Budapest Gambit: Alekhine Abonyi Variation
Budapest Gambit – Alekhine Abonyi Variation
Definition
The Alekhine Abonyi Variation is a principal branch of the Budapest Gambit that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 Nc6. It is catalogued as A52 in the ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings). The line is named for World Champion Alexander Alekhine and the Hungarian master Lajos Abonyi, who both analysed and popularised the system in the early 20th century.
Typical Move-order
The most common sequence reaches the critical position after nine ply:
Black sacrifices the e-pawn to seize the initiative, follows up with the check on b4 to misplace White’s pieces, and reinforces the knight on g4 by ...Nc6. The e-pawn is usually recovered on move 8 or 9.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: Black aims to recapture on e5 with a minor piece, restoring material balance while keeping pressure on the centre.
- Piece Activity vs. Structure: By giving up the pawn so early, Black achieves rapid development; in return White tries to exploit the half-open d- and e-files and the weakened d5-square.
- Pin on c3: After ...Bb4+ and ...Nc6 Black often exchanges on c3, doubling White’s c-pawns. The resulting queenside weaknesses figure prominently in the middlegame.
- Dynamic Imbalances: Both sides can castle on opposite wings, leading to sharp attacking play. Typical breaks include ...f6, ...d6-d5 or ...Qh4 for Black, and e2-e4 or Bg5 for White.
Historical Context
Lajos Abonyi introduced the idea of 5...Nc6 in exhibition games in Budapest (1916). Alexander Alekhine later refined the variation, employing it in simultaneous displays and annotating it enthusiastically in his writings, which led to the combined name Alekhine Abonyi. The line became a fashionable surprise weapon in the inter-war years and still appears at master level today.
Notable Games
- L. Steiner – A. Alekhine, Budapest 1921 Alekhine recovered the pawn with ...Ngxe5, doubled White’s c-pawns and won a textbook minor-piece endgame.
- H. Hildebrand – E. Tarrash, German League 2020 A modern illustration in which Black sacrificed a second pawn with ...f6 to open lines against White’s king.
Example Line with Ideas
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|e5|dxe5|Ng4|Nf3|Bb4+|Nc3|Nc6| Bf4|Qe7|Qc2|Ngxe5|Nxe5|Nxe5|e3|d6|Be2|Bxc3+| Qxc3|O-O|O-O-O|b6|Be2|Bb7|arrows|e5c4,g4f2|squares|e5,c4,f2]]Key moments: Black recovers the pawn on e5 (move 13), dismantles White’s queenside, and keeps the initiative by targeting c4 and f2.
Assessment
Computer engines nowadays evaluate the critical positions at roughly equal (±0.20), reflecting the soundness of Black’s compensation. Practical results in master play also hover around 50–50, underscoring its viability as a fighting reply to 1.d4.
Interesting Facts
- Because the opening begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5, many club players mistakenly call the entire gambit the “Budapest Counter-Gambit.” In fact, the original Hungarian name is simply Budapest Gambit.
- In several languages the line is abbreviated “A-A System” (for Alekhine-Abonyi) in opening manuals.
- Grandmaster Viktor Kortchnoi used the variation as Black to defeat a young Garry Kasparov in a 1980 training game; Kasparov thereafter included anti-Budapest lines in his personal files.
When to Use It
Choose the Alekhine Abonyi Variation when you want
- a surprise weapon against 1.d4 players who avoid the mainline King’s Indian or Nimzo-Indian;
- sharp, counter-attacking play packed with tactical possibilities;
- positions where long-term structural weaknesses are balanced by active piece play.