Goldsmith Defense

Goldsmith Defense

Definition

The Goldsmith Defense is the eccentric reply 1…h5 ?! to the King’s-Pawn Opening. Instead of contesting the centre with …e5, …c5, …e6, or …c6, Black advances the h-pawn two squares on the first move, mirroring (with colours reversed) White’s equally off-beat first move 1.h4. In modern encyclopedias it is listed in the code group B00 (irregular responses to 1.e4).

Naming & Origins

The line is attributed to the American problemist and master Clarence S. Goldsmith, who analysed it in correspondence play during the 1920s. His notes, later circulated in U.S. chess magazines, were ambitious: he believed that by pushing the rook pawn first, Black could adopt a flexible fianchetto with …g6 and …Bg7 while keeping options open in the centre. The mainstream chess world, however, remained unconvinced, and the name “Goldsmith Defense” became attached to the move largely as a nod to his enthusiasm rather than to its objective merit.

Typical Move-Order

The opening can arise only one way:

1. e4 h5 ?!

After this single move, theory branches out quickly because White has several principled replies:

• 2.d4 – Grabbing the centre immediately.
• 2.Nf3 – Flexible development, preparing d4 or Bc4.
• 2.Bc4 – Targeting f7 quickly; the h-pawn offers no counterplay.
• 2.h4 – The “double rook-pawn” approach, trying to exploit the weakness on g6.

Main Strategic Features

Because so little force is directed toward the middle of the board, Black faces several long-term challenges:

• Loss of Tempo. White can occupy the centre with pawns and pieces while Black’s pawn on h5 contributes nothing to the struggle for d4/e4/d5/e5.
• Weakening of g- and h-files. The pawn advance leaves squares g6 and h6 loose, making kingside castling potentially hazardous if Black later plays …g6.
• King Safety Dilemma. If Black castles short, the rook pawn may become a target; if Black castles long, the h-pawn is even farther from support and the king’s route (…O-O-O) is time-consuming.
• Psychological Weapon. Precisely because the line is so rare, some Blitz or Bullet specialists adopt it to drag opponents out of preparation. In classical chess it is virtually unseen at master level.

Theoretical Assessment

With best play, computers and human theory give White an advantage of roughly +1.0 to +1.5 pawns according to modern engines—significant, though not instantly decisive. The usual evaluation tags it as “doubtful” for Black.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following short skirmish (Blitz, lichess.org, 2021) demonstrates typical pitfalls Black can fall into:

Historical & Anecdotal Notes

• According to a 1930 American Chess Bulletin snippet, Goldsmith once wrote tongue-in-cheek that his opening was “a cure for chess insomnia—play it and one quickly discovers many new ways to lose.”
• GM Hikaru Nakamura has experimented with 1…h5 in online Bullet, often following up with …g6 and a rapid kingside fianchetto. Even he concedes it is dubious, joking on stream that it is “for entertainment purposes only.”
• The move 1…h5 was not allowed in tournament play prior to 1880 under certain local rules that required a centre-pawn move on the first turn! Its very existence is therefore a testament to the liberalisation of opening choice in modern chess.

Practical Tips for Both Sides

• If you have White: Occupy the centre immediately (2.d4) and develop normally. Keep an eye on the g6 square; a bishop or knight landing there can be devastating.
• If you insist on playing it with Black: Follow up with …g6 and …Bg7 quickly, accepting an inferior but playable King’s Fianchetto setup. Avoid castling until the queenside is safe or the kingside has been stabilised with …f6 or …f5.

Sample Continuation Recommended by Engines

After 1.e4 h5 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3, Stockfish suggests 4…Qa5 although Black is already slightly worse. White continues 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 and enjoys smoother development.

Why Study Such an Unorthodox Line?

Besides its entertainment value, analysing the Goldsmith Defense is an instructive exercise in understanding why conventional opening principles (central control, rapid development, king safety) matter. By examining what happens when one deliberately violates those principles, students gain a deeper appreciation of mainstream theory.