Amar Opening Paris Gambit
Amar Opening
Definition
The Amar Opening is a rare chess opening that begins with the move 1. Nh3. In standard opening nomenclature it carries the ECO code A00, a category reserved for irregular first moves by White that do not immediately challenge the centre. The name “Amar” (French for “to love”) is generally credited to the French-Moroccan master Charles Amar, who employed 1. Nh3 on several occasions in Paris during the 1930s.
Typical Move Order
The most common sequences after 1. Nh3 include:
- 1. Nh3 d5 2. g3 e5 – leading to the Paris Gambit (see below)
- 1. Nh3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. f4 – the Amar (Drunken Knight) Gambit
- 1. Nh3 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 – the so-called “Amazon Attack”
Strategic Ideas
Because 1. Nh3 does not aid White’s fight for the centre or development, the move is considered objectively inferior. Still, it has a few practical motives:
- It avoids vast bodies of opening theory; virtually every reply will place both sides in uncharted territory.
- The knight may later reroute to f4 (via h3–f4 or h3–g5–f3), from where it can eye key central and kingside squares.
- Psychological surprise value: club players (and even some titled opponents) can be provoked into over-extending or wasting tempi trying to “punish” the strange first move.
Historical Significance
The Amar Opening has never been seen in a classical World Championship match, but it did make a cameo in high-level blitz and exhibition play. Notably, Magnus Carlsen tried 1. Nh3 against Hikaru Nakamura in an online bullet game (2021) and still managed to win. Its heyday, however, dates back to the Café de la Régence in Paris, where Amar—often in time-handicap odds games—entertained onlookers with the “Drunken Knight.”
Illustrative Miniature
White’s offbeat play nets an unbalanced middlegame where both kings are slightly drafty—precisely the sort of chaos Amar devotees enjoy.
Interesting Trivia
- The nickname “Drunken Knight” stems from the knight’s zig-zag stroll—first to the rim and then (hopefully) back toward civilisation.
- In French chess clubs, 1. Nh3 was sometimes greeted with the phrase, «Il est saoul, le cavalier !» (“The knight is drunk!”).
- Despite its dubious reputation, engines at shorter time controls often rate 1. Nh3 only slightly worse than other “respectable” offbeat tries like 1. b3 or 1. g3.
Paris Gambit (in the Amar Opening)
Definition
The Paris Gambit is a sharp line arising from the Amar Opening: 1. Nh3 d5 2. g3 e5. Black immediately offers a central pawn to accelerate development and punish White’s lack of central presence.
Move Sequence and Basic Position
1. Nh3 d5 2. g3 e5 3. d4 Nc6 (or 3…exd4) marks the starting tabiya of the gambit. The resulting position typically features:
- Black pawns on d5 and e5 (one of which may be sacrificed)
- Rapid development of Black’s king-side pieces (…Nf6, …Bc5, …O-O)
- A semi-open centre with chances for both flanks to become targets
Strategic & Tactical Themes
- Central Tension: Black hopes to keep a pawn on e5 to cramp White. If White captures (dxe5), the open diagonals give Black piece play.
- King Safety: White often castles kingside quickly (Bg2, O-O). Black’s …Bc5 and …Qf6 can generate threats against f2.
- Gambit Spirit: Even if Black regains the pawn later, the initiative and lead in development frequently compensate.
Historical Notes
The Paris Gambit earned its name because many early games were contested in Parisian cafés in the interwar period. While no longer fashionable at master level, it is occasionally revived in online blitz; for instance, streamer IM Eric Rosen has tried it from the Black side with success, delighting viewers with surprise value.
Sample Line
Black’s pawn sacrifice has yielded rapid mobilisation, an active queen and rook, and attacking chances along the e-file.
Practical Tips for Both Sides
- For White: Consider declining the pawn thrust by maintaining central tension (e.g., 3. Bg2) or returning the pawn later for accelerated development.
- For Black: Time is of the essence—if the gambit pawn sticks around without compensation, your position can become strategically lost.
Anecdotes & Fun Facts
- Because the line begins with 1. Nh3, some amateurs mischievously call it the “Paris Drunken Gambit.”
- In online bullet, the gambit’s most brutal refutations are often missed due to the sheer shock factor of 1. Nh3, giving it an outsized practical score.
- Engines show that with best play the pawn offer is unsound, yet Black’s winning chances in sub-2200 databases hover near 55%, illustrating psychology’s role in chess.