Arafat Gambit
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Re: Arafat Gambit
I mean the Arafat Gambit. A gambit should have some benefit, usually a lead in development, however short-lived that may be. If you are just dropping a pawn for nothing in return, I don't think the term gambit is the best. 1. e4 f5 isn't a gambit as far as I know.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
Clearly not everyone shares your opinion, since a majority of the serious players who have faced it over the board seem to have declined it.MJMcCready wrote: ↑Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:19 pmI mean the Arafat Gambit. A gambit should have some benefit, usually a lead in development, however short-lived that may be. If you are just dropping a pawn for nothing in return
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Re: Arafat Gambit
Why not? It can certainly be argued it isn't a very good one, but that's a different thing entirely
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Arafat Gambit
Well I always thought a gambit must have some perceived benefit at the time of discovery otherwise it shouldn't be a gambit. 1. e4 f5 2. exf5 g5 is not a gambit. Nor would 1.e4 d5 2. exd5 c6 3. bxc6 Nf6 4. cxb7 e6 5. bxa8=Q Bc5, be classified as a gambit either.
Has there been an instance of a so-called gambit being stripped of its title for being too theoretically unsound?
Has there been an instance of a so-called gambit being stripped of its title for being too theoretically unsound?
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Re: Arafat Gambit
If I recall, in 'The Complete Chess Addict' the rather pejoratively titled 'Irish Gambit' makes an appearance.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
Nick confirms that NM Robert Reynolds introduced this idea in Santa Barbara in the 1960s, where it attracted his name. His own attempts to play it suffered a setback when Larry Christiansen, a regular sparring partner, simply refused to continue the game, saying that it was an affront to chess.Nick Burrows wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:01 pmNational Master Robert Reynolds, Grandmaster Hellers, Grandmaster Nick DeFirmian, Master Tim McGrew have also played this gambit.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
He has a point though, some 'so-called' gambits do look downright stupid. I played in the Nottingham tournament in 1993 and some guy played 'The Paris Gambit' which was just downright daft.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
As much as I love gambits with black and white - I'll be tempted in the original position to throw in 2,,,c5.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
The Halloween Gambit is the only one I ever play, and only sometimes.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
The originator on their deathbed (supposedly) "I didn't see that the pawn was defended"MJMcCready wrote: ↑Tue Feb 13, 2018 8:30 pmIf I recall, in 'The Complete Chess Addict' the rather pejoratively titled 'Irish Gambit' makes an appearance.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Arafat Gambit
Actually Arafat Gambit was founded and played by my father Abdelmalik Arafat, (Jordanian, originally from Palestine) who was one of the founders of the Arab Chess Federation in 1975 and also the Royal Jordanian Chess Federation in 1973. This opening as I remember was somehow derived from another opening and Abdelmalik Arafat modified it and played it against one of the world champion IN 1970's and won the game.David Sedgwick wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:32 pmWas it by any chance played by a Palestinian at an Olympiad?
A major drawback of the opening is that Black can avoid the critical 2 ... Nxe4 by playing 2 ... d6. I imagine that that would be more likely after 1. d4, Nf6; 2. e4 than after 1. e4, Nf6; 2. d4.
For your information, Abdelmalik Arafat passed away in 2016.
We will be very glad if someone would help in publishing this (Arafat Gambit) in the Wikipedia.
Thank you
Osama Abdelmalik Arafat
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Re: Arafat Gambit
If I was Mr Arafat I wouldn’t be in any hurry to have my name pinned to this opening.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
As Mr Arafat has passed away I can see no reason why his name shouldn't be linked to this for posterity. I am sure that he would appreciate that his name lives on along with many other greater chess players who have had variations named after them. A cursory glance at a chess database reveals that Abdel Malik Arafat did indeed employ this opening - perhaps someone can add one of the games to this thread?Andrew Martin wrote: ↑Sat Feb 09, 2019 9:34 amIf I was Mr Arafat I wouldn’t be in any hurry to have my name pinned to this opening.
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Re: Arafat Gambit
At a quick glance, only game I can see is a loss in the following game
Any postings on here represent my personal views
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Re: Arafat Gambit
Abdel Malik Arafat v Nigel Chudleigh - Luzern Olympiad October 1982 which was a win for White.