Four Knights: Belgrade Gambit 5...Nxd5

Four Knights: Belgrade Gambit, 5…Nxd5

Definition

The Belgrade Gambit occurs in the Four Knights Opening after
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5.
Instead of the main move 5…Nxe4, Black can play 5…Nxd5, the focus of this entry. By capturing the daring knight on d5, Black avoids some forcing complications yet enters a sharp, unbalanced position in which White immediately recovers the pawn with 6.exd5.

Typical Move-Order

The tabiya is reached in six moves:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. d4 exd4
5. Nd5 Nxd5
6. exd5

Black normally follows up with either 6…Bb4+ or 6…Qe7+, aiming to probe the newly-advanced d-pawn and disrupt White’s harmonious piece placement.

Strategic Ideas

• White preserves a strong pawn on d5, cramping Black and controlling the important e6- and c6-squares.
• Black banks on piece activity—especially via …Bb4+, …Qe7, …d6 and …Ne5— to undermine the centre before it becomes a long-term liability.
• Open e- and d-files invite tactics based on pins and discovered attacks; the initiative can change hands quickly.
• Castling is flexible for both sides. White may delay castling to reinforce d5, while Black sometimes castles queenside after …Qe7 and …0-0-0.

Main Continuations after 6.exd5

1. 6…Bb4+ 7.c3 dxc3 8.bxc3 – Black doubles White’s pawns but falls behind in development; White gains the open b-file and rapid bishop activity.
2. 6…Qe7+ 7.Be2 Nb4/Ne5 – Black increases pressure on d5 without committing the light-squared bishop; positions often feature mutual piece play on an open board.
3. 6…Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Qe7+ 8.Be2 – A quieter line that may resemble the Exchange Spanish after eventual …Bxd2+ and …d6.

Historical & Theoretical Notes

• The gambit was championed by Yugoslav analysts in the 1950s; hence the name “Belgrade.”
• While engines once preferred 5…Nxe4, modern evaluations show 5…Nxd5 to be just as sound and easier to play over-the-board.
• Grandmasters such as Ljubomir Ljubojević, Ulf Andersson, and Nigel Short have answered the gambit with 5…Nxd5 in serious games.
• The variation is a favourite weapon in rapid and blitz, where memorisation of forcing 5…Nxe4 lines is harder to maintain.

Illustrative Game

Ljubomir Ljubojević – Walter Browne, San Antonio 1972 (Rapid)

White’s direct play was rewarded, yet accurate defence from move 12 could have secured equality for Black—illustrating how both sides must know their tactics.

Practical Tips

• Black players should memorise the forcing 6…Bb4+ 7.c3 dxc3 line; one or two precise moves neutralise much of White’s initiative.
• Do not rush to re-capture on d5; increase the strain with …Qe7 and …d6 first.
• White should look for the thematic rook lift Re1, using the open e-file to rekindle the attack after exchanges.

Interesting Facts

• Because White’s knight leaps to d5 on move 5, apparently hanging to two pawns and a knight, the Belgrade Gambit features in many tactics books.
• The line 5…Nxd5 6.exd5 Nb4—once thought dubious—was rehabilitated by engine analysis in high-level correspondence play during the 2010s.
• Some modern engines now favour 5…Nxd5 over 5…Nxe4, echoing practical human choices despite higher calculated depth.