Schliemann Defense

The Schliemann Defense, also called the Jaenisch Gambit, answers the Spanish bishop with 3...f5, attacking e4 from the flank. Despite the gambit label, the f-pawn is not really on offer. After 4. exf5 e4 the f3-knight has no good retreat, because the c6-knight covers d4 and e5, and Black scores well in that line. Carl Jaenisch analyzed the move in Le Palamède in 1847. The Schliemann name came later, through the Handbuch des Schachspiels. Teimour Radjabov is its leading modern practitioner.

Most White players prefer to defend e4. The most common reply, 4. d3, keeps the game calmer. After 4...fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 the e4-pawn is indirectly protected, since 6. O-O Nxe4 runs into 7. Re1. The Dyckhoff Variation, 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4, leads to the heavily analyzed 5...d5 6. Nxe5, which is full of complications. The Tartakower Variation, 5...Nf6, is quieter. The exchange 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nxe5 wins nothing, because 5...Qd4 regains the pawn. Engines give White a slight edge, but Black's practical results are good. The line is regarded as a useful practical weapon that carries positional risk.