Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. c4/2...e5/3. dxe5/3...Ng4/4. Bf4

This is called the "Rubinstein variation" in reference to the famous game Rubinstein – Vidmar (Berlin 1918) where the move 4.Bf4 was first employed.[1] The move 4.Bf4 first aims to be able to answer 4...Bc5 with 5.e3 without blocking the Bc1, contrary to what happens in the Adler line 4.Nf3. On the other hand, the early development of the bishop means that White is slightly exposed to a Bb4+.

Budapest Gambit
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black kingh8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 white pawnf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 white pawnd4 black kinge4 black kingf4 white bishopg4 black knighth4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 black kingd2 black kinge2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 black kingd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Bf4
ECO code: A51-A52
Parent: Budapest Gambit

Also, in the Adler line White faces the risk of a strong attack against his kingside, while in the 4.Bf4 variation this is seldom the case because White's Bf4 is well placed to protect White's kingside if needed. However, in some cases the Bf4 can become slightly exposed (e.g. some variations of the Rubinstein line when Black plays g7–g5 and h7–h5).

Apart from the sideline 4...g5, the main line continues with both camps developing their pieces around the e5-pawn with 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Bb4+ (preparing 6...Qe7) when White has an important choice to make between the two moves 6.Nc3 and 6.Nbd2, each leading to extremely different play. With 6.Nc3 White accepts to have his pawn structure on the queenside ruined, in return for a material advantage of one pawn, the bishop pair and active play in the center.

On the other hand, with 6.Nbd2 White gives back the gambited pawn in order to keep a healthy pawn structure and to get the bishop pair. After 6...Qe7 White generally plays 7.a3 in order to force the immediate exchange of the Bb4 for the Nd2 and get the bishop pair, a space advantage and a minority attack on the queenside. White can also try 7.e3 which tries to win a tempo over the 7.a3 variation but may end up with the Bb4/Nd2 exchange made in less favorable circumstances, or not made at all. The maverick gambit 6...f6 or 6...d6 also exist.[2]

Theory table

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For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Bf4

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
...
Nc6
Nf3
Bb4+
Nbd2
Qe7
e3
Ngxe5
Nxe5
Nxe5
Be2
+=
...
...
...
...
...
d6




+=
...
...
...
...
...
f6




+=
...
...
...
...
Nc3
Bxc3+
bxc3
Qe7
Qd5
f6


+=
...
g5
Bg3
Bg7
Nf3
Nc6
Nc3
Ngxe5
Nxe5
Nxe5
e3
d6
c5 +=

Footnotes

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  1. Moskalenko 2007, p.15
  2. Tseitlin 1992, p.126
    Rubinstein – Tartakower, Kissingen 1928

References

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  • Borik, Otto (1986). Budapest Gambit. The Macmillan Chess Library. ISBN 978-0020175001.
  • Lalić, Bogdan (1998). The Budapest Gambit. Batsford. ISBN 9780713484564.
  • Moskalenko, Viktor (2007). The Fabulous Budapest Gambit. New In Chess. ISBN 978-90-5691-224-6.
  • Tseitlin, Mikhail (1992). The Budapest for the Tournament Player. Batsford. ISBN 978-0805024319. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)