Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. b4

Sicilian Wing Gambit
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
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/1P2P3/8/P1PP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. b4
ECO code: B20
Parent: Sicilian Defence

Sicilian Wing Gambit

2. b4 marks the Sicilian Wing Gambit. There are other wing gambits like this using the b-pawn (for instance, the Evans Gambit); however, this wing gambit is the most common one. The b-pawn push tries to undermine Black's c-pawn control of d4.

This gambit is unsound at the top level, and Black can safely accept it. However, it is common in amateur play.

Black's responses

2...cxb4. Black usually accepts the gambit. White is most likely to play 3. a3 to try to develop the knight by either recapturing on a3 or going to c3.

2...d5. Black can always decline the gambit and attack White's e-pawn.

Theory table

1. e4 c5 2. b4

	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Evaluation
Wing Gambit Accepted	... cxb4	a3 d5	exd5 Qxd5	Nf3
Wing Gambit Declined	... d5	exd5

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

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

External links

• 365Chess: 1. e4 c5 2. b4