Inventing a New Gambit

THE LEMUR GAMBIT

Those who know me know I am a relentless gambiteer. I have played many of the big hot gambits over the years and several still frequently make an appearance in my blitz games. They could also tell you I have arrogant aspirations of becoming a youtube chess star some day, and it seems all of them have a pet gambit, so of course I had to invent my own.

1.d4 Nf6

2.f3 d5

3.e4 dxe4

4.fxe4!?

Normally, White would play 4.Nc3 here and proceed to a Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, but we have done something different. I am a BDG specialist myself and I've played 4.Nc3 here many times. I know exactly what happens down that road, and that is a blog post for another day. Suffice to say... Black knows too. The "Bee Dee Gee" is not much of a 'surprise' weapon these days since it is a fairly popular blitz opening, so everyone and their grandma has a line ready for it.

1.d4 Nf6

2.f3 d5

3.e4 dxe4

4.fxe4!? Nxe4

5.Nc3 Nxc3

6.bxc3

And we arrive at the key tabiya. As of September 20th 2021, this position has appeared in the lichess database 61 times, and as far as I can tell, 59 of those are mine.

With 4.fxe4 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3, borrowing an idea from the Stafford Gambit, we reach a position where I believe White has sacrificed their pawn under more favorable circumstances than a normal BDG.

• We still get the semi-open f-file as well as free movement of both bishops.
• A knight that normally defends the Black king is traded with a queenside knight that often does not participate in the attack.
• White's d-pawn which is often the subject of counterplay for Black has been shored up with the pawn on c3.
• The b-file is a useful attacking asset which adds to the piece harmony White can create between f7, f3, b7, and b1.
• The pawn structure looks preposterous at first glance, but this is 2021, and we are willing to set Nimzowitschian considerations aside now in favor of concrete continuations.
• Engines will give Black a slight edge at low depth... around -0.7 from Stockfish, and -0.2 from Leela. However, their skepticism towards White's compensation softens a bit as you play in to every line.
• I have resolved some lines that looked highly critical into draws through forced repetition--which White gets in many lines, and I am confident this opening draws with best play.

A Handful of Miniatures

A simple opening trap that uses that b-file.

More hot b-file action. This rooklift looks hilarious and it is, but it's also a serious tool in White's arsenal, especially since Rb1 often comes with tempo on the b7 pawn.

The absence of a protective knight on f6 glues the rook on f8 to its post in some lines, narrowing Black's defensive options.

What if Black plays Nf6? Is there anything White can do other than entering BDG mainlines with Nf3? Yes! In fact. I recommend Bg5 here, which allows White to meet critical c6 and g6 setups head-on while staying out of your opponent's book.

The f7 square is a constant source of concern for player 2.

So far I am getting phenomenal positions, though I manage to bungle them occasionally. I am still learning the opening myself, but the surprise value is powerful enough to take down titled players.

Final Thoughts

It is theoretically uncertain, so I'm wary of attaching my real name to it for now. The last thing I need for my reputation is Andras posting a refutation video on the "Schuch Gambit" one week after I put it up.

That said, this isn't just a laugh I'm having. This coffee shop napkin joke ended up turning into a serious opening that I may even end up using against rivals over the board some day. I will do a deep dive into some of the critical lines and talk about the theory of this opening in future posts.