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King's Gambit Declined

Classical Variation, Rotlewi Countergambit

C30gambitoffbeataggressive

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.f4Bc5
  3. 3.Nf3d6
  4. 4.b4
79 games49%46%

A rare Evans Gambit-style pawn sacrifice in the Classical King's Gambit Declined, offering the b-pawn to gain time for c3 and d4.

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About the Rotlewi Countergambit

The Rotlewi Countergambit, 4. b4, offers the b-pawn to deflect the c5-bishop, much as in the Evans Gambit, so that c3 and d4 can follow with gain of tempo. After 4...Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. fxe5 dxe5 7. d4 White obtains a broad pawn center. Retreating with 4...Bb6 is slightly more common in practice. The line is seldom played and considered slightly dubious, and engines give Black a small edge.

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