![]() | This article includes a list of general
references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding
inline citations. (September 2022) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moves | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Bc4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECO | B12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Named after | Geza Maróczy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Caro-Kann Defence |
In chess, the Maróczy Gambit, is an opening line in the Fantasy Variation of the Caro–Kann Defence in which White sacrifices a pawn for a large lead in development and attacking chances. It begins with the moves
White offers a pawn, aiming to exert pressure on Black's king and f-pawn. Another possibility for White's 6th move is to recapture the lost pawn with 6.Qxd4. However, this allows Black to trade queens and dissolve White's immediate attacking chances. 6.Bc4 is therefore evaluated by engines as the strongest move in this position.
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings classifies the Maróczy Gambit under code B12.
The opening takes its name from Hungarian Grandmaster Geza Maróczy, who first played it in London in 1899. [1] The first recorded game Maróczy used it in was against Francis J. Lee, and it ended in a draw. [2] Soon after, he used the same gambit against Wilhelm Cohn and secured a victory. [3]
The Maróczy Gambit reached its peak popularity in the 1930s, but has seen a resurgence of popularity in the 21st century. Nonetheless, it remains a relatively rare variation of the Caro-Kann Defence. [4]
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Bc4
The strongest responses for Black either aim to shelter the king as quickly as possible, or seek to trade off/neutralize the threat of White's light square bishop.
6...Nf6 7.O-O Nbd7 (diagram)
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
8 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 8 | |||||||
7 | 7 | ||||||||
6 | 6 | ||||||||
5 | 5 | ||||||||
4 | 4 | ||||||||
3 | 3 | ||||||||
2 | 2 | ||||||||
1 | 1 | ||||||||
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
6...Be6 7. Bxe6 fxe6 8. O-O
The weakest responses for Black either allow traps with Bxf7! (a main motif of the Maróczy Gambit), or neglect development to a fatal extent.
6...Bg4??
This move looks good at first glance, but is easily refuted by 7. Bxf7+!, since after 7...Kxf7 8. Ne5+ (diagram), White easily wins the Bishop on g4, and has dragged Black's king out into the open.
6...Bb4+?
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
8 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 8 | |||||||
7 | 7 | ||||||||
6 | 6 | ||||||||
5 | 5 | ||||||||
4 | 4 | ||||||||
3 | 3 | ||||||||
2 | 2 | ||||||||
1 | 1 | ||||||||
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
6...c5?
This move aims to protect the d-pawn, and doesn't fall into any immediate Bxf7 traps. However, after White castles with 7.O-O, it becomes clear that Black has a losing position in the long-term.
Bibliography
![]() | This article includes a list of general
references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding
inline citations. (September 2022) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moves | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Bc4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECO | B12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Named after | Geza Maróczy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Caro-Kann Defence |
In chess, the Maróczy Gambit, is an opening line in the Fantasy Variation of the Caro–Kann Defence in which White sacrifices a pawn for a large lead in development and attacking chances. It begins with the moves
White offers a pawn, aiming to exert pressure on Black's king and f-pawn. Another possibility for White's 6th move is to recapture the lost pawn with 6.Qxd4. However, this allows Black to trade queens and dissolve White's immediate attacking chances. 6.Bc4 is therefore evaluated by engines as the strongest move in this position.
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings classifies the Maróczy Gambit under code B12.
The opening takes its name from Hungarian Grandmaster Geza Maróczy, who first played it in London in 1899. [1] The first recorded game Maróczy used it in was against Francis J. Lee, and it ended in a draw. [2] Soon after, he used the same gambit against Wilhelm Cohn and secured a victory. [3]
The Maróczy Gambit reached its peak popularity in the 1930s, but has seen a resurgence of popularity in the 21st century. Nonetheless, it remains a relatively rare variation of the Caro-Kann Defence. [4]
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Bc4
The strongest responses for Black either aim to shelter the king as quickly as possible, or seek to trade off/neutralize the threat of White's light square bishop.
6...Nf6 7.O-O Nbd7 (diagram)
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
8 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 8 | |||||||
7 | 7 | ||||||||
6 | 6 | ||||||||
5 | 5 | ||||||||
4 | 4 | ||||||||
3 | 3 | ||||||||
2 | 2 | ||||||||
1 | 1 | ||||||||
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
6...Be6 7. Bxe6 fxe6 8. O-O
The weakest responses for Black either allow traps with Bxf7! (a main motif of the Maróczy Gambit), or neglect development to a fatal extent.
6...Bg4??
This move looks good at first glance, but is easily refuted by 7. Bxf7+!, since after 7...Kxf7 8. Ne5+ (diagram), White easily wins the Bishop on g4, and has dragged Black's king out into the open.
6...Bb4+?
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
8 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 8 | |||||||
7 | 7 | ||||||||
6 | 6 | ||||||||
5 | 5 | ||||||||
4 | 4 | ||||||||
3 | 3 | ||||||||
2 | 2 | ||||||||
1 | 1 | ||||||||
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
6...c5?
This move aims to protect the d-pawn, and doesn't fall into any immediate Bxf7 traps. However, after White castles with 7.O-O, it becomes clear that Black has a losing position in the long-term.
Bibliography