Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
ECO D00 · 1. d4 d5 2. e4
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3, offers a pawn for development and an open f-file. It was promoted by the German master Emil Josef Diemer and remains a favorite of club gambiteers.
Plans for White
White recaptures on f3 with the knight after 4...exf3 5.Nxf3, plays Bd3, O-O and Qe1-h4, and attacks the kingside along the f-file. Rapid development is the compensation for the pawn.
Plans for Black
Black can accept and return material when needed, or decline with ...e3, ...Bf5 or ...e6 (French-like). Solid development with ...e6, ...Be7 and ...c5 neutralizes most attacks.
Typical pawn structures
Open f-file for White and a half-open e-file; Black usually has an extra pawn but less space.
Who it suits
Gambiteers who like rapid development and attacks against the kingside in club games, and who accept that strong defenders can neutralize it.
Common traps
Quick mating attacks against careless Black kingside castling are common, especially with Bxh7+ and Ng5 ideas. Black should not grab more pawns while undeveloped.
Variations
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Lemberger Countergambit — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 e5
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Zeller Defense — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Bf5
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: von Popiel Gambit — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Blackmar Gambit — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. f3
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Diemer-Rosenberg Attack — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Be3
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Fritz Attack — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Bc4
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Netherlands Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 f5
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Reversed Albin Countergambit — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 c5
- Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Rasa-Studier Gambit — 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3