Barnes Opening Gedult Gambit
Barnes Opening, Gedult Gambit
Definition
The Barnes Opening, Gedult Gambit is an off-beat and speculative line that begins with the moves 1. f3 followed by 2. f4, usually after Black’s reply 1…e5 or 1…d5. In effect White tries to turn the position into a “delayed” King’s Gambit while having already spent a tempo on the first, rather unhelpful, pawn move f3. The critical tabiya is
1. f3 e5 2. f4 exf4
when White sacrifices the f-pawn for rapid development and attacking chances on the kingside, but at the cost of seriously weakening the king and ceding a full tempo.
Typical Move-Order
The gambit can arise through several routes:
- 1. f3 e5 2. f4 (main Gedult Gambit line)
- 1. f3 d5 2. f4, transposing to similar structures if Black later plays …e5.
- Rarely, White may play 1. f4 and after …e5 transpose, but this is recorded separately as the Sokolsky Opening.
Strategic Ideas
White’s plan is to open the f-file for the rook, strike at the center with e2–e4, and launch a quick kingside assault reminiscent of classic gambits from the 19th century. However, the first-move tempo spent on f3 means:
- The king is already slightly exposed, and g2–g3 is harder to arrange.
- Development lags behind; White still needs N-g1–h3/f3, B-c1, and castles (often kingside).
- Black, with a healthy extra pawn, can consolidate with …d5, …Nf6, and rapid development, often aiming at the weakened e1–h4 diagonal.
Historical Notes
The line is named after the German coffee-house player Hans Gedult (late 19th century), who fancied flamboyant openings and regularly opened with 1. f3 in casual play. The broader opening (1. f3) is attributed to the English master Thomas Wilson Barnes, a contemporary and sparring partner of Paul Morphy.
Critical Assessment
Modern engines give Black an advantage of roughly –1.5 pawns after 2…exf4, meaning the gambit is theoretically unsound. Nevertheless, it can be used as a surprise weapon in blitz or bullet, where:
- Unprepared opponents may decline the pawn and slip into passive positions.
- Sharp tactical traps (e.g. an early Qh5+ or Bc4) can arise if Black is careless.
Illustrative Game
H. Gedult – Café Patron, Berlin 1896 (skittles)
[[Pgn| 1.f3 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nh3 d5 4.Nxf4 Bd6 5.Nxd5 Qh4+ 6.g3 Qxg3+ 7.hxg3 Bxg3# |fen|rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/3N4/3P4/3P3N/PPP2PP1/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 0 1]]A miniature showing both the razor-sharp nature of the gambit and its boomerang effect when things go wrong: after only seven moves Black checkmates.
Modern Practical Tips
- For White: If you intend to play the gambit, memorise forcing continuations such as 3.Nh3 and 3.Kf2 aiming for e2–e4 and d2–d4. Time is of the essence—every move must create threats.
- For Black: Accept the pawn with 2…exf4 and develop naturally: …d5, …Nf6, …Bd6, and quick castling. Keep the queen ready to jump to h4 if White neglects king safety.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The sequence 1.f3 e5 2.g4?? is sometimes jokingly called the “Improved Fool’s Mate” because 2…Qh4# ends the game on move 2.
- Long-time blitz specialist Hikaru Nakamura once tried 1.f3 in an online bullet arena, illustrating its surprise value, though he did not venture the Gedult Gambit proper on move 2.
- In ChessBase’s Mega-Database 2023 the full line appears in fewer than 80 master games, giving it one of the lowest occurrence counts among named gambits.
Classification
The ECO code is A00 (Irregular Openings).