Behold the Omega-Achilles Gambit - Part 1

(Picture above: Ajax carries off the body of Achilles: Attic black-figure lekythos,
ca. 510 BCE, from Sicily (Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich)

INTRODUCTION

I have always been fascinated with the unknown, whether it is in chess, science, archaeology, ancient civilizations, cosmology, paleontology, human origins and etc.

We are actually limited by what we believe in.  According to that guru of self improvement Tony Robbins, we can improve ourselves by changing what we believe in.  A majority of chess players are limited by the belief that sacrificing a pawn in the opening is bad for your chess game, but this is not necessarily true.

For the sacrificed pawn there is some kind of compensation whether it is quick development, freedom of piece movement, a space advantage, or even a temporary advantage of more minor pieces to attack with on one side of the board.

Having already played the Omega Ω Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.e4) extensively (and learning its many secrets) I had wondered if it was possible to play an Omega Gambit type of opening from the White side of the English Opening (1.c4) with the moves 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4?  Where White gambits the e-pawn for an open center, for quick development and like the Omega Gambit Accepted lines, a temporary advantage in the number of attacking pieces on one side of the board.

ACHILLES

I have named this new gambit the Omega-Achilles Gambit (1.c4 Nf6 2.e4).  Achilles is the Greek warrior hero from the epic story written by Homer called the "Illiad".  According to the "Illiad”, Helen of Sparta was abducted by Paris of Troy.

Helen was said to have been the most beautiful woman in the ancient world, who was married to King Menelaus.  Menelaus enlisted the aid of his brother King Agamemnon of Mycenae to retrieve Helen from Troy.  The Mycenaen Greeks with the aid of their allies launched a thousand ships to recover Helen.

There ensued a 10 year war called the Trojan War, between the Mycenaen Greeks and the powerful City-State of Troy which is said to have existed in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) during the Bronze Age (about the 14^th century BCE).

In 1868 Heinrich Schlieman, a German archeologist (who used the story of the Illiad as a compass to guide him in his search for the city of Troy) is said to have discovered the city of Troy in Asia Minor (present day Turkey).  Later archaeological work on this site has suggested that there was a series of one city built upon the ruins of an earlier city.  The seventh version of this city was supposedly the Troy at the time of the Greek hero Achilles and the Homeric tale of the Trojan War.

Several years ago there was a television documentary about Troy which I missed and there had been two movies about Troy called "Helen of Troy" and "Troy" starring Brad Pitt.  Brad Pitt portrayed the Greek hero Achilles.
 

Omega-Achilles Gambit Starting Position
1.c4 Nf6 2.e4

ACCEPTED LINES

Omega-Achilles Gambit Accepted

1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3

Accepted Line 1

1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.bxc3

Var A: Black plays 4…g6 a Kingside Fianchetto
 

Evilone (1966) – Johnmac (1902)    Playchess.com    Game 5 min.    7/31/05

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 e5 =/+) 4... g6 (4... e5 5. Qe2 d6 6. d4 -/+) 5. d4 =/+ Bg7 6. Be3 Black's piece can't move: c8} O-O 7. Qd2 Re8 (7... c5 8. Be2 -/+) 8. Bh6 (8. Nf3 d5 =) 8... Bh8 (8... e5 9. Bxg7 exd4+ 10. Be2 Kxg7 11. cxd4 -/+) 9. h4 (9. Be2 e5 10. Nf3 e4 =/+) 9... d5 -/+ 10. h5 e5 11. dxe5 Bxe5 12. Be2 (12. O-O-O Qf6 13. hxg6 hxg6 -/+) 12... Qf6 (12... dxc4 13. Nf3 Qxd2+ 14. Bxd2 -+ (worse is 14. Nxd2 Bxc3 15. Rc1 Bb4 -+)) 13. Rc1 dxc4 14. Bg5 Qc6 (14... Qd6 15. hxg6 fxg6 16. Nf3 -/+) 15. Kf1 (15. Nf3 Bg4 16. hxg6 hxg6 -/+) 15... Na6 16. hxg6 fxg6 17. Nf3 (17. Bf3 Qd6 18. Re1 Bf5 19. Bd5+ Kg7 20. Bxc4 Qxd2 21. Bxd2 Bf6 -/+) 17... Bg7 18. Bh6 Bf6 19. Ng5 Bf5 20. Nxh7 ?  ({better is} 20. Bf3 Bxg5 21. Qxg5 -/+) 20... Rad8 (better is 20... Kxh7 {and Black has it in the bag} 21. Bg5+ Kg8 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 -+) 21. Nxf6+ +/= Qxf6 22. Bxc4+ Be6 23. Bxe6+ (23. Qe2 Nc5 +/=) 23... Qxe6 = 24. Qg5 (better is 24. Qb2 !?  =  {is worth looking at}) 24...Rd5 =/+  {Black threatens to win material: Rd5xg5} 25.Qg3 Qe2+ {Black forks: f1+a2}

(37... Rxf2 {no good, but what else?} 38.Bxf2 Kf6 39. Bd4+ Ke6 40. Rxg6+ Kd5 +-) 38. f4+ Kh6 39. g5+ Kh5 40. Rh7# 1-0
 

Evilone (1965) – Rechberg (1970)   Playchess.com   Game 5 min.   7/17/05

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 g6 5. d4 Bg7 {Black's piece can't move: c8} 6. Be3 d6 7. Qd2 O-O 8. Bh6 (8. Nf3 c5 =/+  {Decoy: c5}) 8... Nd7 (8... e5 9. Bxg7 Kxg7 10. Be2 -/+) 9. h3 (9. Bxg7 Kxg7 10. Nf3 e5  -/+) 9... Re8 10. h4 (10. Be2 e5 -/+) 10... e5 11. d5 (11. Be2 Bxh6 12. Qxh6 Nf6 -+) 11... f5 (11... Bxh6 12. Qxh6 Qf6 13. Nf3 -+) 12. Bxg7 (12. h5 Bxh6 13. Qxh6 Qf6 -/+) 12... Kxg7 13. h5 f4 14. hxg6 hxg6 15. f3 Nf6 (15... Nc5 !? 16. O-O-O -+) 16. O-O-O Bf5 17. Bd3 Qd7 18. Nh3 Nh5 19. Ng5 Rh8 20. Ne6+ ? (20. Qf2 Qe7 21. Bxf5 Qxg5 -/+) 20... Kf6 ??  {Black lets it slip away} (better is 20... Bxe6 {Black would have gained the upper hand} 21. dxe6 Qxe6 -+) 21. g4 (21. Bxf5 gxf5 22. g4 fxg4 23. fxg4 Ng3 24. g5+ Kf7 -/+) 21... Bxd3 -/+ 22. Qxd3 Ng3 (22... Ng7 23. Nxg7 Kxg7 24. Qc2 -/+) 23. g5+ ({better is} 23. Rxh8 !?  {would keep White in the game} Rxh8 24. Nxf4 =) 23... Kf7 -/+ 24. Rhg1 Rh3 25. c5 Qa4 26. Rd2 Rah8 27. Rgd1 ? (27. Kb2 Nf5 28. cxd6 Nxd6 -+) 27... Qa3+ ??  {not a good decision, because now the opponent is right back in the game} ({better is} 27... e4 {nails it down} 28. Qd4 Qxd4 29. cxd4 exf3 -+) 28. Kb1 =/+ Rh2 (28... a6 29. cxd6 cxd6 30. Qc4 =/+) 29. Nxf4 (29. Qb5 Nf5 30. Qd7+ Ne7 31. Rxh2 Rxh2 32. Nd8+ Kf8 33. Ne6+ Kf7 34. Nd8+ Kf8 35. Ne6+ Kf7 =) 29... exf4 (29... Nf5 30. Ne6 =/+) 30. Qd4 = Nh5 ??  {throws away a nice position} (30... Rh1 31. Qf6+ Ke8 32. Qe6+ Kd8 +-) 31. Rxh2 +- (31. Qxh8 ?!  {is easily refuted} Rxd2 32. Rxd2 Qxc5 +-) 31... Re8 32. Rxh5 !  {Double attack: f4/f7} gxh5 (32... gxh5 33. Qf6+ {Double attack}) (32... -- 33. Qf6+ Mate threat) 33. Qf6+ +- Kg8 34. g6 Rf8 (34... Qb3+ {does not improve anything} 35. axb3 Rf8 36. Qe7 Rf5 37. Re1 Rxd5 38. Qf7+ Kh8 39. Re8#) 35. Qe6+ Kg7 36. Rh1 (36. Qe7+ Rf7 37. Qxf7+ Kh6 38. Rg1 Qc1+ 39. Kxc1 dxc5 40. Qh7#) 36... Qxc3 (36... Qxc5 37. Qe7+ Kxg6 38. Qxf8 Qb6+ 39. Ka1 Qe3 40. Qg8+ Kf6 41. Qd8+ Kf7 42. Qxc7+ Qe7 +-) 37. Qe7+ Kxg6 38. Rg1+ (38. Qxf8  ?! {is impossible} Qb4+ 39. Kc2 Qc4+ 40. Kb2 Qb4+ 41. Kc1 Qc4+ 42. Kb1 Qb4+ 43. Ka1 Qd4+ 44. Kb1 Qb4+ =) 38... Kf5 (38... Kh6 {doesn't improve anything} 39. Qg5+ Kh7 40. Qxh5#) 39. Qe6# (39. Rg5#) 1-0
 

Evilone (1903) – Kayzer (1905)     Playchess.com     Game 2min + 2sec    8/18/05

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 e5 =/+) 4... g6 (4... e5 5. Bd3 -/+) 5. d4 -/+ Bg7 6. Be3 {Black's piece can't move: c8} O-O 7. Qd2 c5 8. h4 (8. Nf3 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 =/+) 8... h5 (8... Nc6 9. h5 cxd4 10. cxd4 -/+) 9. Bh6 Qa5 10. Bxg7 Kxg7 11. d5 {This push gains space} d6 12. Bd3 Nd7 13. f4 (13. Nf3 Nb6 =/+) 13... Nf6 (13... Qa4 14. Qd1 Nb6 15. Kf2 -+) 14. Ne2 Bg4 15. O-O Bxe2 16. Qxe2 ({better is} 16. Bxe2 !? Ne4 17. Qd3 Nxc3 18. Rf3 Nxe2+ 19. Qxe2 =/+) 16... Qxc3 -+ 17. Rac1 (17. Rab1 b6 -+) 17... Qd4+ 18. Kh1 Rae8 19. Rcd1 Qc3 (19... e6 20. Bxg6 exd5 21. Qf3 Qxc4 22. Bf5 -+) 20. Rf3 ({better is} 20. Rc1 Qa5 21. Qb2 -+) 20... Qa5 ({better is} 20... Ng4 {Black would have gained the upper hand} 21. f5 Qf6 -+) 21. f5 =/+ e5 ({better is} 21... Qa4 22. Bc2 Qd7 =) 22. Be4 ??  {forfeits the advantage. A valuable piece} ({better is} 22. fxe6 {is just about the only chance} fxe6 23. dxe6 +/-) 22... Qd8 (22... Nxe4 23. Qxe4 Qxa2 24. Rg3 -+) 23. g3 ({better is} 23. Rdf1 -+) 23... Nh7 ({better is} 23... Qd7 -+  {a shame that Black overlooked this excellent chance}) 24. Rdf1 -/+ g5 ??  {ruins a very nice position} ({better is} 24... Qd7 25. Qc2 Nf6 -/+) 25. f6+ +- Kh8 (25... Nxf6 {what else?} 26. Rxf6 Qxf6 27. Rxf6 Kxf6 28. Qxh5 Ke7 29. Qxg5+ Kd7 +-) 26. Rf5 g4 27. Rxh5 (27. Rxh5 Qxf6 28. Rxh7+ Kg8 29. Rxf6 Rd8 30. Qxg4#) 1-0
 

DarthMusashi (2005) – Amirhossein (1951)    Playchess.com    Game 3 min.   6/25/06

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 d6 =/+) 4... g6 (4... e5 5. Qe2 d6 6. d4 -/+) 5. d4 =/+ Bg7 {Black's piece can't move: c8} 6. Be3 c5 ! {Deflection: d4} 7. Nf3 (7. dxc5 Bxc3+ {Double attack} (7... Bxc3+ {Pinning}) (7... Bxc3+ {Deflection})) 7... Qa5 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Be2 d6 10. Rb1 a6 11. O-O Bg4 {Black is behind in development.} (11... cxd4 12. Nxd4 (worse is 12. cxd4 Qxd2 13. Bxd2 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 -+) 12... Bxd4 13. Bxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 =/+) 12. d5 {White threatens to win material: d5xc6} (12. Rxb7 !?  {is worthy of consideration} O-O 13. Qb2 =) 12... Bxc3 =/+ 13. Qc2 Bf5 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Ne5 (15... Nd8 !?  =/+) 16. Nxe5 = Bxe5 ({Instead of } 16... dxe5 17. Rxb7 Bd4 18. Bg5 +-) 17. Rxb7 Qc3 {Black threatens to win material: Qc3xd3} (17... Qxa2 !? 18. Bh6 Rd8 =) 18. Qe2 f5 ? (18... O-O 19. Rc1 Qa3 20. Rcb1 =) 19. f4 (19. Bc1 Qd4 20. Bb2 +- ) 19... Qxe3+ ? (better is 19... Bf6 =  {and Black could well hope to play on}) 20. Qxe3 +- Bd4 21. Qxd4 cxd4 22. Re1 e5 (22... O-O 23. Rexe7 Rf6 24. Kf2 +-) 23. fxe5 O-O-O 24. Reb1 dxe5 25. c5 d3 ??  {an oversight. But Black was lost anyway.} (25... Rxd5 26. Rb8+ Kc7 27. Rxh8 +-) 26. Kf2 (26. d6 Rxd6 27. cxd6 Kd8 28. Rc7 e4 29. Rb8#) 26... d2 ??  {leading to a quick end} (26... Rxd5 27. Rb8+ Kc7 28. Rxh8 Rxc5 29. Rxh7+ Kc6 +-) 27. Ke2 (27. d6 Rxd6 28. cxd6 d1=N+ 29. Kg1 Kd8 30. Rc7 Nb2 31. Rxb2 e4 32. Rb8#) 27... e4 ??  {throws away the game} ({better is} 27... d1=Q+ 28. Kxd1 Rxd5+ 29. Ke2 Rhd8 30. Rxh7 Rxc5 -/+) 28. d6 e3 (28... Rxd6 {cannot change destiny} 29. cxd6 Kd8 30. Rc7 d1=B+ 31. Kxd1 f4 32. Rb8#) 29. c6 (29. Rc7#) 29... d1=Q+ ??  {causes further problems for ?} (29... Rxd6 30. Rb8+ Kc7 31. Rxh8 f4 32. Rxh7+ Kxc6 +-) 30. Rxd1 +- Rhe8 31. d7+ (31. d7+ Rxd7 32. Rdxd7 Re4 33. Rdc7+ Kd8 34. Rg7 Re7 35. Rgxe7 f4 36. Rbd7+ Kc8 37. Re8#) (31. Rc7+ Kb8 32. Rb1+ Ka8 33. Rb6 Re7 34. Rxe7 Rxd6 35. Rxa6+ Kb8 36. Rb7+ Kc8 37. Ra8#) 1-0
 

Evilone (2020) – La eminencia (1990)   Playchess.com   Game 5 min.   4/15/06

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.bxc3 (4.dxc3 e5 =/+) 4...g6 5.d4 Bg7 6.Be3 O-O 7.Qd2 c5 8.Nf3 {Black's piece can't move: c8} Nc6 9.d5 {White threatens to win material: d5xc6 } Qa5 {Black threatens to win material: Qa5xc3} 10.Rc1 (10.dxc6 ??  {would lead to destruction} Bxc3 11.cxd7 Bxd7 -+ (11...Bxd2+?!  {is the less attractive alternative} 12.Bxd2 Qa6 13.dxc8=R Qe6+ 14.Be3 Raxc8 15.Be2 -+)) 10...Ne5 11.Bh6 ? (better is 11.Nxe5!?  {is interesting} Bxe5 12.Bd3 =/+) 11...Nxf3+ -+ 12.gxf3 Qa3 (12...d6 !? 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.h4 -+) 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.h4 d6 15.h5 Rh8 16.Bd3 a6 (16...Bd7 17.Rb1 b6 18.h6+ Kg8 19.f4 -/+) 17.Kf1 (17.hxg6 hxg6 18.Rxh8 Kxh8 =/+) 17...b5 {Attacks the pawn chain} 18.Kg2 (18.cxb5 axb5 {Combination}) 18...bxc4 (better is 18...Bd7 !?  =  {is an interesting alternative}) 19.hxg6 +/= fxg6?? [diagram]

Evilone (1896) – Looser (1981)    Playchess.com    Game 5 min.    4/16/06

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 e5 =/+) 4... g6 (4... e5 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. Nf3 -/+) 5. d4 Bg7 6. Be3 {Black's piece can't move: c8} O-O 7. Qd2 c5 8. Bd3 Qa5 9. Ne2 Nc6 10. d5 ?  {This push gains space} (better is 10. dxc5 !?  {is a viable option } Rd8 11. O-O =/+) 10... Ne5 -+ 11. O-O Nxd3 12. Qxd3 d6 13. Qd2 (13. Bg5 !?  -/+) 13... Qa4 -+ 14. Bh6 Qxc4 (14... Bxh6 !? 15. Qxh6 Qxc4 16. Rfe1 -+) 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. f4 (16. Ng3 Re8 -+) 16... Bf5 17. Rf3 (17. Ng3 Rad8 -+) 17... Rfe8 ({better is} 17... Be4 !?  {seems even better} 18. Re3 Qxd5 19. Qb2 -+) 18. Ng3 Bg4 19. Rf2 Bd7 (19... e6 !? 20. dxe6 Qxe6 21. f5 -+) 20. f5 -/+ b5 ??  {simply marches past the door to victory} (20... Qh4 !?  -/+) 21. Raf1 {Loses material} (21. Rf4 {keeps an even firmer grip} Qxf4 22. Qxf4 f6 +-) 21... Rf8 ??  {gives the opponent new chances} ({better is} 21... Qh4 {saving the game} 22. fxg6 f6 = (22... fxg6 ? 23. Rf4 Bg4 24. h3 +-)) 22. Rf4 Qxf1+ 23. Kxf1 a5 (23... f6 {cannot undo what has already been done} 24. Rh4 Rh8 25. Qh6+ Kf7 26. fxg6+ hxg6 27. Qxh8 Rxh8 28. Rxh8 +-) 24. Kg1 ({better is} 24. Rh4 {makes it even easier for White} f6 25. Qh6+ Kf7 26. Qxh7+ Ke8 27. fxg6 Kd8 +-) 24... b4 (24... f6 {cannot change destiny} 25. Rh4 g5 26. Re4 +-) 25. h4 ({better is} 25. Rh4 {and White wins} f6 26. Qh6+ Kf7 27. Qxh7+ Ke8 28. fxg6 +-) 25... Rab8 (25... f6 {doesn't change anything anymore} 26. h5 +-) 26. Kh2 (26. cxb4 {and White can already relax} cxb4 27. f6+ exf6 +-) 26... a4 (26... f6 +-  {a last effort to resist the inevitable}) 27. cxb4 cxb4 28. Rxb4 Rxb4 (28... f6 {cannot change what is in store for ?} 29. Rxb8 Rxb8 30. Qe3 +-) 29. Qxb4 Rc8 (29... Bxf5 {what else?} 30. Nxf5+ gxf5 31. Qxa4 Rd8 +-) 30. Qb7 Rd8 (30... Rc4 {does not solve anything} 31. Qxd7 Rxh4+ 32. Kg1 +-) 31. Qc7 Ra8 32. Qxd7 Ra5 33. Qxe7 Rxd5 34. f6+ Kh6 (34... Kg8 {is not much help} 35. Qe8#) 35. Qf8# 1-0
 

DarthMusashi (1850) – Godpaf (1843)    Playchess.com    Game 5 min.    5/23/08

1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 {Omega-Achilles Gambit} Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 g6 5. d4 {Black now has to be careful because Black played 3 moves and exchanged off the N that can defend his kingside and now there is one less piece to defend the kingside with.} Bg7 6. Be3 O-O 7. Qd2 c5 8. Bh6 Bxh6 9. Qxh6 cxd4 10. Nf3 f6 11. h4 Qa5 12. Rc1 {I need to spend an extra move to slow down Black's attack.} dxc3 13. Bd3 {now White's K has an escape square on f1 if d2+} Rf7 14. h5 g5 15. Bg6 (15. Bxh7+ {this should have been played right away}) 15... Rg7 16. Bxh7+ Rxh7 17. Qg6+ Rg7 18. Qe8+ Kh7 19. h6 {now Black is in serious trouble} c2+ 20. Kf1 Rg8 [diagram]

Var B: Black plays a Slav pawn formation with pawns at c6, d5 and e6

Evilone (1948) – Ballon d or (1893)    Playchess.com  Game 5 min.  6/20/05

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 e5 =/+) 4... d5 (4... e5 5. Bd3 -/+) 5. d4 =/+ c6 {Black's piece can't move: f8} 6. Bd3 e6 {Secures f5} 7. Nf3 Bd6 (7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd6 9. O-O =/+) 8. O-O (8. c5 Bc7 =) 8... O-O ({better is} 8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd7 =/+) 9. Bxh7+ ??  {a transit from better to worse} ({better is}  9. Qc2 {saving the game} f5 10. c5 =) 9... Kxh7 -+ 10. Ng5+ Kg6 11. Qg4 (11. c5 Be7 12. h4 Bxg5 13. Bxg5 -+) 11... e5 ??  throws away a nice position } (better is 11... f5 {and the result of the game is clear: Black will win} 12. Qe2 dxc4 -+) 12. Ne6+ Kh7 (12... Kf6 {does not improve anything} 13. Bg5+ Kg6 14. Bxd8+ Kh6 15. Qxg7+ Kh5 16. g4#) 13. Qxg7# 1-0
 

Evilone (1881) – Edster (1828)    Playchess.com    Game 5 min.    7/11/05

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 d6 =/+) 4... d5 (4... e5 5. Qe2 d6 6. d4 -/+) 5. d4 -/+ c6 {Black's piece can't move: f8} 6. Bd2 e6 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nd7 9. Nf3 Be7 10. O-O Nf6 11. Re1 Bd7 (11... O-O 12. Qb3 =/+) 12. Ne5 = h6 {Covers g5 } (12... O-O 13. Qf3 =) 13. Bd3 c5 14. f4 ({better is} 14. Qf3 !?  +/=) 14... cxd4 15. cxd4 {Black has a cramped position.} Nd5 {The knight likes it on d5} (15... O-O 16. Qb3 =/+) 16. Qh5 {White has a mate threat} (16. Rb1 !?  {should be investigated more closely} Bc6 17. f5 exf5 18. Bxf5 +/=) 16... O-O = 17. g4 ? ({better is} 17. Rab1 =  {would allow White to play on}) 17... Be8 18. g5   ? (18. Qh3 Nb4 -+) 18... f6 ({better is} 18... Nxf4 !?  {seems even better} 19. Bxf4 Qxd4+ 20. Kg2 Qxf4 21. gxh6 -+) 19. Ng6 ? (19. Qg4 f5 20. Qe2 hxg5 21. Nf3 -+) 19... fxg5 -+ 20. Nxe7+ ? ({better is} 20. Qh3 Bxg6 21. Bxg6 Nxf4 22. Bxf4 -+) 20... Qxe7 21. Qg4 Nxf4 22. Bxf4 Rxf4 23. Qxe6+ Qxe6 24. Rxe6 Rxd4 25. Bc2 (25. Be4 Rb8 -+) 25... Rad8 (25... Rg4+ {might be the shorter path} 26. Kf2 Bc6 27. Bb3 -+) 26. Re7 (26. Re4 {cannot undo what has already been done} Bc6 27. Rxd4 Rxd4 28. Bb3+ Kf8 29. Rf1+ Ke8 -+) 26... R4d7 ({better is} 26... Rg4+ !?  {keeps an even firmer grip} 27. Kf2 Bc6 28. Ke3 -+) 27. Bb3+ Kf8 (27...Kh7 {and Black can already relax} 28. Rae1 Rxe7 29. Rxe7 -+) 28. Re3 (28. Re4 -+) 28... Rd3 ({better is} 28... Rd4 -+  {and Black wins}) 29. Rf1+ +- Bf7 30. Rxf7+ Kg8 31. Rff3+ (31. Rd7+ {makes it even easier for White} Kh7 32. Rexd3 Rc8 +-) 31... Kh8 (31... Rxb3 32. axb3 Rd7 +-) 32. Rxd3 Rc8 33. Rf7 (33. Rf7 Kh7 34. Rdd7 +-) 1-0
 

DarthMusashi (1928) – Depressor (1883)    Playchess.com    Game 5 min.    7/15/06

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 e5 =/+) 4... d5 (4... e5 5. Nf3 e4 6. Nd4 -/+) 5. d4 c6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Bd3 (7. Qb3 b6 8. Ne5 Be6 =/+) 7... e6 {Consolidates f5} 8. O-O (8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. Qxb7 Bxg2 =) 8... Be7 (8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 Bd6 10. Bd3 -/+ ) 9. h3 {White threatens to win material: h3xg4} Bh5 10. c5 {White gains space } (10. Qb3 Qc8 =/+) 10... O-O 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 axb6 13. g4 (13. Bf4 !?  -/+) 13... Bg6 -+ 14. Ne5 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 f6 (15... Bd6 !? 16. g5 -+) 16. Nf3 -/+ Qd7 (16... Qc8 -/+) 17. Bf4 (better is 17. Qe3 !?  =/+) 17... Bd6 {-+} 18. Bxd6 Qxd6 19. Re3 Re8 20. Rae1 c5 (20... Rxa2 21. Qb1 Ra6 22. g5 -+) 21. g5 (21. Qe2 !?  {has some apparent merit} Kf7 22. Qc2 -/+) 21... c4 22. Qc2 Qa3 ??  {letting the wind out of his own sails} (better is 22... Nd7 !?  -/+) 23. R3e2 ??  {allows the opponent back into the game} (23. Rxe6 Rxe6 24. Rxe6 Nd7 +-) 23... b5 {??  Black is ruining his position} (better is 23... Qa4 {and Black can hope to survive} 24. Qxa4 Rxa4 25. Rxe6 Rxe6 26. Rxe6 Nd7 =) 24. gxf6 gxf6 25. Kh2 ??  {hands over the advantage to the opponent} ({better is} 25. Rxe6 Rxe6 26. Rxe6 +/-) 25... b4 ??  {spoils everything} ({better is} 25... Qd6+ 26. Kh1 Kh8 =/+) 26. Rg1+ Kh8 27. Qd2 ??  {gives away a clear win} (better is 27. Qf5 !  {secures the win} Nd7 28. Rxe6 Rxe6 29. Qxe6 bxc3 30. Qxd7 +-) 27... Nd7 -+ (27... Qxc3 ??  {is not directly advisable because of the following mate in 3} 28. Qh6 Ra7 29. Qxf6+ Rg7 30. Qxg7#) 28. Qh6 Rg8 29. Rxe6 Qxc3 ??  {releasing the pressure on the opponent} (better is 29... bxc3 {would have given Black a clear advantage} 30. Rxf6 Qe7 -+) 30. Re7 {White has a mate threat} Nf8 ?? ({better is} 30... Qc2 {would hold out} 31. Ne1 Qxf2+ 32. Rg2 Qf5 =) 31. Rxg8+ Kxg8 32. Qg7# 1-0
 

Var C: Black transposes into a Benoni Defense with pawns at c5, d6 and e5

Evilone (1856) – Hern (1852)    Playchess.com    Game 5 min.    7/18/05

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3 (4. dxc3 !? d6 5. Nf3 =/+) 4... e5 -/+ 5. d4 e4 (5... exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 -/+) 6. f3 (6. Nh3 =/+) 6... exf3 (better is 6... d5 -/+) 7. Nxf3 +/= d5 8. Bd3 Bg4 ? (better is 8... Be7 +/=  {and Black has air to breath}) 9. O-O +- Be7 10. h3 {White threatens to win material: h3xg4} (10. Qb3 !? Bc8 +-) 10... Bh5 (10... Be6 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. Bf4 +/=) 11. Qe1 (11. Qb3 Nd7 12. cxd5 O-O 13. Qxb7 Bg6 14. Bxg6 fxg6 +/-) 11... O-O {Black castles and improves king safety} (11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 O-O 13. Rb1 =) 12. Bd2 ({better is} 12. cxd5 !?  {is interesting} Nd7 13. Rb1 +/-) 12... dxc4 =/+ 13. Bxc4 Nd7 14. Qf2 (14.Qe4 c6 =/+) 14... Nf6 (14... c5 15. Rae1 =/+) 15. Ne5 Bd6 (15... c5 !?  {is worth consideration} 16. Rab1 Qc7 =) 16. Rae1 +/= Bxe5 17. Rxe5 Bg6 18. Bg5 {White threatens to win material: Bg5xf6} Ne4 (better is 18... h6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Qxf6 gxf6 +/=) 19. Qf4 ??  {throwing away the advantage} (19.Bxd8 Nxf2 20. Be7 +/- (20. Rxf2 ?! Rfxd8 21. h4 h5 =/+)) 19... Nxg5 =/+20. Rxg5 c6 {Controls b5+d5} (20... Qd6 21. Re5 Kh8 22. Qg4 =/+) 21. Qg3 (better is 21. Rxg6 hxg6 22. Bxf7+ Kh8 23. Qe4 +/-) 21... b5 {Black threatens to win material: b5xc4} 22. Bb3 a5 (22... Kh8 !?  =/+  is noteworthy) 23. Rxg6 = hxg6 24. Qxg6 Qe7 25. Qh5 ??  {gives the opponent counterplay} (better is 25. Rf3 {and White can hope to live} a4 26. Rg3 Qe1+ 27. Kh2 Qxg3+ 28. Qxg3 (28. Kxg3 axb3 29. Qb1 bxa2 -+) 28... axb3 29. axb3 =) 25... Qe3+ (25... b4 !?  -+) 26. Kh1 a4 ?? {stumbles just before the finish line.} (better is 26... Ra7 27. Bc2 Qh6 28. Qxh6 gxh6 -+) 27. Bxf7+ +- Rxf7 28. Qxf7+ (28. Rxf7 ?! Qxc3 29. Rf1 Qc4 =/+) 28... Kh7 29. Rf5 Qe1+ (29... Qh6 {does not save the day} 30. Rh5 Rd8 31. Qf5+ Kg8 32. Rxh6 gxh6 33. Qe6+ Kf8 34. Qxh6+ Kf7 35. Qxc6 +- ) 30. Kh2 (30. Kh2 Qc1 31. Rh5+ Qh6 32. Qf5+ Kh8 33. Rxh6+ gxh6 34. Qe5  + Kg8 35. d5 +-) 1-0
 

Accepted Line 2

1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.dxc3

Omega-Achilles Gambit, 4.dxc3 Line 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.dxc3	Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Nc3 Nxc3 5.dxc3

I had always thought that the Omega-Achilles Gambit 4.dxc3 Line was similar to the Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit, but upon looking at both positions I realized that the Boden-Kieseritzky is a better gambit.  In the BK position on the right White already has two pieces (B & N) developed and is ready to castle Kingside on the next move.  In the 4.dxc3 position on the left, if Black were to play 4…e5, White could play 5.Nf3 and we would have a similar position to the BK position on the right except that White has to develop the B at f1 before castling.

I am not certain whether the pawn on c4 is an advantage in the 4.dxc3 line. On the 4.dxc3 line White has the freedom for the white Q to play to c2, b3 or a4 and to play to h5 early in the game.  The pawn at c4 in the 4.dxc3 line actually blocks the white B from developing to c4 and White is limited to developing the white B to only e2 or d3.  In any case I still do enjoy playing the White side of the Omega-Achilles Gambit 4.exc3 Line because it gives White very different and interesting kinds of middle game positions from the 4.bxc3 line.
 

Comet B50(2420)–Ufim 5.02(2610)  COMP Grobe Dec Engine/Ludwigsburg  12/9/04

{B02: Alekhine's Defence: Chase Variation and lines with early Nc3} 1. e4 Nf6 2. c4  Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. dxc3 {White has new doubled pawns: c3+c4. Black has a cramped position. Black's pieces can't move: c8+f8} Nc6 {Black's pieces can't move: c8+f8} 5. Nf3 e5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Be3 d6 {Secures c5} 8. Qc2 Qd7 {Black's piece can't move: c8} 9. O-O-O f5 10. Ng5 Qd8 (10... O-O !?  -/+) 11. h4 =/+ h6 {Black threatens to win material: h6xg5} (11... e4 12. Be2 O-O 13. c5 =) 12. Bxf5 = hxg5 ??  {weakening the position} (better is 12... Bxf5 was much better 13. Qxf5 hxg5 14. Qg6+ Kd7 15. Qf5+ Ke8 16. Qg6+ Kd7 17. Qf5+ Ke8 18. Qg6+ Kd7 =) 13. Bg6+ +- Kf8 14. hxg5 (14. Qe4 !?  [keeps an even firmer grip} Bf6 15. Qd5 Be6 16. Qxe6 Qe7 +-) 14... Rg8 15. f4 exf4 (15... Bxg5 16. fxg5 Ke7 17. c5 +-) 16. Bxf4 Bxg5 17. Rhf1 Bf6 18. c5 d5 ? (18... Ne7 19. Be5 Nc6 20. Rxd6 cxd6 21. Bxd6+ Qxd6 22. cxd6 Bd7 +-) 19. Rde1 Bd7 (19... Bg4 {hoping against hope} 20. Bg5 d4 +-) 20. Bg5 a5 (20... Rh8 21. Qd1 Ne5 22. Rxe5 c6 +-) 21. Bh5 Be8 22. Bxe8 Qxe8 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Qh7 Re6 26. Qd7 Re7 27. Rxf6+ Kg7 28. Qf5 Re1+ (28...Ne5 {hardly improves anything} 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. Rh6+ Rh7 31. Qxe5+ Rgg7 32. Rg6 Rh1+ 33. Kd2 Rhh7 34. Qe8+ Rg8 35. Qxg8#) 29. Kd2 Re2+ 30. Kxe2 Nd4+ (30... Re8+ {doesn't improve anything} 31. Kd2 Re2+ 32. Kxe2 Nd4+ 33. cxd4 a4 34. Qg6+ Kh8 35. Rf8#) 31. cxd4 Re8+ 32. Kf2 Kh8 (32... Re2+ {doesn't improve anything} 33. Kxe2 Kg8 34. Qg6+ Kh8 35. Rf8#) 33. Qh5+ Kg7 (33... Kg8 {does not win a prize} 34. Qf7+ Kh8 35. Rh6#) 34. Qf7+ Kh8 35. Rh6# 1-0
 

DarthMusashi (1886) – Lurkjack (1891)   Playchess.com  Game 5 min. 5/4/08

1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 {Omega Achilles Gambit} Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. dxc3 {I tried a different line similar to the Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit where the pawn capture is dxc3. I will prepare to castle Queens side and hopefully the extra pawn should provide extra protection for my K. Normally I would play bxc3 and push my pawn to d4 having pawns positioned at c4, c3 and d4. The pawn at c3 provides extra protection to the d4 pawn.} Nc6 5. Nf3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Qd2 {Preparing to exchange off Bishops on h6 and play h4 and h5 opening the h file.} d6 8. Be2 Bf5 9. Nh4 Be6 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Bh6 Ne5 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. b3 {protecting the c pawn} c5 14. h3 {I intend to play f4 and f5 but I had to prepare it so that the Black N cannot play Ng4.} a6 15. f4 Nc6 16. f5 Bd7 17. Rhf1 (17. f6+ exf6 18. Qxd6 Qe8 19. Rhe1 Qe3+ 20. Kb2 Be6 21. Nf3 Qf2 22. Qd2 Rad8 23. Bd3 Qxd2+ 24. Rxd2 f5 {-+ 1.43 this line recommended by Deep Fritz 8 is not very good}) 17... Qa5 18. Kb1 b5 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Qc2 f5 21. g4 bxc4 ? {this is an error by Black, the only move was Rh8 which could hold his position} (21... Rh8 22. Nxg6 Kxg6 23. Rxf5 Bxf5 24. Qxf5+ Kg7 25. Bf3 Rh7 26. Be4 Rxh3 27. Qg6+ Kh8 28. Rd3 Rh2 29. Rd2 Rh4 30. Qg5 Rh3 31. Rxd6 exd6 32. Qf6+ Kg8 33. Bd5+ Kh7 =) 22. gxf5 cxb3 23. axb3 Ne5 24. Nxg6 Rfb8 25. Nxe5 dxe5 26. Rg1+ Kf8 27. Bc4 {guarding b3 and threatening checkmate at g8 with Rg8+mate} e6 28. fxe6 Be8 29. Qf5+ Ke7 30. Rg7+ Bf7 31. Qxf7# 1-0
 

DarthMusashi (1900) – Dr Z (1889)   Playchess.com   Game 5 min.   7/17/06

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nxc3 4. dxc3 b6 5. Qf3 (5. Nf3 Bb7 =) 5... Nc6 = 6. Nh3 h6 {Covers g5} 7. Bf4 {Black's piece can't move: f8} d6 ??  {Black has let it slip away} (better is 7... Rb8 = {would bring relief}) 8. Qxc6+ +- Bd7 9. Qe4 g5 10. Bg3 Bg7 11. O-O-O O-O 12. Bd3 (12. f4  !?{  and White can already relax} f5 13. Qe2 g4 +-) 12... f5 13. Qe2 e5 14. f3 Qf6 15. Rhe1 a5 16. a3 Rae8 17. Bc2 Kh8 (17... Qf7 18. Ng1 +-) 18. Qd2 (18. Ng1 {makes it even easier for White} Be6 +-) 18... Bc6 19. Bf2 Qf7 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Qxg5 Qf6 (21... Re6 !? 22. Kb1 Rh6 +/=) 22. Qh5+ Qh6+ 23. Qxh6+ Bxh6+ 24. Kb1 f4 ?? {solves nothing} (better is 24... Re6 +/-) 25. Bxb6 ! +-  {here's the full point} cxb6 (25...Re7 {hardly improves anything} 26. Bxa5 Rg8 27. Re2 +-) 26. Rxd6 Bg7 27. Rxc6 Rf6 28. Rc7 Rh6 29. h3 Rd6 (29... Bf8 {does not improve anything} 30. Rf7 +-) 30. Re2 (30. c5 {and White can already relax} bxc5 31. Rxc5 Ra6 +-) 30...Red8 31. Ka2 (31. c5 {keeps an even firmer grip} bxc5 32. Rxc5 Rd5 33. Rxd5 Rxd5 +-) 31... Kg8 (31... R6d7 {doesn't do any good} 32. Rxd7 Rxd7 33. Kb3 +-) 32. Be4 (32. c5 {might be the shorter path} bxc5 33. Bb3+ Kh8 34. Rxc5 Ra6 +-) 32... Kf8 (32... R6d7 {doesn't get the bull off the ice} 33. Rc6 Rd6 34. Rxd6 Rxd6 35. b4 +-) 33. Bd5 (33. c5 {seems even better} bxc5 34. Rxc5 Ra6 +-) 33... R6d7 34. Rc6 Rd6 35. Rxd6 Rxd6 36. b4 (36. Kb3 {seems even better} Ke7 +-) 36... Ke7 (36... a4 {doesn't get the cat off the tree} 37. Be4 +-) 37. Kb3 Kd8 38. Ka4 Kc7 39. Kb5 Rh6 (39... Rd8 {does not save the day} 40. Be4 +-) 40. c5 bxc5 (40... axb4 {doesn't change anything anymore} 41. cxb4 bxc5 42. bxc5 +-) 41. Kxc5 (better is 41. bxa5 !?  {and White can already relax} c4 42. Kxc4 Rh8 +-) 41... Ra6 42. b5 Rb6 (42... Bf8+ {cannot undo what has already been done} 43. Kc4 Rg6 44. a4 +-) 43. a4 Bf8+ 44. Kc4 Bd6 45. Bc6 Rb8 46. Kd5 Rd8 47. Ke4 Kb6 (47... Rg8 {is no salvation} 48. Rd2 +-) 48. Rd2 Kc5 (48... Be7 {is not the saving move} 49. Rxd8 Bxd8 50. Kxe5 +-) 49. Bd5 (better is 49. Rd5+ {secures the point} Kb6 50. c4 Kc7 +- ) 49... Bc7 50. c4 Bd6 (50... Re8 {cannot change destiny} 51. h4 Bb8 52. h5 +-) 51. Ra2 (51. Be6 {might be the shorter path} Be7 52. Rxd8 Bxd8 53. Kxe5 Bg5 +-) 51... Kb4 (51... Rh8 {is not much help} 52. Rd2 Bb8 53. Be6 +-) 52. Ra1 (52. b6 {keeps an even firmer grip} Rb8 53. b7 Kc3 +-) 52... Re8 (52... Kc5 {does not solve anything} 53. h4 +-) 53. h4 (53. b6 !? {makes it even easier for White} Rc8 +-) 53... Bc5 (53... Kc5 {a fruitless try to alter the course of the game} 54. Rb1 Kb6 55. h5 +-) 54.h5 Bd4 (54... Bb6 {doesn't change the outcome of the game} 55. Rc1 Kc5 56. h6 +-) 55. Rc1 Kxa4 56. c5 (56. b6 Rh8 57. c5 Kb5 58. Rb1+ Kxc5 +-) 56... Kxb5 57. c6 a4 (57... Bc5 {is the last straw} 58. h6 Re7 +-) 58. c7 Rc8 59. Be6 Rxc7 60. Rxc7 a3 61. h6 Kb6 (61... Bb6 {does not help much} 62. Rc8 Ka6 63. h7 a2 64. Bxa2 Bd8 65. h8=Q Bb6 66. Qxe5 Kb7 67. Qb8+ Ka6 68. Rc6 Ka5 69. Rxb6 Ka4 70. Ra6#) 62. Rc8 a2 63. Bxa2 Bc5 (63... Ka6 {cannot change what is in store for ?} 64. h7 Bc5 65. h8=Q Kb6 66. Qxe5 Bd4 67. Rb8+ Kc6 68. Bd5+ Kd7 69. Qe6+ Kc7 70. Rc8#) 64. h7 (64. h7 Bd4 65. h8=Q Kb5 66. Rb8+ Ka5 67. Qd8+ Ka4 68. Qe8+ Ka3 69. Rb3+ Kxa2 70. Qa4#) 1-0
 

Accepted Line: 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Qc2

Black can play 3…Nf6 retreating the N back to its original square

Evilone (1910) – Dincer_Selen (1900)    Playchess.com    Game 5 min.   5/26/04

1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 {The Omega-Achilles Gambit} Nxe4 3. Qc2 {Also possible is 3.Nc3 or 3.Qf3.} Nf6 4. d4 d6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Bd3 h6 9. h3 {preventing Ng4} b6 {Black had to play a Queenside fianchetto because otherwise the B at c8 has very little chance of being developed.} 10. O-O-O Bb7 11. Qd2 c5 12. Bxh6 gxh6 (12... cxd4 13. Nxd4 gxh6 14. Qxh6 Re8 15. Qg5+ Kh8 16. Qh6+ =) 13. Qxh6 Re8 ? {this loses right away to Ng5} 14. Ng5 Bf8 15. Bh7+ Kh8 (15... Nxh7 16. Qxh7#) 16. Nxf7# 1-0
 

Accepted Line: 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Qf3

Black can play 3…Nf6 retreating the N back to its original square

Aristarch 4.50 (2600) - FireFly v2.4.1 (2330)    Engine Match    Game 5 min.   1/23/09

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Qf3 (3. Nc3 !? Nxc3 4. dxc3 =/+) 3... Nf6 -/+ 4. d4 Nc6 5. d5 Ne5 {Black threatens to win material: Ne5xf3} (5... Nd4 6. Qd3 e5 7. Nf3 -/+) 6. Qc3 d6 7. Nf3 Nxf3+ 8. Qxf3 {Black has a cramped position. Black's piece can't move: f8} Bg4 {Black threatens to win material: Bg4xf3} 9. Qb3 {White threatens to win material: Qb3xb7} Qc8 10. Bd3 Nd7 11. Be3 Ne5 12. Bc2 c6 13. Nc3 cxd5 14. cxd5 Nc4 {Black has a cramped position. Black's piece can't move: f8} 15. O-O Nxe3 16. fxe3 e5 ({better is} 16... g6 =  {and Black hangs on}) 17. Rac1 +/- Bd7 18. Bf5 !  {Decoy: f5} Rb8 ??  {terrible, but the game is lost in any case} (18... Bxf5 19. Nb5 {Decoy}) 19. Nb5 Qd8 (19... Bxf5 {a last effort to resist the inevitable} 20. Rxc8+ Bxc8 +-) 20. Bxd7+ Qxd7 21. Rc7 Qg4 (21... f6 {desperation} 22. Rxd7 Kxd7 +-) 22. Rcxf7 Be7

FireFly v2.4.1 (2330) – Aristarch 4.50 (2600)    Engine Match  Game 5 min.   1/23/09

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Qf3 (3. Nc3 !? Nxc3 4. dxc3 =/+) 3... Nf6 -/+ 4. Nc3 (4. d4 d5 5. Qf4 dxc4 6. Bxc4 Nc6 -/+) 4... Nc6 5. Qd1 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bb5 Ndb4 8. Nf3 Bf5 9. O-O Bc2 10. Qe2 Bd3 11. Bxd3 Qxd3 12. Qe3 O-O-O 13. Qxd3 Rxd3 14. Ng5 f6 15. Ne6 Rd6 16. Nxc7 ? (16. Nxf8 Rxf8 17. b3 f5 -+) 16... Kxc7 (16... a6 {might be the shorter path} 17. Nxa6 bxa6 18. b3 -+) 17. Nb5+ Kd7 18. Nxd6 exd6 {Nakamura:  I believed that better was 18...Kxd6 because you will only have 2 pawn islands instead of 3 which is better for the endgame.} 19. d4 Nc2 20. Rb1 d5 21. Rd1 Bd6 (21... N2xd4 ?! 22. Be3 Bc5 23. Rd3 -+) 22. Bd2 Re8 23. Bc3 Re4 24. f3 (24. Rd2 N6xd4 25. Rbd1 Bc5 -+) 24... Re2 25. Kf1 Re8 26. Kf2 Bf4 (26... Bxh2 ?! 27. g3 f5 28. Rd2 -/+) 27. Kg1 b5 28. b4 (28. a3 a5 -+) 28... Be3+ 29. Kf1 g6 (29... Kd6 {seems even better} 30. Rd3 -+) 30. Rb2 N6xd4 31. Rd3 Kd6 32. Rb1 Nc6 33. Rb2 Na3 34. Bxf6 Nc4 {Nakamura: this is the best post for the Black N} 35. Re2 Nxb4 36. Rd1 a6 37. Bc3 Nc6 38. Ree1 (38. g3 {does not improve anything} Kc5 39. Bg7 d4 -+) 38... Re6 39. h4 d4 40. g3 (40. Re2 {a fruitless try to alter the course of the game} Kc5 41. Be1 N6e5 -+) 40... Kd7 41. Ba1 Rd6 {Nakamura: an interesting maneuver for Black. I would never consider this.} 42. Re2 (42. Ke2 {doesn't get the cat off the tree} N6e5 43. Rh1 Ke6 -+) 42... d3 43. Rh2 (43. Ree1 {doesn't do any good} Nb4 44. Be5 Rd5 -+) 43... Bc5 ({better is} 43... Bb6 {keeps an even firmer grip} 44. Bc3 Ne3+ 45. Ke1 -+) 44. Bg7 (44. Bc3 {what else?} Ne3+ 45. Ke1 -+) 44... Ne3+ 45. Ke1 Bb4+ 46. Rhd2 (46. Rdd2 {is still a small chance} Re6 47. Rhe2 -+) 46... Nxd1 47. Kxd1 Bxd2 {1:49-1:38 Nakamura: the game is over, White is down too much material.} (47... Bxd2 48. Kxd2 Na5 -+) 0-1
 

Accepted Line 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6

Black retreats the N back to f6 instead of taking the N at c3

DarthMusashi (1913) – JacekMP (1850)  Playchess.com  Game 5 min.  7/15/06

{A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6} 1. c4 Nf6 2. e4 Nxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 e6 {Prevents intrusion on d5} 5. g4 (5. Nf3 !? =  {looks like a viable alternative}) 5... h6 6. g5 hxg5 7. Bxg5 Be7 8. Nf3 d6 {Black has a cramped position} 9. Bd3 (9. Bf4 Nc6 =/+) 9... Nbd7 (9... c5 10. Be2 -/+) 10. Qe2 =/+ c6 {Consolidates b5+d5} (10... c5 11. O-O-O =/+) 11. O-O-O {Black has a cramped position. Black's piece can't move: c8} Qa5 (11... d5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Bxe7 Nxc3 14. Bxd8 Nxe2+ 15. Bxe2 Kxd8 16. Rdg1 -/+) 12. h4 {White has a very active position} Kf8 {Black loses the right to castle} (12...d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Bxe7 Kxe7 16. Rhg1 =/+) 13. Rdg1 (13. Kb1 d5 14. cxd5 Nxd5 (14... exd5 ? 15. h5 +-) 15. Nxd5 Qxd5 16. Bxe7+ Kxe7 +/= ) 13... e5 (13... b5 !?  =/+) 14. Bd2 {Black has a cramped position. Black's piece can't move: c8} Qc7 (14... exd4 15. Nd5 Qd8 16. Nxe7 Qxe7 17. Nxd4 Qxe2 18. Bxe2 +/= (worse is 18. Nxe2 Ne5 19. Bc2 Nxc4 -/+)) 15. h5 +/- exd4 (15... Nxh5 16. Nxe5 Ndf6 17. Nxf7 Kxf7 18. Bg6+ Kg8 19. Ne4 (worse is 19. Rxh5 Nxh5 20. Bxh5 Bf5 =/+) 19... Nxe4 20. Qxe4 +/=) 16. Nxd4 {White has a strong king attack} Ne5 17. Bc2 (17. Kb1 Qb6 18. Be3 Qa5 +/-) 17... Bg4 (better is 17... Qb6 !?  {should be considered} 18. Rh4 Ng8 =) 18. f3 {+/-  Secures e4} Bxh5 {White has a very active position} 19. Bf4 (19. f4 better is Kg8 20. Rxh5 Nxh5 21. fxe5 dxe5 22. Nf5 +-) 19... Ng6 ??  Black is ruining his position} (19... Re8 !?  =) 20. Bd2 {White has a strong king attack} (better is 20. Bxg6 {nails it down} Qd7 21. Bf5 Qd8 +-) 20... Re8 ?? (20... Ne5 21. f4 Ned7 22. Qg2 +/=) 21. Qg2 ??  {Black has a cramped position. Black's piece can't move: h5. a transit from better to worse} (21. Ne6+ fxe6 22. Bxg6 +- (22. Rxg6 ?! Bxg6 23. Rxh8+ Kf7 24. Bxg6+ Kxg6 25. Rxe8 Nxe8 =/+)) 21... Ne5 ?? (better is 21... Bd8 {was a good chance to save the game} 22. Nf5 Qb8 =) 22. Qxg7# 1-0
 

Examination of the Omega Gambit as compared to the Omega-Achilles Gambit

Omega Gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.bxc3	Omega-Achilles Gambit 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.bxc3 g6 5.d5

The position above left came from the Omega Gambit and the position above right came from the Omega-Achilles Gambit.  Notice that in both positions above, Black has one less minor piece to effectively guard the black kingside, if Black castles kingside.  Notice that White can attack the black kingside with the 2 Bishops and the white kingside knight. White will have the temporary advantage of attacking Black’s kingside with one extra minor piece.  This is one of the advantages of playing the accepted line of an Omega Gambit type of position.
 

Coming Next Week: Part 2 - The Omega-Achilles Gambit Declined

CONCLUSION

Accepted Lines:

White has the option of playing either 4.bxc3 or 4. dxc3 after having played 1.c4 Nf6 2.e4 Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3.  The line 4.bxc3 leads to positions similar to the Omega Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.e4) 2…Nxe4 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4. bxc3.  The other line 4.dxc3 leads to a position very closely resembling a Boden-Kieseritzky Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Nc3). The differences were discussed earlier in this article.

Black can also decline to take the N at c3 and pull the N back to f6.   After 2…Nxe4 White can also play 3.Qc2 or 3.Qf3.  The move 3.Qf3 was tested in the match between the chess engines Ristarch and Firefly.  Aristarch played an incredible positional rook sacrifice which won the game brilliantly in game one.  The move 3.Qf3 is a move which deserves to be explored further with more games and analysis.

The goal in the accepted lines is to play a fluid attacking game.  By fluid I mean that you have a game where all of your White pieces are coordinated for an attack on the Black Kingside castled position or an attack on another part of the chess board.  You would have your knight posted at the best possible position on the board, your bishops are aimed at the black kingside castled or uncastled position, your pawns do not block the path of your developed pieces, and your Q is in the right position for an attack.
 

Declined Lines: See Part 2: The Omega-Achilles Declined
 

Final Conclusion:

I believe that the Omega-Achilles Gambit has at least an even or better than an even  chance of winning in both the Accepted and Declined Lines. It still really comes down to who is the stronger player and to the one who does not make the last major mistake in the game.

To play the Omega-Achillies Gambit well:

1.You should study & analyze the games in this article carefully.

2. Play offhand or blitz games with the Omega-Achilles Gambit.

3. I do recommend that you look at my other Omega Gambit Articles on Chessville because this will give you an idea of how to play an Omega type of gambit.
 

See links below:

Omega Gambit Part 1  (1.d4 Nf6 2.e4) the accepted lines

http://www.chessville.com/UCO/CN/index.htm#The%20Omega%20Gambit%20Part%201

Omega Gambit Part 2  (1.d4 Nf6 2.e4) the declined lines

http://www.chessville.com/UCO/CN/OmegaGambitPart2.htm

Flames of Osiris - The Omega-Osiris Gambit  (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e5)
http://www.chessville.com/UCO/CN/Omega-Osiris.htm

The Omega-Delta Gambit  (1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 e5)

http://www.chessville.com/UCO/CN/OmegaDeltaGambit.htm

REFERENCES

Yahoo Unorthodox Chess Openings Groups Messages

3731, 3739, 3741, 3743, 3747, 4904, 5788, 6160, 6578, 8267. 8484

Yahoo Unorthodox Chess Openings Groups File Section

Zipped PGN file: Omega-Achilles Gambit - 31 games + 3 analysis lines

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Copyright 2009 Clyde Nakamura. All rights reserved.

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Unorthodox Chess Openings

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