Hillbilly Attack & Schaeffer Gambit – Chess Terms
Hillbilly Attack
Definition
The Hillbilly Attack is an off-beat variation of the Caro-Kann Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 c6 2. Bc4. White immediately places a bishop on the a2–g8 diagonal, eyeing the tender f7–square, and often follows up with an early queen sortie (usually to h5). Because the line aims at a quick, “back-porch” assault on f7, American players jokingly nicknamed it the “Hillbilly” Attack.
Typical Move Order
The most common sequence is:
Position after 4…e6: White’s queen on h5 and bishop on b3 both point at f7, but Black already enjoys a solid extra pawn and a safe king if accurately defended.
Strategic Ideas
- Target f7. White combines Bc4/Bb3 with Qh5 or Qf3 to threaten an elementary mate or the capture Qxf7+.
- Rapid development vs. material. White gambits the e-pawn (sometimes later the b-pawn) in exchange for time and attacking chances.
- Central counterpunch. If Black neutralises the f7 pressure, the extra pawn and strong centre usually tell in the middlegame.
Assessment
Objectively the gambit is dubious; engines give Black a clear advantage with correct play (≈ –0.7 to –1.0). Practical results, however, are respectable in rapid and blitz because unfamiliar Caro-Kann players may drift into tactical pitfalls.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following bullet-game shows both the trap and the refutation:
Black fell for the mate. Compare with best play:
Historical Notes & Anecdotes
- The name was popularised on early Internet chess servers in the 1990s; no “official” discoverer is recorded.
- Grandmaster Simon Williams once streamed blitz sessions exclusively using the Hillbilly, dubbing it “beer-and-barbecue” chess.
- Despite its reputation, the line occasionally surfaces in over-the-board events. FM Brian Wall beat several masters with it in weekend Swiss tournaments in Colorado (2000–2005).
Schaeffer Gambit (Schäfer Gambit / Shepherd’s Gambit)
Definition
The Schaeffer Gambit is an aggressive line of the Bishop’s Opening, characterised by an early queen leap that recreates the classic Scholar’s Mate threat. The main tabiya arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Qh5!? (or 3.Qf3!?) aiming at the f7-pawn. In German literature the pattern is called the “Schäfer-Gambit,” Schäfer meaning “shepherd,” hence the English term “Shepherd’s Mate.”
Typical Move Order
Primary line:
After 3…g6 4.Qf3 White keeps pressure on f7 but has fallen behind in development and reveals the queen to future tempos.
Strategic Ideas
- Immediate threat. 3.Qh5 (or 3.Qf3) menaces 4.Qxf7# and forces Black to respond carefully.
- Piece activity. White sometimes follows with Ne2, d3, and castles long, hoping the queen-bishop battery compensates for lost time.
- Counter-development. Black strives for quick …Nf6, …d5 or …g6, challenging the queen while seizing the centre.
Theory & Evaluation
Modern engines grant Black a clear plus (≈ –1.0) after the precise 3…g6 4.Qf3 Nf6! because White’s queen will soon be chased again by …Nd4 or …Nd4-c2. Nonetheless, the gambit remains popular at club level as a one-move trap.
Historic Examples
- Gioacchino Greco – NN, c. 1620. One of the earliest recorded miniatures ends with the classic mate 4.Qxf7#.
- Fischer vs. Collins, New York 1958 (simul). A teenage Bobby Fischer demonstrated the correct antidote, calmly defending f7 and exploiting the over-extended white queen en route to victory.
Common Tactical Motifs
- Scholar’s Mate pattern: Qxf7#.
- Fork tricks: …Nd4! hits queen and c2.
- Central break: …d5 gains a tempo on the bishop and opens the game while White’s queen is misplaced.
Interesting Facts
- The gambit’s spelling varies: Schaeffer, Schäfer, Shafer. All refer to the German word for shepherd, not an actual player.
- In Victorian England it was part of every “Parlour Chess” manual, ranking alongside Fool’s Mate for teaching quick tactics.
- Most online databases list the line under ECO code C21 (Bishop’s Opening, misc.).
- Speed-chess streamers sometimes challenge themselves to score five “shepherd mates” in a row, showcasing both its trapping potential and its strategic shortcomings.