Danish Gambit Accepted, Copenhagen Defense

HANS LINDEHN vs. LADISLAS MACZUSKI
Paris, 1863

1. e4, e5
2. d4, exd4
3. c3, dxc3
4. Bc4, cxb2

The Danish Gambit Accepted is marked by a series of pawn sacrifices in return for an open center where White can attack furiously.

5. Bxb2, Bb4+
6. Nc3, Nf6
7. Nge2, Nxe4

It is hard to believe at this point that White is giving away another pawn for free.

8. 0-0, Nxc3,
9. Nxc3, Bxc3

Materially superior, Black thought that the best way to victory is to exchange pieces.  He is unaware of the danger that the open lines brought.

10. Bxc3, Qg5
11. Re1+, Kd8

Forced.  If 11....Kf8, then 12. Qe2 Qd8, 13. Qh5 g6, and mate follows.

12. f4, Qxf4
13. Bxg7, Rg8
14. Qg4 ....

14. .... Qd6

If 14....Qxg4, then 15. Bf6 mate.

15. Bf6+, Qxf6
16. Qxg8 mate

White's victory is attributed to Black's greed, without considering defense of central structure.

Sicilian to Danish

White turns a Sicilian opening to Danish Gambit. Black unknowingly cooperated in the magnificent outcome.

KERES vs. WINTER
Warsaw, 1933
Sicilian Defense (Danish Gambit by transposition)

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. e5, Nd5
4. Nc3, e6
5. Nxd5, exd5
6. d4, d6
7. Bg5, Qa5+

If 7....Be7, then White gains a pawn by 8. Bxe7 Qxe7, 9. dxc5 ..

8. c3, cxd4
9. Bd3!? ....

Offering pawns one after another, White plays for a dashing attack.

9. .... dxc3
10. 0-0, cxb2
11. Rb1, dxe5?

This move opens the e-file and increases Black's attacking prospects.

12. Nxe5, Bd6

Of course not 12....f6 because 13. Qh5 is devastating. At this point, 12....Be6 is preferable.

13. Nxf7, Kxf7
14. Qh5+, g6

Black's situation is shaky. If 14....Kf8, then 15. Bxh7 etc. If  14....Ke6, then 15. Bf5+ Ke5, 16. Re1+ Kd4, 17. Be3+ Kc3, 18. Qd1 and Black can resign.

15. Bxg6 hxg6
16. Qxh8, Bf5

Preventing the loss of another pawn. If 16....Nd7, then 17, Qh7+ Kf8, 18. Bh6+ Ke8, 19. Qxg6+ etc.

17. Rbe1, Be4

A mating position arises for White after 17....Bf8, 18. Re7+ Bxe7, 19. Qh7+ Kf8, 20. Qxe7+ Kg8, 21. Bf6 etc.

18. Rxe4!!, dxe4
19. Qf6+, Resigns

White wins after 19....Ke8, 20. Qe6+ Kf8, 21. Bh6 mate.  If 19....Kg8, then 20. Qxg6+ Kf8, 21. Qxd6+ Kg8, 22. Qe6+ Kg2 (If 22....Kh8, then 23. Bf6+ Kh7, 24. Qf7+ Kh6, 25. Qg7+ Kh5, 26. g4 mate.); 23. Qe7+ Kg6, 24. Qf6+ Kh7, 25. Qf7+ Kh8, 26. Bf6 mate.

The Danish Gambit

The Danish Gambit is an opening where White offers some pawns for free but gets a DANGEROUS attack in return! The first few moves are 1.e4 e5, 2.d4 .... Is this a good move? Yes, even some of the best players in the world play this move. Moving the pawn into the center opens up lines for the rest of the pieces. White is also threatening 3. dxe5!

2...exd4 Black usually takes.

3.c3 The Danish Gambit. It was called that since most of the players that first tried it were from Denmark.

The main line goes 3...dxc3, 4.Bc4 cxb2, 5.Bxb2 .... This is the start position.

Have a look at it carefully. White has been very generous giving away two pawns, but Black must be VERY careful. The plan is to develop his pieces like so Nc3, Nge2, 0-0, Qb3, Rad1, etc. Blacks main choices are: 5...Nf6?!, 5....d5!!, 5...d6 and 5...Bb4+.

Let us have a look at one of the most brilliant games ever played using the Danish Gambit.

CHAROUSEK vs. WOLLNER
Kaschau, 1893

1. e4, e5
2. d4, exd4
3. c3, dxc3
4. Bc4, Nf6

Black can also capture the third pawn, then  5. Bxb2 c6, 6. Nf3 d6, 7. 0-0 Nd7, followed by 8. .....Nc5.

5. Nf3, Bc5

Not 5.....Nxe4 because of 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7, 7. Qd5+ ....

6. Nxc3, d6
7. 0-0, 0-0
8. Ng5 .....

White has a good play for the sacrificed pawn.

8. ..... h6?

Driving White to do what he wants to do anyway.

9. Nxf7!, Rxf7
10. e5 .....

This is possible because the d6 pawn is pinned.

10. ..... Ng4

After 10. ..... Ne8, 11. Be3! Bb6, 12. Qd5 Qe7, 13. Bxb6 axb6, 14. Rae1.... White has a winning attack.

11. e6! .....

A crushing stroke which simultaneously attacks Black's King Rook and King Knight.

Black has no really good move.  If he plays 11. ..... Rxf2?! there follows 12. e7+ Rf7+, 13. Kh1 and White must win.  Of course 11. ..... Re7 is futile because of 12. Qxg4.  Finally, after 11. ... Bxe6, 12. Bxe6.... White wins easily.

11. ..... Qh4!?
12. exf7+, Kf8
13. Bf4!, Nxf2
14. Qe2, Ng4+
15. Kh1 .....

White threatens Qe8 mate.

15. ..... Bd7
16. Rae1! .....

With a subtle threat against which Black is powerless.

16. ..... Nc6
17. Qe8!!, Rxe8
18. fxe8=Q+, Bxe8
19. Bxd6 mate.

A very delightful finish!  Black's inept defense contributed to the artistic conclusion.