Queens Pawn Opening: Blackmar-Gedult Pohlmann Variation
Queen's Pawn Opening: Blackmar-Gedult, Pohlmann Variation
Definition
The Queen’s Pawn Opening: Blackmar-Gedult, Pohlmann Variation is an aggressive gambit line that arises after the moves:
1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3 exf3 5. Nxf3 g6
• Moves 1-4 constitute the Blackmar-Gedult Gambit (more commonly called the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit when 4.f3 is played).
• Black’s fifth-move reply 5…g6, preparing a kingside fianchetto, is the
Pohlmann Variation, named after the German master Egon Pohlmann (1907-1976).
How the Line Is Used in Play
White sacrifices the e-pawn to obtain:
- Rapid development—both bishops and the queen often head toward the kingside.
- Open e- and f-files for rook lifts (Rf1–f3–h3 ideas).
- Early attacking chances against Black’s king, frequently castled on g8.
Black, by adopting the Pohlmann setup, aims to:
- Hold on to the extra pawn while neutralizing White’s initiative.
- Place the fianchettoed bishop on g7 to reinforce the light-square complex (e5, d4, c3).
- Counterattack in the center with …c5 or …e5 once development is complete.
Strategic Themes
- Piece Activity vs. Material: White’s short-term compensation hinges on piece activity; if Black survives the first 15 moves intact, the extra pawn often tells.
- Light-Square Battles: The g7-bishop and Black’s e6-pawn (often played later) fight for control of d5-e4-f5, while White tries to plant a knight on e5 or d5.
- Typical Attacking Motifs:
- Bc4, Qe1-h4 battery aiming at h7.
- Rook lift Rf1–f3–h3 or g3 sacrificing on g6/h7.
- Minor-piece sacrifices on f7 or e6 to rip open lines.
- Counterplay for Black:
- Timely …c5 strikes to undermine d4 and free the position.
- Endgame ambitions: trading queens reduces White’s attacking chances.
Historical Notes
• The initial pawn sacrifice 2.e4 was introduced by the American lawyer
Emil Josef Blackmar (1847-1906).
• The modern continuation with 4.f3 was popularized by the German
correspondence specialist Arno Diemer in the 1930-50s, spawning
the term “Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.”
• Egon Pohlmann analyzed and played the …g6 defense extensively in
the 1960s; his name is now attached to this variation in major databases.
Illustrative Game
[[Pgn| d4|d5|e4|dxe4|Nc3|Nf6|f3|exf3|Nxf3|g6|Bc4|Bg7|O-O|O-O|Qe1|Nc6| Qh4|Bf5|Bh6|Bxh6|Qxh6|Nxd4|Ng5|Qxd4+|Kh1|Qxc4|]]In this classic correspondence encounter (Diemer – Boehmer, Germany 1962) White demonstrated how quickly an attack can build: after 18.Ng5 Black faced threats on f7 and h7 despite having already captured a second pawn.
Example Position to Visualize
After the common sequence 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.Qe1 Nc6 the board typically looks like:
- White pieces: Queen on e1, rooks on a1/f1, knights on c3/f3, bishops on c4/c1, pawns a2-b2-c2-d4-g2-h2.
- Black pieces: Queen on d8, rooks on a8/f8, knights on c6/f6, bishop on g7/c8, pawns a7-b7-c7-d5-f7-g6-h7 plus the extra e-pawn on e4.
The tension down the f-file and diagonal a2-g8 defines the middlegame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The gambit is a favorite in bullet and blitz; on servers like Lichess it often yields quick wins against unprepared opponents.
- Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has occasionally essayed the BDG in online events for surprise value.
- Engine evaluations hover around +0.7 for Black after 5…g6, but practical results at club level are nearly 50-50, underscoring the gambit’s swindle potential.
- In some amateur circles the aphorism “A pawn is only a pawn in the Pohlmann” reminds Black that hanging on to material can be dangerous if development lags.
Modern Status
While seldom seen in elite over-the-board tournaments, the Pohlmann Variation remains popular in:
- Club play—a surprise weapon that tests defensive technique.
- Correspondence chess—where deep theory has produced many novelties for both sides.
- Online rapid/blitz—favored for its forcing nature and tactical traps.
Study of this line sharpens a player’s sense of initiative, material vs. activity imbalance, and dynamic defense.