The Complete Chess Course From Beginning To Winning Chess! (2016)

Book Eight

How to Play the d-pawn Openings

Budapest Defense

This is also a counter gambit, but it has more positional justification than most defenses of its kind. If White clings slavishly to the gained material, he often gets into trouble. On the other hand, if he develops systematically he is likely to get the better game. A too rapid advance, however, should be shunned, as it may enable Black to counterattack successfully.

(a) 4.Bf4 Variation

Budapest Defense

White - Black

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5

This is the counter gambit.

3.dxe5 (D)

Position after 3.dxe5

If Black tries 3…Ne4, White continues with simple development: 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 Nc5 6.g3 d6 7.exd6 Qxd6 8.Bg2 Bf5 9.a3 a5 10.0-0 0-0-0 11.b4! returning the pawn for a winning attack.

3…Ng4

And now 4.f4? would be quite bad: 4…Bc5 5.Nh3 f6 with an overwhelming game for Black.

4.Bf4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bb4+ (D)

Position after 5…Bb4+

6.Nbd2

If now 6.Nc3 Qe7 7.Qd5 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 f6! and White’s extra pawn, being doubled and isolated, is not worth much.

6…Qe7 7.a3 Ngxe5 8.Nxe5

If now 8.axb4??? Nd3#.

8…Nxe5 9.e3 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 d6 11.Be2 Ng6

After 12.Bg3 0-0 13.0-0 White’s two bishops and slightly greater freedom of action give him the better prospects.

(b) 4.e4 Variation

Budapest Defense

White - Black

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.e4

Here White’s objective is to develop rapidly. But he must be careful not to overextend himself.

4…Nxe5 5.f4 Ng6

Apparently better than 5…Nec6, which leaves White with a much freer game after 6.a3 a5 7.Be3 Na6 8.Nf3 Bc5 9.Qd2 d6 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Bd3 Bxe3 12.Qxe3 Nc5 13.0-0-0. (D)

Position after 5…Ng6

Black will attempt to prove that White’s numerous pawn moves have weakened his position.

6.Be3

If 6.Nf3 Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Qf6! 8.e5 Qb6 9.Qd3 d6 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.Qxc3 dxe5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Qxe5+ Qe6 with a level position.

6…Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qe7 9.Bd3 f5

White is hard put to it to defend the center.

10.Qc2 fxe4 11.Bxe4 Nxf4! 12.Bxf4 d5! 13.cxd5 Bf5

After 14.0-0-0 Bxe4 15.Qb2 Nd7 Black’s position seems somewhat exposed, but he just has time to castle and consolidate his position.