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Alekhine Defense

Spielmann Gambit

B02gambitoffbeataggressive

  1. 1.e4Nf6
  2. 2.Nc3d5
  3. 3.e5Nfd7
  4. 4.e6
669 games50%46%

A gambit in the Scandinavian Variation of the Alekhine Defense in which White gives up a pawn with 4. e6 to disrupt Black's structure and development.

Train it in Theoria

About the Spielmann Gambit

The Spielmann Gambit arises from the Scandinavian Variation of the Alekhine Defense, 2. Nc3 d5, when 3. e5 Nfd7 is followed by 4. e6. White gives up the pawn to induce 4...fxe6. This leaves Black with doubled e-pawns, a loosened kingside and a hemmed-in c8-bishop. Black takes in the vast majority of games. The alternatives 4...Nf6 and 4...Nb6 are rare and score worse for Black. Engines rate the position as balanced, and practical results are close to even.

Popular continuations