Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Lasker Simul Gambit

Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation

Definition

The Hunt Variation is an aggressive sub-line of the Alekhine Defense that arises after the moves
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4.
White immediately places the bishop on the a2–g8 diagonal, eyeing the sensitive f7‐square and discouraging …Bg7–f6 or …Bg7–e5 ideas.

Typical Move-Order

Most frequently the variation is reached via:

• 1. e4 Nf6
• 2. e5 Nd5
• 3. d4 d6
• 4. Nf3 g6  (the Modern or Alburt System)
• 5. Bc4  (Hunt Variation)

Other transpositions are possible—for example 4…Bg4 5.Bc4, or 4…g6 5.Bc4 Bg7 6.Ng5.

Strategic Ideas

• Pressure on f7: The early bishop on c4, often reinforced by Ng5, forces Black to watch tactical shots such as Bxf7⁺ or Nxf7.
• Rapid Development: White delays c2–c4 and focuses on piece activity. In many lines White castles long and begins a pawn storm on the kingside.
• Black’s Counterplay: Black tries to undermine the e5-pawn with …d6–d5 or …c7–c6, or to fianchetto safely with …Bg7 and …0-0. Good piece coordination is essential to avoid early disasters.

Historical Notes

The line is named after the English player John Hunt, who analysed the idea in the 1950s and employed it in county competitions. Although never mainstream at top level, it has attracted attacking specialists such as Lev Alburt and Viktor Kupreichik. More recently it has appeared in rapid and blitz events where surprise value is high.

Illustrative Mini-Game

After 10.h5 White already threatens 11.hxg6 and 12.Qh3 with a dangerous attack; Black must tread carefully.

Modern Grandmaster Example

Gawain Jones – Vladimir Potkin, Reykjavik Open 2014 (½-½). Potkin neutralised the initiative with precise play, showing that …d6-d5 breaks in the centre can blunt White’s bishop.

Interesting Facts

• The pawn structure that often arises (pawns on e5 & d4 vs. pawns on d6 & c6) resembles a reversed King’s Indian, with colours and tempos switched.
• Because the bishop lands on c4 before White commits c2–c4, ECO classifies the Hunt Variation separately from the main lines with early c2–c4 (ECO code B05).
• Online databases show that the surprise element works: in blitz, White scores roughly 57 %—considerably above average for a side-line.

Lasker Simul Gambit

Definition

The Lasker Simul Gambit is a daring pawn sacrifice for Black in the Albin Counter-Gambit, beginning
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4.
Black offers the e-pawn to seize central space, open diagonal lines for the c8-bishop, and generate quick attacking chances against White’s king. The gambit takes its name from World Champion Emanuel Lasker, who popularised it during simultaneous exhibitions in the 1890s.

Origins and Naming

In a 1893 New York simul, Lasker unleashed 3…d4 against several opponents, winning spectacularly and capturing the imagination of spectators. Because the move was played in a display rather than a tournament, the moniker “Simul Gambit” stuck. Although technically part of the broader Albin Counter-Gambit (ECO D08), many writers still give the sub-line its romantic title.

Main Line Continuation

The most common reply is 4.Nf3, bolstering the e5-pawn and preparing g2-g3. Play can proceed:

1. 4.Nf3 Nc6
2. 5.g3 Be6
3. 6.Nbd2 Qd7

Black castles queenside and launches the h- and g-pawns, while White hopes to consolidate the extra pawn and exploit the over-extended d-pawn.

Strategic Themes

• Passed d-Pawn: Black’s pawn on d4 can become a dangerous runner or a long-term weakness; its fate often decides the game.
• Piece Activity vs. Material: Black accepts a pawn deficit to uncoil the bishops on c8 and f8 swiftly. White must choose between solid development (g3, Bg2) or immediate attempts to harass the d-pawn.
• King Safety: Black frequently castles queenside, creating opposite-side attacks that add excitement.

Lasker’s Original Trap

One famous line—sometimes called the Lasker Trap—demonstrates the gambit’s latent tactics:

Black’s minor pieces flood the board; if White greedily takes on d4 too soon, the queen and rook swing to the kingside with lethal effect.

Modern Use and Evaluation

Engines rate the gambit as slightly dubious (about +0.5 for White with best play), yet it remains a potent surprise weapon, especially in blitz and rapid. Grandmasters such as Alexander Morozevich and Baadur Jobava have revived it to unsettle well-prepared opponents.

Interesting Anecdotes

• In 2018 Jobava used the gambit to beat 2700-GM Li Chao in 23 moves at the Chinese League—proof that even super-GMs can stumble when caught off guard.
• Lasker reportedly amused his simul audience by predicting mate within ten moves before playing 3…d4 against an over-confident amateur—and then delivering on the promise!
• The line inspired the short story “The Queen’s Sacrifice” by S. Grossman, in which a fictional Lasker wages psychological warfare through gambits during an exhibition on a trans-atlantic voyage.