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Ruy Lopez

Classical Variation, Konikowski Gambit

C64gambittacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5Bc5
  4. 4.c3d5
206 games50%48%

A dubious gambit in the Classical Ruy Lopez where Black meets 4. c3 with 4...d5, opening the center at the cost of a self-pin on the c6-knight.

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About the Konikowski Gambit

The Konikowski Gambit, also called the Konikowski-Hardy Gambit, answers 4. c3 with 4...d5, striking at the center before d4 arrives. The advance pins Black's own knight and leaves e5 loose, so White may capture on either d5 or e5. After 5. exd5 Qxd5 the queen cannot be harassed by Nc3, but 6. Qe2 is considered strongest. Engines give White a clear advantage. The line is named after the Polish-German FIDE Master Jerzy Konikowski.

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