Dresden Opening: The Goblin
Dresden Opening: The Goblin
Definition
The Dresden Opening: The Goblin is the tongue-in-cheek name given to the position that arises after the moves 1. Nf3 g5. White develops the king’s knight in normal fashion, while Black immediately thrusts the g-pawn two squares, creating a highly unbalanced and, most experts would say, objectively dubious position. The line is classified under the broad ECO code A00—“irregular openings”—because it violates several classical principles (king-side safety, center control, and harmonious piece development).
Typical Move Order
- 1. Nf3 g5 (Dresden Opening: The Goblin)
- 2. Nxg5 … is the critical reply, simply winning the pawn.
- 2. … e5 or 2. … Bg7 are Black’s most common attempts to justify the sacrifice.
Strategic Ideas
For White
- Immediate material gain: 2. Nxg5 wins a pawn.
- Central break: After 2. … e5, the simple 3. d4 opens the position while Black’s king remains exposed.
- Piece activity: The knight on g5, queen on d1, and bishop on c1 can coordinate quickly for threats on f7 and h7.
For Black
- Shock value: Played in blitz or bullet to drag the opponent out of theory.
- Pawn sacrifice for initiative: After 2. … e5 3. d4, Black hopes to accelerate development with …Nc6, …d5, and …Bg7.
- Psychological warfare: The move 1. … g5 looks so bad that White may relax and start “punishing” it too hastily, sometimes over‐extending.
Historical Notes
The name “Dresden Opening” is believed to have originated in German amateur circles in the early 20th century, where a group of players in Dresden enjoyed experimenting with off-beat flank-pawn pushes. The Goblin tag was added later—probably on internet servers in the 1990s—because the position feels mischievous, tricky, and a little bit “evil.” While never employed in top-level classical play, it has appeared in countless online blitz games and club skittles.
Illustrative Line
The following five-move snippet shows a principled reaction by White and how quickly Black’s position can crumble:
After 6. Qxd4 White is a pawn up, owns the center, and Black’s king is still in the middle with g- and h-pawns advanced—hardly ideal.
Notable (and Entertaining) Games
- Simon Williams – Anonymous, Online Blitz 2020: Williams (a.k.a. “Ginger GM”) punishes the Goblin with rapid development, finishing the game with a flashy queen sacrifice on h5.
- IM Danny Rensch – Viewer Challenge, Chess.com Stream 2016: Rensch tries the Goblin as Black, survives the opening, but eventually succumbs to a central pawn roller.
- Internet Database shows fewer than 1 % of games with 1. Nf3 g5 end in a Black win at master level.
Practical Advice
- If you face the Goblin, don’t panic—just take the pawn with 2. Nxg5 and develop normally.
- If you play the Goblin, do so in fast time controls; your main weapon is surprise.
- Remember that after 2. Nxg5 Bg7 3. d4, 3. … d5? fails to 4. e4!, when Black’s center collapses.
Fun Facts
- The Goblin is sometimes jokingly called “The Goblin” because Black “gobs” the g-pawn two squares forward.
- On Lichess and Chess.com, the line appears often in Berserk arena events, where players halve their own time and crave chaos.
- A popular bullet meme: “If it’s unsound and starts with a g-pawn, it must be good.” The Goblin, Borg (1. e4 g5), and Grob (1. g4) complete the “Triple G” collection.