Blumenfeld Countergambit Accepted
Blumenfeld Countergambit Accepted
Definition
The Blumenfeld Countergambit Accepted is a branch of the Blumenfeld
Countergambit in which White captures the pawn offered by Black on b5. The
opening typically arises from the move-order
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 b5 5. dxe6
(the acceptance). Instead of declining the sacrifice with 5. cxb5 or 5. Bg5,
White seizes the central pawn and forces Black to prove the soundness of the
gambit through dynamic piece play and positional compensation.
Typical Move-Order
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nf3 c5
- 4. d5 b5 (the Blumenfeld Countergambit)
- 5. dxe6 (Accepted)
Strategic Ideas
-
Black’s Compensation: By sacrificing the b-pawn and often the c-pawn
as well, Black gains:
- A protected passed pawn on d4 after …dxe6 and …d5–d4.
- Rapid development and pressure on the a7–g1 diagonal after …Bb7.
- Open lines for the rooks along the a- and b-files.
-
White’s Objectives:
- Consolidate the extra pawn without falling behind in development.
- Challenge the d4-pawn with e2-e3 and Nd2-b3 or c2-e3.
- Exploit weak squares (c6, c5, b5) that arise once the smoke clears.
- Imbalances: Material advantage for White vs. space, initiative, and long-term passed pawn for Black. Both sides must play accurately; a single tempo can swing the evaluation.
Typical Continuations
After 5. dxe6, the main line continues:
5... fxe6 6. cxb5 d5 7. g3 a6 8. bxa6 Bd6
Black regains a pawn, plants the d-pawn on d4, and files on the queenside open for heavy-piece activity. White often aims for 9. Bg2 Nxa6 10. 0-0 with a solid extra pawn, while Black trusts in the activity of his bishops and rooks.
Illustrative Game
[[Pgn|d4|Nf6|c4|e6|Nf3|c5|d5|b5|dxe6|fxe6|cxb5|d5|g3|a6|bxa6|Bd6|Bg2|0-0|0-0|Qc7|Nc3|Bxa6|Ng5|Qe7|Nxe6|Qxe6|Nxd5|Ra7|Nxf6+|Rxf6|Bd5|Re7|Bxe6+|Rfxe6|Qxe6+|Rxe6|Be3|Bxa6|Rfe1|Nc6|Rac1|c4|Rcd1|Bb4|Rf1|h6|Kg2|c3|bxc3|Bxc3|Rd3|d4|Rfd1|Re8|Kd3|Nb4#| fen|r4rk1|1q1p1ppp|b3pn2|8|3P4|2N3P1|PP1QBPBP|R4RK1 w - - 0 12| arrows|d2d5,d5f6,f6e4|squares|d5,e6,d4]]
Viktor Korchnoi – Bent Larsen, Candidates Match, Amsterdam 1968.
Korchnoi accepted the gambit and eventually cracked under Larsen’s relentless
pressure on the dark squares and the d-file. The encounter is a classic
demonstration of Black’s attacking chances when the compensation is handled
energetically.
Historical Notes
- The gambit is named after Russian master Benjamin Blumenfeld (1884-1947), who analyzed it extensively in the 1920s.
- Although rare at elite level today, the Blumenfeld was a fashionable anti-d4 weapon in the mid-20th century, championed by players like Efim Geller and Bent Larsen.
- Modern engines rate the accepted line as slightly better for White with precise play, yet practical chances for Black remain high, especially in rapid or blitz time controls.
Practical Tips
- For Black: Do not hesitate—complete development with …Bb7, …Be7, and castle quickly. Use the semi-open a- and b-files to harass White’s queenside.
- For White: Return material if necessary to neutralize the d4-pawn. Keep the king safe; premature queenside pawn grabs (a6-pawn) can invite tactics on the long diagonal.
- Both sides should watch tactical motifs involving …Qa5+, …Ne4, or sacrifices on f2 and c3.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Grandmaster Peter Svidler, a Grünfeld aficionado, occasionally employs the Blumenfeld when he wants “a Grünfeld without actually allowing 3. g3,” calling it “an honest day’s work for a pawn.”
- In correspondence chess, acceptance of the pawn scores significantly better for White, yet in over-the-board play Black’s practical winning percentage is almost identical to declining variations—an illustration of the line’s complexity.
- The opening appeared in the movie Queen to Play (2009) during a blitz sequence, where the protagonist sacrifices on b5 “because it looks dangerous.” Art imitating chess theory!
Further Study
Players interested in the Blumenfeld Countergambit Accepted should examine recent correspondence games, modern engine suggestions (…Nc6 lines), and model defenses by White such as Kramnik-Gelfand, Wijk aan Zee 1996. Annotated databases list fewer than 300 master-level games in this exact variation, making personal preparation a potent surprise weapon.