Bd3 Nbd7
10.0-0
10.0-0-0 and now:

10…Bb4 11.Ne2 Nd5 12.Rhf1 0-0 13.Kb1 Nxe3 14.Qxe3 =
10...Be7 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Qg3 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.h4 =
10...Bd6 11.Rhf1 0-0 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 14.Kb1 =
10...Be7
10...Bb4 11.Ne4 0-0 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.c3 Be7 14.Rae1 =
10...Qc7 11.Ne4 Be7 12.c3 0-0-0 13.Bf4 e5 14.Nxf6 =
10...Bd6 11.Ne4 and now:

11…Qc7 12.Bg5 Be7 13.c3 0-0-0 14.Rae1 Kb8 15.Bh4 e5 16.Ng5 Nd5
17.Qxf7 Qb6 18.Be4 h6 19.Bxd5 Bxg5 20.Bxg5 +/=
11...Be7 12.c4 0-0 13.Rae1 Qa5 14.Bd2 Qxa2 15.b4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 g6
17.Bh6 Bxb4 18.Ra1 Qb2 19.Rfb1 Qc3 20.Rc1 =
11.Rf2
11.Ne4 0-0 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.c3 Qd5 14.Qg3 Bd6 15.Qh4 =
11.Qg3!? 0-0 12.a3 Rc8 13.Rad1 Qb6 14.Kh1 g6 15.Bh6 =
11...0-0
11…Qa5 12.a3 0-0-0 13.Rb1 Rhf8 14.b4 Qc7 15.a4 =
11…Nb6 12.Raf1 Qc7 13.Bf4 Qd7 14.Be5 +=

12.Raf1 Nb6
12...Ne8 and now:

13.Ne2!? Nc7 14.Bd2 Nb6 15.c4 f5 16.g4 =
13.Qe4 g6 14.Bh6! Nd6 15.Qf4 Re8 16.Ne4 =
12...Qb6 13.b3 and now:

13...e5 14.Ne4! exd4 15.Bg5 Nd5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Ng5! Nf6 18.Qg3 Ng6
19.Rxf6 gxf6 20.Nxh7 Kxh7 21.Rxf6 +-
13...Qa5 14.Ne4 and now:
14...Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Qh5 16.g4! Qxh3 17.Rh2 Qg3+ 18.Rg2 =
14...Rad8 15.c4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Qh5 17.Bd2 Bd6 18.Rf3 Rde8 19.g4 Qg6
20.Qe2 f5 21.Kh1 Kh8 22.Re3 =
12...Nd5 13.Qe4 g6 14.Bh6 and now:

14...N7f6? 15.Qe5 Bd6 16.Qe2 Bg3 17.Rf3 Qc7 18.Rxf6 Nxf6 19.Rxf6 +/-
14...N5f6! 15.Qf4 Qb6 16.Bxf8 Rxf8 17.b3 c5 18.d5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 exd5
20.c4 d4 21.Qe4 Bd8 22.Qd5 Nf6 23.Qe5 =
12...Qa5 and now:

13.Ne4 Rad8 14.c4 Qxa2 15.Bg5 Qa5 16.Qe3 =
13.g4 c5 14.a3 cxd4 15.Bxd4 Ne5 16.Qxb7 Nxd3 17.cxd3 Bc5 18.b4 Qb6
19.Qxb6 Bxb6 20.Bc5 Bxc5 21.bxc5 Rfd8 22.Ne4 =
13.Qg3 and now:
13...Qb4 14.Qh4 g6 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Qxb2 17.Bc4 Qb4 18.Bxe6 Nf6
19.Rxf6 Bxf6 20.Rxf6 fxe6 21.Rxg6+ hxg6 =
13...g6 14.a3 Nh5 15.Qh2 Ng7 16.g4 f5 17.Bc4 Nb6 18.Ba2 Nd5 19.Nxd5
cxd5 20.Bh6 Qb6 21.c3 Bd6 22.Qg2 fxg4 23.hxg4 =
13.a3
13.Ne4 Nfd5 14.Qh5 f5 15.Ng5 Bxg5 16.Bxg5=
13...Nbd5
14.Nxd5 Qxd5
15.Qe2 Rfd8
15...Rad8 16.Rxf6 Bxf6 17.Rxf6 gxf6 18.Qg4+ Kh8 19.Qh4 f5 20.Qf6+ Kg8
21.Qg5+ Kh8 =
16.g4 b5
17.g5 Ne4
18.Bxe4 Qxe4
19.Rf4 Qg6
20.Rxf7 Bxg5
21.Bxg5 =
Summary
BDG Teichmann 5.Nxf3 Bg4 is twice as popular as either 5…e6 or 5…g6.
White has scored 61% with 5…Bg4 in my database. About one fourth of the
time if you reach the 4.f3 BDG position your opponent will play 5…Bg4. If
you play the BDG all the time, then you will face a Teichmann about one in
every eight games as White. You will probably know it much better than
Black does.
Now for the really good news. White has full compensation for the gambit
pawn after 5.Nxf3 Bg4. Why is this line so good?
Here are three reasons why White gets a good game.

1. White has very fast development of all pieces by move 10.
2. White has threats along three lines: h1-a8, f1-f8, and b1-h7.
3. Black is stuck in a passive position unless d4 falls.
Black also must focus on three things.

1. If you play this line you had better be a good endgame player.
2. Make sure to avoid fatal weaknesses along dangerous lines.
3. Try to destroy d4. If that square falls Black is usually winning.
The key is that White must not develop a bishop on move six. It may seem
counter intuitive, but the critical line begins 6.h3! Many players successfully
play the active but risky 6.Bc4!?
Black must make a choice with the Bg4 after 6.h3. The bishop may retreat
(usually to 6…Bh5) or exchange (with 6…Bxf3).
White should challenge the retreating bishop with 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4! After 7…
Bg6 8.Ne5 play resembles the sections 4.8 and 4.9. In some cases there are
exact transpositions to the Gunderam, but the Teichmann move order takes
one more move for each side. Most often Black responds 8...e6. Then White
has two choices: 9.Bg2 (5.3) and 9.Qf3 (5.4). As White you only need to pick
one.
The Teichmann Exchange Variation 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 is quite solid.

Seventh moves other than 7…c6 are more risky for Black.
White has three promising methods of attack to choose from.
First, 8.Qf2 defends d4. This allows a later move such as Bg5.
Second, 8.g4 gambits d4 with a fast attack on Nf6 due to g4-g5.
Third, 8.Be3 usually leads to kingside play after 9.Bd3 and 0-0.
How to Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined
By Tim Sawyer
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit strikes fear in the hearts of players the world over.
When I first faced it as Black 40 years ago, I headed for the hills, running
away as fast as I could. I transposed into the French Defence (which I did not
know). I got outplayed and I lost.
My next time around I accepted the gambit fully. I grabbed every pawn I
could. I outplayed my lower rated opponent and I won. But I was so
impressed with my opponent’s possibilities as White that I began to study the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit as White.
In between running away (Completely Avoided) and grabbing everything

(Fully Accepted) there are the BDG Declined lines. This book analyzes these
BDG Declined lines in detail.
Anders Tejler was my main source of BDG information back in the days
before databases. Andy wrote a column for the APCT News Bulletin. Ken
Smith published BDG pamphlets (by Tejler and Nikolajs Kampars). I played
through many of those games.
Then I discovered Tom Purser. His encouragement moved me from studying

the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit to actually playing it!
My research and success led to two published books. My original volume

was the “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook” in 1992 by Thinkers’ Press. I
followed that up with “The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Keybook II” in 1999
by Pickard & Son, Publishers.
Blackmar-Diemer Theory 4 is a companion volume. In my earlier Blackmar-

Diemer Theory 3 I covered the Gambit Accepted lines after 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3.
Here in Blackmar-Diemer Theory 4 I analyze the alternatives for the third

and fourth moves (after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4).
I added another chapter dealing with the 1.d4 Nf6 issue. White’s hope is to
transpose to a BDG by either 2.f3 d5 3.e4 or 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4. This book looks
at lines when Black does not play 3...dxe4.
I focus on lines that you would only face on your journey to the Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit. I do not cover other openings in detail.
This book has been arranged according to the variations that you are most
likely to see. A few critical lines are hidden in the notes. I hope that you can
find improvements. When you wonder about a specific position, I suggest
that you test it with a chess engine.
My goal for this Book 4 is to provide accurate Blackmar-Diemer theory of

the Gambit Declined after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 and after 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4
or 2.Nc3 d5. I show the critical lines as concisely as possible.
This Blackmar-Diemer series of six books has skin, bones, and muscle.
Books 1 and 2 verbally describe how the BDG looks and feels in hundreds of
annotated games by players from all levels. Those are the outer skin level,
what it feels like to play the BDG.
Now to the skeleton on which the opening stands. Books 3 and 4 cover the
theory of the BDG. It is bare bones analysis. There are no player stories, and
no explanations about what is going on. What you have is 50 variations of the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit clearly outlined and divided so that you can find
any line quickly.
The muscle that follows is planned for future books. They show the power of
the opening through master games but without any annotations. Some of
those games appeared with annotations in my first two books. More books
are planned.
I’ve won about 2000 games with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. For many
years players have sent me their games and told me how much fun it is to win
with the BDG. This is exciting chess!
The opening is important. If you begin well you can end well. But understand
this. The start is just the beginning. What happens next? That is up to the
players. The solution is at the finish line. Theoretical analysis helps you start
the game the best possible. It’s your move!
The gambit nature of the Blackmar-Diemer makes the evaluation of lines a
challenge. Typically White has more active pieces and more serious threats
while Black has a material advantage.
Multiple chess engines evaluated all the lines found in this book. Komodo
and Houdini seemed the most reliable. Fritz, Rybka and Stockfish were
frequently consulted as well as a dozen others. Analysis was often 20-40 ply
deep. I gave my preference to the latest versions of these chess engines and to
deeper analysis.
The symbols used allow a range of seven possible evaluations. Here is an

explanation of what these symbols mean in this book.
+-
White has an advantage equivalent to two pawns or more.
+/-
White has an advantage roughly equivalent to one pawn.
+/=
White has a slight advantage but not yet a winning one.
=
Position is equal in material, or there is adequate compensation.
=/+
Black has a slight advantage but not yet a winning one.
-/+
Black has an advantage roughly equivalent to one pawn.
-+
Black has an advantage equivalent to two pawns or more.
1.0 – 3.f3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.f3 e5
3...Bf5 4.Nc3 see 1.5
3...c5 4.d5 Nf6 5.Nc3 see 3.2
3...e6 4.Be3 Nc6 5.c3 Nh6 6.Nd2 Nf5 7.Qe2 Nxe3 =
3...f5 and now:

4.Nc3 see 1.8
4.fxe4 fxe4 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Bg5 a6 7.Nge2 Nc6 =
3...Nf6 and now:

4.Bc4 Nc6 5.c3 e5 6.d5 Na5 7.Qa4+ c6 8.dxc6 bxc6 -/+
4.fxe4 and now:
4...Nxe4 5.Bd3 Nd6 6.Bf4 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.Ngf3 0-0 =/+
4...e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 Nxe4 8.Nd2 Nxd2 =/+
3...exf3 4.Nxf3 and now:

4...Bg4 5.h3 and now:
5...Bxf3 6.Qxf3 c6 7.Be3 Nf6 8.Nd2 g6 9.c4 =
5...Bh5 6.Be3 e6 7.Bb5+ Nd7 8.Qe2 Bd6 9.Nbd2 =
4...e6 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.0-0 c5 7.Qe1 cxd4 8.Nbd2 Nc6 -/+
4...Nf6 and now:
5.Nc3 see BDG 5.Nxf3
5.Bc4 e6 6.0-0 Be7 7.Qe2 0-0 8.Be3 a6 =
4.dxe5
4.Nc3 see 2.0

4.d5 and now:
4...exf3 5.Nxf3 e4 6.Qe2 f5 7.Nc3 Nf6 8.Bg5 Be7 -/+
4...Bc5 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.fxe4 0-0 7.Qf3 Ng4 8.Nh3 f5 -/+
4...Nf6 5.Bg5 Qxd5 6.Qxd5 Nxd5 7.fxe4 Nb4 8.Na3 Be6 -/+
4.Be3 exd4 5.Bxd4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nc3 Qg5 -/+
4.c3 exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.cxd4 Nc6 7.Bb5 Bd7 -/+
4...Qxd1+
5.Kxd1 Nc6
5...exf3 6.Nxf3 Nc6 and now:

7.h3 Be6 8.Nc3 Nge7 9.Be3 0-0-0+ 10.Kc1 h6 -/+
7.Bd3 Nge7 8.c3 Be6 9.Kc2 0-0-0 10.Re1 Ng6 =/+
7.Bc4 Bc5 8.Bd2 Nge7 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.e6 Bxe6 =/+
6.fxe4
6.Bf4 exf3 7.Nxf3 Be6 8.b3 Bc5 9.Nc3 Nge7 =/+
6.Bb5 Bd7 7.fxe4 0-0-0 8.Bd3 Bg4+ 9.Nf3 Nxe5 =/+
6.Nc3 and now:

6...Nxe5 7.Bf4 f6 8.Nb5 Kd8 9.fxe4 c6 =
6...exf3 7.Nxf3 Bg4 8.Bf4 Nge7 9.Be2 Ng6 -/+
6...Bg4+
6...Nxe5 7.Nf3 Bd6 8.Nxe5 Bxe5 9.Nd2 Bg4+ 10.Nf3 0-0-0+ =/+
7.Nf3 0-0-0+
7...Nxe5 8.Ke2 Nf6 9.Nc3 Bd6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Kf2 0-0-0 =/+
8.Nbd2
8.Bd2 Nxe5 9.Be2 Nc6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Nc3 Nf6 =/+
8...Nxe5
8...Nge7 9.c3 Ng6 10.Kc2 Ncxe5 11.h3 Be6 12.Nxe5 =
9.Be2 Nd7
10.Ng5 Bxe2+
11.Kxe2 Nh6
12.Rf1 f6 =/+
1.1 – 3.Nc3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 g6
3...c5 see 1.2
3...Nc6 see 1.3
3...Bf5 see 1.5
3...f5 see 1.6
3...Nf6 see 1.9
3...e5 see 2.0
3...Qd6 4.Nxe4 Qe6 5.Qe2 Nc6 6.c3 Nf6 7.f3 +/=
3...Nd7 4.Nxe4 Ngf6 5.Nxf6+ Nxf6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bd3 +/=
3...a6 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.Nf3 +/=
3...b6 4.Nxe4 Bb7 5.Bb5+ Nd7 6.Qe2 e6 7.Nf3 +/=
3...h6 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Bd3 e6 6.Bf4 Nc6 7.Nf3 =
3...e3 and now:

4.fxe3 Nf6 5.Nf3 e6 6.e4 Be7 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 +/=
4.Bxe3 e6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bd3 Be7 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Ne5 +/=
3...e6 and now:

4.Be3 Nf6 5.f3 Bb4 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 0-0 8.Bg5 h6 =/+
4.f3 Bb4 5.fxe4 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Qh4+ 7.Ke2 Qxe4+ 8.Kf2 Nf6 =/+
4.Nge2!? f5!? 5.Be3 Nf6 6.f3 exf3 7.gxf3 Bd6 8.Qd2 Qe7 =
4.Nxe4 and now:
4...Nf6 5.Nxf6+ Qxf6 6.Nf3 h6 7.Bd3 Bd6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 +/=
4...Bd7 5.Bd3 Bc6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bf4 Ngf6 8.Nxf6+ Nxf6 9.0-0 +/=
4...Nd7 5.Bd3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Nf3 c5 8.Be3 Qc7 9.Qe2 +/=
4...Be7 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Nbd7 7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.c3 0-0 9.0-0 =
4.Nxe4
4.f3 and now:

4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg7 6.Bg5 Nf6 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 c6 =/+
4...Bg7 5.Be3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Nf6 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0 Nd5 =/+
4...Bg7
4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Nxf6+ exf6 7.c3 Bg7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.0-0 Bf5 10.Bf4 Qd7
11.Re1 =
4...c6 and now:

5.h3 Nd7 6.Nf3 Ngf6 7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.Bc4 Bg7 9.0-0 +/=
5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Nxf6+ exf6 7.Bc4 Qe7+ 8.Be2 Bg7 9.0-0 +/=
5.Nf3
5.Be3 and now:

5...Nf6 6.Nxf6+ Bxf6 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.c3 0-0 9.Bb5 =
5...Nd7 6.Nf3 Ngf6 7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.Bc4 0-0 9.0-0 =
5.c3 and now:

5...Bf5 6.Bd3 Qd5 7.f3 Nf6 8.Qc2 0-0 9.Ne2 +/=
5...Nd7 6.Bc4 Nb6 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.Nf3 0-0 9.0-0 +/=
5...Nf6 6.Nxf6+ exf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.Nf3 Re8 9.0-0 =
5...Nd7
5...Nh6 6.Bd3 0-0 7.0-0 Nf5 8.c3 Nd7 9.Re1 +/=
5...Nf6 6.Nxf6+ Bxf6 7.c3 0-0 8.Bc4 Nd7 9.0-0 +/=

5...Nc6 6.Bb5 Nf6 7.Nxf6+ Bxf6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bh6 +/=
5...Bf5 6.Ng3 Bc8 7.Bc4 c5 8.c3 cxd4 9.Qb3 +/=
5...Bg4 6.Bc4 e6 7.d5 Nf6 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.dxe6 +/-
6.Bc4 Nb6
7.Bb3 Nf6
8.Nc5 0-0
9.0-0 +/=
1.2 – 3.Nc3 c5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c5
4.d5
4.Nxe4 cxd4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.c3 f5 7.Ng3 dxc3 =/+
4.Nge2 Nf6 5.Bg5 cxd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 a6 8.Bxf6 =
4.Be3 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Bxd4 Nc6 7.Be3 Nf6 8.0-0-0 =
4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.Bxd7+ Qxd7 6.Nge2 Nf6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Bxd4 =
4.dxc5!? and now:

4...Qa5 5.a3 Qxc5 6.Be3 Qe5 7.Qd5 Qxd5 8.Nxd5 +/=
4...Qxd1+ and now:
5.Nxd1 Nc6 6.Nc3 Nd4 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bxd7+ Kxd7 9.Kd1 =
5.Kxd1! Nf6 6.Be3 Ng4 7.Ke1 Nc6 8.Nxe4 Nxe3 9.fxe3 =
4...Nf6
4...e6 5.Bb5+ and now:

5...Ke7 6.Bf4 Bd7 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.0-0-0 Qa5 9.Bc4 +-
5...Bd7 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Qe5 Nf6 9.Bg5 +/-
5...Nd7 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Qe5 Ngf6 9.Bg5 +/-
4...f5 5.Nh3 a6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bxc5 e5 8.Bxf8 =
4...a6 5.Nxe4 Nd7 6.Bd3 Ndf6 7.Qe2 Nxe4 8.Bxe4 =
4...g6 5.Nxe4 Bg7 6.Ne2 Nf6 7.Nxf6+ Bxf6 8.Nc3 +/=
4...Bf5 5.g4 Bc8 6.Bf4 Qb6 7.Qd2 h6 8.h3 +/=
5.Bg5
5.Bf4 g6 6.f3 exf3 7.Nxf3 Bg7 8.Be2 Na6 9.0-0 =
5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 g6 7.Bb5+ Nbd7 8.0-0 Bg7 9.d6 =
5.Be3 Nbd7 6.Nge2 g6 7.Ng3 Bg7 8.Qd2 Ng4 9.Ngxe4 =
5.Nge2 e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.dxe6 Qxd1+ 9.Rxd1 =
5...Nbd7
5...Qb6 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.a4 a6 8.a5 Qd6 9.Bc4 h6 10.Bh4 =
5...a6 6.Qe2 Nbd7 7.0-0-0 b5 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 Bb7 10.Kb1=
5...Bf5 and now:

6.f3 Nbd7 7.Qe2 Qb6 8.0-0-0 0-0-0 9.Bf4 e5 10.dxe6 =
6.Nge2 Qb6 7.Qd2 g6 8.Ng3 Bg7 9.Bb5+ Nbd7 10.0-0 =
6.Qe2
6.f3 exf3 7.Nxf3 a6 8.Qe2 h6 9.Bf4 b5 10.0-0-0 =
6.Bxf6 Nxf6 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Qe2 g6 9.0-0-0 Bg7 10.Nxe4 =
6.Nge2 h6 7.Be3 Nb6 8.Bxc5 Nbxd5 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.Qxd5 =
6.Qd2 and now:

6...h6 7.Be3 a6 8.Nge2 b5 9.Ng3 Bb7 10.Rd1 =
6...a6 7.Nge2 Nb6 8.0-0-0 h6 9.Bxf6 exf6 10.Nxe4 =
6...g6
6...Qa5 7.0-0-0 h6 8.Bd2 a6 9.Kb1 Qd8 10.Bf4 =
6...h6 7.Bxf6 Nxf6 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 Qb6 10.0-0-0 =
7.d6
7.f3 exf3 8.Nxf3 h6 9.Bf4 Bg7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Qd2 =
7...Bg7
8.Nxe4 0-0
9.dxe7 Qxe7
10.Nxf6+ Bxf6
11.Qxe7 Bxe7
12.Bxe7 Re8
13.0-0-0 Rxe7
14.Ne2 =
1.3 – 3.Nc3 Nc6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nc6
4.d5
4.Bb5 a6 5.Bxc6+ bxc6 6.Nxe4 Nf6 7.Nxf6+ exf6 8.Ne2 =
4...Ne5
4...Na5 5.b4 c6 6.bxa5 Qxa5 7.Bd2 f5 8.Nge2 e5 9.dxc6 +-
4...Nb4 5.a3 Na6 6.f3 e6 7.fxe4 exd5 8.Nf3 dxe4 9.Qxd8+ +/=
4...Nb8 5.Nxe4 c6 6.Bc4 cxd5 7.Qxd5 Qxd5 8.Bxd5 e6 9.Bc4 =
5.f3
5.Bf4 Ng6 6.Bg3 a6 7.h4 e5 8.dxe6 Bxe6 9.h5 =
5.Qd4! Ng6 6.Qxe4 Bd7 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.Nf3 c6 9.h4 h5 10.dxc6 =
5.f4 and now:

5...exf3 see 5.f3
5...Ng6 6.Nxe4 Nf6 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Qd3 Nxe4 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 =
5...exf3
5...Nf6 see 3.1
5...c6 6.fxe4 e6 7.Qd4 f6 8.Be3 cxd5 9.Bb5 +=
5...a6 6.fxe4 e6 7.Bf4 Bd6 8.Qd4 Qf6 9.Nge2 =
5...e6 and now:

6.fxe4 exd5 7.Bf4 Bd6 8.Qd4 Ne7 9.exd5 0-0 10.0-0-0 =
6.Bf4 Ng6 7.Bg3 Bb4 8.Qd4 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 exd5 10.Qxg7 =
6.Nxf3 Nxf3+
6...Bg4? 7.Nxe5 Bxd1 8.Bb5+ c6 9.dxc6 a6 10.c7+ +-
6...Ng6 7.h4 e6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.Bg5 +/-
6...Nd7 7.Bf4 a6 8.Qd4 Ngf6 9.0-0-0 Nb6 10.Qe5 +/=
7.Qxf3
7.gxf3 c6 8.Bf4 Nf6 9.dxc6 Qxd1+ 10.Rxd1 bxc6 =/+
7...Nf6
7...e6? 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.Qh5+ g6 11.Qe5 +-
7...a6 8.Bd3 Nf6 9.0-0 e6 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.Qxb7 =
8.Bf4
8.Bg5 a6 9.h3 g6 10.0-0-0 Bg7 11.g4 0-0 12.Qe3 =
8...a6
8...Bg4 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.Ne4 +/=
9.Ne4
9.h3 e6 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Bd3 Bd6 12.0-0-0 0-0 13.Rhf1 =
9.Bc4 g6 10.h3 Bg7 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.Rhe1 Ne8 13.Be5 =
9...Nxe4
9...Bf5 10.Nxf6+ exf6 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.Qg3 0-0 13.Bxc7 =

9...e6 10.0-0-0 exd5 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Rxd5 =
10.Qxe4 g6
10...e6 11.Bc4 Bd6 12.dxe6 Bxe6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.0-0 =
11.Qa4+ Qd7
12.Qd4 Rg8
13.0-0-0 Bg7
14.Qb4 =
1.4 – 3.Nc3 c6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c6
4.f3
4.Bf4 Nf6 5.Qd2 Bf5 6.0-0-0 e6 7.Kb1 Nbd7 =/+
4.Be3 Nf6 5.f3 Nd5 6.Qd2 e5 7.Nxd5 cxd5 8.dxe5 =
4.a3 Nf6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3 =
4.Nge2 Nf6 5.Ng3 g6 6.Ncxe4 Nxe4 7.Nxe4 Bf5 8.Ng3 =
4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.Nf3 Bd6 7.Bd3 Qe7+ 8.Be3 +/=
4.Bc4 and now:

4...Bf5 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bd3 Bg6 8.Bg5 Nf6 =/+
4...b5 5.Be2 Nf6 6.f3 Qa5 7.Qd2 exf3 8.Nxf3 b4 =
4...Nd7 5.Nxe4 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Nf3 Bf5 8.0-0 e6 =
4...h6 5.Nxe4 Bf5 6.Ng3 Bh7 7.Nf3 e6 8.0-0 Nf6 =
4...f5 5.Nh3 e6 6.Nf4 Qe7 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Re1 +/=
4...Nf6 5.Nge2 and now:
5...b5 6.Bb3 b4 7.Na4 Bf5 8.0-0 e6 9.Ng3 Nbd7 =/+
5...Bf5 6.Ng3 e6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Re1 b5 9.Bf1 Bxg3 =/+
4...e5
4...Nf6 see 3.3
4...e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3 Ne7 7.Nge2 Nd5 8.Bf2 +/=
4...exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Qxd4 8.Be3 Qh4+ =/+
4...Qb6 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Bc5 7.Nf3 Bf2+ 8.Ke2 Be6 =
4...Qa5 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Be6 7.Bd2 Qc7 8.Qh5 Nd7 =

4...c5 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Bxd7+ Nxd7 7.fxe4 cxd4 8.Qxd4 e5 =
4...Nd7 5.fxe4 e5 and now:

6.Nf3 Bd6 7.Bc4 Ngf6 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.Qxd8+ =
6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Be3 Kc7 9.Nf3 Bd6 10.0-0-0 =
5.Be3
5.d5 Nf6 6.fxe4 Bb4 7.Bg5 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qa5 -/+
5.Bc4 Bb4 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Bxc3 8.bxc3 Nd7 9.Bf4 =
5.Nxe4 exd4 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Ng5 Bb4+ 8.c3 dxc3 9.Bxf7+ =
5.dxe5 Qxd1+ and now:

6.Nxd1 Nd7 and now:
7.Bf4 Ne7 8.e6 fxe6 9.fxe4 Ng6 10.Bg3 Nf6 11.Nf2 =
7.f4 f6 8.Nc3 fxe5 9.Nxe4 Ngf6 10.Nxf6+ gxf6 11.Bd2 =
6.Kxd1 Nd7 and now:
7.f4 f5 8.g4 g6 9.gxf5 gxf5 10.Nge2 Nb6 11.Nd4 =
7.Bf4 Ne7 8.e6 fxe6 9.Nxe4 Nf5 10.c3 e5 11.Bd2 =
5...Qb6
5...Nd7 6.dxe5 Qa5 7.Qd4 Nxe5 8.0-0-0 Nf6 9.Nxe4 +/=
5...Nf6 6.dxe5 Nd5 7.Nxd5 cxd5 8.c3 Nc6 9.Qb3 Qc7 =
5...Be6 6.dxe5 Qa5 7.f4 Nd7 8.a3 Rd8 9.Qc1 =
5...Bb4 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Bf5 8.f4 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 =
5...Qa5 6.dxe5 Ba3 7.Qc1 Bb4 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.a3 Bxc3 =
5...exd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Bxd4 Nf6 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.fxe4 =

6.Qd2 Qxb2
7.Rb1 Qa3
8.dxe5 Nd7
8...Bb4 9.Rxb4 Qxb4 10.a3 Qa5 11.Nxe4 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 =
9.Nxe4 Nxe5
10.Bd4 Qe7
11.Bc5 Qh4+
12.Bf2 =
1.5 – 3.Nc3 Bf5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 Bf5
4.f3
4.Bc4 e6 5.Nge2 Nf6 6.0-0 Bd6 7.Ng3 0-0 =/+
4.g4 Bg6 and now:

5.Nge2 e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Nxd1 Nc6 8.Bf4 h5 =
5.Bg2 e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Nxd1 Nc6 8.Bf4 0-0-0 =
5.Be3 e6 6.Nge2 Nf6 7.Nf4 Bb4 8.h4 h5 =
4...exf3
4...Nf6 see 4.0
4...e6 5.fxe4 Bg6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 c5 8.Bg5 +/=
4...e3 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.Bxe3 Nc6 8.Nge2 +/=
4...Bg6 5.fxe4 e5 6.Nf3 exd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 =
4...e5 and now:

5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1 Nc6 7.Ne3 Bg6 8.f4 Bc5 =/+
5.fxe4 and now:
5...exd4 6.exf5 dxc3 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.bxc3 Bc5 9.Bc4 =
5...Bg6 6.Nf3 exd4 and now:
7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 c6 9.h4 Bh5 10.e5 Nd7 11.e6 =
7.Nxd4 Bc5 8.Be3 Nf6 9.Ne6 Qxd1+ 10.Rxd1 fxe6 11.Bxc5 =
5.Qxf3
5.Nxf3 e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 Nc6 8.0-0 Qd7 9.Bf4 Nge7 =
5...Qc8
5...Bxc2 6.Qxb7 Nd7 7.Nb5 Rc8 8.Nxa7 Rb8 9.Qc6 +/-
5...g6 6.Qxb7 Nd7 7.Nf3 Bh6 8.Bb5 Bxc1 9.Rxc1 +/=
5...Bc8 6.Bf4 Nf6 7.0-0-0 e6 8.d5 exd5 9.Nxd5 =
5...e6 6.Qxb7 Nd7 7.Bb5 Ngf6 8.Bg5 Rb8 9.Qxa7 =
6.Bd3
6.Bc4 e6 7.Nge2 Nf6 8.d5 Bd6 9.Bg5 =
6.Bf4 and now:

6...Bxc2 7.Nd5 Nf6 8.Nxc7+ Kd8 9.Nxa8 Be4 10.Qc3 +-
6...c6 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.Nge2 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 e6 10.0-0-0 =
6...e6 7.g4 Bxc2 8.Rc1 Bg6 9.Nb5 Bb4+ 10.Kf2 =
6...Nf6 7.Nge2 e6 8.0-0-0 Bd6 9.h3 Nc6 10.g4 =
6...Bxd3
6...e6 7.Bxf5 exf5 8.Bf4 Bb4 9.0-0-0 Bxc3 10.Qxc3 +/=
6...Bg6 7.Bf4 Nf6 8.Bxg6 hxg6 9.0-0-0 e6 10.d5 +/=
6...Bg4 7.Qf4 Nf6 8.Nge2 c5 9.0-0 c4 10.Be4 =
7.Qxd3 e6
7...Nd7 8.Qg3 Ngf6 9.Nf3 e6 10.0-0 c6 11.Be3 =
7...Nf6 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.Nf3 c6 10.0-0 Qc7 11.Nd2 =
8.Bf4 Nf6
9.Nf3 Nc6
10.0-0-0 Be7
10...Nb4 11.Qe2 Be7 12.Kb1 c6 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 =
11.Kb1 0-0
12.Rhf1 Rd8
13.Qe2 Nd5
14.Nxd5 =
1.6 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bf4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5
4.Bf4 Nf6
4...c6 5.f3 Nf6 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Bc4 b5 8.Bb3 b4 9.Na4 =
4...e6 5.f3 Nf6 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Bc4 Nc6 8.Nge2 Bd6 9.0-0 =
5.f3
5.Qd2 e6 6.0-0-0 Bd6 7.Nge2 0-0 8.f3 Nc6 =/+
5.Nge2 e6 6.f3 exf3 7.gxf3 Nh5 8.Bg3 Bd6 =/+
5.Bb5+ c6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Nge2 Nd5 8.0-0 Bd6 =/+
5.Bc4 e6 6.d5 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Bxd5 c6 =/+
5.d5 c6 6.dxc6 Nxc6 7.Qxd8+ Nxd8 8.0-0-0 Ne6 =/+
5...e6
5...a6 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Nge2 Nc6 8.a3 Bg4 9.d5 =
5...c6 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Bc4 Bf5 8.Nge2 e6 9.Ng3 =
5...Nd5 6.Nxd5 Qxd5 7.Bxc7 Nc6 8.c3 e5 9.dxe5 =
5...Nc6 6.fxe4 Qxd4 7.Qxd4 Nxd4 8.0-0-0 Ne6 9.Bd2 =
5...exf3 and now:

6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bc4 Bd6 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Na5 10.Be2 =
6.Qxf3 e6 7.0-0-0 Nbd7 8.Nb5 Nd5 9.Qg3 N7f6 10.Nxc7+ +/=
6.fxe4
6.Bc4 Nd5 7.Bxd5 exd5 8.Qe2 Be6 9.0-0-0 Bd6 =/+
6.Qd2 Bd6 7.0-0-0 0-0 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.Nh3 =
6...fxe4
7.Bb5+
7.Nge2 Nc6 8.g3 Bb4 9.Bg2 0-0 10.0-0 Bxc3 =/+
7.g3 Nc6 8.Nge2 Bb4 9.Bg2 0-0 10.0-0 Bxc3 =/+
7.Nh3 Nc6 8.Bb5 Bb4 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 0-0 =/+
7.Qd2 Bb4 8.Nge2 0-0 9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.a3 Bd6 =/+
7.Bg5 Bb4 8.Nge2 Nc6 9.Qd2 Qd6 10.0-0-0 Nd5 =/+
7.Bc4 Nc6 8.Nge2 Na5 9.Bb3 Be7 10.Ng3 0-0 11.0-0 =
7...Bd7
7...Nc6 8.Nge2 Bd6 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nxe4 =
8.Nh3!
8.Qe2 Bb4 9.Nh3 0-0 10.0-0 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Bxb5 12.Qxb5 Qd5 =/+
8...Bxb5
8...Bd6 9.Qe2 Bxb5 10.Qxb5+ Nc6 11.Bg5 =
8...Bb4 9.Bc4 Nc6 10.0-0 Na5 11.Qe2 0-0 12.Bg5 =
9.Nxb5 Bd6
10.0-0 0-0
11.Qe2
11.Be5 Nc6 12.Bxf6 Rxf6 13.Qg4 e3 14.Nxd6 cxd6 15.Qe4 =
11...Bxf4
12.Nxf4 Re8
13.Nh5 Nxh5
14.Qxh5 Nc6
15.Rad1 =
1.7 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.Bg5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5
4.Bg5 Nf6
4...g6 5.Qd2 Nf6 6.0-0-0 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Bc4 =
4...c6 5.f3 Nf6 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Nge2 Na6 8.Ng3 =
4...Be6 5.f3 h6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.fxe4 fxe4 8.Nge2 =
4...Nd7 5.f3 Ngf6 6.Qe2 c6 7.fxe4 fxe4 8.Nxe4 =
4...Qd6 5.Qd2 Nf6 6.0-0-0 e6 7.f3 Nbd7 8.Re1 =
4...Nc6 5.Bb5 a6 6.Bxc6+ bxc6 7.f3 Nf6 8.fxe4 =
5.f3
5.Bc4 and now:

5...e6 6.f3 Be7 7.fxe4 fxe4 8.Nge2 0-0 9.Nf4 =
5...Nc6 6.d5 Na5 7.Be2 e6 8.Nb5 Be7 9.dxe6 Bxe6 =/+
5…Nc6
5...g6 6.Qd2 Bg7 7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.Bc4 a6 9.fxe4 =
5...Be6 6.Nh3 Qd7 7.Be2 g6 8.Qd2 Bg7 9.Nf4 =
5...exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bc4 h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Qe2 =
5...c6 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Nge2 Na6 8.Ng3 Qa5 9.Qd2 =
5...a6 6.fxe4 Nxe4 7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.Bc4 Nc6 9.Ne2 =
5...Nd5 6.fxe4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 fxe4 8.Bc4 Nc6 9.Ne2 =

5...Nbd7 6.Qe2 c6 7.fxe4 Nxe4 8.Nxe4 fxe4 9.Qxe4 =
6.d5
6.Bb5 Qd6 7.d5 a6 8.Ba4 b5 9.dxc6 bxa4 10.Qxd6 =
6.fxe4 Nxe4 7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.d5 Nb4 9.c4 Qd6 =/+
6.Nge2 exf3 7.gxf3 e5 8.dxe5 Qxd1+ 9.Rxd1 Nxe5 =/+
6...Ne5
6...Nb4 7.Bxf6 exf6 8.a3 Na6 9.fxe4 fxe4 10.Qd4 =
6...Na5 7.Qe2 h6 8.Bxf6 exf6 9.fxe4 Kf7 10.0-0-0 +/=
6...Nb8 7.fxe4 fxe4 8.Nge2 c6 9.dxc6 Nxc6 10.Qxd8+ +/=
7.fxe4
7.Qe2 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bf2 e6 10.fxe4 fxe4 =/+
7.Nh3 exf3 8.gxf3 h6 9.Be3 c6 10.Bd4 Ng6 11.Qe2 =
7.Qd4 Nf7 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxf6 exf6 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.fxe4 =
7...fxe4
8.Qd4 Nf7
9.Bxf6 exf6
10.Bb5+ Bd7
11.Bxd7+ Qxd7
12.Nxe4 f5
12...0-0-0 13.0-0-0 Kb8 14.Ne2 f5 15.N4c3 Be7 16.Nf4 =
13.Nc3
13.Nc5 Bxc5 14.Qxc5 0-0-0 15.0-0-0 b6 16.Qd4 g6 17.Ne2 =
13...c5
13...Bd6 14.0-0-0 0-0 15.Nf3 b5 16.Rhe1 b4 17.Ne2 =
14.Qe3+ Qe7
15.Qxe7+ Bxe7
16.Nh3 0-0-0
17.Nf4 =
1.8 – 3.Nc3 f5 4.f3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 f5
4.f3 exf3
4...Nc6 5.d5 Ne5 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Qd4 Nf7 8.Bb5+ =
4...e3 5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Nh3 Bd6 8.0-0 +/=
4...c6 5.fxe4 Nf6 6.exf5 Bxf5 7.Nf3 e6 8.Bc4 +/=
4...e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.exf5 Qh4+ 7.g3 Qe4+ 8.Kf2 Qxf5+ 9.Nf3 +/=
4...Nf6 and now:

5.Bf4 see 1.6
5.Bg5 see 1.7
5.Bc4 Nc6 6.Be3 e5 7.dxe5 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 Nxe5 =/+
5.fxe4 fxe4 6.Bg5 and now:
6...Nc6 7.Bb5 a6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.Nge2 g6 10.0-0 =
6...Bf5 7.Nge2 e6 8.Ng3 Bb4 9.Bb5+ Nc6 10.Bxf6 =
5.a3 Nc6 6.d5 Ne5 7.fxe4 fxe4 8.Qd4 Nf7 9.Bb5+ =
4...c5 5.d5 Nf6 6.fxe4 fxe4 7.Nh3 Bxh3 8.gxh3 g6 =
4...e5 and now:

5.d5 Bb4 6.Bd2 Nf6 7.a3 Bxc3 8.Bxc3 Nxd5 9.Bxe5 0-0 -/+
5.dxe5 Qxd1+ and now:
6.Nxd1 Nc6 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.fxe4 a6 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 =
6.Kxd1 Nc6 7.Nb5 Kd8 8.fxe4 fxe4 9.Nh3 Be7 =
5.Nxf3
5.Qxf3 and now:

5...Qxd4 6.Be3 Qh4+ 7.g3 Qb4 8.0-0-0 Nf6 9.Nb5 +/=
5...Nc6 6.Bb5 e6 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Qxc6+ Bd7 9.Qc4 =
5...Nf6
5...e6 6.Bc4 Nc6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Re1 Be7 9.a3 +/=
5...g6 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Qe2 e6 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bxf6 +/-
5...c6 6.Bc4 b5 7.Bb3 a5 8.Ng5 Nh6 9.Bf4 +/-
6.Bc4
6.Bg5 e6 7.Bc4 Nc6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Re1 0-0 10.Qd3 =
6.Bd3 e6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Qe2 Qe7 9.Nb5 Nc6 10.c4 b6 =
6.Bf4 e6 7.Bc4 Bd6 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Na5 10.Bb5+ =
6...e6
6...Nc6 7.0-0 a6 8.Re1 Na5 9.Qd3 Nxc4 10.Qxc4 +/=
7.0-0
7.Bg5 Nc6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Re1 0-0 10.Qd3 h6 11.Bd2 =
7.Qe2 Nc6 8.d5 Na5 9.dxe6 Nxc4 10.Qxc4 Qe7 11.Nd4 =
7.Ng5 Nc6 8.Bxe6 Qe7 9.0-0 Bxe6 10.Re1 Ne4 11.Ncxe4 =
7...Nc6
8.Re1 Be7
9.Rxe6
9.a3 0-0 10.b4 a6 11.d5 exd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Qxd5+ +/=
9...Bxe6
10.Bxe6 a6
10...Bd6 11.Qe2 Qe7 12.Qc4 Kf8 13.Bg5 Na5 14.Qe2 +/=
11.Qd3
11.Bxf5 0-0 12.d5 Bc5+ 13.Kh1 Ne7 14.Be6+ Kh8 15.Bg5 =
11...Qd6
12.Bxf5 0-0
13.Ne4 Nxe4
14.Bxe4 Kh8
15.c3 +/=
1.9 – 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.Bg5 Bf5
4...g6 5.Qd2 Bg7 6.0-0-0 0-0 7.Kb1 a6 8.f3 =
4...b6 5.d5 Bb7 6.Qe2 Nbd7 7.0-0-0 h6 8.Bh4 =
4...h6 5.Bxf6 exf6 6.Nxe4 Qe7 7.Qe2 Bf5 8.Nc3 =
4...Bg4 5.Nge2 h6 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.Nxe4 Be7 8.Qd2 =
4...c6 5.f3 h6 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.fxe4 Qb6 8.a3 Be6 9.Na4 =
4...e6 5.Nxe4 and now:

5...Be7 6.Nxf6+ Bxf6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.c3 0-0 9.Qf3 =
5...Nbd7 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Nf3 and now:
7...h6 8.Bh4 Be7 9.c3 0-0 10.Be2 Bd7 11.0-0 =
7...Be7 8.Bd3 b6 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.Be4 Rb8 11.Ne5 =
5.Qe2
5.Nge2 e6 6.h3 Nc6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg2 Be7 =/+
5.Bxf6 exf6 6.Nge2 Bg6 7.Qd2 Bd6 8.0-0-0 0-0 =/+
5.Bc4 e6 6.Nge2 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Ng3 Nc6 9.Ncxe4 Qxd4 10.Qxd4 Nxd4
11.0-0-0 Bxe4 12.Nxe4 0-0-0 =/+
5.f3 Nbd7 and now:

6.fxe4 and now:
6...Bxe4 7.Nf3 Bg6 8.Bd3 e6 9.Qe2 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 c6 =/+
6...Nxe4 7.Qf3 Nxg5 8.Qxf5 e6 9.Qd3 h6 10.0-0-0 c6 =/+
6.g4 Bg6 7.Qe2 exf3 8.Nxf3 c6 9.0-0-0 e6 10.Kb1 =
5...Nbd7
5...Qxd4 6.Qb5+ Nbd7 7.Qxf5 e6 8.Qb5 Bc5 9.Be3 +/-
5...h6 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.0-0-0 Bd6 8.f3 0-0 9.fxe4 =
5...e6 6.Qb5+ Nbd7 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Qxb7 Qd8 9.Bb5 =
5...Nc6 6.Qb5 Qc8 7.d5 a6 8.Qa4 b5 9.Bxb5 axb5 10.Qxb5 =
5...c6 and now:

6.0-0-0 Nbd7 7.f3 exf3 8.Nxf3 Qa5 9.Bxf6 Nxf6 =/+
6.Bxf6 exf6 7.0-0-0 Bd6 8.f3 0-0 9.fxe4 Bg6 10.Qf3 =
6.Qb5 e6
6...g6 7.Qxb7 Bg7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.Nge2 Nb6 10.Bb3 =
6...e5 7.dxe5 c6 8.Qxb7 Nxe5 9.Bf4 Rb8 10.Qxa7 =
6...Bg6 7.Qxb7 Rb8 8.Qxa7 Ra8 9.Qb7 Rb8 10.Qa7 =
7.Bxf6
7.Qxb7 Rb8 8.Qxa7 Bb4 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 0-0 =/+
7...Qxf6
7...gxf6 8.0-0-0 and now:

8...Qb8 9.Kb1 c6 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.g3 0-0-0 12.Bg2 =
8...Bg6 9.h4 h5 10.Qxb7 Bh6+ 11.Kb1 Rb8 12.Qxa7 =
8.Qxb7 Qd8
9.Bb5 Bd6
10.Bxd7+ Kxd7
11.d5 Rb8
12.Qc6+ Ke7
13.0-0-0 =
Summary
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit can be avoided by either White or Black.
After 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 White avoids 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 with 4.Bg5 in 1.9. This
is the Von Popiel Gambit. Some lines continue 5.f3 exf3 transposing to the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted.
White can also avoid the BDG with the older Blackmar Gambit 3.f3 in 1.0. It
could transpose to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit if both players developed a
knight such as 3…Nf6 4.Nc3. Usually Black chooses 3…e5 or 3…exf3.
White may protect d4 with the c3 pawn and play Nbd2 avoiding a Blackmar-
Diemer Gambit.
Black avoids the BDG by not playing nor transposing to 3...Nf6. One option
is the Lemberger 3...e5 (see 2.0 – 2.9 next chapter). Other options are covered
in this chapter from 1.1 to 1.8.
The BDG Poehlmann 3...f5 is also a Dutch Defence after 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 d5
3.e4 dxe4. In reply White has 4.Bf4 in 1.6, 4.Bg5 in 1.7, and 4.f3 in 1.8
(which is probably the strongest try).
The Zeller Variation is 3...Bf5 in 1.5. It gives White the option of 4.g4 or
more likely 4.f3. If Black captures 4…exf3, then White may recapture either
way. The move 5.Nxf3 Nf6 is a Gunderam. The move 5.Qxf3 attacks b7 and
f5 giving White counter play.
The Caro-Kann Defence is reached by 3...c6 in 1.4. White may take with
4.Nxe4 and play the main lines with lots of theory. The most common gambit
ideas are 4.f3 or first 4.Bc4.
The Queens Knight Defence known as the Nimzowitsch Defence 3...Nc6 in

1.3 may be reached by 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4. White should attack the
knight with 4.d5 and regain the pawn.
Dries Variation 3...c5 in 1.2 is an Albin Counter Gambit Reversed or a

Benoni type position. White may play 4.d5 or even 4.dxc5!?
The final or first section 1.1 is a catch all after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3. The
main line is Karlsruhe Variation 3…g6 with the major alternative being the
French Defence Rubinstein 3...e6. These lines are best met by 4.Nxe4. In
summary: Black cannot refute the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by avoiding it.
Just play chess.
2.0 – 3.Nc3 e5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4
3.Nc3 e5
4.Bb5+!?
4.Qe2 and now:

4...Qxd4 5.Be3 Qb4 6.0-0-0 Nf6 7.a3 Qa5 =/+
4...exd4 and now:
5.Nxe4 Qe7 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.f3 Bxe4 8.Qxe4 Qxe4+ 9.fxe4 Bb4+ =/+
5.Qxe4+ Be7 6.Nd5 c6 7.Nxe7 Qxe7 8.Qxe7+ Nxe7 9.Nf3 c5 =/+
4.Bc4 and now:

4...Nc6 5.d5 Na5 6.Bf1 c6 7.a3 cxd5 =/+
4...exd4 5.Nxe4 Qe7 6.Qe2 Nc6 7.Ng5 Ne5 =/+
4...Qxd4 5.Qxd4 exd4 6.Nxe4 Bf5 7.Ng5 Nh6 =/+
4.d5 and now:

4...c6 5.Bc4 f5 6.Bb3 Nf6 7.Bg5 h6 =/+
4...f5 5.Nge2 c6 6.Ng3 Bb4 7.Bd2 Nf6 =/+
4...Bb4 5.Nge2 Nf6 6.a3 Ba5 7.b4 Bb6 =/+
4...Nf6 5.Nge2 Nbd7 6.Ng3 Bb4 7.Bd2 0-0 =/+
4.f3 and now:

4...Qxd4 5.Qxd4 exd4 6.Nb5 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Kxd2 Kd7 =/+
4...exd4 5.Nxe4 Nf6 6.Qe2 Nxe4 7.Qxe4+ Be7 8.Bg5 Nc6 =/+
4...c6
4...Nd7 5.Nxe4 c6 6.Bd3 exd4 7.Nf3 Ngf6 8.Nxf6+ Nxf6 9.0-0 Be6 10.Ng5
Bb4 11.Qe2 =
4...Bd7 5.dxe5 Bb4 6.Qe2 Qe7 7.f4 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qc5 9.Rb1 Bxb5
10.Qxb5+ Qxb5 11.Rxb5 =
4...Nc6 5.Nge2 Nge7 6.0-0 a6 7.Bxc6+ Nxc6 8.dxe5 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 Bf5 =
5.Bc4 Qxd4
5...Nf6 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Nxd1 Nd5 8.a3 Be6 9.f3 Nd7 =
5...f5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Nxd1 Nd7 8.f4 Ne7 9.Ne2 g5 =
5...exd4 6.Nxe4 Nf6 7.Ng5 Qe7+ 8.Qe2 Nd5 9.Ne4 Qb4+ =
5...b5 6.Bb3 exd4 7.Nxe4 Nf6 8.Ng5 Bb4+ 9.c3 dxc3 =/+
6.Qxd4 exd4
7.Nxe4 Bf5
7...c5 8.Bf4 Nc6 9.Nf3 Bf5 10.Nd6+ Bxd6 11.Bxd6 b6 12.0-0-0 =
7...Be6 8.Bxe6 fxe6 9.Nf3 c5 10.Bf4 Nc6 11.0-0-0 h6 12.Rhe1 =
7...Bb4+ 8.Bd2 Be7 9.Bf4 Bb4+ 10.Bd2 =
7...Nd7 8.Nf3 Nb6 9.Bd3 Be7 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Nxd4 =
7...h6 8.Nf3 Bf5 9.Ng3 Bxc2 10.Nxd4 Bb4+ 11.Bd2 =
7...Nf6 8.Nxf6+ gxf6 and now:

9.Nf3 c5 10.0-0 Be6 11.Re1 Kd7 12.Be2 Nc6 =/+
9.Ne2 Bc5 10.0-0 Be6 11.b3 Bxc4 12.bxc4 Na6 =/+
8.Ng5 Nh6
8...Bg6 9.Ne2 Nd7 10.Nxd4 Bc5 11.Ngf3 Nb6 12.Bb3 =
8...Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Kxd2 Bg6 11.N1h3 h6 12.Rae1+ =

9.N1f3 Bc5
9...b5 10.Bb3 Bb4+ 11.Bd2 Bc5 12.0-0 0-0 13.a4 =
9...c5 10.Ne5 f6 11.Nef7 fxg5 12.Nxh8 Be7 13.h4 =
9...Bb4+ 10.Bd2 Bxd2+ 11.Kxd2 0-0 12.Nxd4 Bg6 13.Rad1 =
10.Bf4 Bxc2
11.Kd2 Bg6
12.Rae1+ Kd8
13.a3 =
2.1 – 4.dxe5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.dxe5 Qxd1+
4...Nc6 5.Qxd8+ Nxd8 6.Nxe4 Nc6 7.Nf3 Nge7 8.Bc4 +/=
5.Nxd1
5.Kxd1 and now:

5...Bg4+ 6.Be2 Bf5 7.Nd5 Na6 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Ne3 =
5...Bf5 6.Nd5 Na6 7.Ke1 0-0-0 8.Ne3 Nh6 9.a3 g6 =
5...Nc6 6.Nxe4 Nxe5 7.Nf3 Nxf3 8.gxf3 f5 9.Nc3 Bd7 =
5...Nc6
5...Bf5 6.Ne3 Be6 7.f4 exf3 8.Nxf3 Nc6 =
5...Be6 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.Nxe4 Bf5 8.Bd3 Nxe5 =
5...Ne7 6.Nc3 Nbc6 7.Nb5 Nb4 8.Nxc7+ Kd8 =
6.Nc3
6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nc3 0-0-0 8.Bf4 Nge7 9.0-0-0 Ng6 =
6.Ne2 Bd7 7.Ndc3 0-0-0 8.Bf4 Re8 9.Nxe4 Nxe5 =
6.Bf4 and now:

6...Bb4+ 7.c3 Bc5 8.Ne2 Nge7 9.Ne3 h6 =
6...Be6 7.Nc3 0-0-0 8.Nxe4 Nb4 9.Rc1 Nxa2 10.Rd1 =
6…Nge7 and now:
7.Bb5 Bd7 8.Ne2 a6 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 =/+
7.Nc3 Ng6 8.Bg3 Bb4 9.Nge2 Bg4 10.h3 Bxe2 =/+
6.f4 and now:

6...Bc5 7.Bb5 Nge7 8.Ne2 0-0 9.Be3 =
6...exf3 7.Nxf3 Nge7 8.Nf2 Be6 9.a3 h6 =/+
6...Nxe5
6...Nd4 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bxd7+ Kxd7 9.Kd1 Nc6 10.Nxe4 Nxe5 11.Nf3 Nxf3
12.gxf3 =
6...Bf5 7.Bb5 Nge7 8.Bg5 a6 9.Bxc6+ Nxc6 10.Nd5 Rc8 11.0-0-0 h6 12.Bf4
=
6...Nb4 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bxd7+ Kxd7 9.Kd1 Nc6 10.Nxe4 Nxe5 11.Nf3 Nxf3
12.gxf3 =
6...Nge7 7.Nb5 Nb4 8.c3 Nbd5 9.c4 a6 10.cxd5 axb5 11.Bxb5+ Bd7 12.Bc4
=
6...Be6 7.Bb5 Nge7 8.Nge2 0-0-0 9.Bf4 =
6...Bd7 7.Bf4 Nge7 8.Nxe4 Nd5 9.Bd2 =
6...Bg4 7.h3 Be6 8.Nxe4 Bf5 9.Bd3 Nxe5 10.Nd6+ Bxd6 11.Bxf5 g6 12.Be4
=
6...Bb4!? 7.Nge2 Nge7 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Nxc3 Bf5 10.Bg5 Nxe5 11.0-0-0 f6
12.Bf4 N7g6 13.Bg3 =
7.Bf4!
7.Nxe4 Bf5 8.Nf3 Nxf3+ 9.gxf3 0-0-0 10.Bd2 =
7...Bd6
8.Nxe4 Nd3+
9.Bxd3 Bxf4
10.g3 Be5
11.0-0-0 Nf6
12.f4 Nxe4
13.Bxe4 =
2.2 – 4.Be3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Be3 exd4
4...Bf5 5.dxe5 Nc6 6.Nge2 Qe7 7.Qd5 Qxe5 =
4...Bb4 5.Nge2 Bg4 6.dxe5 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Nc6 =
4...Nc6 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Rxd1 Bb4 7.Nge2 Nge7 =
5.Qxd4
5.Bxd4 and now:

5...Nf6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Qe2 Bf5 8.0-0-0 Nd7 =/+
5...Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nge2 a6 8.Bxc6 Bxc6 =/+
5...Qxd4
6.Bxd4 Nc6
6...Be6 7.Nxe4 Nc6 8.0-0-0 0-0-0 9.Bc3 Rxd1+ 10.Kxd1 =
7.Bb5
7.Rd1 Bg4 8.Be2 Bf5 9.Bb5 Nge7 10.Be3 a6 =/+
7.Nge2 Bf5 8.Be3 Nf6 9.Ng3 Bg6 10.0-0-0 Bb4 =/+
7.0-0-0 and now:

7...Bf5 8.Bb5 Nge7 9.Bc5 a6 10.Bxc6+ Nxc6 11.Bxf8 =
7...Nxd4 8.Rxd4 f5 9.Nb5 c5 10.Nc7+ Ke7 11.Rc4 Rb8 =/+
7.Be3!? Nf6 8.Nge2 Bd6 9.0-0-0 Bf5 10.Ng3 Bg6 =
7...Bd7
7...f5 8.Be5 Bd7 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.Bxc7 Kf7 11.Nge2 =
7...Nge7 and now:

8.Nxe4 a6 9.Bxc6+ Nxc6 10.0-0-0 Bf5 11.Bc3 Nb4 =/+
8.Be5 Bd7 9.Bxc7 Nb4 10.Rd1 Bxb5 11.Nxb5 Nxc2+ 12.Kd2 Nb4 13.Nd6+
Kd7 14.Nxf7 Kxc7 15.Nxh8 Nd3 16.Nh3 =
8.Nxe4
8.Nge2 and now:

8...0-0-0 9.Be3 f5 10.Bc4 Nf6 11.h3 Bd6 -/+
8...Nxd4 9.Bxd7+ Kxd7 10.Nxd4 Re8 11.0-0-0 Kc8 -/+
8.0-0-0 0-0-0 9.Be3 a6 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.Rxd8+ Kxd8 =/+
8...0-0-0
8...Nxd4 9.Bxd7+ Kxd7 10.0-0-0 c5 11.c3 f5 =/+
9.Bc5
9.Be3 Nb4 10.Bxd7+ Rxd7 11.Rc1 Nxa2 12.Rd1 Nb4 -/+
9...a6
10.Bxf8
10.Bd3!? Bxc5 11.Nxc5 Nb4 12.a3 Nxd3+ 13.Nxd3 Bc6 =
10...Rxf8
11.Bd3 Nb4
12.Ne2
12.Nc5 Re8+ 13.Kd2 Bc6 14.Nf3 Bxf3 15.gxf3 Re5 =/+
12.Nf3 Nxd3+ 13.cxd3 Rd8 14.Nc5 Bf5 15.0-0-0 Ne7 =/+
12...Rd8
13.N2c3 Nxd3+
14.cxd3 b6
15.0-0-0 h6 =/+
2.3 – 4.Qh5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Qh5 exd4
4...Nf6 5.Qxe5+ Be7 6.Bf4 Nc6 7.Qxc7 Qxc7 8.Bxc7 =
4...Nc6 5.dxe5! and now:

5...Bb4 6.Bd2 g6 7.Qe2 Nd4 8.Qd1 Bf5 9.Rc1 =
5...g6 6.Qe2 Bb4 7.Qxe4 Bf5 8.Qe3 Bxc2 9.Be2 =
5...Nge7 6.Bb5 a6 7.Ba4 Qd7 8.Nge2 Qf5 9.Qxf5 Bxf5 =
5...Nd4 6.Qd1 Bg4 7.Be2 Nxe2 8.Qxd8+ Rxd8 9.Ngxe2 =
4...Qxd4!? 5.Be3 and now:

5...Nf6 6.Bxd4 Nxh5 7.Bxe5 Nc6 8.Bxc7 Nf6 9.0-0-0 =
5...Qd6 6.Nxe4 Qb4+ 7.Nd2 and now:
7...Nc6 8.Bc4 g6 9.Qf3 f5 10.0-0-0 Nf6 11.Nh3 f4 =/+
7...Qxb2 8.Rb1 Qxc2 9.Qxe5+ Ne7 10.Bc4 c6 11.Ngf3 f6 =/+
5.Bc4
5.Qe5+ Ne7 6.Bb5+ c6 7.Nxe4 Qd5 8.Qxd5 Nxd5 9.9.Bd3 Be7 10.Nf3 c5
11.0-0 Nc6 12.Re1 0-0 =+
5.Nxe4 and now:

5...Nc6 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.Qh4 Be7 8.Bg5 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 0-0 =/+
5...Qe7 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.Qe2 Nxe4 8.Qxe4 Qxe4+ 9.Bxe4 Nd7 -/+
5...Qe7
5...g6 6.Qe5+ Qe7 7.Qxh8 dxc3 8.Qxc3 Nc6 9.Ne2 +/-
5...Qf6 6.Nd5 Qd6 7.Bf4 Nf6 8.Bxd6 Nxh5 9.Bxf8 +-
5...Qd7 6.Nxe4 Qe7 7.Ne2 Be6 8.Bxe6 Qxe6 9.Ng5 =

6.Bg5
6.Nd5 Nf6 7.Nxe7 Nxh5 8.Nxc8 Nc6 9.Nxa7 Rxa7 -/+
6...Nf6
6...Qd7 7.Nxe4 Qf5 8.0-0-0 Nc6 9.Nf3 Qg6 10.Qxg6 hxg6 11.Nxd4 Nxd4
12.Rxd4 +/-
6...g6 7.Bxe7 gxh5 8.Bxf8 Kxf8 9.Nxe4 and now:

9...Bf5 10.Ng5 Nh6 11.0-0-0 c5 12.Re1 Kg7 13.Ne2 =
9...Nc6 10.0-0-0 Bf5 11.Ng3 Nge7 12.N1e2 h4 13.Nxf5 =
7.Bxf6 Qxf6
7...gxf6 8.Nd5 Qd6 9.Ne2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 Bg7 =
8.Nxe4 Qe7
8...Bb4+ 9.c3 Qf5 10.Qxf7+ Qxf7 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7 12.cxb4 =
8...Qf5 9.Ng5 Bb4+ 10.Kf1 Nc6 11.Qxf7+ Qxf7 12.Bxf7+ =
8...Qg6 9.Qxg6 hxg6 10.0-0-0 Nc6 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Neg5 =
9.0-0-0 Qxe4
9...g6 10.Qe2 Bh6+ 11.Kb1 0-0 12.h4 a6 =/+
10.Qxf7+ Kd8
11.Nf3 Bd6
11...Qg6 12.Rxd4+ Bd6 13.Ne5 Qh6+ 14.f4 =
12.Qxg7
12.Rxd4 Qe7 13.Qd5 Nc6 14.Re4 Qf6 15.Ng5 Rf8 16.Nf7+ Rxf7 17.Qxf7
Qxf7 18.Bxf7 Ne5 =/+
12...Rf8
12...Re8 13.Rhe1 Qf4+ 14.Kb1 Rxe1 15.Rxe1 Bf8 16.Qxh7 =
13.Ng5 Qf4+
14.Kb1 Qf6
15.Nf7+ Rxf7
16.Qxf7 Qxf7
17.Bxf7 =
2.4 – 4.Nxe4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Nxe4 Nc6
4...Nf6 5.Nxf6+ gxf6 6.Be3 Nc6 7.Nf3 Be6 8.Be2 =
4...f5 5.Nc3 exd4 6.Nb5 Nc6 7.Bf4 Bd6 8.Nxd6+ =
4...Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 exd4 7.Nxd4 Bc5 8.Be3 =
4...Be7 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Nxf6+ Bxf6 8.Qe2+ =
5.Nf3
5.Bb5 Qxd4 6.Qxd4 exd4 7.Nf3 Bd7 8.Bf4 0-0-0 =
5.d5 Nb4 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 =
5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 Nxe5 7.Bf4 Nf6 8.Nc3 Bd6 =
5...exd4
5...f5 and now:

6.Neg5 h6 7.d5 Nce7 8.Nh3 Qd6 9.Qe2 e4 =/+
6.Nc3 e4 7.d5 exf3 8.dxc6 Qxd1+ 9.Nxd1 Ne7 10.cxb7 Bxb7 11.g3 0-0-0
12.Bd3 Be4 13.Bxe4 fxe4 14.0-0 =
5...Bg4 6.Be2 Bxf3 7.Bxf3 Qxd4 8.Qe2 f5 9.Ng3 =
5...Nxd4 6.Nxe5 and now:

6...Qd5 7.Be3 Qxe4 8.Qxd4 Qxd4 9.Bxd4 f6 10.Nf3 =
6...Bf5 7.Bc4 Bxe4 8.Bxf7+ Ke7 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Be3 =
5...Nf6 and now:

6.Nxf6+ gxf6 7.Be3 Be6 8.dxe5 fxe5 9.Bb5 =
6.Bg5 exd4 7.Bb5 Be7 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 +=
5...Bf5 6.Ng3 Bg4 7.Bb5 exd4 8.0-0 Nge7 9.Re1 +/=
6.Bb5!
6.Bc4 and now:

6...Nf6 7.Nxf6+ Qxf6 8.Bg5 Qf5 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Bd3 =
6...Be6 7.Qe2 Qe7 8.0-0 h6 9.Re1 0-0-0 10.Bd2 =
6...Bf5 7.0-0 Bxe4 8.Re1 f5 9.Ng5 Bb4 10.c3 dxc3 11.Qb3 =
6...Be7 7.0-0 Bf5 8.Re1 Bxe4 9.Rxe4 Nf6 10.Re2 =
6...Bb4+ and now:
7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nexd2 Qe7+ 9.Qe2 Qxe2+ 10.Bxe2 Bg4 =
7.c3 dxc3 8.Qxd8+ Nxd8 9.bxc3 Be7 10.0-0 Nf6 =/+
6...Bf5
6...Bd7 7.0-0 Be7 8.Re1 a6 9.Bc4 Bg4 10.Qd3 +/-
6...f5 7.Nxd4! Bd7 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Ng3 Qe7+ 10.Nde2 +/=
6...Nf6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Nxf6+ +/=
6...Bb4+ and now:

7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Qxd2 Nge7 9.Nxd4 0-0 10.Nxc6 Nxc6 11.0-0-0 =
7.c3 dxc3 and now:
8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.bxc3 Bf5 11.cxb4 Bxe4 =
8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.bxc3 Bf5 10.Nfg5 Bxe4 11.Nxe4 f5 =
7.Bxc6+
7.Ng3 Qe7+ 8.Qe2 Qxe2+ 9.Nxe2 Bb4+ 10.Bd2 =
7...bxc6
8.Ng3 Qe7+
8...Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Qe7+ 10.Kf1 Be6 11.Nxd4 Rd8 12.c3 =

9.Ne2 c5
9...0-0-0 10.0-0 Bg4 11.Qd3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Qf6 13.Qd3 =
9...Be4 10.Qxd4 Nf6 11.Qc3 Qc5 12.0-0 Bd6 13.Qxc5 =
10.0-0 0-0-0
11.Re1 Qd6
12.Ng3 Bg4
13.h3 =
2.5 – 4.Nxe4 Qxd4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Nxe4 Qxd4
5.Bd3
5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Qxd4 exd4 7.Bxd7+ Nxd7 8.Nf3 Nc5 =/+
5.Qe2 Nf6 6.Nxf6+ gxf6 7.Nf3 Bb4+ 8.Nd2 Bxd2+ =/+
5.Qxd4 exd4 and now:

6.Bf4 Bf5 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.0-0-0 0-0-0 9.Nf3 f6 10.Rhe1 Nge7 =/+
6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bb5 Bf5 8.Ng3 Bd7 9.0-0 0-0-0 10.a3 a6 =
5...Nc6
5...Be7 6.Nf3 Qd5 7.Nc3 Qa5 8.0-0 Nd7 9.Bd2 c6 10.Qe2 =
5...Bf5 and now:

6.Qf3 Bg6 7.Ne2 Qd7 8.Be3 Bb4+ 9.N2c3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 =
6.Nf3 Qd5 7.Nc3 Qe6 8.Ng5 Qd7 9.Qf3 Bxd3 10.Qxb7 Qc6 11.Qc8+ Ke7
12.cxd3 f6 13.b3 Qxc3+ 14.Ke2 Nd7 15.Qxa8 =
5...Nf6 6.Nf3 and now:

6...Qd8 7.Qe2 Nc6 see 5…Nc6 6.Nf3 Qd8 7.Qe2 Nf6
6...Qd5 7.Qe2 Nc6 8.Neg5 Be6 9.0-0 Bc5 10.Be3 =
5...f5 and now:

6.Nc3 Nc6 7.Nf3 Qd7 8.Qe2 e4 9.Bc4 Nf6 =/+
6.Ne2 Qb6 7.N4c3 Nf6 8.Bc4 Be6 9.Bxe6 Qxe6 -/+
6.Ng3 Bb4+ 7.Kf1 Qd6 8.c3 Bc5 9.Qe2 Ne7 -/+
6.Nf3 and now:
6...Bb4+ 7.c3 Qd5 8.Qe2 fxe4 9.Bxe4 Qd6 10.cxb4 +/-
6...Qd5 7.Nc3 Bb4 8.Bd2 Qd6 9.0-0! Nc6 10.Nxe5 +-
6...Qd7! 7.Neg5 Nc6 8.Qe2 e4 9.Bc4 Be7 10.Nh4 =
6...Qd8! 7.Neg5 Nc6 8.Qe2 e4 9.Bc4 Nh6 10.0-0 =
6...Qb6!? 7.Nc3! and now:
7...e4 8.0-0 Nf6 9.Bc4 Nbd7 10.Qe2 Bd6 11.Rd1 +/=
7...Nc6 8.0-0 and now:
8...e4 9.Nd5 Qa5 10.Bb5 Bd6 11.Nd4 a6 12.Bd2 +-
8...Nf6 9.Bc4 Qc5 10.b3 Bd7 11.Ng5 Nd8 12.Be3 +/=
5...Qb6 and now:

6.Qe2 and now:
6...Be7 7.Nd2 Nc6 8.Ngf3 Nb4 9.Nxe5 Nxd3+ 10.Nxd3 Qe6 =
6...Ne7 7.Nf3 f5 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Nc3 e4 10.Ne5 Bxb5 11.Nxb5 =
6.Ne2 f5! 7.Be3 Qxb2 8.Nd2 Nc6 9.0-0 Qb4 10.Rb1 Qg4 =/+
6.Nf3 f5 7.Nc3 e4 8.0-0 Nf6 9.Bc4 Nbd7 10.Qe2 h6 11.Rd1 +/=
6.Nf3 Qd8
6...Qb6 7.0-0 Be7 8.a4 Nf6 9.a5 Nxa5 10.Nxe5 +/=
6...Qb4+ 7.c3 Qe7 8.0-0 f5 9.Ng3 f4 10.Ne4 =
6...Qd7 7.Qe2 Qe7 8.Bb5 Bd7 9.Bg5 f6 10.Be3 =
6...Qd5 7.0-0 Be6 8.Qe2 0-0-0 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Nc3 =
7.Qe2 Bg4
7...Nf6 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Rd1 Bg4 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.h3 =
7...Bd6 8.0-0 f5 9.Nxd6+ cxd6 10.Rd1 Nf6 11.Bb5 =
7...Be7 8.Bb5 Bg4 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Qc4 =
8.Bb5 Qd5
8...Bd6 9.h3 Bd7 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Bg5 Qe7 12.Rfd1 0-0-0 =
9.c4
9.Bd2 Nf6 10.Neg5 e4 11.Bc4 Qd7 12.Nxe4 0-0-0 13.Nxf6 =
9...Qe6
10.Neg5
10.0-0 h6 11.Rd1 a6 12.Bxc6+ Qxc6 13.h3 Bxf3 =/+
10...Bb4+
11.Bd2 Bxd2+
12.Nxd2 Qf5
13.Bxc6+ bxc6 =
2.6 – 4.Nxe4 exd4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Nxe4 exd4
5.Nf3
5.Bc4 Qe7 6.Qe2 Nc6 7.Bg5 f6 8.Bf4 Bf5 9.Bd3 g6 =/+
5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Re1 0-0 9.a3 Re8 =
5.Bb5+ and now:

5...Bd7 6.Qe2 Qe7 7.Nf3 f5 8.Bxd7+ Nxd7 9.Neg5 Qxe2+ =
5...Nc6 and now:
6.Nf3 Bf5 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Ng3 Qe7+ 9.Ne2 c5 10.0-0 0-0-0 =
6.Ne2 Bd7 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Nxf6+ Qxf6 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.Qxd4 Nxd4 11.Bxd7+
Kxd7 12.Rd1 =
5…c6 and now:
6.Bc4 see 2.0 after 4.Bb5+ c6 5.Bc4 exd4 6.Nxe4.
6.Bd3 Nf6 7.Nf3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Re1 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Bf6 =/+
5...Qe7
5...Nc6 see 2.4 after 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 exd4.
5...h6 and now:

6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Qxd8+ Nxd8 8.Be3 Bb4+ 9.c3 Be7 10.Bb5+ +/=
6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Qe2 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 Nxe4 9.Qxe4+ Qe7 10.Qxe7+ +/=
5...Bg4 6.Bb5+ c6 7.Be2 Nf6 8.Nxf6+ Qxf6 9.Bg5 =
5...Bb4+ 6.c3 dxc3 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.bxc3 Nf6 9.Bg5 Be7 =
5...Bf5 6.Ng3 Bg6 7.Nxd4 Bc5 8.Be3 Nf6 9.Bc4 Nbd7 10.Qe2 =
5...f5 6.Ng3 Nc6 7.a3 Bd6 8.Bd3 Qe7+ 9.Qe2 Qxe2+ 10.Nxe2 =
5...Nf6 6.Nxf6+ Qxf6 7.Bb5+ c6 8.Bg5 Qe6+ 9.Be2 h6 10.Bh4 =
5...Be7 and now:

6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Nxf6+ Bxf6 8.Qe2+ Kf8 9.Nf3 Qd5 10.c3 =
6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 8.Nxf6+ Bxf6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0-0 =
6.Bb5+
6.Qe2 Nc6 7.Ng3 Be6 8.a3 0-0-0 9.b4 a6 -/+
6.Bd3 f5 7.0-0 fxe4 8.Re1 and now:

8...Qc5 9.Bxe4 Be7 10.Bg5 Nd7 11.Qe2 Ndf6 12.Rad1 Bg4 =
8...Bf5 9.Bg5 Nf6 10.Nxd4 Bg6 11.Bxe4 Bxe4 12.Bxf6 gxf6 =/+
6...c6
6...Bd7 and now:

7.Bxd7+ Nxd7 8.0-0 0-0-0 9.Re1 h6 10.Bf4 Qb4 11.a3 +/=
7.0-0 Bxb5 8.Re1 Nc6 9.Nc5 0-0-0 10.Rxe7 Bxe7 11.a4 +/=
7.0-0 cxb5
7...Nf6 8.Nxf6+ gxf6 9.Nxd4 Be6 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.Bc4 +-
8.Re1
8.Bf4 Qd7 9.Re1 Be7 10.Nd6+ Kf8 11.Qxd4 Nc6 12.Qd5 =
8...Be6
9.Bf4
9.Nxd4 Nc6 10.Nxb5 Rd8 11.Bf4 Rxd1 12.Raxd1 and now: 12...Qd8
13.Nc7+ Qxc7 14.Bxc7 Be7 15.b3 b6 16.Bd6 =
12...Nf6 13.Ned6+ Qxd6 14.Bxd6 Bxd6 15.Nxd6+ Ke7 16.f4 =
9...Nc6
9...Qb4 10.Nxd4 Nc6 11.Nxe6 fxe6 12.Qg4 Rd8 13.Qxe6+ +-
10.Nd6+ Qxd6
10...Kd8 11.Nxf7+ Bxf7 12.Rxe7 Bxe7 13.Nxd4 Ke8 14.Nxb5 +/-
11.Bxd6 Bxd6
12.Ng5 0-0-0
13.Nxe6 fxe6
14.Rxe6 Nf6
15.g3 =
2.7 – 4.Nge2
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Nge2 f5
4...a6 5.Nxe4 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.Qd2 =
4...h6 5.a3 exd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 8.Ndb5 =
4...Be7 5.Nxe4 Nf6 6.Nxf6+ Bxf6 7.d5 Bf5 8.Be3 =
4...Bf5 5.Be3 Nc6 6.dxe5 Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 =
4...Bb4 and now:

5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 Nc6 7.Nxe4 Bf5 8.N2g3 =
5.Be3 Nc6 6.dxe5 Bg4 7.Qxd8+ Rxd8 8.a3 =
4...Bg4 5.h3 and now:

5...Bh5 6.Be3 Nc6 7.dxe5 Bb4 8.Qxd8+ Rxd8 9.a3 +/=
5...Bf5 6.Be3 Nc6 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Bf4 Bd6 9.Ng3 +/=
5...Bxe2 6.Qxe2 exd4 7.Qxe4+ Qe7 8.Qxe7+ Nxe7 9.Nb5 =
4...Nf6 and now:

5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1 Ng4 7.Bf4 Nc6 8.Ndc3 =
5.Bg5 and now:
5...Qd6 6.Ng3 Be7 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nd5 Qd6 9.Bc4 =
5...Be7 6.dxe5 Nfd7 7.Bxe7 Qxe7 8.Qd4 Nc6 9.Qxe4 =
5...exd4 6.Qxd4 and now:
6...Be7 7.0-0-0 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 see 2.9 after 7.Bg5 Be7 8.0-0-0
6...Qxd4 7.Nxd4 see 2.9 after 4...exd4 5.Qxd4 Qxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Bg5
5.dxe5
5.Ng3 exd4 6.Nb5 Nc6 7.Bf4 Bb4+ 8.c3 Ba5 -/+
5.Be3 f4 6.Bd2 e3 7.fxe3 Bg4 8.exf4 exd4 =/+

5.g4 fxg4 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Ne7 8.Nd4 Nbc6 =/+
5...Qxd1+
6.Kxd1
6.Nxd1 Nc6 7.Bf4 Be6 8.Ne3 Bc5 9.0-0-0 Nge7 =/+
6...Ne7
6...c6 7.Nd4 Bc5 8.Be3 Bxd4 9.Bxd4 Ne7 10.f3 =
6...Nc6 7.Nb5 Kd8 8.Ke1 Bd7 9.Bf4 Nb4 10.Na3 =
6...Be6 7.Nf4 Bd7 8.Bc4 Ne7 9.a3 Na6 10.e6 +/-
7.Nb5
7.Nd4 a6 8.Be3 c5 9.Nb3 Nd7 10.e6 Nf6 11.Nxc5 =
7...Kd8
8.f4
8.f3 Nbc6 9.fxe4 and now:

9...Nxe5 10.h3 fxe4 11.Nbc3 Ke8 12.Nxe4 Bf5 13.N2g3 =
9...fxe4 10.Nbc3 Nxe5 11.Nxe4 N7g6 12.Nd4 Bg4+ 13.Ke1=
8...Nbc6 9.g4
9.g3 g5 10.Ke1 a6 11.Nbc3 Ke8 12.a3 Be6 13.Be3 Rd8 =
9.c3 g6 10.Kc2 Nd5 11.Ned4 Nxd4+ 12.Nxd4 c5 13.Nb5 Be6 =
9...fxg4
9...a6 10.Nbc3 g6 11.Be3 Ke8 12.gxf5 gxf5 13.a3 =

10.Bg2 g5
11.Bxe4 Bg7
11...gxf4 12.Bxf4 a6 13.Nbd4 Bg7 14.c3 Nxe5 15.Kc2 =
12.fxg5 Bxe5
13.Bf4 Bf5
14.Bxf5 Nxf5
15.Kd2 Bxb2
16.Raf1 =
2.8 – 4.Nge2 Nc6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Nge2 Nc6
5.Be3
5.Nxe4 exd4 6.Nf4 Nf6 7.Bd3 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 Bxd2+ 9.Qxd2 0-0 -/+
5.d5 and now:

5...Nd4 6.Nxd4 exd4 7.Qxd4 f5 8.Bf4 Nf6 9.Qe5+ +/-
5...Nb4 6.a3 Na6 7.Ng3 Nf6 8.Nh5 Nxh5 9.Qxh5 +/=
5...Nb8 6.Nxe4 f5 7.N2c3 fxe4 8.Qh5+ Kd7 9.Bb5+ c6 10.dxc6+ bxc6
11.Bf4! Kc7 12.Rd1 =
5...Nce7 6.Ng3 and now:
6...a6 7.Ngxe4 f5 8.Ng5 Nf6 9.Bc4 h6 10.Ne6 Bxe6 =
6...Nf6 7.Bc4 c6 8.dxc6 Qxd1+ 9.Nxd1 bxc6 10.0-0 Nf5 =
6...f5 7.Bc4 a6 8.0-0 b5 9.Bb3 Nf6 10.Bg5 Neg8 =/+
5.dxe5 and now:

5...Be6 6.Be3 Nxe5 7.Nxe4 Bb4+ 8.N2c3 Ne7 9.Bc5 =
5...Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1 Nxe5 7.Ndc3 Nf6 8.Nb5 Bb4+ 9.Nec3 =
5...exd4
5...Bb4 and now:

6.d5 Nce7 7.a3 Ba5 8.b4 Bb6 9.Ng3 Bxe3 10.fxe3 Nf6 =/+
6.dxe5 and now:
6...Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Nge7 8.Bd2 Bf5 9.Ng3 0-0-0 10.a3 =
6...Bg4 7.Qxd8+ Rxd8 8.a3 Ba5 9.Ng3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 =
5...Nf6 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Nxe5

8.Bg5 Be7 9.Ng3 0-0 10.Ncxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe7 Nxg3 12.hxg3 =
8.Ng3 Bb4 9.Bd4 Ned7 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.Bxc3 0-0 12.Be2 =
5...Nxd4 6.Nxd4 exd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Bxd4 Bf5 9.0-0-0 Nf6 =

5...Bd6 6.Nxe4 Bf5 7.N2g3 Bxe4 8.Nxe4 Bb4+ 9.c3 exd4 =
5...Bg4 and now:

6.d5 Nce7 7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ng3 Nf6 10.Bb5+ c6 =
6.dxe5 Bb4 7.Qxd8+ Rxd8 8.a3 Ba5 9.Ng3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Nge7 =
5...Bf5 6.dxe5 and now:

6...Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 Nge7 9.Bc4 Nxe5 10.Ba2 0-0 =
6...Qe7 7.Qd5 Qxe5 8.Qxe5+ Nxe5 9.Ng3 Bg6 10.0-0-0 Nf6 =
5...f5 6.dxe5 Nxe5 and now:

7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.0-0-0+ Bd7 9.h3 Kc8 10.g4 fxg4 11.Nxe4 =
7.Bf4 and now:
7...Ng6 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Bg3 Nf6 10.0-0-0+ Bd7 11.h4 =
7...Bd6 8.Nb5 Ne7 9.Nxd6+ cxd6 10.Qd2 N7g6 11.0-0-0 =
6.Nxd4 Nf6
6...Bd7 7.Nxe4 Qe7 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.Be2 0-0-0 10.0-0 =
6...Bb4 7.Qd2 Nf6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.0-0-0+ =
6...Nxd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Bxd4 Bf5 9.0-0-0 0-0-0 10.Bc4 =
7.Nxc6 Qxd1+
7...bxc6 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Bc4 Ke8 10.0-0-0 Bd6 11.h3 +/=
8.Rxd1
8.Nxd1 bxc6 9.Nc3 Bd6 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.h3 Re8 12.g4 =
8...bxc6
9.Bd4
9.Bc4 Bg4 10.Rd2 Bd6 11.h3 Bf5 12.0-0 0-0 13.Bb3 =

9...Be7
9...Bf5 10.h3 Rb8 11.Bc4 Nd7 12.b3 f6 13.0-0 =
9...Be6 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxe4 f5 12.Nf6+ Ke7 13.Nh5 =
10.Bc4 Bg4
11.Rd2 0-0
12.Be5 Rab8
13.Bb3 =
2.9 – 4.Nge2 exd4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5
4.Nge2 exd4
5.Qxd4
5.Nxe4 Nc6 6.N2g3 Qd5 7.Bf4 Bb4+ 8.c3 dxc3 =/+
5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qd2 h6 8.Bf4 a6 9.0-0-0 0-0 =/+
5...Qxd4
5...f5 6.Bf4 Nc6 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.0-0-0+ Bd7 9.g4 +/=
5...Qe7 6.Nd5 Nc6 7.Qa4 Qd7 8.Qxe4+ Nce7 9.Nec3 +/=
5...Nf6 6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 7.Bg5 Be7 8.0-0-0+ Ke8 9.Bxf6 +/=
5...Nc6 6.Qxd8+ Nxd8 7.Nxe4 Ne6 8.Bd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 =
6.Nxd4 Nf6
6...f5 7.Nd5 Bd6 8.Nb5 and now:

8...Na6 9.Nxd6+ cxd6 10.Bxa6 bxa6 11.Nc7+ Kd7 12.Nxa8 +-
8...Kd7 9.Be3 Nf6 10.0-0-0 Nxd5 11.Rxd5 Nc6 12.Rxf5 +/-
6...c6 7.Nxe4 and now:

7...Be7 8.Bf4 Nf6 9.Nd6+ Bxd6 10.Bxd6 Be6 11.Bd3 +/-
7...Nf6 8.Nxf6+ gxf6 9.Be3 Nd7 10.0-0-0 Bc5 11.Be2 +/=
6...Bb4 7.Ndb5 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 Nf6 9.Bg5 Be6 10.Bxf6 gxf6 =
7.Bg5
7.Ndb5 Na6 8.Bf4 c6 9.Nd6+ Bxd6 10.Bxd6 Bf5 =

7...Bb4
7...Bc5 and now:

8.Ndb5 Bb6 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 Na6 11.Nxf6+ Ke7 12.Nd5+ +/=
8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.0-0-0 Bb6 10.Nxe4 Ke7 11.Ng3 Nc6 12.Nxc6+ +/=
7...Nbd7 8.Ndb5 and now:

8...Bd6 9.Nxd6+ cxd6 10.0-0-0 h6 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Bxd6 +/-
8...Kd8 9.Nxe4 Bb4+ 10.Nbc3 h6 11.Bxf6+ gxf6 12.0-0-0 +/=
7...Be7 and now:

8.Ndb5 Na6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Be2 h6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Nxe4 =
8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Nxe4 Be5 11.Bc4 g6 12.h3 =
8.0-0-0 0-0 9.Bc4 h6 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Nxe4 Bd8 12.f4 =
8.Ndb5
8.0-0-0 Bxc3 and now:

9.Bxf6 Bxb2+ 10.Kxb2 gxf6 11.Re1 f5 12.f3 Be6 13.g3 =
9.bxc3 0-0 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Re1 f5 12.f3 exf3 13.Re7 =
8...Ba5
8...Bxc3+ 9.Nxc3 Be6 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxe4 Nd7 12.0-0-0 =
8...Na6 9.0-0-0 and now:

9...Bxc3 10.Nxc3 Bf5 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Bxa6 bxa6 13.Nd5 +/-
9...Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Nxe4 Be5 12.g3 Bg4 13.Rd5 +/=
9.b4
9.0-0-0 a6 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nd4 Bxc3 12.bxc3 0-0 13.Re1 =
9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.b4 Bxb4 11.Nxc7+ Kf8 12.0-0-0 Bxc3 13.Rd8+ =
9...a6
9...Bxb4 10.Nxc7+ Kd7 11.N7b5 Ke7 12.0-0-0 Be6 13.Nxe4 =
10.Nd6+
10.bxa5 axb5 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Nxe4 c6 13.Nd6+ Ke7 =
10...cxd6
11.bxa5 Nc6
12.0-0-0 Bf5
13.Rxd6 Ng4
14.Be2 =
Summary
The Lemberger Counter Gambit 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5?! allows Black
to return the gambit pawn in exchange for a wide open central position.
Theoreticians recommend this variation.
White can regain the gambit pawn, but the fight continues. Black easily
develops all his pieces. The Lemberger Counter Gambit requires White to
pick a fourth move and follow it up accurately. Otherwise Black will
maintain an advantage.
Black has two issues in the Lemberger. First, it is only available after 1.d4 d5
2.e4 and not via other move orders. Thus it only works for double queen
pawn defenders. Second, it does not refute the gambit. It simply gives Black
instant equality.
The two most promising ideas for White include moving a knight to the e-file
on move four. My favorite is the Ernst Rasmussen Variation 4.Nge2. Most
naturally Black captures 4…exd4 in 2.9, attacks d4 with 4…Nc6 in 2.8, or
protects e4 with 4...f5 in 2.7.
The traditional main line is the Lange Gambit with 4.Nxe4. Black capture
with the pawn by 4...exd4 in 2.6, capture with the queen by 4...Qxd4 in 2.5,
or play something else after 4.Nxe4 in 2.4.
Ernie Sneiders tried 4.Qh5 in a game long ago that gave this variation its
name. The move 4.Qh5 in 2.3 attacks e5 and f7. While not as popular as
4.Nge2 or 4.Nxe4, 4.Qh5 is a good try.
Eric Schiller promoted 4.Be3 in his books. It develops a piece and protects
d4, so it must be reasonable. The way 4.Be3 has been traditionally played
seems to slightly favor Black, but I note a couple lines in 2.2 with “!?” that
appear equal.
The exchange variation 4.dxe5 immediately regains the pawn at the cost of a
tempo after 4...Qxd1+ in 2.1. White has a hard time to coordinate his army,
but Black may struggle as well.
Odds and ends after 3.Nc3 e5 are covered in 2.0. These moves include 4.Qe2,
4.Bc4, 4.d5, and 4.f3. In addition I selected for the main line the rare
continuation 4.Bb5!? The resulting positions are close to equal.
3.0 – 4.f3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 e5
4...h6 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Ng4 8.Nd5 =
4...a6 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Ng4 8.Nd5 =
4...b6 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Ng4 8.Nd5 =
4...Na6 5.Nxe4 Nxe4 6.fxe4 e5 7.Nf3 exd4 8.Bxa6 =
4...Nbd7 and now:

5.Bg5 c6 6.fxe4 e5 7.dxe5 Qa5 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.exf6 Ba3 =/+
5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Nf3 Bd6 9.Be3 c6 =
4...g6 5.fxe4 Bg7 6.Nf3 0-0 and now:

7.Be2 c5 8.d5 e6 9.0-0 exd5 10.exd5 =
7.e5 Nd5 8.Bc4 Be6 9.Nxd5 Bxd5 10.Bxd5 =
7.Bc4 c5 8.dxc5 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Bg4 10.Be3 =
5.dxe5
5.Bb5+ and now:

5...Nfd7 6.dxe5 Bb4 7.Qd4 Qe7 8.a3 Ba5 9.Bf4 =
5...c6 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Nxd1 Ng4 8.Be2 Nxe5 9.fxe4 =
5...Qxd1+
5...Nfd7 and now:

6.f4 and now:
6...Bb4 7.Nge2 0-0 8.a3 Ba5 9.b4 Bb6 10.Nxe4 +/=
6...f5 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Nh3 Nb6 9.Qxd8+ Nxd8 10.Bxb6 +/=
6.Nxe4 and now:
6...Nxe5 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Bf4 Nbc6 9.0-0-0+ Bd7 10.Ne2 +/=
6...Nc6 7.f4 Qe7 8.Bd3 Nc5 9.Nxc5 Qxc5 10.Nf3 +/-
6...Be7 7.f4 0-0 8.Be3 Nb6 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.Qf3 +/-
6...Qh4+ 7.g3 Qh5 8.f4 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Nc5 10.Bg2 +/=
6.Kxd1
6.Nxd1 Nd5 7.fxe4 Nb4 8.Ne3 Bc5 9.a3 Bxe3 10.axb4 Bxc1 =
6...Nfd7
6...Ng8 7.Nd5 Kd8 8.fxe4 Nc6 9.Nf3 Nge7 10.Nxe7 +/-
6...Nh5 7.Nd5 Kd8 8.g4 c6 9.Nc3 exf3 10.gxh5 +/-
6...exf3 7.exf6 fxg2 8.Bxg2 Nc6 9.fxg7 Bxg7 10.Bxc6+ +-
7.Nd5 Kd8
7...Na6 8.Bxa6 bxa6 9.Nxc7+ Kd8 10.Nxa8 Bb7 11.fxe4 +-
8.Bg5+ f6
9.exf6 gxf6
9...Nxf6 10.Nxf6 h6 11.Nxe4+ hxg5 12.Nxg5 Ke8 13.f4 +-
10.Nxf6 h6
10...Be7 11.Nxe4 Bxg5 12.Nxg5 Ke7 13.f4 h6 14.N5f3 +-
11.Nxd7+ hxg5
11...Kxd7 12.Bf6 Rg8 13.fxe4 Be7 14.Be5 b6 15.Nf3 +/-
12.Nxf8 Rxf8
13.Kd2 c5
13...Bf5 14.h4 gxh4 15.Rxh4 exf3 16.Nxf3 Nc6 17.Kc3 +/-
13...exf3 14.Nxf3 g4 15.Ne5 Nc6 16.Nxc6+ bxc6 17.Re1 +/-
14.fxe4
14.Re1 exf3 15.Nxf3 g4 16.Ne5 Kc7 17.Bb5 Nc6 18.Bxc6 +/-
14...Nc6
15.h4 gxh4
16.Rxh4 Kc7
17.Nf3 +/-
3.1 – 4.f3 Nc6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 Nc6
5.d5
5.Bb5 Bd7 6.fxe4 and now:

6...e6 7.Nf3 a6 8.Be2 Be7 9.0-0 h6 10.e5 +/=
6...a6 7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.Nf3 e6 9.0-0 Be7 10.e5 +/-
6...e5 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.d5 Bd7 9.Nf3 Bd6 10.Bg5 =
5...Ne5
5...Nb4 6.fxe4 e6 7.a3 Na6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.Ne5
Qd8 12.Qf3 0-0 13.Bf4 +/=
5...Na5 6.Qd4 exf3 7.Nxf3 e6 8.Bg5 exd5 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Qxf6 gxf6
11.Nxd5 Bd6 12.Nxf6+ Kf8 13.0-0-0 =
5...Nb8 6.fxe4 e6 7.Bf4 Bb4 8.Qd3 0-0 9.Nge2 exd5 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Nxd5
Nxd5 12.exd5 Bd6 13.Qd4 =
6.fxe4
6.Bf4 and now:

6...exf3 7.Nxf3 Ng6 8.Bg3 a6 9.Bc4 b5 10.Bb3 Nh5 11.Bf2 =
6...Ng6 7.Bg3 e5 8.dxe6 Bxe6 9.Nb5 Bd6 10.Bxd6 cxd6 =
6...e6
6...Ng6 7.Nf3 e5 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 10.Bg5 =
6...a6 7.Nf3 Qd6 8.Qd4 Nfg4 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Be2 =
6...c6 7.Qd4 Ng6 8.Nf3 Qc7 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 =

6...Bg4 and now:
7.Nf3 e6 8.Bb5+ c6 9.dxc6 Qxd1+ 10.Nxd1 =
7.Qd4 Nfd7 8.h3 Bh5 9.Bf4 f6 10.Qf2 +/-
7.Nf3 Nxf3+
7...Ned7 8.dxe6 fxe6 9.e5 Nd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Qxd5 +/-
7...Nfd7 8.dxe6 fxe6 9.Ng5 Bd6 10.Qh5+ g6 11.Qh3 +/=
7...Nfg4 8.h3 Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3 Qh4+ 10.g3 Ne5 11.Qf4 +/=
7...Qd6 8.Nxe5 Qxe5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Nxd7 11.0-0 +/=
7...Bd6 and now:

8.Bb5+ c6 9.dxc6 0-0 10.Nxe5 Bxe5 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 =
8.Bf4 and now:
8...Nd3+ 9.Qxd3 Bxf4 10.Qd4 exd5 11.Nxd5 Qd6 12.Nxf4 =
8...Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3 and now:
9...e5 10.Bb5+ Nd7 11.Be3 Qh4+ 12.g3 Qe7 13.0-0-0 =
9...Bxf4 10.Qxf4 exd5 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.Bc4 Nh5 13.Qe5 +/=
7...Ng6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.dxe6 and now:

9...Bxb5 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Nxb5 fxe6 12.Be3 Bd6 13.0-0-0 =
9...fxe6 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.Qxd7+ Kxd7 12.Bd2 Bd6 13.0-0-0 =
8.Qxf3 exd5
8...e5 9.Qg3 Qd6 10.Be2 Be7 11.Nb5 Qd7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Nc3 +=
9.Nxd5 Nxd5
10.exd5 Bc5
10...Bd6 11.Qe4+ Qe7 12.Qxe7+ Kxe7 13.Bd3 and now:

13...Rd8 14.Bd2 Bc5 15.Be4 Bg4 16.h3 Bh5 17.g4 Bg6 =
13...Re8 14.0-0 Bd7 15.Bd2 h6 16.Rad1 Bc5+ 17.Kh1 Kf8 =
11.Bf4 Qh4+
12.g3 Qe7+
13.Qe2
13.Kd2 0-0 14.Bd3 Qf6 15.c3 Rd8 16.Rhf1 g6 17.h4 =
13...Bg4
14.Qxe7+ Kxe7
15.Be2 h5
16.h3 Bxe2
17.Kxe2 =
3.2 – 4.f3 c5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 c5
5.d5
5.dxc5 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1 e6 7.Nb5 Kd7 8.Be3 Nd5 =/+
5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.d5 Bxb5 7.Nxb5 Qa5+ 8.Nc3 Nbd7 =/+
5.Be3 cxd4 6.Bxd4 e6 7.fxe4 Nc6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 =/+
5.Bf4 and now:

5...Qxd4 and now:
6.Nb5 Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Na6 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.Nf3 Be6 =/+
6.fxe4 e5 7.Bg3 Qe3+ 8.Qe2 Qxe2+ 9.Bxe2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 =
5...cxd4 6.Nb5 and now:
6...Nd5 7.Bxb8 and now:
7...d3 8.fxe4 Qa5+ 9.Qd2 Qxb5 10.Be5 Ne3 11.Qxe3 =
7...Qa5+! 8.c3 d3 9.Qb3 Be6 10.fxe4 Ne3 11.Nd6+ exd6 12.Qxb7 Nc2+
13.Kd1 Rxb8 14.Qxb8+ =
6...Na6 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 Bd7 and now:
9.Bxa6 bxa6 10.0-0-0 e6 11.Be5 Rc8 12.Nh3 exf3 =/+
9.0-0-0 e6 10.Nh3 Be7 11.Bxa6 bxa6 12.fxe4 Nxe4 =/+
5...e6
5...exf3 6.Nxf3 see Blackmar-Diemer Theory 3 section 1.6
5...Qa5 6.Bd2 and now:

6...exf3 7.Nxf3 a6 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Qc7 10.0-0 +/=
6...e3 7.Bxe3 a6 8.Nge2 Nbd7 9.Ng3 b5 10.a4 =
5...a6 6.fxe4 and now:

6...b5 7.Nf3 e5 8.Qe2 Nbd7 9.a4 b4 10.Nd1 =
6...e6 7.Nf3 exd5 8.Nxd5 Be7 9.Nxf6+ Bxf6 10.Qxd8+ =
5...Bf5 6.g4 and now:
6...Bc8 7.g5 Nfd7 8.fxe4 g6 9.Bf4 Bg7 10.Qd3 +/=
6...Bg6 7.g5 Nfd7 8.fxe4 h6 9.Nh3 Ne5 10.Bf4 +/=
6.fxe4
6.Bb5+ and now:

6...Nbd7 7.dxe6 fxe6 8.fxe4 a6 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 10.Qe2 =
6...Bd7 7.dxe6 fxe6 8.Bxd7+ and now:
8...Qxd7 9.Qxd7+ Nbxd7 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.fxe4 =
8...Nbxd7 9.Qe2 Qb6 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 Be7 12.Nh3 =
6...exd5
6...Be7 7.Bf4 Qb6 8.d6 Bd8 9.Nf3 Qxb2 10.Bd2+/=
7.exd5
7.e5 Ne4 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Ne2 =
7...Bd6
7...a6 8.Bf4 Bd6 9.Qe2+ Kf8 10.Qe3 Qe7 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 =
8.Qe2+
8.Nf3 0-0 9.Be2 a6 10.0-0 Re8 11.Ng5 h6 12.Nxf7 Kxf7 13.Bh5+ Kg8
14.Bxe8 Qxe8 =/+
8.Bb5+ Nbd7 9.Qe2+ Qe7 10.Bg5 and now:

10...0-0 11.Qxe7 Bxe7 12.0-0-0 h6 13.Bh4 =
10...Qxe2+ 11.Ngxe2 0-0 12.Bxd7 Nxd7 13.Bf4 =
8...Kf8
8...Be7 9.Bg5 0-0 10.0-0-0 h6 11.Bh4 Bg4 12.Nf3 =

9.Nf3
9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 h6 11.Bh4 g5 12.Bg3 =
9.Be3 Bf5 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.Nf3 a6 12.Qd2 =
9...Bf5
10.Be3 Na6
11.a3 Qe7
12.0-0-0 +/=
3.3 – 4.f3 c6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 c6
5.Bc4
5.Qd2 exf3 6.Nxf3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Qf2 0-0 9.Bd3 Na6 =/+
5.Be3 exf3 6.Nxf3 Bf5 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 e6 9.Bd2 c5 =
5.Nxe4 and now:

5...Nxe4 6.fxe4 e5 7.Nf3 exd4 8.Bc4 Qa5+ 9.Bd2 Qc5 10.Qe2 =
5...Nbd7 6.c3 e5 7.Qe2 Nxe4 8.Qxe4 Qe7 9.Ne2 exd4 10.Nxd4 =
5.Bg5
5...h6 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.fxe4 Qb6 8.a3 Be6 9.Na4 Qc7 10.Nc3 =
5...exf3 6.Nxf3 h6 7.Bh4 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 Nd5 10.Qd2 =
5...Qa5 6.Qd2 exf3 7.Nxf3 Bf5 8.b4 Qb6 9.Na4 Qd8 10.Nc5 =
5...Qb6 6.Qd2 Nd5 7.Na4 Qb4 8.fxe4 Qxa4 9.exd5 cxd5 10.Ne2 =
5...Bf5 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.fxe4 Bg6 8.Qd3 Bd6 9.Nf3 0-0 10.0-0-0 =
5...Nbd7 6.fxe4 e5 7.dxe5 Qa5 8.Bd2 Nxe5 9.Nf3 Qc5 10.Qe2 =
5...Bf5
5...e6 6.fxe4 b5
7.e5 bxc4 8.exf6 gxf6 9.Nf3 Na6 10.Qe2 Nb4 11.0-0 =
7.Be2 b4 8.e5 bxc3 9.exf6 cxb2 10.Bxb2 gxf6 11.Nf3 =
5...Qa5 6.Bd2 Qb4 7.Qe2 e3 8.Bc1 Bf5 9.a3 Qb6 10.Bd3 =
5...b5 and now:

6.Bb3 e6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.fxe4 b4 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.Nce2 =
6.Be2 Nbd7 7.Nh3 e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Nxe4 =
5...Nbd7 and now:

6.fxe4 b5 7.Bb3 b4 8.Nce2 Nxe4 9.Nf3 e6 =/+
6.Qe2 e5 7.Nxe4 Nb6 8.Bb3 Nxe4 9.fxe4 exd4 =/+
6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 Nxf6 8.Nxe4 Bf5 9.Nxf6+ exf6 =/+
6.Bb3 a5 7.fxe4 a4 8.Nxa4 b5 9.Nc3 b4 10.Nce2 Nxe4 11.Nf3 =
6.Nxe4 and now:

6...Nxe4 7.fxe4 b5 8.Be2 e5 9.Nf3 Bd6 =
6...e6 7.Nh3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 c5 10.Qd3 =
6...e5 7.Ne2 Nxe4 8.fxe4 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.c3 =
6...a5 7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.c3 g6 9.Ne2 Bg7 10.0-0 =
6...Nb6 7.Bb3 Bf5 8.Nxf6+ exf6 9.Ne2 Bd6 10.0-0 =
6.fxe4
6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.fxe4 Bxe4 8.Qe2 Bg6 9.Nf3 e6 10.0-0 =
6.g4 Bg6 7.g5 and now:
7...b5 8.Bb3 b4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.fxe4 Bxe4 11.Nf3 e6 =/+

7...Nd5 and now:
8.fxe4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bxe4 10.Nf3 Bd5 11.Bb3 g6 12.0-0 Bg7 =/+
8.Nxe4 Nd7 9.Ne2 e5 10.h4 Qc7 11.Bxd5 cxd5 12.N4c3 0-0-0 =/+
6...Nxe4
6...Bxe4 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 8.Nf3 and now:
8...Nd6 9.Bb3 e6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Bf4 0-0 12.c3 =

8...e6 9.0-0 Nd7 10.Qe2 Nd6 11.Bd3 Be7 12.Bf4 =
8...Nf6 9.Qe2 e6 10.Bd2 Bd6 11.0-0 Na6 12.Ne5 =
8...Nd7 9.Qe2 Nd6 10.Bd3 e6 11.Bf4 Be7 12.0-0-0 =
7.Nxe4
7.Nf3 e6 8.Nxe4 Bxe4 9.c3 Be7 10.0-0 0-0 =/+
7...Bxe4
8.Qe2
8.Nf3 e6 9.0-0 Be7 10.Qe2 Bg6 11.Bf4 0-0 =/+
7.Nxe4 Bxe4
8...Bg6
9.Nf3 e6
10.0-0 Nd7
11.Bf4 =
3.4 – 4.f3 c6 5.fxe4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c6
5.fxe4 e5
5...Bg4 and now:

6.Qd3 Na6 7.a3 Qa5 8.Nf3 0-0-0 9.Be3 Bxf3 10.gxf3 +/=
6.Be2 Bxe2 7.Qxe2 Qxd4 8.Nf3 Qb6 9.e5 Nd5 10.Ne4 +/=
5...c5 and now:

6.Nf3 cxd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 e5 9.Ndb5 Na6 10.Be3 +/=
6.d5 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.Nd2 Be7 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 +/-
5...Qa5 6.e5 and now:

6...Nd5 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Bd2 Qb6 9.Na4 Bxf3 10.Nxb6 +/=
6...Ne4 7.Qf3 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Be6 9.Nh3 Nd7 10.Bd2 +/=
5...g6 and now:

6.e5 Nd5 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bd3 Bg4 9.0-0 0-0 10.Nxd5 =
6.Nf3 Bg7 and now:
7.e5 Nd5 8.Bc4 0-0 9.0-0 Na6 10.Ne4 Nac7 11.Bb3 +/=
7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 Na6 9.e5 Nd5 10.Ne4 f5 11.Nf2 +/=
5...e6 and now:

6.Bg5 Be7 7.Nf3 and now:
7...h6 8.Bd2 0-0 9.e5 Nd5 10.Ne4 f5 11.exf6 +/=
7...0-0 8.e5 Nd5 9.Ne4 Bxg5 10.Nexg5 c5 11.Qd3 +/=
6.Nf3 and now:
6...Be7 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 0-0 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.0-0 +/=
6...c5 7.d5 and now:
7...a6 8.Bf4 b5 9.dxe6 Qxd1+ 10.Rxd1 Bxe6 11.Nd5 +/-
7...exd5 8.exd5 Bd6 9.Qe2+ Kf8 10.Be3 a6 11.Nd2 +/=
6.dxe5
6.Bg5 Qxd4 7.Qe2 Be6 8.Nf3 Qb6 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.Bd2 0-0-0-/+
6.Nge2 Qb6 7.Qd3 Nbd7 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Qd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4 Bd6 =/+
6.Nf3 exd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Nf3 0-0 10.e5 Nd5 =
6...Qxd1+
7.Nxd1
7.Kxd1 Ng4 8.Ke1 Nxe5 9.Nf3 Nbd7 10.Be3 Be7 =
7...Nxe4
8.Nf3 Be6
8...Bb4+ 9.c3 Be7 10.Bd3 Bf5 11.0-0 Nd7 12.Nd4 Bg6 13.e6 +/=
8...Be7 9.Bc4 0-0 10.0-0 Na6 11.Nd4 Nc7 12.Ne3 g6 13.Rf4 =
8...Nd7 9.Bd3 Ndc5 10.Bc4 Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Be3 Bg4 13.Nd4=
9.Bd3 Nc5
10.Be2
10.Nf2 Nbd7 11.Be2 Be7 12.Be3 0-0 13.0-0 Rfe8 =
10...Nbd7
10...Ne4 11.Nd4 Nd7 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.Bf3 Nec5 14.Bf4 =
11.Nc3 Be7
11...a5 12.Bf4 Rd8 13.0-0-0 b5 14.Ng5 b4 15.Nce4 =
12.Bf4 f6
13.0-0
13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Ng5 Bf5 15.0-0-0 h6 16.Nf3 0-0-0 17.Rhf1 =

13...fxe5
14.Nxe5 0-0
15.Nxd7
15.Bg3 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Rad8 17.Rxf8+ Bxf8 18.Rd1 =
15...Nxd7
16.Be3 Rxf1+
17.Rxf1 Re8
18.Bd4 =
3.5 – 4.f3 e6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e6
5.fxe4
5.a3 Nc6 6.Bb5 a6 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.fxe4 c5 9.d5 exd5 10.exd5 Be7 11.Nf3
Bb7 12.Bg5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.Bxe7 Qxd1+ 15.Rxd1 Bxf3 16.gxf3
Kxe7 =
5.Bg5 and now:

5...exf3 6.Nxf3 see BDG Euwe
5...h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Nxe4 Qf4 8.c3 Qe3+ 9.Qe2 Qxe2+ =
5...Be7 6.fxe4 0-0 7.Nf3 c5 8.dxc5 Qxd1+ 9.Rxd1 Bxc5 =
5...c5 6.dxc5 Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 exf3 8.Nxf3 Bxc5 9.Nb5 Na6 =
5...Nc6 6.fxe4 Qxd4 7.Qxd4 Nxd4 8.0-0-0 c5 9.Nge2 Bd7 =
5...e3 6.Bxe3 Nd5 7.Qd2 Nc6 8.Nxd5 exd5 9.Ne2 Bb4 10.c3 =
5...Nbd7 6.fxe4 h6 7.Bh4 Bb4 8.e5 g5 9.Bg3 Nd5 10.Nge2 c5 =
5...Bb4 6.fxe4 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nf3 c5 9.e5 Qe7 10.Bb5+ Bd7 =
5...Bb4
5...Nc6 6.Nf3 Be7 7.Be2 0-0 8.e5 Nd5 9.0-0 f5 10.exf6 +/=
5...Be7 6.e5 Nd5 7.Qg4 g6 8.Bh6 c5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Nxd5 +/=
5...c5 6.d5 exd5 7.exd5 Bd6 8.Qe2+ Be7 9.Bg5 0-0 10.0-0-0 =
5...e5 6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Ng4 8.Nd5 Kd7 9.Ke1 c6 10.Ne3 =
6.a3
6.Bd3 see 3.6
6.Bg5 and now:

6...c5 7.dxc5 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 Nbd7 9.Bd2 Bxc5 10.Nf3 =
6...h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nf3 c5 and now:
9.e5 Qe7 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 12.0-0 =
9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.0-0 cxd4 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 12.Nb5 =
6.e5 Nd5 7.Qd3 c5 8.a3 Qa5 9.Bd2 cxd4 10.Nb5 Bxd2+ 11.Qxd2 Qxd2+
12.Kxd2 Nc6 13.Nf3 0-0 14.Nbxd4 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 =
6.Qd3 and now:

6...0-0 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 e5 9.dxe5 Nfd7 10.Nf3 Qe8 11.Be2 =
6...c5 7.a3 Qa5 8.Bd2 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qe3 0-0 11.0-0-0 =
6...Bxc3+
6...Ba5 7.b4 Bb6 8.Nf3 and now:

8...0-0 9.e5 Nd5 10.Ne4 Nc6 11.c3 h6 12.Bd2 a5 13.Bd3 +/=
8...e5! 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nd5 Qd8 12.Bc4 0-0 13.0-0 =
7.bxc3 Nxe4
7...e5 8.Bd3 exd4 9.e5 Ne4 10.cxd4 c5 11.Nf3 =
8.Qg4 Nxc3
8...Nf6 9.Qxg7 Rg8 10.Qh6 Rg6 11.Qe3 Nc6 12.Nf3 +/=
8...f5 9.Qxg7 Qf6 10.Qxf6 Nxf6 11.Nf3 Rg8 12.g3 +/=
9.Bd2
9.Qxg7 Qh4+ 10.g3 Qe4+ 11.Ne2 Rf8 12.Bh6 Nd7 13.Kd2 =
9...Nd5
10.Qxg7 Qf6
10...Qh4+ 11.g3 Qe4+ 12.Kf2 Qf5+ 13.Nf3 Qf6 14.Qxf6 =
11.Qxf6 Nxf6
12.Nf3 Rg8
13.g3 b6
13...Bd7 14.Bd3 Bc6 15.0-0 Be4 16.Ne5 Bxd3 17.Rxf6!? =
14.Ne5 Ne4
15.Bb5+ c6
16.Bd3 Nxd2
17.Kxd2 f6
18.Nf3 =
3.6 – 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e6 5.fxe4 Bb4
6.Bd3 Nxe4!
6...Qxd4? 7.Bb5+ Nc6 8.Qxd4 Bd7 9.Bxc6 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 +-
6...Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Nxe4 8.Qg4 Nf6 9.Qxg7 Rg8 10.Qh6 Rxg2 11.Nf3 +/-
6...c6 7.Nf3 c5 8.a3 Ba5 9.b4 cxb4 10.Ne2 Nc6 11.axb4 Bxb4+ 12.c3 Be7
13.0-0 +/=
6...h6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Qg4 Nxc3 9.a3 Na2+ 10.axb4 Nxc1 11.Rxc1 Qg5 12.Qxg5
hxg5 13.Nh3 +/=
6...0-0 7.Nf3 c5 8.a3 cxd4 9.axb4 dxc3 10.0-0 e5 11.bxc3 Qb6+ 12.Kh1 +/=
6...Nbd7 7.e5 Ne4 8.Nge2 Qh4+ 9.g3 Nxg3 10.Nxg3 Qxd4 11.Kf1 c6
12.Nge4 +/=
6...Nc6 7.Nf3 and now:

7...0-0 8.e5 Ng4 9.h3 Nh6 10.Bxh6 gxh6 11.Qd2 f5 12.a3 +/-
7...e5 8.d5 Nb8 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Bd2 Nbd7 11.0-0-0 Nc5 12.Kb1 +/=
6...e5 7.a3 Ba5 8.Nf3 exd4 and now:

9.Nxd4 0-0 10.Nf3 Nc6 11.0-0 Bg4 12.Bf4 =
9.b4 dxc3 10.bxa5 0-0 11.e5 Re8 12.0-0 Ng4 =
6...c5 and now:

7.a3
7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Nxe4 9.Ne2 Qh4+ 10.g3 Qg4 11.0-0 =
7...Ba5! 8.e5 Nd5 9.Qg4 g6 10.Nge2 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Nc6 =/+
7.e5 and now:
7...Ne4 and now:
8.Qg4 Nxc3 9.Qxg7 Rf8 10.a3 Ba5 11.Bh6 Nd7 12.dxc5 =
8.a3 Qxd4 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Qxd4 cxd4 11.axb4 dxc3 12.Bd3 =
7...Nd5 and now:
8.Qg4 g6 9.Bd2 Nc6 10.dxc5 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bxc5 12.Nf3 =
8.a3 Ba5 9.Qg4 g6 10.Nge2 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Nc6 12.Qe4 =
8.Bd2 cxd4 9.Nxd5 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 Qxd5 11.Nf3 Nc6 12.Qg5 =
7.Nge2
7.Bxe4 Qh4+ and now:

8.Kf1 Bxc3 9.Qe2 Bxd4 10.Nf3 Qd8 -/+
8.Ke2 Bxc3 9.Kd3 Bb4 10.Nf3 Qe7 =/+
7...Nxc3
7...Qd5 8.0-0 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bxc3! 10.Rb1 Bxd4+ 11.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 12.Rf2
Qh4 13.Qf3 0-0 14.Ba3 +/=
7...Nd6 8.0-0 Nc6 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Nxc3 and now:

10...Nxd4? 11.Qg4! N4f5 12.Bxf5 Nxf5 13.Rxf5 +-
10...0-0 11.Be3 a6 12.Qe1 Ne7 13.Rd1 =
7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Nd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qe1 Nc6 11.Qg3 f5 =
7...Qh4+ 8.g3 Qg4 9.0-0 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bd6 11.Qe1 Nc6 =
7...Nf6 and now:

8.0-0 and now:
8...Nbd7 9.Qe1 Be7 10.Qg3 0-0 11.Be3 a6 12.Rae1 =
8...Nc6! 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 0-0 11.c3 Bd6 12.Bf4 Ne7 =/+
8.Qd2 e5 9.dxe5 Ng4 10.Be4 Qh4+ 11.g3 Qe7 =
8.bxc3
8.Nxc3 Nc6 9.a3 Be7 10.Be3 Bh4+ 11.g3 Bg5 -/+
8...Be7
8...Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Nf4 g6 11.Nh3 c5 12.Ng5 Qc7 =

9.0-0 0-0
10.Qe1 c5
11.Qg3 f5
12.Bc4 Nc6 =/+
3.7 – 4.f3 e3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 e3
5.Bxe3
5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nge2 e5 7.Bxe3 Bb4 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 =
5...g6
5...c5 6.dxc5 Nbd7 7.Qd2 e6 8.0-0-0 Be7 9.g4 +/-
5...c6 6.Bd3 Nd5 7.Nxd5 cxd5 8.c3 Nc6 9.f4 e6 10.Nf3 +/=
5...b6 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.Nge2 Nc6 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Bf2 +/=
5...Nc6 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.a3 e6 8.Qd2 h6 9.0-0-0 a6 10.g4 =
5...Nbd7 6.Qd2 e6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Nh3 0-0 9.0-0 c5 10.Rad1 =
6.Qd2
6.Nge2 Nbd7 7.Nf4 Nb6 8.Qd2 Bg7 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0-0 =
6.Bc4 Nbd7 7.Nge2 Nb6 8.Bb3 Bg7 9.a3 Nbd5 10.Bf2 =
6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Nge2 0-0 and now:

8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Be4 Nxe4 10.fxe4 Qd7 11.0-0-0 b5 12.Nxb5 =
8.0-0 and now:
8...Nc6 9.a3 e5 10.Bc4 b6 11.Qd2 exd4 12.Nxd4 =
8...Nbd7 9.Qe1 and now:
9...Re8 10.Rd1 c6 11.Qh4 Nb6 12.Ne4 Nbd5 13.Bh6 +/=
9...e5 10.Qh4 c6 11.Rad1 exd4 12.Bxd4 Re8 13.Qf2 =
6...Bg7
7.0-0-0 0-0
8.Bh6 Re8
8...Nc6 9.d5 Bxh6 10.Qxh6 Nb4 11.a3 a5 12.h4 +/-
8...c6 9.h4 Nh5 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Nge2 f5 12.Nf4 +/-
8...c5 9.d5 e6 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.d6 Nc6 12.h4 +/=
8...Bxh6 9.Qxh6 Nc6 10.h4 Nxd4 11.h5 Bf5 12.hxg6 +/=
9.h4 e5
10.d5
10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Nge2 h5 12.Qg5 Qe7 13.d5 Nh7 14.Qe3 +/=
10.Nge2 and now:

10...Qe7 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.dxe5 Qxe5 13.h5 Qe3 14.h6+ +-
10...exd4 11.Nxd4 Qe7 12.h5 Bxh6 13.Qxh6 Qe3+ 14.Qxe3 +/-
10...e4
10...c6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.h5 Nxh5 13.g4 Nf4 14.Nge2 +/-
10...Nh5 11.g4 Ng3 12.Rh3 Nxf1 13.Rxf1 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 +/-
10...Nbd7 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.h5 Nxh5 13.Nge2 Ndf6 14.g4 +/-
11.Bxg7
11.fxe4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bxh6 13.Qxh6 Rxe4 14.Nf3 +/-
11.h5 e3! 12.Bxe3 Nxh5 13.Nge2 Nd7 14.Bg5 Nhf6 15.Qf4 +/-
11...e3
12.Qd4 Kxg7
13.h5
13.g4 c5 14.Qxc5 Nbd7 15.Qd4 Qb6 16.g5 Qxd4 17.Rxd4 +/-
13...c5
14.Qxc5 Nbd7
14...Nxh5 15.Ne4 Nf6 16.Qxe3 h5 17.Qc3 Bf5 18.Bb5 +-
15.h6+ Kg8
16.Qd4 Qb6
17.Bb5 Qxd4
18.Rxd4 +/-
3.8 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 e6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 e3
5.Bxe3 e6
6.Bd3
6.Qd2 Nc6 7.a3 Nd5 8.Nxd5 exd5 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.Ne2 0-0 =
6.a3 Nd5 7.Qd2 Be7 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.f4 Nd7 10.Nf3 N7f6 =
6.Bc4 Nd5 7.Qd2 Nxe3 8.Qxe3 Bd6 9.0-0-0 Nd7 10.f4 Nb6 =
6.Bb5+ Bd7 and now:

7.Bc4 Bc6 8.Nge2 Nbd7 9.0-0 Nb6 10.Bd3 =
7.Bd3 and now:
7...Nc6 8.a3 Nd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Qd2 Bd6 11.Ne2 =
7...c5 8.dxc5 Qc7 9.Qd2 Bxc5 10.Bxc5 Qxc5 11.Qf2 =
6...Be7
6...b6 7.Nge2 Bb7 8.Ne4 Nc6 9.Nxf6+ Qxf6 10.0-0 Bd6 11.Qd2 =
6...Nd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Ne2 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qd2 Nc6 11.c3 =
6...Bd6 7.Nge2 Nc6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Ne4 e5 10.Nxd6 Qxd6 11.c3 =
6...Bb4 7.Nge2 and now:

7...Nd5 and now:
8.Bd2 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rb1 c5 12.Qc1 =
8.Bf2 Nc6 9.0-0 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bd6 11.Rb1 0-0 12.c4 +/=
7...0-0 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Ne4 Nd5 10.Bf2 f5 11.N4g3 Bd6 12.c4 =
6...Nc6 7.Nge2 and now:

7...Nb4 8.Bc4 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.a3 Nbd5 11.Bf2 b6 12.Re1 =
7...Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.a3 h6 10.Qe1 Nd5 11.Bf2 Re8 12.Rd1 =
6...Nbd7 and now:
7.f4 c5 8.Qd2 cxd4 9.Bxd4 Bc5 10.Be2 0-0 11.0-0-0 =
7.Nh3 c5 8.0-0 cxd4 9.Bxd4 Bc5 10.Bf2 0-0 11.Qe2 =
7.Nge2
7.f4!? 0-0 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.0-0 Nb4 10.Ne5 Nxd3 11.Qxd3 =
7.a3 0-0 8.Nge2 Nc6 9.0-0 b6 10.Ne4 Qd7 11.Qd2 =
7.Nh3 and now:

7...b6 8.0-0 Bb7 9.Ne4 Nd5 10.Bf2 0-0 11.c4 =
7...0-0 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Qe1 b6 10.Rd1 Bb7 11.Nf4 =
7...0-0
7...Nbd7 and now:

8.Ng3 Nb6 9.0-0 Nbd5 10.Nxd5 Nxd5 11.Bf2 Nf4 12.Bc4 =
8.Ne4 0-0 9.0-0 and now:
9...b6 10.Qe1 Bb7 11.Rd1 Nd5 12.Bd2 c5 13.c4 N5f6 14.Be3 =
9...c5 10.Qe1 Qc7 11.Nxc5 Nxc5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 14.Qf2 =
8.0-0 b6
8...Nbd7 and now:

9.Qd2 b6 10.Ne4 Bb7 11.Rad1 c5 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.c3 =
9.Qe1 c5 10.Rd1 Qb6 11.Qh4 and now:
11...Qxb2 12.Bxh7+ Nxh7 13.Qxe7 Qxc2 14.dxc5 Ne5 15.Qc7+/-
11...cxd4 12.Bxd4 Bc5 13.Na4 Bxd4+ 14.Qxd4 Qxd4+ 15.Nxd4=
11...h6 12.b3 a6 13.Qg3 cxd4 14.Bxd4 Bc5 15.Bf2 =
9.Qe1
9.Ne4 Bb7 10.Nxf6+ Bxf6 11.c3 Bg5 12.Qd2 Bxe3+ 13.Qxe3 =
9...Nc6
10.a3 Bb7
11.Qg3 Nd5
11...g6 12.Rad1 Nd5 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Ne4 f5 15.Ng5 +/=
12.Nxd5 exd5
13.Bf2 Bd6
14.Qh3 g6
15.Rae1 =
3.9 – 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 Bf5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e3
5.Bxe3 Bf5
6.g4
6.Bd3 Bg6 7.Nge2 e6 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Ne4 Qd7 10.a3 =
6.Qd2 e6 7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.a3 h6 9.Kb1 Bh7 10.Bd3 +/=
6.a3 e6 7.Qd2 c6 8.0-0-0 Nd5 9.g4 Bg6 10.Nge2 +/=
6.Bc4 e6 7.Nge2 Nbd7 8.g4 Bg6 9.Qd2 Nb6 10.Bb3 =
6.Nge2 Nc6 7.d5 Nb4 8.Nd4 Bd7 9.Bc4 c6 10.dxc6 +/=
6...Bg6
6...Bc8 7.Qd2 e6 8.0-0-0 Nc6 9.Kb1 Be7 10.Nge2 +/=
6...Be6 7.Nh3 h6 8.Nf4 Bd5 9.Ncxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 +/=
6...Bd7 7.g5 Ng8 8.d5 e6 9.dxe6 fxe6 10.Qd2 Bd6 11.Ne4 +/=
7.h4
7.Bc4 Nbd7 8.Bb3 Nb6 9.d5 c6 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.h4 =
7.Qd2 Nc6 8.a3 e6 9.Nge2 Qd7 10.h4 h5 11.g5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 =
7.Nge2 and now:

7...h6 8.Nf4 Bh7 9.h4 see 7.h4
7...Nc6 8.a3 e6 9.h4 h5 10.Nf4 Bd6 11.Nxg6 fxg6 12.Bf2 =
7...Nd5 8.Nxd5 Qxd5 9.Nf4 Qa5+ 10.c3 Nd7 11.Qb3 +/-
7...h5 8.Nf4 hxg4 9.Nxg6 fxg6 10.Bd3 Qd7 11.fxg4 +/-
7...e6 8.h4 and now:
8...h6 9.Nf4 see 7.h4
8...h5 9.Nf4 Bh7 10.g5 Nd5 11.Ncxd5 exd5 12.g6 Bxg6 13.Nxg6 fxg6
14.Bd3 Qd6 15.Rg1 +/-
7...h5
7...h6 8.Nge2 and now:

8...Bh7 9.Nf4 Nc6 10.g5 Nb4 11.g6 Bxg6 12.Nxg6 +/-
8...Nd5 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.Nc3 Qd7 11.h5 Bh7 12.Bd3 +/-
8...e6 9.Nf4 Nc6 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.Bd3 Kf7 12.Qe2 +/-
8.g5
8.Nh3 hxg4 9.fxg4 Rxh4 10.Qf3 Qc8 11.0-0-0 c6 12.g5 =
8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 hxg4 10.0-0-0 c6 11.Bg5 gxf3 12.Nxf3 =
8.gxh5 and now:

8...Bxh5 9.Qd3 Nd5 10.Bg5 Nc6 11.Qb5 Ndb4 12.0-0-0 =
8...Nxh5 9.Bd3 Ng3 10.Bxg6 Nxh1 11.Qd3 fxg6 12.Qxg6+ =
8...Nd5
8...Ng8 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.g6 Qd7 12.Nh3 +/-
8...Nfd7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 and now:

10...e6 11.0-0-0 Na6 12.Qb5 c6 13.Qxb7 Nb4 14.Bf4 +/-
10...g6 11.0-0-0 c6 12.f4 e6 13.Nf3 Na6 14.d5 cxd5 15.Nxd5 +-
9.Nxd5
9.Bb5+ c6 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bd3 Nd7 12.Bxg6 fxg6 13.Qd3 =
9...Qxd5
10.c4
10.Nh3 e5 11.a3 Nd7 12.c4 Qd6 13.d5 Be7 14.Nf2 =

10...Qa5+
11.Bd2
11.Kf2 e6 12.Ne2 Qb4 13.Qc1 Nc6 14.Nf4 Bf5 15.Bd3 =
11...Qb6
12.Bc3 Nd7
13.Ne2 Bh7
14.b4 c6
15.Qd2 +/=
Summary
In Chapter 3 we reach the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit proper after 1.d4 d5 2.e4
dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3. This was Diemer’s idea. The Accepted Variation
follows the immediate pawn capture 4...exf3.
Anything other than this is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined. For the

popular Vienna Defence 4...Bf5 see the next chapter.
A common reply by those who fear the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit is to

quickly return the pawn for nothing with 4...e3. True, White has a pawn on f3
which prevents an immediate Nf3.
Do we consider a pawn on f3 to be a weakness in a Kings Indian Saemisch

(5.f3) or a Sicilian Defence English Attack (6.Be3 with f3)? Of course not!
The f3 pawn strengthens e4 and prepares g4.
The BDG Langeheinecke Variation after 4.f3 e3 5.Bxe3 arrives at a position

that can also be reached via a Trompowsky Attack after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4
3.Bf4 d5 4.f3 Nf6 5.e4 dxe4 6.Nc3 e3 7.Bxe3 where the move numbers vary
by two.
In the Langeheinecke 4...e3 5.Bxe3 Black has 5...Bf5 in 3.9 and 5...e6 in 3.8.
Other options after 4...e3 are covered in 3.7.
The Weinspach Variation 4...e6 retains the flavor of the French Defence
Winawer Variation. The most frequently played line is the one following
4...e6 5.fxe4 Bb4 6.Bd3 in 3.6. White has stronger choices in 3.5 with
different fifth and sixth moves.
The O’Kelly Variation 4...c6 transposes to a Caro-Kann Defence. The main

idea is 5.fxe4 in 3.4. Other tries after 4...c6 are in 3.3.
The Brombacher Variation 4...c5 in 3.2 gives White strategical options as to

whether to play for an open position with 4.dxc5, for fast development with
4.Bf4, or for a space advantage with 4.d5.
The Lamb Variation with 4...Nc6 in 3.1 gives White two options. First, White
could pin the knight with 5.Bb5. Second and more likely, White could attack
the knight with 5.d5 and thus gain time. The weak Elbert Variation 4...e5 and
other tries such as 4...Nbd7 and 4...g6 are covered in 3.0.
4.0 – 4.f3 Bf5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.f3 Bf5
5.Bg5
5.Bb5+ c6 6.fxe4 Bxe4 7.Nxe4 Qa5+ 8.Nd2 cxb5 9.Ngf3 Nc6 =/+
5.Bc4 e6 6.fxe4 Nxe4 7.Nxe4 Bxe4 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.0-0 Be7 =/+
5.Be3 Nd5 6.Qd2 Nxc3 7.bxc3 e5 8.fxe4 Bxe4 9.Nf3 Nc6 =/+
5.Qe2 and now:

5...Qxd4 6.Qb5+ Nbd7 7.Qxf5 e6 8.Qg5 Bc5 9.Qd2 +/-
5...Bg6 6.fxe4 Qxd4 7.Nf3 Qb6 8.e5 Nfd7 9.Nd5 Qc6 =
5...exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Qb5+ Nbd7 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 =/+
5...Nc6 6.fxe4 Nxd4 7.Qd3 Bg6 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qb5 Qc8 =/+
5...Nbd7
5...Qd6 6.Bxf6 gxf6 7.fxe4 Bg6 8.Qg4 Nd7 9.0-0-0 0-0-0 10.Bc4 =
5...Nc6 6.d5 Nb4 7.Qe2 Nfxd5 8.fxe4 Bg4 9.Nf3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 =
5...Nd5 6.Bc4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 h6 8.Bh4 e3 9.Qe2 Nd7 10.Qxe3 =
5...Bg6 6.Qe2 h6 7.Bxf6 exf6 8.fxe4 Bd6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.g3 =
5...a6 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.fxe4 Bg6 8.Qd3 c5 9.Nf3 cxd4 10.Nxd4 =
5...c6 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.fxe4 Bg6 8.Qd3 Bd6 9.Nf3 0-0 10.0-0-0 =
5...h6 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.fxe4 Bh7 8.Qd3 Bd6 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.0-0-0 =
5...exf3 6.Qxf3 and now:
6...e6 7.Bxf6 gxf6 8.Qxb7 Nd7 9.0-0-0 Rb8 10.Qxa7 =
6...Bc8 7.0-0-0 a6 8.Kb1 e6 9.Nge2 h6 10.Bh4 =
6...Qc8 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 Nbd7 9.Nf3 e6 10.d5 =
6.fxe4
6.g4 Bg6 7.Qe2 and now:

7...e6 8.fxe4 h6 9.Bd2 c5 10.d5 Qb6 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 =
7...h5 8.0-0-0 c6 9.Kb1 Qa5 10.Bd2 exf3 11.Nxf3 hxg4 =/+
7...c6 8.fxe4 h5 9.gxh5 Bxh5 10.Nf3 e5 11.0-0-0 Qa5 =/+
7...exf3 8.Nxf3 c6 9.0-0-0 e6 10.Ne5 Bb4 11.Nxg6 hxg6 =/+
6...Bxe4
6...Be6 7.d5 Bg4 8.Be2 h6 9.Bh4 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 g5 11.Bf2 +/-
6...Bg4 7.Be2 Bxe2 8.Qxe2 h6 9.Bh4 e6 10.e5 g5 11.Bg3 +/-
6...Bg6 7.e5 Ne4 8.Nxe4 Bxe4 9.Qe2 Bf5 10.0-0-0 c6 11.Qf2 +/=
6...Nxe4 7.Qf3 Nxg5 8.Qxf5 e5 9.0-0-0 exd4 10.Nb5 Be7 11.h4=
7.Nf3 Bg6
7...c6 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Be3 e6 10.Bd3 Nef6 11.Qd2 Bd6 =
7...Bf5 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 c6 10.0-0-0 e6 11.Kb1 Be7 =
7...g6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bg7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Rhe1 c6 12.Kb1=
7...Bxf3 8.Qxf3 e6 9.0-0-0 c6 10.Bd3 h6 11.Bf4 Bb4 12.Ne4 =
8.Bd3 e6
9.Bxg6
9.Qe2 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 c6 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.Kb1 0-0 =+
9...hxg6
10.Qd3 Bb4
10...Bd6 11.0-0-0 Qe7 12.h3 0-0-0 13.Kb1 a6 14.Rhf1 =
11.0-0 0-0
12.Ne4 Be7
13.Rad1 c6
14.c3 Qc7 =/+
4.1 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5
5.g4 Bg6
6.h4 h6!
6...Qd6 and now:

7.Bg2 h6 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.fxe4 e5 10.Ne2 Nd7 =
7.h5 Qg3+ 8.Ke2 exf3+ 9.Nxf3 Be4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qd3 =
6...exf3 and now:

7.h5 f2+ 8.Kxf2 Be4 9.Rh4 Bc6 10.g5 Nd5 11.Nxd5 =
7.Qxf3 and now:
7...Qxd4 8.Qxb7 Be4 9.Qc8+ Qd8 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Nxe4 +-
7...c6 8.h5 Bxc2 9.g5 Qxd4 10.gxf6 Qxf6 11.Qg3 h6 12.Be3 +/=
7...Nc6 8.Bb5 Qd6 9.Bf4 Qe6+ 10.Nge2 0-0-0 11.0-0-0 =
6...h5 7.g5 and now:

7...Nfd7 8.Nxe4 e5 9.Qe2 Qe7 10.Qb5 exd4 11.Qxb7 Qb4+ 12.Qxb4 =
7...Nd5 and now:
8.fxe4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bxe4 10.Rh3 e6 11.Re3 Bg6 =/+
8.Nxe4 and now:
8...Nc6 9.Ne2 e5 10.c4 Bxe4 11.fxe4 Bb4+ 12.Kf2 Nb6 =
8...e6 and now:
9.a3 Nd7 10.Ne2 c5 11.c4 N5b6 12.b4 cxb4 13.c5 =
9.Ne2 and now:
9...Nd7 10.c4 Ne7 11.Qb3 Nf5 12.Bf4 c5 13.d5 =
9...Nc6 10.a3 Qd7 11.Qd3 0-0-0 12.Bd2 Nde7 13.Bc3 Qe8 =/+
7.fxe4
7.Bg2 Nc6! and now:

8.h5 Bh7 9.Be3 exf3 10.Qxf3 Nb4 11.0-0-0 c6 -/+
8.Be3 e5! 9.dxe5 Qxd1+ 10.Rxd1 exf3 11.exf6 fxg2 -/+
7.Be3 and now:

7...Nc6 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.Bg2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Qd7 11.Nh3 e5 -/+
7...e6 8.Qe2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Bb4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.fxe4 Bxe4 -/+
7.Nh3 Nc6! 8.Bb5! Qd6 9.Bf4 Qb4 10.Qd2 0-0-0 -/+
7.h5 Bh7 8.fxe4 and now:

8...Nxe4 9.Bg2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 c6 11.Rb1 Qc7 12.Nh3 Nd7 =/+
8...e5 9.g5 exd4 10.gxf6 dxc3 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.Ne2 Bxe4 =/+
7.Nge2 and now:

7...exf3 8.Nf4 Nc6 9.Nxg6 fxg6 10.Bd3 f2+ 11.Kf1 Kf7 =
7...Nc6 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.Bg2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 e5 11.Rb1 Qd7 =/+
7...Nxe4
7...e6 8.h5 Bh7 9.g5 Nxe4 10.g6 Nxc3 11.gxf7+ Kxf7 =/+
7...e5 8.Nf3 exd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4 Bc5 11.h5 Bh7 =/+
7...h5 8.gxh5 Bxh5 9.Be2 Bg6 10.e5 Nd5 11.h5 =
7...c5 8.h5 Bh7 9.Nf3 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Nxd4 =
7...Bxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Bg2 Nd6 10.Qe2 c6 11.Nf3 =
8.Bg2
8.Bd3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nd7 11.Nf3 e6 =/+
8.Qf3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Nd7 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.cxd3 e5 =/+
8...Nxc3
8...Nd6 9.Nf3 e6 10.Qe2 Be7 11.Bf4 Nc6 12.0-0-0 Nb4 13.Rd2 =
9.bxc3 c6
9...Qc8 10.Rb1 c6 11.Nh3 e6 12.0-0 Be7 13.h5 Bh7 14.Qf3 =
9...e6 10.h5 Bh7 11.Bxb7 Nd7 12.Bxa8 Qxa8 13.Nf3 Bxc2 =
9...Nd7 10.Rb1 e5 11.h5 Bh7 12.Rxb7 exd4 13.cxd4 Be7 =
10.Nf3 Nd7
11.h5 Bh7
12.Rb1 Qc7
13.0-0 e6 -/+
4.2 – 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5
5.g4 Bg6
6.g5 Nd5
6...exf3 7.gxf6 f2+ 8.Kxf2 gxf6 9.Nf3 e6 10.Bf4 a6 11.Bd3 +/-
6...Ng8 and now:

7.fxe4 e5 8.Nf3 exd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4 Bd6 11.Bg2 +/=
7.h4 exf3 8.Qxf3 e6 9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.Bf4 Bd6 11.Bxd6 cxd6 +/=
6...Nfd7 7.h4 e5 8.h5 Bf5 9.fxe4 exd4 10.Qxd4 Nc6 11.Qf2 =
6...Nh5 and now:

7.fxe4 e5 8.Nf3 exd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4 Bc5 11.Nf5 =
7.Be3 e6 8.fxe4 Bb4 9.Qd3 0-0 10.Nge2 c5 11.0-0-0 cxd4 =
7.Nxe4
7.fxe4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bxe4 9.Nf3 Qd5 10.c4 Qf5 =/+
7...e6
7...e5 8.dxe5 Nc6 9.Bc4 Ndb4 10.Bf4 Qd4 11.Qxd4 =
7...Nd7 8.Ne2 e6 9.c4 N5b6 10.N2g3 Bb4+ 11.Kf2 =
7...Nc6 8.Bb5
8...Ndb4 9.a3 a6 10.Ba4 b5 11.axb4 bxa4 12.c3 +/=
8...e6 9.Ne2 Qd7 10.c4 Nb6 11.c5 Nd5 12.h4 =
8...e5 9.Qe2 Bb4+ 10.c3 Be7 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 12.dxe5 =
8.h4
8.Bd3 Nc6 9.Ne2 Qd7 10.c4 Nb6 11.c5 Nd5 =/+

8.Bb5+ c6 9.Bd3 Nb4 10.Ne2 Nd7 11.a3 Qa5 =/+
8.Ne2 Qd7 9.h4 Nc6 10.a3 0-0-0 11.Qd3 Kb8 =/+
8.Qe2 Nc6 9.c3 Qe7 10.Nc5 e5 11.Nxb7 Ndb4 =/+
8.a3 Nc6 9.h4 f5 10.Nf2 Qd7 11.c4 Nb6 12.c5 Nd5 =/+
8.c3 and now:

8...Nd7 9.h4 f5 10.gxf6 N7xf6 11.Bd3 Qd7 12.Qc2 0-0-0 =
8...h6 9.Qb3 Nd7 10.c4 Nb4 11.a3 Nc6 =/+
8...Be7 9.Ne2!? 0-0 10.Bg2 c5 11.Nxc5 Bxc5 12.dxc5 Qe7 =/+
8...Nc6 and now:
9.Qb3 a6 10.h4 Be7 11.Ne2 0-0 12.h5 Bf5 13.N2g3 b5 =
9.Bb5 Be7 10.Nh3 0-0 11.0-0 Qd7 12.Nf4 Nxf4 13.Bxf4 a6 =
8.c4 and now:

8...f5 9.Nc3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 c5 11.Rb1 cxd4 12.cxd4 Qd7 =
8...Nb4 9.Ne2 Nd7 10.a3 Nc6 11.h4 Nb6 12.c5 Nd5 =
8...Ne7 9.Ne2 Nd7 10.h4 Nc6 11.Be3 Qe7 12.Qc2 0-0-0 =
8...Bb4+!? 9.Ke2 Nb6 10.c5 Nd5 11.a3 Ba5 12.Kf2 0-0 13.b4 f5 14.Ng3 f4
15.Ne4 Nc6 16.bxa5 Bxe4 17.fxe4 Nc3 18.Qd3 Qxd4+ 19.Qxd4 Nxd4
20.Bg2 Nd1+ 21.Ke1 Nc2+ 22.Kxd1 Nxa1 =
8...Nb6 9.c5 Nd5 10.Qa4+ and now:
10...Qd7 11.Bb5 c6 12.Bd3 b5 13.Qb3 Na6 14.Bd2 e5 =/+
10...Nc6 11.Ba6 Qb8 12.Bb5 Be7 13.Ne2 0-0 14.Nf4 Bf5 =/+
8...Nc6
8...Bd6 9.h5 Bf5 10.c4 Nb4 11.a3 N4c6 12.Be3 +/=
8...Bb4+ 9.c3 Bxe4!? 10.fxe4 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bxc3+ 12.Bd2 Bxa1 13.Qxa1
Qd6 14.Ne2 +/=
8...Be7 9.c3 h6 10.Qa4+ Nd7 11.gxh6 Bxh4+ 12.Kd1 =

8...Nd7 9.h5 Bf5 10.Ne2 Be7 11.N2g3 c6 12.c4 =
9.h5
9.c3 Qd7 10.Bb5 Nb6 11.h5 Bf5 12.Nc5 Bxc5 =/+
9...Bf5
10.c3 Qd7
11.Bb5 Be7
12.Ne2 0-0
13.N2g3 =
4.3 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Bxe4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5
5.fxe4 Bxe4
5...Bg6 and now:
6.Bd3 e6 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.e5 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Nd5 10.0-0 +/=

6.e5 Nd5 7.e6 fxe6 8.Nf3 Bf5 9.Bb5+ c6 10.Nxd5 +/=
5...Bg4 and now:
6.Qd3 e6 7.Be2 Nc6 8.Bxg4 Nxg4 9.Nf3 e5 10.d5 +/=

6.Be2 Bxe2 7.Ngxe2 e5 8.Bg5 Bd6 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Nd5 +/=
6.Nxe4
6.Bg5 Bg6 7.Nf3 e6 8.Ne5 Nbd7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 =/+
6...Nxe4
7.Bd3
7.Qf3 Qxd4 8.Ne2 Qe5 9.c3 Nd6 10.Bf4 Qf6 -/+
7.Nf3 e6 8.Bd3 Nf6 9.Be3 Nc6 10.c3 Be7 11.0-0 =
7.c3 e6 8.Nf3 Nd7 9.Bd3 Nef6 10.Qb3 Rb8 11.c4 =
7...Nf6
7...Qxd4? 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qxd4 +-
7...Nd6 8.Nf3 and now:

8...e6 9.Qe2 Nd7 10.Bf4 Nf6 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.Kb1 +/=
8...g6 9.Qe2 Bg7 10.Bg5 Nd7 11.0-0-0 Nf6 12.Rde1 =
7...e5 8.Qf3 Bb4+ 9.Kd1 Nf6 10.Qxb7 Qd5 11.Qxd5 +/-
7...f5 8.Bxe4 fxe4 9.Qh5+ and now:

9...g6 10.Qe5 Rg8 11.Qxe4 c6 12.Qe6 Rh8 13.Nf3 +/-
9...Kd7 10.Nh3 e6 11.0-0 Kc8 12.Be3 Nd7 13.Nf4 +/-
7...e6 and now:

8.Nf3 Nf6 see 7...Nf6
8.Qf3 Nd6 9.Bf4 Nc6 10.c3 Qd7 11.Nh3 0-0-0 12.0-0 =
7...Qd5 8.Nf3 and now:

8...Nc6 9.0-0 Nd6 10.Be3 e6 11.Qe2 Qh5 12.c3 =
8...e6 9.0-0 Nf6 10.c3 Nbd7 and now:
11.Qe2 Qh5 12.c4 Bd6 13.c5 Be7 14.h3 0-0 15.Bf4 =
11.c4 Qc6 12.a3 a5 13.Qe2 Be7 14.Bf4 0-0 15.Rad1 =
8.Nf3
8.c3 e6 9.Be3 Bd6 10.Nf3 0-0 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 =
8...e6
8...Nc6 9.c3 e6 10.0-0 Qd7 11.Qb3 0-0-0 12.Bb5 =
8...c6 9.0-0 e6 10.Qe2 Be7 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Rad1 =
8...c5 9.dxc5 Nc6 10.Be3 e6 11.c3 Nd5 12.Bf2 =
8...h6 9.c3 Nbd7 10.Ne5 e6 11.Qf3 Nxe5 12.dxe5 =
9.Be3
9.0-0 c5 10.Bb5+ Nc6 11.Ne5 Rc8 12.Be3 cxd4 13.Bxd4 =
9...Nbd7
9...Be7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Qe1 Nc6 12.c3 Nd5 13.Bd2 =

9...Nc6 10.c3 Bd6 11.0-0 Qd7 12.Qe2 h6 13.Rad1 =
9...Ng4 10.Bd2 c5 11.Qe2 cxd4 12.Qe4 Nf6 13.Qxb7 =
9...Bd6 10.Qe2 0-0 11.0-0-0 Nbd7 12.Kb1 c6 13.Rhf1 =
10.Qe2 Bb4+
11.c3 Bd6
12.0-0-0 c6
13.Kb1 =
4.4 – 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5
5.fxe4 Nxe4
6.Qf3
6.Nxe4 Bxe4 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.Bc4 e6 9.c3 Bd5 =/+
6.Nf3 e6 7.Bd3 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 =/+
6.Bd3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 e6 8.Rb1 b6 9.Bxf5 exf5 =/+
6.Bb5+ Nd7 7.Nxe4 Bxe4 8.Nf3 c6 9.Bd3 Bxd3 =/+
6...Nxc3
6...e6 7.Nxe4 Qxd4 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.Ne2 Qb4+ 10.c3 +-
6...Qxd4 7.Qxf5 Nxc3 8.Qc8+ Qd8 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.bxc3 +-
7.Qxf5 e6
7...Nd5 8.Nf3 e6 9.Qd3 see 7...e6
7...Qxd4 8.Qc8+ Qd8 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.bxc3 e5 11.Be3 +-
7...g6 8.Qd3 Nd5 9.Qb5+ Qd7 10.Qxb7 Nb6 11.c3 +/=
8.Qd3
8.Qg4 f5 9.Qh3 Ne4 10.c3 Qd5 11.Bd3 Nd7 =/+
8.Qh3 Nd5 9.Bd2 c5 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.0-0-0 Nc6 =/+
8.Qf3 and now:

8...Qxd4 9.bxc3 Qb6 10.Ne2 Nd7 11.a4 c6 12.a5 +/-
8...Qh4+ 9.g3 Qe4+ 10.Be2 Qxf3 11.Bxf3 Nd5 12.c4 +/-
8...Na4 9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.Qc6 Nab6 11.Nf3 Be7 12.Bd3 +/=
8...Nd5 and now:
9.Nh3 Qh4+ 10.Qf2 Qxf2+ 11.Nxf2 c5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 -/+
9.Be3 Nxe3 10.Qxe3 c5 11.0-0-0 cxd4 12.Bb5+ Nc6 -/+
8...Nd5
8...Qh4+ 9.g3 Qe4+ and now:

11.Bg2 Nd6 12.Nf3 Nd7 13.0-0 Be7 14.Bf4 0-0 15.c3 =
11.Nf3 Nf6 12.Bg2 Nbd7 13.Ne5 c6 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 15.0-0 =
9.Nf3 c5
9...Nd7 10.c4 N5f6 11.Bd2 c5 12.d5 exd5 13.0-0-0 Nb6 =/+
9...a6 10.a3 Nf6 11.Be3 Nbd7 12.g3 c5 13.Bg2 Qc7 =/+
9...Qd6 10.a3 c5 11.dxc5 Qxc5 12.b4 Qc7 13.Bb2 Nc6 =
9...Be7 and now:

10.a3 0-0 11.Qe4 Qd7 12.Bd3 f5 13.Qe2 Bf6 14.0-0 Nc6 =/+
10.Qb3 Nc6 11.c3 a6 12.Bd3 h6 13.0-0 0-0 14.Bd2 Qd7 =
9...Nc6 and now:

10.a3 Qd6 11.g3 0-0-0 12.Bg2 Be7 13.0-0 Bf6 14.c3 =
10.Bd2 Nf6 11.0-0-0 Qd5 12.Kb1 0-0-0 13.c3 Kb8 14.Qc2 =
9...Qd7 10.Bd2 Nc6 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 12.Kb1 Kb8 13.g3 Be7 =
10.Bd2
10.Qb5+ and now:

10...Qd7 11.Ne5 Qxb5 12.Bxb5+ Nc6 13.Nxc6 a6 14.Be2 bxc6 =
10...Nd7 11.Qxb7 and now:
11...Be7 12.Bb5 Rc8 13.Ne5 Rc7 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7 15.Nxd7 Rxb7 16.Nxc5 =
11…Rb8 12.Qxa7 Be7 13.Bc4 0-0 14.Bxd5 exd5 15.0-0 cxd4 =/+
10...Nc6
10...cxd4 11.Qxd4 Nc6 12.Bb5 Qd7 13.Qa4 Rc8 14.0-0-0 a6 =/+
11.Qb5 Qb6
12.0-0-0 Be7
13.dxc5 Bxc5
14.Bd3 0-0 =/+
4.5 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3
7.bxc3 e6
7...Bc8 and now:

8.Bc4 e6 9.Nh3 Qh4+ 10.Nf2 Bd6 11.g3 Qe7 12.0-0 =
8.Nh3 Nd7 9.Ng5 Nf6 10.Bd3 e6 11.0-0 Qd7 12.Bf4 +/=
7...Bd7 8.Bd3 Bc6 9.Qg3 g6 10.Nf3 Bg7 11.0-0 =
7...Bg6 8.Qxb7 Nd7 9.Nf3 Rb8 10.Qxa7 e6 11.Bd3 =
7...Bxc2 and now:

8.Qxb7 Nd7 9.Bb5 Rb8 10.Bxd7+ Kxd7 11.Qa6 Rb6 =
8.Nh3 Bg6 9.Nf4 e6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Rb1 Qd5 =
7...g6 and now:

8.Bc4 Nc6 and now:
9.g4 Be6 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.Nh3 Qd5 12.0-0 =
9.Ne2 Qd7 10.0-0 0-0-0 11.Rb1 Bg7 12.Rb5 =
8.Qxb7 Nd7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.cxd3 Bg7 11.Nf3 0-0 12.0-0 =
8.Rb1 Nd7 9.Nh3 e5 10.Bd3 e4 11.Bxe4 Qe7 12.Ng5 Bxe4 13.Qxe4 Qxe4+
14.Nxe4 f5 15.Ng5 0-0-0 16.Bf4 =
8.Qxb7 Nd7
8...Qh4+ 9.Kd1 and now:

9...Qe4 10.Qc8+ Ke7 11.Qxc7+ Nd7 12.Nf3 Qxc2+ 13.Ke1 +/-
9...Be4 10.Qc8+ Qd8 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.Nf3 Bd6 13.Rb1 =
9.Bd3
9.Nf3 and now:

9...Bd6 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.cxd3 0-0 12.0-0 c5 13.d5 Rb8 =/+
9...Bxc2 10.Bb5 Bd6 11.Bxd7+ Kxd7 12.0-0 Rb8 13.Qa6 Qc8 =
9...Rb8 and now:
10.Qxa7 Bxc2 11.Qa6 Be4 12.Bb5 Bd6 13.Qa4 Ra8 =/+
10.Qc6 Bxc2 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Bxe7 and now:
12...Qxe7 13.Bb5 a6 14.Qxa6 0-0 15.Bxd7 Qxd7 16.0-0 Be4 =/+
12...Kxe7 13.Be2 Re8 14.0-0 Rb6 15.Qc4 Kf8 16.Rf2 Kg8 =/+
9.Bb5 Rb8 10.Bxd7+ Kxd7 11.Qxa7 Qh4+ 12.Kf1 Bd6 -/+
9.Qf3 Qh4+ 10.g3 Qe4+ 11.Be3 Ba3 12.Bd3 Qxf3 =/+
9.Qc6 Qh4+ 10.Ke2 Rb8 11.Nf3 Qd8 12.Kf2 Bxc2 =/+
9.Bf4 Bd6 10.Bxd6 cxd6 11.Bb5 Rb8 12.Bxd7+ Ke7 =/+
9...Rb8
10.Qf3
10.Qa6 Be4 11.Nf3 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Bd6 13.h4 0-0 =/+
10.Qc6 Bd6 11.Nf3 0-0 12.0-0 and now:

12...Nf6 and now:
13.Bg5 Bxd3 14.cxd3 Rb2 15.Qa4 Qe8 16.Qxe8 Rxe8 =
13.Bxf5 exf5 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Qa4 c5 =
12...Rb6 13.Qc4 c5 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.Bg5 Qc7 16.Rfe1 Rc8 =/+
10...Bd6
10...Bxd3 and now:

11.Qxd3 Bd6 12.Nf3 h6 13.0-0 0-0 14.g3 Nf6 =
11.cxd3 Bd6 12.Ne2 Qf6 and now:
13.0-0 Qxf3 14.Rxf3 0-0 15.c4 a6 16.Bg5 h6 =/+
13.Qxf6 Nxf6 14.0-0 0-0 15.c4 Rfd8 16.h3 c6 =
11.Nh3
11.Ne2 Bxd3 12.cxd3 see 10...Bxd3 11.cxd3 Bd6 12.Ne2

11...Bxd3
12.cxd3 Qh4+
13.Nf2
13.Qf2 Qxf2+ 14.Nxf2 f5 15.0-0 Nf6 16.Nd1 Nd5 =/+
13...f5
14.g3 Qe7
15.0-0 0-0
16.Re1 Rfe8
17.Bf4 =
4.6 – 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qc8
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3
7.bxc3 Qc8
8.Bd3
8.Ba3 Qe6+ 9.Kf2 Be4 10.Qf4 Qf6 11.Qxf6 gxf6 -/+
8.Bb5+ c6 9.Bd3 g6 10.Ne2 Bxd3 11.cxd3 Qf5 =
8.Rb1 Nc6 9.Nh3 Bxc2 10.Rb2 Bf5 11.Bc4 Be6 =
8.Nh3 Bg4 9.Qg3 Qe6+ 10.Be3 Bxh3 11.gxh3 Nd7 =
8.Ne2 c6 9.Rb1 Bxc2 10.Rb2 Bg6 11.Nf4 Nd7 12.Bc4 =
8.Bc4 e6 and now:

9.Nh3 Bd6 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 h6 12.0-0 0-0 =/+
9.Rb1 Bd6 10.Bd3 Nc6 11.Bxf5 exf5 12.Nh3 Qe6+ 13.Kf2 0-0-0 =/+
9.Bb3 Be7 10.Ne2 c5 11.Ng3 Bg6 12.h4 h6 13.h5 Bh7 =/+
9.Ne2 and now:
9...Nd7 10.Rb1 Bd6 11.Rxb7 0-0 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.cxd3 e5 =
9...Nc6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Bd3 0-0 12.Bxf5 exf5 13.Qxf5 Qxf5 14.Rxf5 =
9...c6 10.Ng3 Bg6 11.h4 Bd6 12.0-0 Qc7 13.Ne4 Bxe4 14.Qxe4 =
9...Bd6 10.Ng3 Bg6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rb1 Nc6 13.Ne4 b6 14.Nf6+ gxf6 15.Bh6
Rd8 =
9...Be7 10.Rb1 c6 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.cxd3 0-0 13.0-0 Nd7 =/+
8...Bxd3
8...Qe6+ 9.Ne2 Bxd3 10.cxd3 Qc6 11.d5 Qf6 12.Bf4 g5 13.Bxc7 Qxf3
14.gxf3 Na6 15.Be5 =
8...Bg4 9.Qf4 Nc6 10.d5 Nd8 11.Nf3 f6 12.0-0 c6 13.c4 Bd7 14.Be3 cxd5
15.cxd5 +/-
8...g6 9.Bxf5 gxf5 10.Ne2 e6 11.0-0 Rg8 12.Re1 Nd7 13.Ng3 Be7 14.Rb1 b6
15.Bf4 +/=
8...e6 9.Rb1 Nc6

10.Ne2 Bd6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bxf5 exf5 13.Nf4 Rb8 14.Nh5 =
10.Bxf5 exf5 11.Qe2+ Qe6 12.Rxb7 0-0-0 13.Rb3 Bd6 14.Qxe6+ fxe6
15.Nf3 Na5 16.Rb5 Nc4 =
9.cxd3 e6
9...Qe6+ 10.Ne2 Qc6 11.d5 Qf6 12.Bf4 g5 13.Bxc7 Qxf3 =
9...g6 10.Rb1 c6 11.Qe4 Bg7 12.Nf3 Nd7 13.0-0 Nf6 14.Qe2 b6 15.Ba3 0-0
16.Rbe1 =
9...c5 10.Ne2 Qc6 11.d5 Qf6 12.Qg3 Nd7 13.Rb1 b6 14.c4 =
9...c6 10.Nh3 Nd7 11.0-0 Nf6 12.Ng5 Qd7 13.Qg3 h6 14.Nf3 =
9...Nc6 and now:

10.Nh3 Qd7 11.0-0 f6 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Qb5 b6 14.Rb1 Bg7 15.Nf4 Bh6 16.a4
Bxf4 17.Bxf4 Na5 18.c4 =
10.Rb1 e5 11.d5 Nd8 12.Ne2 c6 13.d4 cxd5 and now:
14.Qxd5 exd4 15.cxd4 Be7 16.0-0 0-0 17.Ng3 Re8 18.Nf5 =
14.0-0 Qd7 15.dxe5 Bc5+ 16.Be3 Bxe3+ 17.Qxe3 Nc6 18.Nd4 =
10.Rb1
10.Nh3 Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rb1 Nc6 13.Bf4 Kh8 and now:
14.d5 exd5 15.Qxd5 Nd8 16.Bg3 c6 17.Qh5 Qd7 18.d4 Kg8 =/+
14.Rfe1 f6 15.Qe4 e5 16.dxe5 fxe5 17.Bxe5 Nxe5 18.Qxe5 =
14.Qh5!? f6 15.Bg3 Re8 16.Rf4 g6 17.Qe2 Kg7 18.Re4 =
10...c6
10...Nc6 11.Ne2 Bd6 12.Qg4 g6 13.Bh6 Ne7 14.Bg7=

11.Nh3 Nd7
12.0-0 Nf6
13.Bg5 Be7
14.Nf4 =
4.7 – 6.Qf3 Nd6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
6.Qf3 Nd6
7.Bf4
7.Qf2 Nc6 8.a3 e6 9.Nf3 Be7 10.Be3 0-0 =/+
7.Bb5+ Nxb5 8.Nxb5 Bd7 9.Qe2 a6 10.Nc3 e6 =/+
7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nge2 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 g6 10.0-0 Bg7 =/+
7.d5 e5 8.Qe2 Nd7 9.Nf3 Be7 and now:

10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Qxe5 0-0 12.Be2 Bf6 13.Qf4 Re8 -+
10.Be3 0-0 11.0-0-0 Bg6 12.h3 Nf5 13.Bf2 Re8 -/+
7.Bg5 Bxc2 8.Rc1 Bg6 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 h6 -/+
7.Nb5 e6 8.Nxd6+ Bxd6 9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.Nf3 Bxc2 -/+
7...Qc8
7...Qd7 8.Bxd6 cxd6 9.Bb5 Nc6 10.d5 Rc8 11.Nge2 +-
7...Bc8 8.0-0-0 and now:

8...e6 9.d5 Be7 10.Bb5+ Nd7 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.Bxd6 +/=
8...g6 9.Kb1 Bg7 10.Be5 0-0 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Qf4 =
7...Bg6 8.Bxd6 and now:

8...exd6 9.h4 Nc6 10.Bb5 d5 11.0-0-0 Bd6 12.Re1+ =
8...cxd6 9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.Bb5 Rc8 11.Qxa7 e6 12.Qa4 =
7...g6 8.0-0-0 and now:

8...h5 9.h3 Bg7 10.Qe3 Nd7 11.Nf3 0-0 12.Ne5 =
8...Bg7 9.Be5 0-0 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.g4 Bd7 12.Kb1 =
8...Nc6 9.d5 Nb4 10.a3 a5 11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Bxd7+ Qxd7 =
13.Rf1 Bg7 14.Bxd6 exd6 15.Qe4+ Kd8 16.Nf3 =
7...Nc6 8.0-0-0 and now:

8...g6 see 7...g6
8...Qd7 9.d5 Bg4 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Qd3 Bxd1 12.Qxd1 +/=
8...e6 9.d5 Nb4 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.Bb5+ c6 12.Ba4 +/=
8...Qc8 9.h3 and now:
9...Nb4 10.a3 Nxc2 11.Bxd6 cxd6 12.Bb5+ Kd8 13.Ba4 +/=
9...g5 10.Bxg5 Bg6 11.d5 Nb4 12.Rd2 c6 13.dxc6 =
9...a6 10.g4 Bg6 11.Rh2 h5 12.Rf2 hxg4 13.hxg4 =
9...e6 10.g4 Bg6 11.d5 Nb4 12.Bb5+ c6 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.Ba4 Nxa2+
15.Nxa2 Be4 16.Qg3 =
8.Bxd6
8.h3 Bxc2 and now:

9.Rc1 Bg6 10.h4 c6 11.Nh3 Qd7 12.h5 Bf5 =/+
9.Bxd6 exd6 10.Bc4 Bg6 11.Nge2 Be7 12.h4 0-0 =/+
9.Nge2 Bg6 10.Bxd6 exd6 11.Nf4 Be7 12.Bc4 0-0 =/+
8...cxd6
8...exd6 9.0-0-0 Be7 10.Re1 and now:

10...Nc6 11.Nd5 Kf8 12.Nxe7 Nxe7 13.Bc4 c6 14.Nh3 +/=
10...c6 11.Qg3 g6 12.Qxd6 Be6 13.Qe5 0-0 14.Bc4 +/=
9.Bb5+ Bd7
9...Kd8 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 g6 12.0-0-0 Qf5 13.Qe2 =
9...Nc6 10.d5 Bd7 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Ba4 e5 13.Qg3 +/-
10.Nge2 Bxb5
10...g6 11.0-0 f5 12.Nf4 Nc6 13.Rad1 Bh6 14.Ncd5 =
11.Nxb5 Nd7
11...Qd7 12.c4 Nc6 13.0-0 e6 14.Nbc3 a6 15.Rae1 +/=
12.0-0 Nf6
13.Nf4 a6
14.Nc3 Qc6
15.Ncd5 =
4.8 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 Bxc2
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4
6.Qf3 Nd6
7.Bf4 Bxc2
8.Bxd6
8.Rc1 and now:

8...Bg6 9.Bxd6 c6 10.Bxb8 Rxb8 11.Rd1 e6 12.Bd3 +/-
8...Nc6 9.d5 Nd4 10.Qf2 e5 11.dxe6 Qf6 12.Nge2 and now:
12...Nxe2 13.Bxe2 fxe6 14.Rxc2 Be7 15.Bh5+ g6 16.Bg4 +-
12...Nxe6 13.Rxc2 Qg6 14.Kd1 Nf5 15.Nb5 Rd8+ 16.Kc1 +/-
8...exd6
8...Qxd6 9.Qxb7 e6 10.Qxa8 c6 11.Rc1 Bf5 12.Qb7 +-
8...cxd6 and now:

9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.Bb5 Rc8 11.Nge2 e6 12.Rc1 Rc7 13.Qa6 =
9.Rc1 Bg6 10.Qxb7 Nd7 11.Nd5 Qa5+ 12.b4 +-
9.Rc1
9.Bc4 Bg6 10.Qxb7 Nd7 11.Nd5 Rc8 12.Kf2 Be7 13.Re1 +/-
9.Kd2 Bg6 10.Qxb7 Nd7 11.Re1+ Be7 12.Nd5 Rb8 13.Nxe7 Rxb7 =
9.Qe2+ Qe7 10.Rc1 Bg6 11.Nd5 Qxe2+ 12.Bxe2 c5 13.Nc7+ Kd7 14.Nxa8 =
9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.Bb5 Be7 11.Bxd7+ Kxd7 12.Rc1 Rb8 13.Qxa7 Re8 14.Nge2
Bg6 15.Nd5 Bh4+ 16.Kd1 Rxe2 17.Qa4+ Ke6 18.Nf4+ Kf6 19.Nxe2 Bg5
20.Rf1+ Ke7 21.Nf4 Bxf4 22.Rxf4 Rxb2 =
9...Bg6
9...c6 10.Rxc2 Be7 11.Bd3 0-0 12.Qh3 g6 13.Nf3 +-

10.Qxb7 Nd7
11.Nd5
11.Bb5 Rb8 12.Qxa7 Ra8 13.Qb7 Rb8 and now:

14.Qf3 Be7 15.Nge2 Bg5 16.Ra1 0-0 17.0-0 Nf6 18.a4 d5 =/+
14.Qc6 Be7 15.Nf3 Rb6 16.Qc4 0-0 17.0-0 c6 18.Bxc6 Rxb2 =
14.Qa7 Ra8 15.Qb7 Rb8 16.Qa7 =
11...Qh4+
11...Rc8 12.Nxc7+ Rxc7 13.Rxc7 Qh4+ 14.Ke2 Qe4+ 15.Qxe4+ Bxe4

16.Kf2 Kd8 17.Rxa7 Nb6 18.Bb5 Bd5 19.a4 +-
11...Rb8 12.Nxc7+ Ke7 13.Qf3 Nf6 14.Bb5 and now:

14...Be4 15.Qe3 g6 16.Nf3 Bg7 17.0-0 Kf8 18.Ng5 +-
14...Rxb5 15.Nxb5 Qa5+ 16.Nc3 Kd8 17.Nge2 Be4 18.Qf2 +-
12.g3 Qe4+
12...Rb8 13.Qxb8+ Nxb8 14.Nxc7+ Kd8 15.gxh4 Be4 16.Nf3 +-
13.Ne2 Rb8
14.Rxc7 Be7
14...Qb1+ 15.Kf2 Be7 16.Rc8+ Bd8 17.Nc7+ Kf8 18.Rxb8 +-
15.Qc6 0-0
16.Bg2 Qe6
17.Nxe7+ Qxe7
18.Qxd7 Qxd7
19.Rxd7 Rxb2
20.Re7 Rxa2
21.Kf2 +-
4.9 – 6.Qf3 Nd6 7.Bf4 e6
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nd6
7.Bf4 e6
8.0-0-0
8.Bxd6 Bxd6 9.Qxb7 Nd7 10.0-0-0 Rb8 11.Qc6 Rb6 -/+
8...c6
8...h6 9.g4 Bh7 10.d5 Be7 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.Bb5+ +/=
8...Nc6 9.d5 Nb4 10.dxe6 and now:

10...Bxe6 11.Bb5+ c6 12.Ba4 Qc7 13.a3 Na6 14.Ne4 +/-
10...fxe6 11.a3 Nxc2 12.Bb5+ c6 13.Ba4 Nxa3 14.bxa3 +/-
8...h5 9.Qe3 Be7 10.Nf3 0-0 11.Bd3 Nc6 12.a3 =
8...Be7 9.Nge2 Nd7 10.g4 Bg6 11.Kb1 0-0 12.Bg3 b5 =
8...Nd7 9.g4 Bg6 10.h4 and now:

10...h5 11.g5 c6 12.Bd3 Nf5 13.Nge2 Be7 14.Kb1 =
10...h6 11.Nh3 c6 12.Kb1 Nf6 13.Be5 Nde4 14.Nf4 =
9.g4
9.d5 cxd5 10.Bxd6 Bxd6 11.Nxd5 Bg6 12.Nc3 Nc6 -/+
9...Bg6
10.Qe3
10.Kb1 Nd7 11.h4 h5 12.g5 Qb6 13.Bd3 Nf5 14.Nge2 =
10.h4! and now:

10...h5 11.g5 Nd7 12.Bd3 Nf5 13.Nge2 Be7 14.Kb1 Qa5 =
10...h6 11.Kb1 Nd7 12.h5 Bh7 13.Nh3 Nf6 14.Nf2 Nd5 =
10...Be7
11.Nf3 Nd7
11...0-0 12.h4 h6 13.h5 Bh7 14.g5 hxg5 15.Nxg5 +/=
11...h5 12.Ne5 Bh7 13.g5 Nd7 14.g6 fxg6 15.Nc4 =
11...h6 12.Ne5 Bh7 13.Bd3 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Nd7 15.Rhf1 =
12.Ne5 Nf6
12...0-0 13.h4 Nb6 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.h5 Nbc4 16.Bxc4 Nxc4 +/=
12...Nb6 13.h4 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Bxd6 now:

16...Qxd6 17.Bb5+ Kd8 18.g5 Kc7 19.Kb1 Raf8 20.Bd3 Bd8 =
16...Bxd6 17.Bb5+ Kf8 18.Rdf1 Qe7 19.Bd3 Kg8 20.g5 a6 =
13.h4
13.Kb1 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Bd3 Rc8 =
13.Be2 Nd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Nxg6 fxg6 16.Kb1 0-0 =/+
13...Nd5
14.Nxd5 cxd5
14...exd5 15.Nxg6 and now:

15...hxg6 16.Bd3 Kf8 17.h5 g5 18.Be5 Kg8 19.h6 +/=
15...fxg6 16.h5 g5 17.Bh2 0-0 18.Qe6+ Rf7 19.Bd3 =
15.Nxg6 hxg6
16.Bd3
16.Kb1 Rxh4 17.Rxh4 Bxh4 18.g5 Nf5 19.Qg1 f6 20.gxf6 =
16...Rc8
16...Nc4 17.Bxc4 dxc4 18.d5 exd5 19.Rde1 a5 20.h5 =
17.h5 gxh5
17...g5 18.Be5 Bf6 19.Rdf1 Rh6 20.Rh3 b5 21.Rhf3 =
18.gxh5 Nc4
19.Bxc4 Rxc4
20.Kb1 Bf6
21.h6 =
Summary
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined Vienna Variation begins 1.d4 d5
2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5. Rather than capturing the second pawn on f3,
Black defends the pawn on e4.
White has attempted many reasonable options. By far the most successful
responses involve attacking the bishop with a pawn, either by 5.fxe4 or by
g4.
Diemer’s main line was 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 attacking f5, e4, and potentially
b7. Black has one solid move that defends everything: 6...Nd6.
White continues by threatening the overworked knight with 7.Bf4. Black can
then defend the Bf5 with 7...e6 in 4.9, move the bishop with 7...Bxc2 in 4.8,
or play some other seventh move in 4.7.
If Black does not defend everything with 6...Nd6, the most logical option is
to exchange off the attacked knight with 6...Nxc3. White usually recaptures
by 7.bxc3. Then Black defends f5 and b7 with 7…Qc8 in 4.6.
After 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3 Black has many other ways to deal with his vulnerable
Bf5 in 4.5. Black can move the bishop to 7...Bxc2, 7...Bg6, 7...Bd7, or
7...Bc8. Otherwise Black can protect the bishop with 7...g6 or 7...e6.
The line 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Qf3 Nxc3 7.Qxf5 is covered in 4.4. This section also
includes various sixth move alternatives for either side after 5.fxe4 Nxe4.
After 5.fxe4 Black can simply move the bishop as in 5...Bxe4 or some less
aggressive try. All this is covered in 4.3.
Hara-Kiri Variation 5.g4 Bg6 6.g5 in 4.2 allows White to win back the pawn
after the continuation 6...Bg6 7.Nxe4. Alternatives for moves six and seven
are given here.
Lev Zilbermints has had great success with 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 in 4.1. Other
popular fifth move possibilities include 5.Qe2, 5.Bb5+, 5.Bc4, 5.Be3 and
5.Bg5 covered in 4.0.
5.0 – 2.f3 d5 3.e4
1.d4 Nf6
2.f3 d5
3.e4 e6
3...dxe4 4.Nc3 see 3.0.
3...g6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Be3 a6 7.Bd3 +/=
3...Nc6 4.e5 Ng8 5.Be3 f6 6.f4 Bf5 7.Nf3 =
3...c6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 cxd4 7.Nxd4 =
3...e5 4.dxe5 Nxe4 5.fxe4 Qh4+ 6.Kd2 Qg5+ 7.Ke1 =
3...c5 and now:

4.exd5 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Qxd5 7.Qxd5 Nxd5 =
4.e5 and now:
4...Nfd7 5.c3 Nc6 6.f4 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nb6 8.Nc3 =
4...Ng8 5.f4 cxd4 6.Ne2 Bg4 7.Qd3 e6 8.Nxd4 Ne7 9.h3 =
4.e5
4.Be3 dxe4 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.Nbd2 b6 10.0-0-0
Bb7 =/+
4.Bg5 and now:

4...dxe4 5.Nc3 exf3 6.Nxf3 see BDG Euwe
4...Bb4+ 5.c3 Be7 6.e5 Ng8 7.Be3 c5 8.dxc5 =
4...Be7 5.e5 Ng8 6.Bxe7 Nxe7 7.f4 c5 8.dxc5 =
4...c5 5.exd5 exd5 6.Nc3 cxd4 7.Qxd4 Nc6 8.Qa4 =
4...h6 5.Bxf6 Qxf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3 dxe4 8.fxe4 =
4.Nc3 and now:
4...c6 5.e5 Nfd7 6.f4 c5 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.Be3 =
4...c5 and now:
5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxd5 exd5 7.Ne2 Nc6 8.Be3 c4 =/+
5.Be3 cxd4 6.Bxd4 dxe4 7.fxe4 Nc6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 =/+
5.Bg5 cxd4 6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.Bxc6 bxc6 and now:
9.e5 c5! 10.Qh4 Qb8! 11.exf6 Qxb2 -/+
9.Nge2 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Qxf6 gxf6 =/+
5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 7.exd5 cxd4 and now:
8.Qxd4 Bc5 9.Qd3 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Ne2 Qb6 =/+
8.dxe6 dxc3 9.exd7+ Nxd7 10.Ne2 cxb2 11.Bxb2 Qa5+! =
4...Nfd7
4...Nh5 5.Be3 g6 6.Nc3 Ng7 7.f4 Qh4+ 8.g3 +/=
4...Ng8 and now:

5.Be3 c5 6.dxc5 Nd7 7.Nc3 Ne7 8.Qd2 Nxe5 =
5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nh6 7.c4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nc6 =
5.f4 Be7
5...c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Nf3 Qb6 8.Be2 =
6.Nf3
6.Be3 c5 7.c3 Qb6 8.Qd2 Bh4+ 9.g3 Be7 =
6...c5
7.c3 Nc6
7...0-0 8.Be2 Nc6 9.Be3 see 7...Nc6
7...Qb6 8.Be2 Nc6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Kh1 =
7...b6 8.Be3 Ba6 9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Qd3 =

8.Be3 0-0
8...cxd4 9.cxd4 a6 10.a3 b5 11.Bd3 Nb6 12.b3 =
9.Be2
9.Bd3 c4 10.Bc2 b5 11.a3 f5 12.0-0 =
9...cxd4
10.cxd4 Nb6
11.Nbd2 Bh4+
12.Nxh4 Qxh4+
13.g3 =
5.1 – 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4
1.d4 Nf6
2.Nc3 d5
3.e4 Nxe4
4.Nxe4
4.Bb5+ c6 5.Bd3 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 see 4.Bd3
4.Bd3 Nxc3 5.bxc3 c5 6.Nf3 c4 7.Be2 e6 8.Bf4 Nc6 -/+
4.f3 Nxc3 5.bxc3 e6 6.f4 c5 7.Nf3 Bd6 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 Nd7 -/+
4.Nf3 Nxc3 5.bxc3 e6 6.Rb1 Be7 7.c4 0-0 =/+
4...dxe4
5.c3
5.f3 and now:

5...exf3 6.Nxf3 Bg4 7.c3 e6 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 =
5...c5 6.dxc5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Bf5 8.fxe4 Bxe4 9.Nf3 e6 =/+
5...Bf5 6.fxe4 Bxe4 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.Bc4 e6 9.c3 Bd5 =/+
5...e6 6.Be3 Nd7 7.Qe2 exf3 8.Nxf3 b6 9.g3 Bb7 =/+
5...e5 and now:
6.dxe5 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Bf5 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Be2 Nd7 -/+
6.d5 Bc5 7.Qe2 Qxd5 8.Qxe4 Qxe4+ 9.fxe4 Be6 -/+
6.Be3 exd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.Bxd4 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Nxd4 10.Rxd4 exf3 11.Nxf3
Be7 -/+
5...e5
5...Nd7 6.Bc4 e5 7.Ne2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Ng3 exd4 10.Qxd4 =
5...e6 6.Qc2 f5 7.f3 e5 8.dxe5 Bc5 9.b4 Bb6 10.h4 Qd5 =/+
5...c5 6.d5 g6 7.Qa4+ Nd7 8.Qxe4 Nf6 9.Qa4+ Bd7 10.Qb3 Bg7 11.Nf3 0-0
12.Be3 =
5...Bf5 and now:

6.g4 Bg6 7.Qb3 Nd7 8.h4 h5 9.gxh5 Rxh5 10.Ne2 =
6.Qb3 Qc8 7.Ne2 e6 8.Ng3 Bd6 9.Qc2 Bxg3 10.hxg3 =
6.Ne2 e6 7.Ng3 Bg6 8.Bc4 Bd6 9.h4 h5 10.Qb3 =
6.dxe5
6.d5 c6 and now:

7.Bc4 Bc5 8.Qh5 0-0 9.dxc6 Qf6 10.Be3 Bxe3 -/+
7.dxc6 Qxd1+ 8.Kxd1 Nxc6 9.f3 Bf5 10.Be3 0-0-0+ -/+
6.Bc4 exd4 7.Qxd4 Qxd4 8.cxd4 Nc6 9.Ne2 Bg4 10.Be3 Rd8 -/+
6.Ne2 Nc6 7.Be3 Bd6 8.Qc2 f5 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.dxe5 Nxe5 -/+
6.Be3 exd4 7.Bxd4 Nc6 8.Qa4 Qg5 9.Be3 Qe5 10.Bb5 Bd7 =/+
6.Qe2 Qd5 7.dxe5 Nc6 8.f4 exf3 9.Nxf3 Be6 10.Qd3 Bc5 =/+
6.Qc2 Qd5 7.Ne2 Nc6 8.dxe5 Bf5 9.Ng3 Bg6 10.Qb3 Qxb3 =/+
6...Qxd1+
7.Kxd1 Bc5
7...Be6 8.f4 Bc5 see 7...Bc5
8.f4
8.Ke1 0-0 9.f4 exf3 10.Nxf3 Re8 11.Bf4 Nc6 12.Bd3 g5 =/+
8...Be6
9.Ne2 f6
10.Ng3 f5
10...fxe5 11.Nxe4 Bb6 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Kc2 0-0-0 14.Ng5 Bd5 =

11.Kc2 Nc6
12.Be2
12.Bb5 0-0-0 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.b3 a5 15.Ne2 g6 16.Rd1 Rxd1 =
12...0-0-0
13.Rd1 Rxd1
14.Kxd1 Rd8+
15.Kc2 g6
16.b4 =
5.2 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4
5.Bf4 Bf5
5...g6 6.c3 Bg7 7.Qe2 Qd5 8.Bxc7 Nc6 9.Qc4 Qd7 10.Bg3 =
5...Nd7 and now:

6.f3 c6 7.c3 Qb6 8.Qc2 e5 9.dxe5 Bc5 10.Nh3 =
6.Qd2 Nf6 7.Ne2 e6 8.Be5 Ng4 9.Bg3 Bd7 10.Nc3 Nf6 =/+
6.Ne2 Nf6 7.Nc3 Bf5 8.d5 c6 9.dxc6 bxc6 10.Qxd8+ Rxd8 =/+
5...c6 and now:

6.c3 Bf5 7.Qb3 Qb6 8.Bc4 Qxb3 9.axb3 Nd7 =
6.Ne2 Qb6 7.b3 g6 8.Qd2 Bg7 9.c3 Nd7 10.Ng3 c5 =
5...c5 and now:

6.d5 Nd7 7.Ne2 g6 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.Be2 0-0 =/+
6.dxc5 and now:
6...Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Nc6 8.f3 Bf5 9.c3 e6 10.b4 h6 =
6...Qa5+ 7.c3 Qxc5 8.Qa4+ Nc6 9.Be3 Qa5 10.Qxe4 Bf5 =
5...Nc6 and now:

6.c3 e6 7.Nh3 Bd6 8.Qe2 f5 9.0-0-0 0-0 =/+
6.d5 and now:
6...e5 7.Bg3 Ne7 8.Bxe5 Nxd5 9.Qd4 f6 10.Bg3 Bf5 =/+
6...Nb4 7.Bc4 e6 8.dxe6 Bxe6 9.Bxe6 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 fxe6 =/+
6.Qe2
6.f3 e6 7.fxe4 Bxe4 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.c3 Bd6 -/+
6.h4 h6 7.Qe2 e6 8.g4 Bh7 9.Qb5+ Nd7 =/+
6.g4 Bg6 7.Ne2 e6 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Qd7 10.Bg2 0-0-0 =/+
6.c3 e6 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Ne2 Bd6 9.h3 Nd7 10.g4 Bg6 =/+
6.Qd2 e6 and now:

7.h3 Qd7 8.0-0-0 Nc6 9.Bb5 a6 10.Ba4 h6 11.Ne2 Rd8 =/+
7.0-0-0 Bd6 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Bc4 Ne7 11.d5 e5 =/+
6...e6
6...Qxd4 7.Qb5+ and now:

7...Bd7 8.Qxb7 e6 9.a3 Qb6 10.Qxa8 Bc6 11.Bb5 =
7...Nc6 8.Qxf5 Qxb2 9.Rd1 Nd4 10.Qxe4 Qc3+ 11.Bd2 Nxc2+ 12.Ke2 Nd4+
13.Ke1 Nc2+ 14.Ke2 =
6...c6 7.0-0-0 Nd7 8.f3 and now:

8...exf3 9.Nxf3 e6 10.Qe1 Be7 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Rxd3 =
8...Nf6 9.fxe4 Bxe4 10.Be5 Qd5 and now:
11.Kb1 Bg6 12.Nf3 e6 13.Qe1 Be7 14.Bd3 Rd8 15.Bxg6 hxg6 =/+
11.c4 Qe6 12.Nh3 g6 13.Ng5 Bh6 14.h4 0-0 15.Rd2 =
7.g4
7.c3 Bd6 8.g4 Bg6 9.Nh3 Nc6 10.Bg2 h5 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 =/+
7...Bg6
7...e5 8.gxf5 exf4 9.0-0-0 Qe7 10.Re1 Nd7 11.Qxe4 +/=
8.Qb5+
8.h4 h5 9.Qb5+ Nd7 10.g5 Bd6 11.Ne2 0-0 -/+
8...Nd7
8...Nc6 9.Qxb7 Nb4 10.c3 Rb8 11.Qxa7 Ra8 12.Qb7 Rb8 =
9.0-0-0
9.h4 h5 10.g5 a6 11.Qxb7 Rb8 12.Qxc7 Qxc7 13.Bxc7 Rxb2 =/+
9...Bd6
10.Ne2 Qf6
11.Bxd6 cxd6
12.Nc3 Rb8
13.d5 e5
14.h4 h5
15.g5 Qxf2
16.Bh3 Rd8 =/+
5.3 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bf4 e6
5.Bf4 e6
6.Qd2
6.c3 Nd7 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.f3 Bd6 9.Be5 exf3 10.Nxf3 0-0 =/+
6.f3 and now:
6...Nc6 7.fxe4 Nxd4 8.Ne2 Bc5 9.c3 Nxe2 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 =

6...exf3 7.Nxf3 Bd6 8.Be3 0-0 9.Bd3 h6 10.0-0 Nc6 =/+
6...c5 7.dxc5 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 exf3 9.Nxf3 Bxc5 10.c3 f6 =/+
6...Bd6 7.Bxd6 cxd6 8.Qe2 exf3 9.Nxf3 0-0 10.Qe3 Nc6 =/+
6...Bd6
6...f5 7.Bc4 Bd6 8.Ne2 0-0 9.0-0 Nc6 10.d5 Ne5 =
6...Nc6 7.0-0-0 Qd5 8.Kb1 Bb4 9.c3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 cxd6 =
6...Be7 7.0-0-0 0-0 8.f3 c5 9.fxe4 cxd4 10.Nf3 Nc6 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4
Qa5 13.a3 Rd8 =
6...Nd7 7.f3 Nf6 8.0-0-0 Bd6 9.Kb1 Bd7 10.Be5 Bc6 =/+
6...b6 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bc4 Bd6 9.Ne2 Nc6 10.Nc3 Na5 =/+
7.0-0-0
7.Ne2 0-0 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.Nc3 Bc6 10.Qe3 Bxf4 11.Qxf4 f5 =/+
7...Nc6
7...Bd7 8.Ne2 Bc6 9.Nc3 0-0 see 7.Ne2

7...0-0 8.f3 exf3 9.Nxf3 Nc6 see 7...Nc6
7...b6 8.Ne2 Bb7 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Qe3 Bxf4 11.Qxf4 f5 =/+
7...Nd7 8.Ne2 Nf6 9.Ng3 h6 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.Rhe1 Nd5
13.Bxd6 cxd6 14.Nxe4 =
8.f3 exf3

9...Qd5 10.c4 Qa5 11.a3 Bd7 12.d5 exd5 13.cxd5 =
9...Qd6 10.Qxd6 cxd6 11.fxe4 0-0 12.Nf3 d5 13.e5 =
9...e3 10.Ne2 0-0 11.Nc3 Bd7 12.Qxe3 Ne7 13.Bd3 =
9...exf3 10.Nxf3 Qd6 11.Qh4 0-0 12.Bd3 h6 13.c3 =
9.Nxf3 0-0
10.Kb1
10.Bg3 Rb8 11.Kb1 b5 12.Ne5 Ne7 13.Be2 f6 =/+
10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.dxe5 Qxd2+ 12.Rxd2 b6 13.Bb5 Bb7 =/+
10...Rb8
10...b6 11.Bd3 Nb4 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Be4 Nd5 14.Ne5 =
11.Bxd6
11.Ne5 Bxe5 12.dxe5 Qxd2 13.Rxd2 b6 14.Be2 Bb7 =/+
11...Qxd6
12.Bb5
12.Bd3 Nb4 13.Rhe1 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 f6 15.Re3 b5 =/+
12…a6
13.Bxc6 bxc6
13...Qxc6 14.Ne5 Qd6 15.g4 f6 16.Nc4 Qc6 17.Qd3 b5 =/+
14.Qc3 Rb5
15.Nd2 a5
16.a4 Rb4
17.Nc4 Qd5
18.b3 Ba6
19.Ne5 Rb6 =/+
5.4 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3
5.Be3 Nc6
5...a6 6.c3 Nd7 7.f3 e6 8.Qc2 f5 9.0-0-0 Nf6 10.fxe4 fxe4 11.Kb1 Be7
12.Nh3 =
5...b6 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.d5 Qf6 9.Ne2 Bd6 10.Nc3 Bb4 =
5...c6 6.c3 Bf5 7.g4 Be6 8.Nh3 Qc8 9.Be2 h5 10.Ng5 Bxg4 11.Nxe4 g6 12.f3
=
5...Qd5 and now:

6.a3 g6 7.Ne2 Bg7 8.Nc3 Qf5 9.Be2 0-0 10.h3 =
6.Ne2 e5 7.a3 exd4 8.Nc3 Qd7 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Bxd4 =
5...e5 and now:

6.d5 f5 7.g3 Be7 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 Qd6 10.f4 Nd7 -/+
6.dxe5 and now:
6...Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Nc6 8.Bb5 Bd7 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.Ne2 =
6...Qe7 7.Qd4 Nc6 8.Qxe4 Qxe5 9.Qxe5+ Nxe5 10.Be2 =
5...Nd7 6.f3 and now:

6...Nf6 7.fxe4 Nxe4 8.Bd3 Nd6 9.Nf3 Nf5 10.Bf4 =
6...e6 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.0-0-0 Be7 10.g4 Bd7 11.Nf3 =
5...g6 6.c3 and now:

6...Bg7 7.Qc2 Qd5 8.Ne2 Nd7 9.Nf4 Qf5 10.f3 =
6...Nd7 7.f3 Nf6 8.fxe4 Nxe4 9.Bd3 Nd6 10.Nf3 Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 =
6.d5 Nb4
6...Ne5 7.Qd4 Ng4 and now:

8.Qxe4 Nxe3 9.fxe3 a6 10.0-0-0 Qd6 11.Nf3 g6 =
8.0-0-0 e5 9.dxe6 Qxd4 10.exf7+ Kxf7 11.Bxd4 c5 12.Bc4+ Be6 13.Bxe6+
Kxe6 14.h3 cxd4 15.hxg4 =
6...Nb8 and now:

7.Qd4 e6 8.dxe6 Qxd4 9.exf7+ Kxf7 10.Bxd4 =
7.Bc4 Qd6 8.Qd4 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.0-0-0 Qxd4 =
7.c4 e6
7...e5 8.a3 Na6 9.b4 Be7 10.c5 0-0 11.Bc4 =
7...c6 8.Qa4 e5 9.a3 Nd3+ 10.Bxd3 exd3 11.dxc6 =
8.a3 Nd3+
8...Na6 and now:

9.Ne2 Bc5 10.Qd2 0-0 11.Nc3 Bxe3 12.Qxe3 f5 =/+
9.Nh3 Be7 10.dxe6 and now:
10...Bxe6 11.Nf4 Qxd1+ 12.Rxd1 =
10...Qxd1+ 11.Rxd1 Bxe6 12.Nf4 Bc5 =
9.Bxd3 exd3
10.Qxd3 c6
10...b5 11.Rd1 bxc4 12.Qxc4 e5 13.Nf3 Bd6 14.0-0 =
10...Be7 11.Ne2 0-0 12.0-0 exd5 13.cxd5 b6 14.Nc3 =
10...Bd6 11.Nf3 exd5 12.Qxd5 0-0 13.0-0 Re8 14.Rfe1 =
10...exd5 and now:

11.Rd1 Be7 12.cxd5 0-0 13.Ne2 Re8 14.0-0 =
11.cxd5 Bd6 12.Nf3 0-0 13.0-0 h6 14.Rfe1 =
11.Ne2 cxd5
12.Rd1 Be7
12...b6 13.cxd5 Qxd5 14.Qc3 Qb5 15.Qc7 Bd7 16.0-0 =

13.cxd5
13.0-0 0-0 14.cxd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 exd5 16.Nf4 b6 17.Nxd5 =
13...Qxd5
14.Qxd5 exd5
15.Nf4 Be6
16.Nxd5 Bd8
17.0-0 0-0
18.Bc5 Re8 =
5.5 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 e6
5.Be3 e6
6.f3
6.Ne2 Nc6 7.Qd2 Bb4 8.c3 Bd6 9.0-0-0 0-0 =/+
6.Qd2 Nd7 7.f3 Nf6 8.0-0-0 Be7 9.fxe4 Nxe4 10.Qe1 Qd5 =/+
6.Bc4 and now:

6...Nc6 7.c3 Na5 8.Be2 Be7 9.Nh3 0-0 10.Qc2 f5 11.Nf4 =
6...Nd7 and now:
7.c3 and now:
7...Nf6 8.f3 Bd6 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 =/+
7...Bd6 8.Nh3 h6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Nf4 a5 11.a4 Qf6 -/+
7.Ne2 Nb6 8.Bb3 a5 9.a3 a4 10.Ba2 Nd5 11.Bd2 b6 =/+
7.Nh3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 b6 10.Rad1 Bb7 11.d5 exd5 12.Bxd5 Bxd5
13.Rxd5 Qc8 =/+
6.g3!? and now:

6...Nc6 7.Bg2 Qd5 8.Ne2 e5 9.dxe5 Qxe5 10.c3 =
6...b6 7.Bg2 Bb7 8.Nh3 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.c3 Nd7 11.Qc2 Nf6 12.Bg5 c5
13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Bxe4 Bxe4 16.Qxe4 Qd2 17.Rab1 =
6...exf3
6...Bd7 7.g3 Bc6 8.Bg2 exf3 9.Nxf3 Be7 10.0-0 =
6...Bd6 7.g3 0-0 8.fxe4 e5 9.Nf3 exd4 10.Nxd4 =
6...Nd7 7.Qe2 exf3 8.Nxf3 b6 9.0-0-0 Bb7 10.Kb1 =
6...Nc6 7.Qd2 Qd5 see 6...Qd5
6...Qd5 7.Qd2 Nc6 8.a3 e5 9.c4 Qa5 10.Qxa5 Nxa5 11.dxe5 Nb3 12.Rd1 =
6...a6 7.Qd2 e5 8.dxe5 Qxd2+ 9.Bxd2 Nc6 10.fxe4 Nxe5 11.Nf3 Nxf3+
12.gxf3 Be6 13.Bd3 0-0-0 =
6...b6 7.Nh3 and now:

7...exf3 8.Qxf3 Qd5 9.Qg3 Bb7 10.Qxc7 Bd6 11.Bb5+ Qxb5 12.Qxb7 Qc6
13.Qxc6+ Nxc6 14.c3 =
7...Bb7 8.fxe4 Bxe4 9.Ng5 Bc6 10.Bd3 Be7 11.Nf3 0-0 12.Qe2 =
7.Nxf3
7.Qxf3 Nc6 8.0-0-0 Qd5 9.c4 Qxf3 10.Nxf3 Bd6 =/+
7...Nd7
7...Bd6 8.Bd3 0-0 9.c3 Bd7 10.Qe2 Nc6 11.0-0-0 =
7...Be7 8.Bd3 0-0 9.0-0 and now:

9...Nd7 10.Qe2 b6 11.Ng5 Bxg5 12.Bxg5 Qxg5 13.Qe4 f5 =
9...f5 10.Qe2 Nd7 11.Rae1 Nf6 12.Bg5 Nd5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 =
8.Bd3 Be7
8...c5 9.Qe2 Be7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Rhf1 h6 12.g4 Qa5 13.Kb1 cxd4 14.Bxd4
Nc5 15.Bc4 +/=
8...Bd6 9.Qe2 0-0 10.0-0 h6 11.c3 f5 12.Bf2 Nf6 =
8...b6 and now:

9.Qe2 Bb7 10.0-0-0 Bd6 11.Kb1 Qe7 12.Nd2 Nf6 13.Rhf1 =
9.Be4 Rb8 10.Qd3 Bd6 11.0-0-0 f5 12.Bc6 0-0 13.Qb3 =
8...Nf6 9.0-0 Ng4 10.Bd2 Be7 11.Qe1 f5 12.Qe2 0-0 13.Rfe1 =
9.0-0 0-0
10.Qe2 f5
11.Rae1 Nf6
12.Bg5
12.Bc4 Nd5 13.c3 Bf6 14.Bf2 a5 15.Bg3 a4 16.a3 =
12...Nd5
13.Bxe7 Qxe7
14.Bc4 Qd8
15.Rf2 b6
16.Qe5 =
5.6 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Be3 Bf5
5.Be3 Bf5
6.g4
6.f3 and now:

6...exf3 and now:
7.Nxf3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Nc6 10.0-0 Be7 11.a3 =
7.Qxf3 e6 8.Qxb7 Nd7 9.0-0-0 Rb8 10.Qf3 Bd6 11.g4 =
6...e6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg2 c5 9.fxe4 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 =/+
6...c6 7.fxe4 Bxe4 8.Nf3 Nd7 9.Bd3 Qa5+ 10.c3 Bxd3 =
6.Qd2 e6 7.0-0-0 and now:

7...Nc6 8.Ne2 Qd6 9.Nc3 0-0-0 10.Qe2 Kb8 11.g4 Bg6 =/+
7...Nd7 8.h3 Nb6 9.g4 Bg6 10.Ne2 Bd6 11.Nf4 Qd7 =/+
7...Be7 8.Ne2 0-0 9.h3 h6 10.g4 Bh7 11.Nc3 Nd7 =/+
7...c6 8.Kb1 Nd7 9.Ne2 Nf6 10.h3 h5 11.Nc3 Be7 =/+
6...Bg6
6...Bc8 7.Bg2 Qd5 8.h3 h5 9.c3 hxg4 10.hxg4 Rxh1 11.Bxh1 =
6...Be6 7.Bg2 h5 8.g5 Bf5 9.Ne2 Nc6 10.Nc3 e6 11.Nxe4 =
7.Ne2
7.Bc4 and now:

7...e6 8.Ne2 Nd7 9.h4 Nb6 10.Bb3 h6 11.Nf4 Bh7 =/+
7...h5! 8.g5 Nd7 9.Ne2 Nb6 10.Bb3 e6 11.Qd2 a5 -/+
7...e6
7...Nd7 8.h4 h6 9.Nf4 Bh7 10.Qe2 e6 11.0-0-0 c6 12.Kb1 =
7...h6 8.d5 c6 9.Nc3 a6 10.Bg2 cxd5 11.Qxd5 Nc6 12.0-0-0 =

7...e5 8.Qd2 Qd5 9.Nc3 Qd7 10.0-0-0 exd4 11.Qxd4 Qxd4 12.Rxd4 Bc5
13.Ra4 Nd7 14.Bg2=
7...Nc6 8.h4 h5 9.Nf4 Qd6 10.Qe2 e5 11.Nxg6 fxg6 12.0-0-0 exd4 13.Bxd4
0-0-0 14.Be3 Qxd1+ 15.Qxd1 Rxd1+ 16.Kxd1 =
8.h4
8.Bg2 f5 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 Qd7 11.Nc3 Bb4 12.gxf5 exf5 =/+
8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0 Qd7 10.Nf4 Bd6 11.Qc3 0-0-0 12.Bb5 Bxf4 =/+
8.Nf4 Bd6 9.c3 Nd7 10.Be2 Nb6 11.h4 Bxf4 12.Bxf4 h6 13.c4 =
8...h6
8...f6 9.Bg2 Nc6 10.h5 Bf7 11.Bxe4 Qd7 12.Qd2 +/=
8...f5 9.Nf4 Bf7 10.Bc4 Qd7 11.Qe2 Bb4+ 12.c3 +/=
8...h5 9.Nf4 Bh7 and now:

10.g5 Bf5 11.Nxh5 Qd6 12.c3 Nc6 13.Ng3 0-0-0 14.Qc2 =
10.Nxh5 Qd6 11.c3 Nd7 12.Qc2 0-0-0 13.0-0-0 Kb8 14.c4 =
10.d5 exd5 11.Qxd5 Bb4+ 12.c3 Qxd5 13.Nxd5 Bd6 14.gxh5 =
9.Nf4
9.Bg2 and now:

9...Nd7 10.Nf4 Bh7 11.c3 c5 12.Nh5 Qc7 13.Qa4 Qc6 =
9...Nc6 10.c3 f5 11.Qc2 Qd7 12.Rg1 Bf7 13.f3 0-0-0 =/+
9...Bh7
10.Qe2 Qd7
10...Bd6 11.0-0-0 Nd7 12.Bg2 Qe7 13.Bd2 Nf6 14.g5 =

10...c6 11.0-0-0 Nd7 12.Kb1 Nb6 13.Bg2 Nd5 14.Bd2 =
10...Qd6 11.0-0-0 Nd7 12.g5 0-0-0 13.g6 Bxg6 14.Nxg6 =
10...Nc6 11.0-0-0 Ne7 12.Qb5+ c6 13.Qxb7 Rb8 14.Qa6 =
11.0-0-0 Na6
12.a3 0-0-0
13.Kb1 Kb8
14.Bg2 =
5.7 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4
5.Bc4 e6
5...Qd6 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2 e5 8.0-0 exd4 9.cxd4 =
5...Qd7 6.c3 e5 7.Qe2 exd4 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.0-0 =
5...e5 6.Qh5 Qe7 7.Qxe5 Qxe5 8.dxe5 Nc6 9.Bf4 =
5...g6 6.c3 and now:

6...Nd7 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.f3 exf3 9.Nxf3 Bg7 10.0-0 =
6...Bg7 7.Qe2 Bf5 8.g4 Bc8 9.Qxe4 Nd7 10.h3 =
5...Nd7 and now:

6.f3 e5 7.fxe4 Qh4+ 8.Kf1 Qxe4 9.Nf3 Be7 -/+
6.Qh5 e6 7.Bxe6 Qe7 8.Bb3 Nf6 9.Qa5 =
5...c6 and now:

6.Ne2 Nd7 7.0-0 Nb6 8.Bb3 g6 9.Ng3 a5 10.a3 =
6.Qh5 and now:
6...g6 7.Qe5 f6 8.Qxe4 Bf5 9.Qe3 Bxc2 10.Nf3 =
6...e6 7.c3 and now:
7...b5 8.Bb3 Nd7 9.Bxe6 Qe7 10.Bb3 Nf6 11.Qe2 =
7...Nd7 8.Bxe6 Qe7 9.Bb3 Nf6 10.Qh4 Nd5 11.Qxe7+ Bxe7 =
5...c5 and now:

6.d5 Nd7 7.f3 Nb6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 =/+
6.Qh5 and now:
6...g6 7.Qxc5 Bg7 8.Ne2 Nd7 9.Qg5 0-0 10.0-0 =
6...e6 and now:
7.dxc5 Qa5+ 8.c3 Qxc5 9.Qe2 Bd7 10.Be3 Qc7 =/+
7.d5 and now:
7...g6 8.Qe5 f6 9.Qxe4 e5 10.Nf3 +/=
7...Qb6 8.a3 exd5 9.Qxd5 Be6 10.Qxe4 =
7...Qf6 8.Ne2 and now:
8...exd5 9.Bxd5 g6 10.Qg5 Nd7 11.Nc3 =
8...Qf5 9.Ng3 Qxh5 10.Nxh5 e5 11.b3 =
6.c3
6.Nh3 Nd7 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Nf4 Be7 9.d5 exd5 10.Nxd5 c6 =/+
6.f3 a6 7.c3 b5 8.Be2 c5 9.fxe4 Qh4+ 10.Kf1 cxd4 =/+
6...Nd7
6...Bd7 7.Nh3 Bc6 8.0-0 Nd7 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Bb5 =
6...Be7 7.Qg4 0-0 8.Qxe4 c5 9.Nf3 cxd4 10.Nxd4 =
6...Bd6 7.Qg4 0-0 8.Qxe4 Nd7 9.Nf3 Nf6 10.Qe2 =
6...Nc6 and now:

7.f3 Bd6 8.g3 e5 9.d5 Na5 10.Be2 exf3 11.Nxf3 b6 =/+
7.Be3 e5 8.Qc2 exd4 9.Qxe4+ Qe7 10.Qxe7+ Bxe7 11.cxd4 =
7.Nh3 h6 8.Qg4 Na5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 =
6...c5 and now:

7.Nh3 cxd4 8.0-0 Nc6 9.cxd4 Qxd4 10.Qe2 Be7 =/+
7.Ne2 Nc6 8.Be3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bd7 10.0-0 Be7 =
7.d5 and now:
7...Be7 8.Ne2 0-0 9.Bf4 e5 10.Bxe5 Nd7 11.Bf4 =
7...exd5 8.Bxd5 Nc6 9.Bxe4 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 Bd6 11.Ne2 =
7.Qe2
7.f3 c5 8.Be3 b6 9.Qd2 Qc7 10.Bf4 Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 =/+
7.Nh3 Nf6 8.0-0 Bd7 9.f3 exf3 10.Qxf3 Bc6 11.Qe2 =
7...Nf6
8.f3 exf3
8...c5 9.Be3 Be7 10.dxc5 0-0 11.fxe4 Nxe4 12.Bd4 =
9.Nxf3 Be7
10.0-0 0-0
11.Bg5 c5
12.Rad1 cxd4
13.Nxd4 =
5.8 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Bf5
5.Bc4 Bf5
6.g4
6.f3 e6 7.c3 Nd7 8.Qe2 Bd6 9.g3 exf3 10.Nxf3 0-0 -/+
6.c3 e6 7.Ne2 Bd6 8.Ng3 Nc6 9.Nxf5 exf5 10.0-0 0-0 =/+
6...Bg6
7.Ne2 e6
7...Qd6 8.c3 Nd7 9.Qb3 Nb6 10.Nf4 Nxc4 11.Qxc4 0-0-0 =/+
7...e5 8.Be3 Nd7 9.h4 Qe7 10.Qd2 h5 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 =/+
7...Nc6! 8.c3 Qd7 9.Qa4 a6 10.h4 h6 11.Bb5 e6 12.Bxc6 Qxc6 13.Qxc6+

bxc6 14.h5 Bh7 15.Bf4 Bd6 =/+
8.h4 h6
8...h5 9.Nf4 Qf6 10.g5 Qf5 and now:

11.Bf1 Nc6 12.c3 0-0-0 13.Qa4 Qg4 14.Be2 Qf5 15.Bf1 =
11.c3 Bd6 12.Nxg6 Qxg6 13.Qe2 Nd7 14.Bb3 0-0-0 15.Bc2 =
8...Qd6 9.c3 e3 10.f3 h5 11.g5 Nd7 12.Bd3 Bxd3 =/+
9.Nf4 Bh7
9...Qf6 10.Nxg6 Qxg6 11.h5 Qf6 12.c3 Nd7 13.Qe2 =
9...Nc6 10.Nxg6 fxg6 11.c3 Qf6 12.Qe2 0-0-0 13.Qxe4 =
10.g5 Bf5
10...Nd7 11.g6 Bxg6 12.Nxg6 fxg6 13.Qg4 Qf6 14.Qxe4 0-0-0 15.Be3 +/=
10...Bg8 11.g6 Qd6 12.gxf7+ Bxf7 13.c3 Nd7 14.Qb3 0-0-0 15.Bxe6 =
10...Bd6 11.g6 and now:

11...Bxg6 12.Nxg6 fxg6 13.Qg4 Qf6 14.Bxe6 Nc6 15.Be3 Nxd4 16.Bxd4
Qxd4 17.Qxg6+ Kd8 18.Qf7 +-
11...Bg8 12.gxf7+ Bxf7 13.Nxe6 Qf6 14.Qg4 Ke7 15.d5 +/=
11...Bxf4 12.gxf7+ Kxf7 13.Bxf4 Bf5 14.d5 Qf6 15.Rg1 Qxb2 16.dxe6 Kf6
17.Bb3 Nc6 18.Rxg7! +/=
10...c5 11.g6 Bxg6 12.Nxg6 fxg6 13.Qg4 Qf6 14.Bxe6 Nc6 15.Qxe4 =
10...hxg5 11.hxg5 Qxg5 12.Nxe6 Qe7 13.Ng5 Qb4+ 14.c3 Qxc4 15.Nxh7 =
10...Nc6 11.c3 Na5 12.Bb5+ c6 13.Bf1 Bf5 14.gxh6 b6 15.hxg7 =
11.g6! Nc6
11...Qd6 12.gxf7+ Kxf7 13.c3 Nd7 14.h5 Nf6 15.Rg1 =
11...Qf6 12.gxf7+ Qxf7 13.d5 e5 14.Ne6 c6 15.c3 +/=
11...fxg6 12.Bxe6 Bxe6 13.Nxe6 Qd7 14.d5 c6 15.Qg4 +/=
12.gxf7+ Kxf7
13.c3 Qf6
14.Nh5
14.d5 Ne5 15.dxe6+ Kg8 16.Nd5 Qg6 17.e7 Nxc4 =
14.Rg1 Bd6 15.Be3 Bxf4 16.Bxf4 Qxh4 17.Qd2 Qe7 =
14.Be3 Bd6 15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.d5 Ne5 17.dxe6+ Kg8 =
14...Qg6
15.Ng3 Be7
16.h5 Qh7
17.Nxf5 Qxf5
18.Rg1 Bf6
19.Qg4 Ne7
20.Qxf5 Nxf5
21.d5 =
5.9 – 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 Nc6
5.Bc4 Nc6
6.c3
6.Be3 e5 and now:

7.dxe5 Qe7 8.a3 Nxe5 9.Qd5 Nxc4 10.Qxc4 Qe5 =/+
7.Ne2 and now:
7...Bd6 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 Bg4 10.dxe5 Bxe5 11.h3 Bf5 =/+
7...exd4 8.Nxd4 Ne5 9.Be2 a6 10.Qd2 Bc5 11.0-0-0 0-0 =/+
7...Na5 8.Bb3 Nxb3 9.axb3 exd4 10.Nxd4 c6 11.Qh5 Bd6 =/+
6...e5
6...Bf5 7.Qb3 and now:

7...e6 8.Qxb7 Na5 9.Bb5+ c6 10.Bxc6+ Nxc6 11.Qxc6+ +/-
7...Qd7 8.Bxf7+ Kd8 9.Ne2 e6 10.Nf4 Na5 11.Bxe6 +/=
6...Na5 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qxa5 Bg7 10.Ne2 =
6...e6 7.Nh3 h6 8.Qe2 Na5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.0-0 Bd6 11.Nf4 =
6...a6 7.Bf4 e6 8.Bb3 Be7 9.Qe2 f5 10.Qh5+ g6 11.Qh6 Bf8 =/+
7.d5
7.Qb3 Qf6 8.Ne2 exd4 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.cxd4 0-0 -/+
7...Ne7
7...Na5 8.Be2 b6 9.Qa4+ Bd7 10.Qxe4 Bd6 11.b4 f5 =
7...Nb8 8.Ne2 Nd7 9.Ng3 Nb6 10.Bb3 f5 11.0-0 Bd6 =/+
8.f3
8.Qa4+ Bd7 9.Qc2 f5 10.Nh3 h6 11.Qb3 Qb8 12.0-0 g5 -/+
8.Bb3 c6 9.Qh5 cxd5 10.Qxe5 a5 11.Ne2 a4 12.Bc2 Be6 =/+
8.Ne2 c6 9.dxc6 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 bxc6 11.Ng3 f5 12.Re1 g6 =/+
8...exf3
8...Nf5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.fxe4 Nd6 12.Nf3 0-0-0 =
8...Ng6 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.fxe4 Bc5 12.Nf3 0-0 =/+
9.Nxf3
9.Qxf3 and now:

9...Nf5 10.Bd3 g6 11.Nh3 Bg7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Ng5 h6 -/+
9...Ng6 10.Qf2 Qh4 11.Qxh4 Nxh4 12.Nf3 Nxf3+ 13.gxf3 Bc5 -/+
9...f6
9...c6 10.Bg5 f6 11.Nxe5 and now:

11...fxg5 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.dxc6 Nxc6 14.Nxc6+ Be7 15.Nxe7 +-
11...fxe5 12.d6 Qd7 13.Bxe7 Qf5 14.Qe2 Bxe7 15.dxe7 +/=
11...Nxd5 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Qe2 Be7 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nf7 =
9...Qd6 10.Be3 Nf5 11.Bg1 f6 12.Qe2 Qe7 13.Bb3 Bd7 =/+
9...Ng6 10.d6 Qxd6 11.Qb3 Be6 12.Qxb7 Rd8 13.Bb5+ Bd7 =/+
10.0-0
10.Be3 Nf5 11.Bf2 Nd6 12.Bb3 Be7 13.0-0 0-0 =/+
10.Qb3 Nf5 11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Bd3 Qc8 13.0-0 Bc5+ =/+
10...Nf5
10...Ng6 11.Be3 a5 12.Bd3 Be7 13.Qa4+ Bd7 14.Qc2 0-0 =
11.Kh1
11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Bd3 Bc5+ 13.Kh1 0-0 14.b4 Bd6 =/+
11...Bc5
12.Bd3 0-0
13.b4 Bd6
14.Qc2 g6 =/+
Summary
Most of this book covers lines that begin 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4. One wonderful
aspect of a BDG repertoire for White is that the gambit is frequently reached
after 1.d4 Nf6. The two common routes are 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 and
2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.f3.
The Huebsch Gambit is a branch off the Indian Defences. White would never
play this gambit unless he wanted to reach the BDG after the first moves 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4.
Rather than transpose to a BDG by 3...dxe4 4.f3, in the Huebsch Black

captures with the knight by 3...Nxe4. White judges that the Nf6 was at least
as valuable as the Nc3. The normal continuation is to exchange by 4.Nxe4
dxe4 when White has a variety of fifth move options.
Traditionally White has played 5.Bc4. Black may attack d4 with 5...Nc6 in
5.9, defend e4 with 5...Bf5 in 5.8, or play something else like 5...e6, 5...g6,
5...c6, 5...c5 or 5...Nd7 in 5.7.
Possibly the best fifth move for White is 5.Be3. It protects d4 and prepares
queenside castling. Black could defend e4 with 5...Bf5 in 5.6, plan for a solid
center with 5...e6 in 5.5, or play something else like 5...Nc6 or 5...e5 in 5.4.
Another White option that resembles 5.Be3 but fights against for e5 is 5.Bf4.
Black can develop solidly with 5...e6 in 5.3 or play something like 5...Bf5,
5...Nc6 or 5...c5 in 5.2.
Other fifth move possibilities like 5.c3 or 5.f3 are covered in 5.2. Also there
in 5.2 other fourth move tries are examined.
Theory in the Huebsch Gambit gives Black good chances. White does have
reasonable lines for equality. The lack of a knight on the kingside can be a
problem, but Black stands no worse with proper and accurate defence.
To avoid the Huebsch players as White can choose the Paleface Attack with
1.d4 Nf6 2.f3!? The opening can easily transpose into lines of Benoni, Kings
Indian or Pirc Defences. Play after 2...d5 3.e4 is covered in 5.0. The Sawyer
Variation is 3...e6 4.Bg5!?
Before you go
If you like this book, please leave a review.
I have other books on this opening such as:
“Blackmar-Diemer Puzzles: 200 Easy Positions” is a basic

introduction to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.
“Blackmar-Diemer Playbook 6: 200 Opening Positions for

White” gives a complete repertoire of my favorite lines.
“Blackmar-Diemer Playbook 7: 200 Opening Positions for

White” gives an alternative repertoire of lines that I play.
Chess Training Repertoire

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You can receive my chess training repertoire for free. I send one
page of detailed analysis each week. This covers a popular opening
that masters frequently play or an unorthodox opening. As a chess
openings coach I provide you with one set of lines for White and
another for Black. You receive a basic suggested repertoire for
each side for that one line. Each week a different opening is
covered. Enjoy it for free. Try it!
Tim Sawyer chess books

Blackmar-Diemer Games 1: Accepted
Blackmar-Diemer Games 2: Declined
Blackmar-Diemer Theory 3: Accepted
Blackmar-Diemer Theory 4: Declined
Blackmar-Diemer Puzzles: 200 Easy Positions
Blackmar-Diemer Playbook 6: 200 Opening Positions White
Blackmar-Diemer Playbook 7: 200 Opening Positions White
Queen Pawn: 1.d4 d5 Closed Games
King Pawn: 1.e4 e5 Open Games
Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5
French Defence: 1.e4 e6
Caro-Kann: 1.e4 c6
Alekhine & Pirc: 1.e4 Semi-Open
Queen’s Knight: 1.Nc3 & 1…Nc6
Indian Defences: 1.d4 Nf6
Bird & Dutch: 1.f4 and 1…f5
Rare First Moves: Flank Openings
Chess Training Repertoire 1: 50 Openings
King Pawn Puzzles: 200 Easy Opening Checkmates
Sicilian Defence Puzzles: 200 Easy Opening Checkmates
French & Caro Puzzles: 200 Easy Opening Checkmates
Queen Pawn Puzzles: 200 Easy Opening Checkmates
Indian Defence Puzzles: 200 Easy Opening Checkmates
Flank Opening Puzzles: 200 Easy Opening Checkmates
French 3.Be3 Playbook: 200 Opening Positions for White
Philidor 2.Nf3 Playbook: 200 Opening Positions for White
Italian 2.Bc4 Playbook: 200 Positions Bishop Opening White
Kings Gambit Playbook: 200 Opening Positions for White
London 2.Bf4 Playbook: 200 Opening Positions for White
Caro-Kann Playbook: 200 Opening Positions for Black
Slav Defence Playbook: 200 Opening Positions for Black
Blackmar-Diemer Series: Books 1-4 (box set bundle)
amazon.com/author/timsawyer

Blackmar-Diemer Series Books 1-4 Chess BDG - Tim Sawyer PDF

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Blackmar-Diemer Series

Disclaimer and FTC Notice

Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including international,

Any perceived slight of any individual or organization is purely

Forward to Blackmar-Diemer Series

“Blackmar-Diemer Games 1: Accepted” is a collection of 412 games on the

“Blackmar-Diemer Games 2: Declined” is a collection of 225 games on the

“Blackmar-Diemer Theory 3: Accepted” is a detailed analysis of BDG theory

“Blackmar-Diemer Theory 4: Declined” is a detailed analysis of BDG theory

BDGers Tom Purser and Lev Zilbermints have provided me with

When I first tried to write Books 3 & 4 on the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit gave me 30 years of fun games!

1 - Bogoljubow 5…g6 Ryder Gambit

It is true that playing against Bogoljubow gave Alekhine an excuse to avoid

While there are good defensive possibilities, it is common for Black to

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 game with Bill Wall vs

That all sounds reasonable. Furthermore, Black directly attacks both of

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 game Bill Wall vs "Samuel",

Wall-Samuel, www.chess.com .24), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3

Here is a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 with Bill Wall vs

The most popular variation of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.e4

11 - Brian Wall Wins Ryder Gambit

BrianWall (2076) - CameraObscura (2134), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,

In Tom Purser's BDG blog we read:

"Torsten Oscarsson was born February 25, 1915 in Varmland, Sweden. He

"In a letter to me [Tejler] in November, 1962 Torsten comments:

Anders Tejler concluded with a BDG Ryder game between Torsten

Oscarsson - Johansson, Halsingborg, Sweden 1959 begins 1.d4 d5 2.f3 Nf6

Previously I covered the game Karoly Honfi Jr vs Geza Fuster. Presumably,

Again from Tom Purser's blog according to Honfi Jr (via Jensen):

It is always an unknown quantity when playing a "Guest" online. Are they

Wall - Burk, Gambit Tourney Dayton, OH (4), 11.01.1980 begins 1.d4 d5

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 c6 game of Bill Wall vs

27 - Stutter Stepping Development

When White wins a BDG, frequently we hear in a post-mortem a comment

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs Cheryl,

Black's light squared bishop was stuck in a passive position compared to

Bond wrote: "Here’s one of my best Ryder’s gambit achievements. Could

Bond - michaelshahade, Live Chess Chess.com, 20.06.2012 begins 1.d4

Diemer was a master of inconsistencies, but it served him well. He intended

There are three chief drawbacks to the BDG Ryder (5.Qxf3):

Bond - xorigueres (1947), Chess.com, 29.12.2011 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5

Bond - Pedrorojas (1775), Live Chess.com, 01.03.2013 begins 1.Nc3 d5

Sawyer - Swazey, Williamsport, PA 1996 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4

Wall - Tabukashvili, www.chess.com .11), 2011 begins 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs

Chess brings out the risk taking Young Entrepreneur in players.

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6 game Bill Wall vs "Yeks",

However every person in a family is his or her own individual. At any

This game is another Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6.

Bill Wall vs TeamCanada sees a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 e6.

42 - Knight Fork on Brave King

psg7777 (1090) - fivethousandguilders (1124), chess.com, 30.01.2013

I purchased 1. The Aggressive Caro-Kann 4...Nf6 / 5...gxf6 by Keene and 2.

In Bill Wall vs Victor Ortiz, Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder 5.Qxf3 Nc6

We see a real man in this game. In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Ryder

Wall - Taguinod, www.chess.com .31), 2010 begins 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4

If we sacrifice material, we may be in serious danger of losing. However, in

"Surprise...here I come again master Tim,

Bond (1829) - viknw (1801), Live Chess Chess.com, 09.02.2013 begins

Below we look at a tactical game Mont-Reynaud lost to the dreaded

61 - Latinlover Loses Rook

As my physical health gradually improved in late 2012, I returned to writing