"Whether this is a gambit or an opening line is something of a question. The latter is perhaps more accurate, but credit to anyone who can articulate the distinction .."
I didn't express that very well: obviously gambits are subsets of opening lines rather than to be distinguished from them. I'll try again: is every opening line where one player sacrifices material with no intention or expectation of regaining it so afterwards necessarily a gambit? If not, what are the other options?
accepting gambits
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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: accepting gambits
The encounter in question between Timman and Smyslov was included in Jon Speelman's book featuring the best games of 1970-80.
It featured the pseudo piece sacrifice 11 Ng5!? which had famously been uncorked by Karpov against Korchnoi in the previous year's WC - ISTR an account that when he played it, the entire Soviet delegation ordered drinks to celebrate. In the event he got a big advantage but misplayed it, and in the end was lucky to get a draw after his opponent (perhaps not surprisingly) got into serious time trouble.
It featured the pseudo piece sacrifice 11 Ng5!? which had famously been uncorked by Karpov against Korchnoi in the previous year's WC - ISTR an account that when he played it, the entire Soviet delegation ordered drinks to celebrate. In the event he got a big advantage but misplayed it, and in the end was lucky to get a draw after his opponent (perhaps not surprisingly) got into serious time trouble.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Christopher Kreuzer
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Re: accepting gambits
Still not finding the actual game. Any chance the year or other details are wrong?
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IM Jack Rudd
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Peter Ackley
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Re: accepting gambits
As Roger says (and as would be my answer to many forum questions [and not just chess forum either]) - depends.
Depends on the gambit, the opponent (who they are, what I know about their play, their strength), the match situation, the time limit etc. A quick look at my games and opening repertoire and I wouldn't say there's a trend in my play. Quickly I found:
-Queens Gambit - declined
-Kings Gambit - accepted
-Smith Morra Gambit - accepted
-Scotch Gambit - declined
I wouldn't say in any case they were the "best" choice but rather were best for me at the time.
Depends on the gambit, the opponent (who they are, what I know about their play, their strength), the match situation, the time limit etc. A quick look at my games and opening repertoire and I wouldn't say there's a trend in my play. Quickly I found:
-Queens Gambit - declined
-Kings Gambit - accepted
-Smith Morra Gambit - accepted
-Scotch Gambit - declined
I wouldn't say in any case they were the "best" choice but rather were best for me at the time.
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Derek Sinclair
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- Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:17 pm
Re: accepting gambits
sometimes i have gambited my whole king