Theoria
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Scotch Game

Blumenfeld Attack

C45tacticaloffbeataggressive

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.d4exd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Bc5
  5. 5.Be3Qf6
  6. 6.Nb5
1,787 games63%33%

A Scotch Game sideline in which White meets 5...Qf6 with 6. Nb5, threatening Nxc7+; sharp, tactical and regarded as dubious for White.

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About the Blumenfeld Attack

The Blumenfeld Attack replaces the usual 6. c3 with 6. Nb5. This ignores the pressure on f2 and threatens Nxc7+, forking king and rook. Black's standard reply, 6...Bxe3, threatens mate on f2. After 7. fxe3 Qh4+ 8. g3 Qxe4 9. Nxc7+ Kd8 10. Nxa8 Qxh1, Black takes the h1-rook while the knight on a8 is stranded. The engine gives Black a slight edge, although White scores well in online games.

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