Bishop's Opening: Anderssen Gambit

Bishop’s Opening: Anderssen Gambit

Definition

The Anderssen Gambit is an enterprising pawn sacrifice that arises from the Bishop’s Opening after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4!? (ECO code C23). White offers the b-pawn in order to deflect Black’s bishop, seize the centre with the subsequent c3 and d4, and accelerate development toward a kingside attack. The gambit is named for the 19th-century attacking genius Adolf Anderssen, who championed the idea long before the more famous Evans Gambit (which arises after 4.b4 in the Italian Game).

Typical Move Order

The most common accepted line runs:

1. e4 e5
2. Bc4 Bc5
3. b4 Bxb4
4. c3 Ba5
5. d4 exd4
6. Nf3 dxc3
7. O-O d6

After 7.O-O, White regains one of the sacrificed pawns and enjoys active pieces and pressure on the f7-square.

Strategic Concepts

• Tempo gain: The pawn on b4 lures Black’s bishop off the central c5-square, giving White time to strike in the centre.
• Rapid central expansion: Moves like c3, d4, and sometimes f4 aim to dominate the middle of the board.
• Open diagonals: White’s light-squared bishop on c4 and queen on d1 both bear down on the sensitive f7-point.
• Kingside initiative: Because Black has spent time capturing the pawn and retreating, White often castles quickly and directs pieces toward an early attack.
• Risk–Reward balance: Engines usually give Black a small objective edge (≈ –0.30 to –0.50) if he defends accurately, but in practical play the unfamiliar positions can be dangerous.

Main Options for Black

• 3…Bxb4 – The critical acceptance. White continues with 4.c3 and 5.d4.
• 3…Bb6 or 3…Bd4 – Declining the pawn while keeping the bishop active. After 4.c3, White still gains space.
• 3…Bf8 – A solid but passive retreat that concedes the initiative to White for minimal material gain.

Illustrative Game

The following miniature demonstrates both the dangers for Black and the attacking potential for White.

White’s initiative proved overwhelming; Black’s king was dragged into the open and mated despite his extra pawns. While modern defensive technique is stronger, the game captures the spirit of the gambit.

Historical Notes & Anecdotes

• Anderssen allegedly used the idea in casual play as early as the 1840s; published analysis appeared in the Neue Berliner Schachzeitung in 1851.
• Because it arises from the Bishop’s Opening, some 19th-century writers called it the “Early Evans.” When Captain William Evans saw it he joked that Anderssen had “stolen his thunder a move too soon.”
• Though rare in elite tournaments today, the gambit scored a memorable win for grandmaster Alexei Fedorov against Andrei Deviatkin (Minsk 2005), reinforcing its value as a surprise weapon.

Practical Tips

• Know your follow-ups: after …Bxb4, play c3 immediately.
• Castle quickly; delaying allows Black to consolidate the extra pawn.
• If Black declines the pawn, treat the position like a powerful Bishop’s Opening with extra space—don’t force the issue.
• For Black, returning the pawn with …d5 or …c6 at the right moment can neutralise White’s pressure.

Why Study the Anderssen Gambit?

Even if you never play it, understanding the Anderssen Gambit sharpens your grasp of time versus material, teaches attacking motifs on the diagonals toward f7, and broadens your overall opening repertoire. For club players it can be an excellent shock weapon, while historians will enjoy tracing its influence on the development of gambit play in the Romantic Era.