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This chess opening gambit first appeared in a game Kevin J. Wicker – Richard M. Webb (1978) from the German chess publication called Rand Springer in issue #5/1988.  The name Mutkin is actually a place between what was once the Sino-Soviet border.

After 4…bxc4 White has g5 which disrupts the normal development of the Benko Gambit.  If Black plays 5…Ne4 after the pawn push 5.g5, Black has to be careful not to play the move d6 right away because Black needs an escape square for this Black Knight.  This error actually occurred in the game Wicker-Kneebone game.

Black can also take the gambit pawn at g4 with 4…Nxg4.

In the following game Black plays an inaccurate move in the opening (5…Ne4) and drops a Knight. Because Black played d6 the Black Knight had no escape squares after 8.f3. This looks like an opening trap.

Kevin J. Wicker – Kneebone       Charlton     1975

{A57: Benko/Volga Gambit} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 d6 5. g5 Ne4 {? this drops the N at e4} ({better is} 5... Nfd7 6. cxb5 g6 {+/=}) 6. Bg2 {+-} Qa5+ 7. Kf1 f5 (7... Bf5 8. f3 Nxg5 9. Bxg5 {+-}) 8. f3 Nxg5 9. Bxg5 bxc4 10. Nc3 {= Deep Fritz gives the position as even} (10. Nc3 g6 11. Bd2 {+-}) 1-0
 

Black wins a queen for knight exchange but somehow White manages to get compensation in the form of a kingside attack.  But it is strange that the game is drawn because according to analysis by Deep Fritz 8, black is still won.  The question is why did black accept the draw?

Kevin J. Wicker – Richard M. Webb       Rand Springer #41     1978

{A57: Benko/Volga Gambit A57: Benko/Volga Gambit} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 {Mutkin} (4. cxb5 {!?} Qa5+ 5. Nc3 {+/-}) 4... Nxg4 (4... Qa5+ 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. cxb5 Nxd5 7. e4 {=/+}) 5. cxb5 +/= e5 6. dxe6 fxe6 7. Bg2 d5 8. Qa4 {?? gives the opponent counterplay} ({better is} 8. e4 {would save the game} Nf6 9. Nc3 {+/=}) 8... Qh4 {-+} 9. Nh3 Ne3 {! Discovered attack} 10. Bxe3 {?? sad, but how else could White save the game?} (10. Be4 Ng2+ {! decapitation} 11. Kf1 dxe4 12. b6+ Nd7 13. Qb3 Nxb6 14. Qg3 {-+}) 10... Qxa4 11. Nc3 Qb4 (11... Qa5 {and Black can already relax} 12. Nf4 a6 13. Bd2 {-+}) 12. O-O (12. Nf4 {doesn't do any good} a6 13. Nd3 Qg4 {-+}) 12... Nd7 13. Nf4 Nf6 14. Nd3 Qh4 15. Bf4 Be7 (15... Bb7 {!? seems even better} 16. Bg3 Qh6 17. Bf4 {-+}) 16. Bg3 Qg5 17. e4 dxe4 (17... Bb7 {!? and Black can already relax} 18. exd5 c4 19.  Ne5 {-+}) 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Rb8 20. h4 Qg4 21. Bc6+ Kf8 22. Ne5 Qf5 (22... Qh5 {makes it even easier for Black} 23. Nc4 {-+}) 23. Rfe1 Rb6 24. Rad1 Qc2 25. Rd3 (25. b4 {is not the saving move} Rxc6 26. Nxc6 cxb4 {-+}) 25... Bf6 (25... Qxb2 {keeps an even firmer grip} 26. Red1 g5 27. h5 {-+}) 26. Red1 g6 (26... g5 {might be the shorter path} 27. h5 {-+}) 27. Ng4 Kf7 ({better is}  27... Rxc6 {and the rest is a matter of technique} 28. Nxf6 Ke7 29. Be5 {-+}) 28. R1d2 Qb1+ 29. Kg2 (29. Rd1 Qxb2 30. Rf3 Kg7 (30... Qxa2 {?? that pawn is deadly bait and will cause Black grave problems} 31. Rxf6+ Kg7 32. Be5 {+-}) (30... Rxb5 {is much worse} 31. Rxf6+ Qxf6 32. Nxf6 {+/=}) 31. Nxf6 Qe2 {-+} (31... Qxa2 {once again taking the pawn is naive} 32. Ng4 Qe2 33. Be5+ Qxe5 34. Nxe5 {+-}) (31... Rxb5 {? leads to nothing} 32. Ng4 Rf8 33. Be5+ Qxe5 34. Nxe5 Rxf3 35. Bxb5 {+-})) 29... Rf8 ({better is} 29... Bd4 {it becomes clear that Black will call all the shots} 30. Ra3 a6 {-+} (30...Bxb2 31. Rxa7+ Rb7 32. Rxb7+ Bd7 33. Rdxd7+ Kg8 34. Rb8#)) 30. Nxf6 Kxf6 (30... Qxa2 {?? the pawn of course cannot be captured} 31. Be5 Qd5+ 32. Nxd5 exd5 33. Bd6 {+-}) 31. Rf3+ 1/2-1/2
 

Black moves the king-knight four times to exchange it off in the opening and loses two tempi (moves) in the opening.  White castles kingside early and plays for the center attack with a pawn roller down the middle.  White later sacs a N for pawn and wins an exchange of B for R.  The white pawn is later pushed to e7 preventing black from castling kingside.  White does an exchange sac of R for B and chases the black K towards the kingside.  White threatened to win more pieces and Black had to resign.

Nakamura – Chess Genius      Mutkin Test Game    Game 30 minute   1993

{6/5} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 bxc4 5. Nc3 {[In a previous test game with Genius versus Genius, White had played g5 and barely drew the game.]} Nxg4 6. e4 Ne5 7. Nf3 Nxf3+ 8. Qxf3 Ba6 9. Bg2 d6 10. O-O Nd7 11. Bf4 {[Played to prevent Black's N from reaching e5 and d3.]} Rb8 12. Rab1 e5 ? {[I do not believe this is correct. It only creates weaknesses in Black's pawn position. Black should have played g6 followed by Bg7 and 0-0.]} 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. e5 {[I had played this move to disrupt Black's center position. If 14... dxe5 15. Bg3 and I can exert pressure along the open d file and attack the weak pawns. Also possible were 14...Bb7 ,14...d5 & 14...Nxe5]} d5 15. Qg3 Rb6 16. Rfe1 {[16.Rfe1 was played to prepare for the N sac on d5.]} g6 17. Nxd5! exd5 18. e6 Nf6 19. Bc7 Qa8 20. Bxb6 axb6 21. e7 Bg7 22. Qd6 Ne4 23. Bxe4 dxe4 24. Rbd1 Bd4 {[Forced since the threat of 15.Qd7+ Kf7 16.e8(Q) double check is too strong.]} 25. Rxd4 {[I could have played 25.Qe6 and win the e pawn but my chances of winning the game was pretty slim.]} cxd4 26. Qxd4 Kf7 {[I am not sure why this move was played.  6...Rhg8 was better.]} 27. Rxe4 Rb8 28. Qd7!! {[28.Qd7!! proved to be the winning move. I was mystified by Black's last move.] } Re8 29. Rf4+ Kg7 30. Qd4+ Kg8 31. Qf6 Qc8 32. Qf7+ [diagram]

White enters into unnecessary complication by not moving the Bishop to h4.  This results in White being a piece down.  White further compounds his problems by castling queenside, which  is unsafe.  White should have played Kf1 which would have been much safer for the white king.

Dirk Paulsen (2330) – Thies Heinemann (2380)    BL2-N 9394   Germany   1993

{A57: Benko/Volga Gambit} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 Nxg4 (4... bxc4 5. g5) 5. Nc3 (5. cxb5 {!? is noteworthy} Nf6 6. Nc3 {+/=}) 5... b4 {Black gains space} 6. Ne4 d6 {Consolidates c5} 7. Bg2 a5 8. Nf3 g6 9. Bg5 (9. h3 Nh6 {=/+}) 9... Bg7 {-/+} 10. Qd2 (10. h3 {!?} Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qd2 {-/+}) 10... h6 {-+} 11. h3 (11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 f5 13. Nexg5 hxg5 14. Nxg5 Qb6 {-+}) 11... f5 ({better is} 11... Nxf2 {!?} 12. Nxf2 hxg5 13. Nxg5 Qb6 {-+}) 12. hxg4 {-/+} fxe4 (12... hxg5 {is much worse} 13. Rxh8+ Bxh8 14. Nexg5 +/-) 13. Bxh6 Bxh6 14. Rxh6 Rxh6 15. Qxh6 exf3 16. Qxg6+ Kd7 17. exf3 (17. Bxf3 Kc7 {-/+ }) 17... Qf8 18. Qe4 (18. O-O-O {!? -/+}) 18... Qg7 -+ 19. O-O-O a4 20. Re1 (20. Rd2 a3 21. b3 Kc7 {-+}) 20... a3 21. Re2 {?} (21. Qc2 {-+}) 21... b3 {! the final blow} 22. bxa3 (22. axb3 a2) 22... Rxa3 23. Kb1 (23. Qf5+ Kd8 24. Qb1 Qd4 25. axb3 Ra1 26. Qxa1 Qxa1+ 27. Kd2 Qb2+ 28. Kd1 Qxb3+ 29. Ke1 Qxc4 {-+}) 23... Na6 24. Rb2 (24. Qxe7+ {doesn't get the cat off the tree} Qxe7 25. Rxe7+ Kxe7 26. axb3 Nb4 {-+}) 24... bxa2+ 25. Rxa2 Rb3+ (25... Rxa2 {keeps an even firmer grip} 26. Kxa2 Nb4+ 27. Kb1 {-+}) 26. Kc1 (26. Kc2 {cannot change what is in store for ?} Qc3+ 27. Kd1 Kd8 {-+}) 26... Qc3+ ({better is} 26... Nb4 {and Black has it in the bag} 27. Ra7+ Kd8 {-+}) 27. Kd1 Qb4 28. Ke2 Rb1 29. Rd2 Rc1 (29... Rg1 {makes it even easier for Black} 30. f4 Qc3 31. Rd1 Qb2+ 32. Rd2 {-+}) 30. g5 (30. Qf5+ {is no salvation} Kc7 31. Qd3 Rxc4 {-+}) 30... Kd8 31. g6 Qc3 32. Qf4 (32. f4 Nb4 33. Rd1 Qb2+ 34. Rd2 Nc2 {-+}) 32... Nc7 ({better is} 32... Qa1 {ends the debate} 33. Qf8+ Kc7 34.  Qxe7+ Bd7 35. Qxd7+ Kxd7 36. Bh3+ Kd8 {-+}) 33. Qe4 (33. Rd1 {is still a small chance } Qc2+ 34. Qd2 Qxc4+ 35. Ke1 Rxd1+ 36. Kxd1 Qb3+ 37. Qc2 Qxd5+ 38. Qd2 Qb3+ 39. Qc2 Qxc2+ 40. Kxc2 Bf5+ 41. Kd2 Bxg6 42. f4 {-+}) 33... Ne8 (33... Ne8 34. Rd1 Qb2+ 35. Ke1 Ba6 {-+}) (33... Ba6 34. g7 Bxc4+ 35. Qxc4 Qxc4+ 36. Rd3 Rc2+ 37. Kf1 Qxd3+ 38. Kg1 Rc1+ 39. Kh2 Qh7+ 40. Bh3 Qxg7 41. Bg4 Qe5+ 42. Kg2 Nxd5 43. f4 Nxf4+ 44. Kh2 Ne2+ 45. Kg2 Rg1+ 46. Kh3 Qh8+ 47. Bh5 Qxh5#) 0-1
 

The game Nakamura-Dorsch was judged by Reynolds Takata and others to be my best played game in the Hawaii International Tournament 1994.  Although it was a draw I still enjoyed it very much.  Round 7 started as a Benoni Defense but in 1 move Tom Dorsch surprised me with a Benko Gambit.  I really wasn't prepared to play against the Benko Gambit.  After some deep thought, I decided to play 3...g4! "The Mutkin".  I had played one practice game against Chess Genius 1.0 with the Mutkin and had seen the Rand Springer article on this opening.  Now we were playing on a even battle field.  Dorsch did not have any opening advantage.

Clyde Nakamura (2100) – Thomas Dorsch (2155)     Hawaii International      1994

19. Be4 ({Here I missed the combination} 19. Qxg6+ fxg6 20. Ne6+ {which wins a pawn +-  3.87 Deep Fritz 8}) 19... Ne5 20. Bxg6 Nxg6 21. Qxg6+ {I still had the Q sacrifice combination anyway. But it may be better to have played this combination with the B still   on g2.} fxg6 22. Ne6+ Kf7 23. Nxc7 Ra7 24. Nxa6 {I cannot play 24.Ne6 because of 24...Nxd4!} Rxa6 25. f4 Rb8 {In the post-mortem analysis Schiller suggested that White ignore Black's Queenside attack and continue forward with a Kingside attack by stacking Rooks on the f file and breaking through with the pawn thrust f5.} 26. b3 {Now it was not very clear as to how I should have played the endgame. A possible move could have been 26.Rd4 to tie down Black's N to the defense of his c pawn and swing the other R to f1.} Ra3 {Black still had all kinds of play left. He was by no means lost.} 27. Nb5 {A highly speculative move. The other possibilities were 27. Nb1, 27. Rab1, 27. Rdb1.} (27. Nb1 Ra5 28. bxc4 Nxc4 29. Kf2 Nb6 30. e4 Nd7 31. Nd2 Nc5 32. a4 Rba8 33. Kf3 Rxa4 34. Rxa4 Rxa4 {+/- 1.31 Deep Fritz 8}) 27... Ra5 28. bxc4 Nxc4 29. Nc3 Ra3 30. Rd3 Rb2 31. Rc1 Nb6 32. Kf2 Rb4 33. Rb1 Rxb1 34. Nxb1 Rxa2 35. Nd2 Nd7 36. Kf3 Nc5 37. Rd4 Ra1 38. e3 Rh1 39. Kg3 Rg1+ 40. Kf3 Rg4 41. e4 Rxh4 {+/= 0.41 a small advantage for White but I could not see how White could win this game.} 1/2-1/2
 

Black’s Kingside is weakened by a Bishop for Knight exchange at h5. White later wins a Bishop for Rook exchange in the late middlegame. Black has no counterplay and has to resign.

D. Garrido Fernandez (2205) – Dimitri Dube (2040)     FRA-chB Toulouse    1995

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 {Mutkin} Bb7 (4... bxc4 5. g5 Ne4 6. Bg2 Qa5+ 7. Kf1 Nd6 8. Nf3 Bb7 9. Nc3 e6 10. e4 {= Deep Fritz 8}) 5. Bg2 g6 6. g5 Nh5 7. e4 (7. cxb5 d6 8. Nc3 h6 9. h4 hxg5 10. hxg5 Bg7 11. e4 a6 12. Bf1 Bc8 13. Qa4 Bd7 14. Bd2 Ra7 15. Qc2 Qb6 16. Na4 Qd8 17. Bc3 Kf8 18. Bxg7+ Kxg7 {+- 0.88 Deep Fritz 8}) 7... Qc7 8. Ne2 Bg7 9. Bf3 {This move is good because it threatens to take out the N at a5. The White B at g2 has no real function except to guard the center pawns. It is really like another pawn.} O-O 10. Bxh5 gxh5 11. Ng3 Qe5 12. Qxh5 f5 13. gxf6 (13. g6 hxg6 14. Qxg6 fxe4 15. Nc3 Rf6 16. Qh5 Rf7 17. Qxe5 Bxe5 18. Nxb5 Na6 19. Nxe4 Kh8 20. Be3 Bxb2 21. Rb1 Be5 22. h4 Bc8 23. f4 Bb8 24. h5 Nb4 25. Nxc5 Nc2+ 26. Kd2 Nxe3 27. Kxe3 Bxf4+ 28. Ke4 d6 29. Ne6 Bxe6 30. dxe6 Rf6 31. Nc7 Raf8 32. Rb7 {+- 2.43 Deep Fritz 8}) 13... Qxf6 14. Nf5 e6 15. Nxg7 Qxg7 16. Nc3 Na6 17. Bh6 Qg6 18. Qxg6+ (18. Qh4 {this move was better than exchanging Queens} Rf6 19. Bg5 Rf3 20. Rg1 Nb4 21. Ke2 Nd3 (21... Raf8 22. Be3 {this line is bad for Black because his Q drops  +-11.66}) 22. Kxf3 Ne5+ 23. Ke2 Qf7 24. Nxb5 Ng6 25. Bf6 Ba6 26. Nd6 Bxc4+ 27. Kd2 {+- 18.67 Deep Fritz 8}) 18... hxg6 19. Bxf8 Rxf8 20. Nxb5 Nb4 21. O-O {+- 4.18 Deep Fritz 8, Black is down 2 pawns and an exchange.} 1-0
 

White misses the winning move in the endgame and cannot win the Rook plus pawns versus Bishop and pawn endgame. And White has to settle for a draw.

Denis Garrido (2215) – Manlio Lostuzzi (2325)      Imperia Op     1996

{A57: Benko/Volga Gambit} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 {Mutkin} Nxg4 (4...bxc4 5. g5 {=}) 5. e4 d6 6. cxb5 g6 7. h3 (7. Bh3 Nf6 8. Nc3 a6 9. Bxc8 Qxc8 {= }) 7... Nf6 {=} 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. a4 (9. Nf3 O-O {=}) 9... a6 =/+ 10. Bd2 (10. Nf3 O-O {=/+}) 10... O-O -/+ 11. Bg2 Nbd7 12. Nf3 (12. Nge2 Ne5 {=/+}) 12... Nh5 (12... axb5 13. axb5 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 {-/+}) 13. O-O {=/+} Rb8 (13... axb5 14. Nxb5 Bxb2 15. Ra2 {=/+}) 14. Qe2 axb5 15. axb5 e6 16. Be3 exd5 17. Nxd5 Re8 18. Nc3 Ndf6 (18... Nb6 19. Rad1 {=}) 19. Qd3 {+/=} Bb7 20. Nd2 Nd7 21. f4 (21. Qxd6 Be5 22. Qd3 Nf4 23. Bxf4 Bxf4 {+/=}) 21... d5 ({better is} 21... Nb6 {= is the best option Black has}) 22. Nxd5 {+/-} (22. exd5 {??} Rxe3 {Eliminates the defender e3} 23. Qxe3 Bd4 {-+}) 22... Nb6 23. Bxc5 Nxd5 24. exd5 Bxb2 (24... Nf6 25. d6 Nd7 26. Ba7 {+-}) 25. Rab1 (25. Ra2 Bg7 {+/-}) 25... Bg7 {+/-} 26. Nb3 (26. Nc4 Bh6 27. Nd6 Nxf4 28. Rxf4 Bxf4 29. Nxe8 Qxe8 {+/-}) 26... Qh4 (26... Bc8 27. Nd4 Bxd4+ 28. Qxd4 {=}) 27. Qf3 (27. Bd6 Ra8 28. Rf2 Qd8 {+/-}) 27... Rbd8 28. Rbd1 Nf6 29. Qf2 ({better is} 29. Bd4 {+/=}) 29... Qxf2+ {?} ({better is} 29... Qh5 {= is a viable option}) 30. Rxf2 {+-} (30. Kxf2 {?!} Bxd5 (30... Nxd5 {?} 31. Na5 Ba8 32. b6 Nxf4 33. b7 Bxb7 34. Nxb7 {+/-} (worse is 34. Bxb7  Nd3+ 35. Rxd3 Rxd3 {=/+})) 31. Bb6 Rb8 32. Bxd5 Nxd5 33. Rxd5 Rxb6 {+/=}) 30... Rxd5 {?} ({better is} 30... Bxd5 {!?} 31. Rfd2 Bxb3 32. Rxd8 Bxd1 33. Rxd1 Bf8 34. Bxf8 Kxf8 {+-}) 31. Bxd5 Bxd5 32. Na5 Be6 (32... Ba8 33. Nc6 Ne4 {+-}) 33. Kh2 ({better is} 33. Rfd2 {and the rest is a matter of technique} Bh6 34. Rd8 {+-}) 33... Ne4 +/- 34. Rc2 Bh6 (34... Bc3 35. Rd4 Bxd4 36. Bxd4 {+/-}) 35. Be3 Ra8 {?} (35... Bf5 36. Bc1 Rb8 37. Rd5 +-) 36. Ra1 ({better is} 36. Nc4 {White has a promising position} Nf6 37. b6 {+-}) 36... Bg7 {+/-} 37. Ra4 (37. Ra3 {!?} Bf8 38. Ra4 {+/-}) 37...Nc3 +/= {+/=} 38. Rb4 {?? weakening the position} ({better is} 38. b6 Nxa4 39. b7 {+/=}) 38... Rxa5  {?? overlooking an easy win} ({better is} 38... Nd5 {and Black wins} 39. Bd2 Rxa5 {-+}) 39. b6 {+/-} Bd5 40. b7 Bxb7 41. Rxb7 h6 42. Bd2 Rb5 43. Rxb5 Nxb5 44. Rc8+ Kh7 45. Bb4 Nd4 46. Kg2 (46. Rc7 Kg8 {+/-}) 46... g5 47. Bd6 Kg6 48. Rc5 Bf6 49. Ra5 Nf5 50. Bc7 Bc3 51. Ra6+ f6 (51... Kh5 52. Be5 Nh4+ 53. Kf2 Bxe5 54. fxe5 {+/=}) 52. Be5 Ne3+ 53. Kf3 Nd5 54. Ke4 gxf4 55. Bxf4 (55. Kxd5 {?!} Bxe5 56. Ke4 Kg5 {=}) 55... Nxf4 56. Kxf4 Bd2+ 57. Kg4 h5+ 58. Kf3 Bc3 59. Rc6 Bd2 60. Rc5 Bb4 61. Rb5 Bc3 62. Ke4 Be5 63. Rb1 Kg5 64. Kf3 h4 (64... f5 65. Rb5 Bd4 66. Rb4 {+/-}) 65. Ke4 Bg3 66. Rf1 Bb8 (66... Kg6 67. Rf3 {+/-}) 67. Rf3 Bg3 68. Kd5 f5 69. Ke6 f4 1/2-1/2
 

Black furiously attacks the White queenside and White castles kingside early in the opening.  A series of exchanges leaves Black with inactive kingside pieces.  All of the white pieces are active and ready for a kingside attack.  Black has all its pieces on the back rank and cannot defend against the white kingside attack.

Christian Deneuville (2126) – Jurgen Wundahl      Corr TT/14/98/2    1/14/99

{A57: Benko/Volga Gambit} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5. g5 Ne4 6. Bg2 Qa5+ 7. Nd2 Nd6 (7... Nxg5 {? is no good} 8. h4 {+-}) 8. e4 c3 9. bxc3 Qxc3 10. Rb1 Na6 (10... Qa5 11. Qc2 {=}) 11. Ngf3 (11. Ne2 Qa5 12. e5 Nc4 {=}) 11... Rb8 (11... Qa5 12. O-O Qxa2 13. Rb2 {=}) 12. Rxb8 {+/=} Nxb8 13. O-O Ba6 {Black is behind in development.} 14. Re1 Nc4 {??} ({better is} 14... Bd3 +/= {and Black can hope to survive}) 15. Nxc4 {+-} Qxc4 (15... Bxc4 16. Qa4 Qb4 17. Qxa7 {+-}) 16. Bf4 d6 17. Bf1 Qb4 (17... Qxa2 18. Qb1 Qxb1 19. Rxb1 Bxf1 20. Rxb8+ Kd7 21. Kxf1 Kc7 {+-}) 18. Qc2 Qb7 (18... Bxf1 {praying for a miracle } 19. Rb1 Qb5 20. Rxb5 Bxb5 {+-}) 19. Rb1 Qc8 20. Qa4+ Kd8 21. Qa5+ Ke8 [diagram]

Mutkin Engine Tournament 9/15/07
 

Acer Athlon 4400 Dual Core Processor
Operating System – Window Vista Home Premium
Time control – 5 min/game
2 gig ram
Hash table – 256 meg
All engines played the following starting position:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.g4

Counter 0.4 did not have a rating but I used an estimated rating of 2330 because Counter 0.4 played a 2 game match with Firefly and the result was 1 win 1 loss.  Counter 0.4 was at least equal to Firefly. I saw a quoted rating of 2100 but I believe that rating is definitely wrong. I recently acquired the Alaric 707 Chess Engine which is rated 2695 Elo on the CCRL 40/40 main list.  Alaric can be downloaded free here.

Statistics:

White wins = 12
Black wins =  16
Draws =  2

White winning percentage = 12 + 1 = 13/30games = 43.3%
Black winning percentage =  16 + 1 = 17/30games = 56.7%

Statistics on the lines in this engine tournament (Results for White)

4… bxc4    12 wins , 16 loss,  2 draws

4… Nxg4    0  wins , 0 loss,  0 draw (no games with this line)

In this engine tournament only 1 line was played 4…bxc4.  It is strange that the various chess engines did not play any other line.

Statistics on the lines from the chess database plus the engine tournament (Results for White)

4… bxc4    14 wins, 17 loss, 0 draws

4… Nxg4   0 win, 1 loss, 1 draw

4… d6        1 win, 1 draw

4….Bb7      1 win

Statistics for White

16 wins, 18 losses, 2 draws

White winning percentage = 16/35 = 48.6 %

Black winning percentage =  18/35 = 51.4 %

Analysis of 12 Chess Engine Games

We will now examine 12 chess engine games. A key issue for White in the Mutkin Counter Gambit is King safety. In the following game White takes the pawn at c4 with his Bishop and loses control of the a6 to f1 diagonal and develops weak White squares. White cannot castle safely to the Kingside and is trapped in the middle of the board. This weakness proves fatal towards the end of the game.

Firefly v2.2.2 – Glaurung 2-E5    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07   Game 1

26...Rxf3 {! A very powerful R sac which wins the game.} 27.Ne3 Qh5 28.Bxf3 Qxf3+ 29.Ke1 Bh4+ 30.Kd2 Qf2+ 31.Kd1 Bf3+ 32.Qe2 {now even the White Q drops, a devastating loss for White} Qxe2# 0-1
 

White allows Black to clog the middle with the pawn move e3 which prevents White from developing all of his pieces.

Alaric 707 – Aristarch 4.50    Mutkin Engine Tournament   9/14/07   Game 3

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5. g5 Ne4 6. Nf3 {developing a piece} e6 7. dxe6 fxe6 8. Bg2 Nc6 9. Nfd2 Nxd2 10. Bxc6 dxc6 11. Qxd2 Qd5 12. O-O Qd4 13. Rd1 e5 14. Qc2 Qg4+ 15. Kh1 Bf5 16. Qa4 Rc8 17. f3 Qh3 18. Nc3 e4 19. f4 {? this is a real bad line for White because it allows e3 which clogs the development of White's Queenside pieces.} (19. Kg1 exf3 20. exf3 Qxf3 21. Re1+ Be7 22. Re3 Qh5 23. Rxe7+ Kxe7 24. Qxa7+ Ke8 25. Bf4 Qg4+ 26. Bg3 Be6 27. Re1 Qd4+ 28. Bf2 Qd7 29. Qxc5 Kf7 30. Ne4 Kg6 31. Nd6 Ra8 32. Nxc4 Bxc4 33. Qxc4 {=/+ 1.02 Deep Fritz 8 Black is slightly favored. I am not sure if White can hold this endgame.}) (19. fxe4 Bd6 {-+ 34,90 White cannot play Rxd6 because Qf1+mate, this is a real bad line for White}) 19... e3 20. Qxa7 (20. Qxc4 {Deep Fritz 8 prefers this move over 20.Qxa7} Be7 21. Rg1 Rd8  22. Qa4 O-O 23. Rg3 Qf1+ 24. Rg1 Qf2 25. Rg3 Rd4 26. Qb3+ c4 27. Bxe3 cxb3 28. Bxf2 Rxf4 29. Be3 Be4+ 30. Nxe4 Rxe4 31. axb3 Bd6 32. Rh3 Rfe8 33. Bg1 Rxe2 34. Rc3 Rxb2 35. Rxc6 Bb8 {=}) 20... Be7 21. Qb7 Be6 22. Rg1 Rf8 23. Rg2 Rxf4 24. Bxe3 {taking this pawn loses but even Deep Fritz 8 agrees that this is the best move.} Qxe3 25. Rag1 Rf7 26. Rg3 Qe5 27. g6 hxg6 28. Qb6 Bd6 29. R3g2 Rf8 30. Rd1 Bh3 31. Rg3 Rf2 32. Rxd6 Rf1+ 33. Rg1 Rxg1+ 34. Kxg1 Qxd6 {-+ 17.76 Deep Fritz 8 ,this looks real bad for White, White's K is in clear danger of being checkmated.} 35. Kf2 Rb8 36. Qxb8+ Qxb8 37. Nd1 Qxh2+ {1:29-2:16} 0-1
 

Black plays a6 which weakens the Kingside position and leads to loss of an exchange.  White later sacs the Bishop and Black’s King is in deep trouble.

Alaric 707 – Firefly v2.2.2    Mutkin Engine Tournament     9/14/07    Game 8

21.Bxg7+ Kxf7 22.Qf5+ Kg8 (22... Kxg7 23. Rg1+ Qg3 24. Rxg3+ Kh8 25. Qf6+ Kh7 26. Qg7#) 23.Rg1 Qf3+ {a desperado move to delay the game} 24.Qxf3 Kh7 25.Qf5+ Kg8 26.Bc3# 1-0
 

Black exchanges off a knight for three pawns in the opening and also exchanges off the queens.  Towards the endgame Black has a 3-pawn roller down the middle which wins the game.

Aristarch 4.50 – Pharaon 3.5.1    Mutkin Engine Tournament   9/14/07   Game 9

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5.g5 Ne4 6.Qc2 Qa5+ 7.Nd2 Nd6 8.e4 Na6 9.a3 Bb7 10.Ngf3 e6 11.Bxc4 Nb4 12.Qb1 Nxd5 {! a strong move which picks up 3 pawns for the N} 13.b4 cxb4 14.exd5 Nxc4 15.Nxc4 Qxd5 16.Ncd2 {forced otherwise the N at f3 drops or the R at h1 drops} b3 17.O-O Rc8 18.Qb2 Rc4 19.h3 Rh4 20.Qe5 Qxe5 21.Nxe5 Rxh3 22.f3 Rg3+ 23.Kh1 (23. Kf2 Rxg5 24. Ng4 h5 25. Ne3 Bd6 26. Rb1 Bg3+ 27. Kg2 Bf4+ 28. Kf2 Ba6 29. Ne4 Bxf1 30. Nxg5 Ba6 31. Nh3 Bxe3+ 32. Bxe3 Bc4 {-+ 2.58 White is ahead a N but down   5 pawns}) 23... Rxg5 24.Bb2 f6 25.Nec4 Rc5 26.Bd4 Rc7 27.Na5 e5 28.Rfc1 Rc2 29.Nxb7 Rxd2 30.Bxa7 g5 (30... b2 31. Rc8+ Kf7 32. Rb1 g5 33. Rc3 g4 34. fxg4 h5 35. g5 fxg5 36. Be3 Re2 37. Kg1 g4 38. Kf1 Rh2 39. Bg1 Rh3 40. Rxh3 gxh3 41. Rxb2 Bxa3 {-+ 1.51 Deep Fritz 8}) 31.Rab1 b2 32.Rc3 d5 33.Bb6 h5 (33... g4 34. fxg4 h5 35. g5 fxg5 36. Rg3 Rc2 37. Rxg5 Rc1+ 38. Rg1 Bxa3 39. Be3 Rxb1 40. Rxb1 d4 41. Na5 dxe3 42. Nc4 Kf7 43. Nxa3 e2 44. Re1 Ra8 {-+ 5.23 Deep Fritz 8}) 34.Rc8+ Kd7 35.Rc7+ Ke6 36.Nd8+ Kf5 37.a4 g4 38.Rc3 d4 39.Rb3 Be7 40.Nc6 Bd6 41.Nd8 Rh7 42.a5 Bc7 43.Bxc7 Rxc7 44.R3xb2 Rxb2 45.fxg4+ Kxg4 46.Rxb2 d3 47.a6 Rd7 48.a7 Rxa7 49.Ne6 Kf3 50.Kh2 Ke3 51.Rb3 e4 52.Kh3 f5 53.Kh4 f4 54.Kxh5 f3 55.Ng5 Ra5 56.Kg4 [diagram]

White takes the pawn at c4 with his bishop and loses control of the a6 to f1 diagonal and develops weak white squares.  White cannot castle safely to the kingside and is trapped in the middle of the board.  This weakness proves fatal towards the end of the game.

Counter 0.4 – Alaric 707    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07    Game 12

18...Rxf2 19. Qxf2 Nd3+ 20. Kc2 Bxc4 21. Qf6 gxf6 22. Bxf6 Qa4+ 23. Kc3 Nxb2 {-+ 25.50 Deep Fritz 8 and White gets crushed.} 0-1
 

White does not take the c4 pawn right away and neutralizes Black’s Queenside attack.  Meanwhile White attacks Black’s Kingside and a White Rook sac at c4 decides the game.

Aristarch 4.50 – Counter 0.4    Mutkin Engine Tournament   9/14/07    Game 14

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5.g5 Ne4 6.Qc2 Nd6 7.e4 Na6 8.a3 {to prevent Nb4} Qa5+ 9.Nc3 f6 {this move looks suspect, is this an actual weakening of the Black Kingside position?} (9... Nb4 10. Qb1 Nd3+ 11. Bxd3 cxd3 12. Qxd3 Ba6 13. Qc2 Nb5 14. Be3 Nd4 15. Qd1 e5 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. Bxd4 cxd4 18. Qxd4 Qxg5 {=/+ 0.42 a slight edge according to Deep Fritz 8}) 10.Nf3 Nc7 11.Bd2 Rb8 12.gxf6 gxf6 13.Rg1 h6 {this weakens the Whites squares f7 & g6 on Blacks Kingside} 14.e5 fxe5 15.Nxe5 Qb6 16.Qg6+ Kd8 17.Bxc4 Nce8 18.Na4 Qc7 19.Be2 c4 20.Rg4 e6

White takes the pawn at c4 with the Queen and loses control over the White squares surrounding his King.  White’s King is trapped in the middle of the board.  Black does a rook exchange sac at f3 which ends in the checkmate of the white king.

Aristarch 4.50 – Glaurung 2-E5    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07   Game 19

{contesting control of the White squares but it is too late} 20...Rxf3 21.Qxf3 Nd4 22.Qe4 Rf4 23.Qxg6 Bxf1 24.Rxf1 (24. Rg1 f3+ 25. Kd1 Nxg1 26. Nxf1 Qa4+ 27. Qc2 Qd4+ 28. Qd2 Qxe5 29. Ng3 Rd4 {now the White Q drops} 30. Kc2 Rxd2+ 31. Bxd2 Nf3 32. Rd1 Bf6 33. Bc1 Ne1+ 34. Rxe1 Qxe1 35. Bd2 Qxf2 {-+ 36.84 Deep Fritz 8}) 24...Qa6 {threatening checkmate at e2} 25.Qe8+ Rf8 26.Qh5 Qd3 27.Rg1 Ne3 28.Rxg7+ (28. fxe3 Bxh4+ 29. Rg3 Bxg3+ 30. Kd1 Rf1#) (28. b3 Ndc2#) 28...Kxg7 29.Qg6+ {a desperado move to stop checkmate} Kxg6 30.h5+ Kxh5 31.Ra2 Ndc2# {1:28-2:51} 0-1
 

White attacks down the queenside and the middle and both kings do not castle.  After a number of piece exchanges, White is up the exchange.  The passed a-pawn decides the game for White.

Alaric 707 – Pharaon 3.5.1    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07    Game 20

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5.g5 Ne4 6.Nf3 Bb7 7.Nc3 Nxc3 8.bxc3 e6 9.e4 {this is a repeat of the previous game Alaric-Firefly} exd5 10.Rb1 dxe4 11.Rxb7 exf3 12.Qd5 Qe7+ 13.Kd1 Nc6 14.Bf4 (14. Bxc4 Qe6 15. Bf4 Qxd5+ 16. Bxd5 Nd8 17. Re1+ Be7 18. h4 a5 19. Rb5 Rc8 20. Rxa5 Ne6 21. Be3 {+/- 1.06 a small edge for White according to Deep Fritz 8}) 14...Qe6 15.Qxf3 Rd8 16.Bh3 Qg6 17.Bc7 Be7 18.Bf5 Qxg5 19.Bxd8 Nxd8 20.Bxd7+ Kf8 21.Rxa7 h5 22.Bb5 Rh6 23.Rd7 Rb6 24.Bxc4 (24. Re1 Rxb5 25. Rdxe7 g6 26. Rd7 Rb1+ 27. Ke2 Qe5+ 28. Qe3 Rb2+ 29. Kf1 Qxe3 30. Rxe3 Ne6 31. a4 Nf4 32. a5 Ra2 33. Ra7 Kg7 {+- 1.33 Deep Fritz 8}) 24...Kg8 25.Re1 Ne6 26.Kc2 {cutting off any kind of Black checks} h4 27.a4 Qg6+ 28.Bd3 Qf6 (28... Qg5 29. Qa8+ Bf8 30. Qe8 Qf4 31. Rxf7 Qb8 32. Qxb8 Rxb8 33. Rf5 g6 34. Rf6 Nc7 35. Rxg6+ Bg7 36. Re7 {+- 12.18 Deep Fritz 8}) 29.Qxf6 Bxf6 30.a5 Rc6 31.Bc4 {this is a good position for the White B  where it cannot be attacked} Nc7 32.Rxf7 Kh7 33.Rb1 Na6 34.Rf8 Be5 35.Rb6 Rxb6 {forced} 36.axb6 Bd6 37.Rd8 Bxh2 38.Bxa6 {+- 10.81 and Black cannot stop the b pawn from Queening} 1-0
 

White plays the strange f3 move to guard the g4 pawn and places the king on f2 where it is safe.  A weak square develops at e6 and White exploits this by attacking the black king.  Black counters by a pawn grab at b2 but loses the queen and the game.

Glaurung 2-E5 – Counter 0.4    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07    Game 22

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5.f3 {an odd way of guarding the pawn at g4, I would have preferred h3 then playing Bg7 later on to get the White B on an effective diagonal.} Qa5+ 6.Kf2 Ba6 7.e4 e6 8.Nc3 d6 9.g5 Nfd7 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Bh3 {attacking the weak Black pawn at e6} e5 12.Qd5 Nb6 13.Qe6+ Kd8 14.Qf7 Bb5 15.g6 N6d7 16.gxh7 Rxh7 17.f4 exf4 {Black has some problems in his position because the Black Q at a5 and B at b5 are not doing much. And the Black K is getting deeper and deeper into trouble.} 18.Bxf4 {another White piece is developed} Rh8 {to over protect the B at f8} 19.Rd1 {another White piece is moved into the Kingside attack} Qb4 20.Bf5 a5 {playing Qxb2+ does nothing because White has Nge2} 21.Nge2 g6 22.Qxg6 Ra6 23.Nd5 Qxb2

White plays an early Bg2 move and chases the black knight for d6 to f5.  This allows the two black knights to post at b4 and d4.  White should have prevented both posted black knights.  White had to play some strange tactics and lost a center pawn.  Black’s two center passed pawns decide the endgame.

Pharaon 3.5.1 – Glaurung 2-E5    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07    Game 25

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5.g5 Ne4 6.Bg2 Nd6 7.e4 Na6 8.e5 Nf5 9.Na3 (9. Be4 Nd4 10. Nf3 Qb6 11. O-O Bb7 12. Na3 Nb4 13. Nxc4 Qb5 14. b3 Bxd5 15. Bxd5 Nxd5 {+/= 0.34 A slight edge for White. The   White N at c4 is well posted.}) 9...Nb4 10.Nxc4 Ba6 11.b3 Nd4 12.Be4 {preventing Nc2+ winning the R} Qb8 13.Bf4 Bb7 14.Ne2 Nxd5 15.Nxd4 Nc3 16.e6 {interesting tactics} Nxd1 17.Bxb8 Bxe4 18.f3 Ne3 19.Nxe3 cxd4 20.exf7+ Kxf7 21.Be5 Bxf3 22.Rf1 dxe3 23.Rxf3+ Kg6 24.Rd1 d6 25.Bf4 e5 26.Bxe3 Be7 {-/+ 1.16 Black has the better endgame prospects. Black is up a pawn and has a pawn roller down the middle.} 27.h4 a6 {An interesting move, it takes the Black pawn away from the attack and frees the Black R at a8 to play Rc8 to take control of the c file.} 28.Rd5 Rhb8 29.Rd2 Rf8 30.Kf2 Rxf3+ 31.Kxf3 Kf5 32.Rd5 Ke6 33.Ke4 Rb8 {threatening to win the White R with Rb4+} 34.Bd2 {this blocks Rb4+} Rb5 35.Rxb5 axb5 36.a4 d5+ 37.Kf3 bxa4 38.bxa4 Kf5 39.a5 e4+ 40.Ke2 d4 41.Be1 Kg4 42.a6 Bc5 {Stopping the White a pawn from Queening. I believe White is lost since Black's pawn roller down the middle cannot be stopped.} 43.Kd2 Kf3 44.Kd1 e3 45.h5 d3 46.Bc3 e2+ 47.Kd2 Ke4 48.Kc1 Be3+ 49.Kb2 Bd4 {1:08-1:38 -+ 12.79 Deep Fritz 8} 0-1
 

White exchanges off queens and obtains control of both the b- and e-files.  Later White posts a N on the powerful d6 square which wins the game because Black cannot prevent White from doubling up rooks on the 7^th rank which would threaten checkmate.

Aristarch 4.50 – Firefly v2.2.2    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07    Game 26

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5. g5 Ne4 6. Qc2 Qa5+ 7. Nd2 Nxd2 8. Bxd2 Qb5 9. e4 Ba6 10. Nf3 e6 11. Rb1 exd5 12. exd5 Bd6 13. b3 Qb6 14. bxc4 Qd8 15. Qe4+ Qe7 16. Qxe7+ Bxe7 17. Bd3 Bd6 18. O-O O-O 19. Rfe1 {White now controls the open e file.} f6 20. gxf6 Rxf6 21. Ng5 Rf8 (21... h6 22. Ne4 Rg6+ 23. Kh1 Bf8 24. Ba5 d6 25. Nd2 Rg4 26. Re8 Rd4 27. Bf5 Kf7 28. Rexb8 Rxb8 29. Rxb8 Be7 30. Bc3 Rxc4 31. Be6+ Kg6 32. Nxc4 Bxc4 {+- 6.93 and White is up a R}) 22. Bxh7+ Kh8 23. Bd3 Kg8 24. Ne4 Be5 25. Nxc5 Bd4 26. Be3 Bxe3 27. Rxe3 Rc8 28. Ne4 Rf8 29. Nd6 {! this N is very strongly posted, it probably wins for White because it clogs the development of Black's pieces} Bc8 30. Rbe1 {putting a lock on the e file} Nc6 {Black has to sac a N to free his game but this loses the game} 31. dxc6 dxc6 32. Rg3 Rd8 33. c5 Be6 {a desperado move to prevent Re7 and Black's K is in very deep trouble} 34. Rxe6 1-0
 

White plays the strange f3 move to guard the g4 pawn and later Black weakens his Kingside position. White has actively posted pieces, whereas Black’s pieces seem to be posted on inactive squares. White castles Kingside and the Black King is trapped in the middle of the board. Black has to sac the Queen to continue the game and in the ensuing Kingside attack Black drops more pieces and has to resign.

Glaurung 2-E5 – Alaric 707    Mutkin Engine Tournament    9/14/07    Game 28

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 {Mutkin} bxc4 5. f3 e6 6. e4 Ba6 7. Na3 Qa5+ 8. Bd2 Qb6 9. Nxc4 Bxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxb2 11. Ne2 Qb6 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Rb1 Qc6 14. Bf4 Na6 15. Nc3 Nc7 16. Bb3 Na6 17. g5 Nh5 18. Ba4 Qc8 19. Be5 h6 {? creating light square weaknesses on the Black Kingside} 20. f4 hxg5 21. fxg5 c4 22. O-O Be7 23. Kh1 Kd8 24. Nb5 Nc5 25. Bc7+ Qxc7 (25... Ke8 26. Qf3 Nf6 27. gxf6 gxf6 28. Nd6+ Kf8 29. Nxc8 Rxc8 30. Bd6 Rh6 31. Qf4 Rg6 32. Rg1 Bxd6 33. Qxd6+ Kf7 34. Bxd7 Rxg1+ 35. Rxg1 Rd8 36. Qxc5 Rxd7 37. Qc8 Rd4 38. Qb7+ Kf8 39. Qb8+ Kf7 40. Qc7+ Kf8 41. Qh7 Rd1 42. Rxd1 Ke8 43. Qc7 c3 44. Rd8#) 26. Nxc7 Kxc7 27. Rf3 Bd6 28. e5 Bxe5 29. Qe1 Bd4 30. Qa5+ Kd6 31. Bb5 e5 32. Bxc4 Rab8 33. Rd1 Kc6 34. a4 Rb2 35. h3 Ra8 36. Bf1 g6 37. Bb5+ Kd6 38. h4 Ne4 39. Qa6+ Kc7 40. Rxd4 exd4 41. Bd3 Nhg3+ 42. Kg1 Rb6 43. Qc4+ Rc6 44. Qxd4 Re6 45. Bb5 Rd6 46. Qc4+ Rc6 47. Bxc6 dxc6 48. Qb4 Nd6 49. Rxg3 {1:26-40sec} 1-0
 

CONCLUSION

In human games the chess database shows that the Mutkin Counter Gambit is very difficult to meet over the board.  My chess student who is an expert on the Benko Gambit has said he was afraid of 2 lines against the Benko.  They are the Nescafe Frappe Attack and the Mutkin Counter Gambit.  I believe that the Mutkin Counter Gambit is a good surprise opening against the Benko Gambit because it is not well known.  There are almost no references to the Mutkin in almost all chess opening books, except for Eric Schillers book “Unorthodox Chess Openings” vol. 2 and a brief mention of the Mutkin in Schiller’s “Gambit Chess Openings” book.

I ran a chess engine tournament to further test the Mutkin Counter Gambit to discover the tactics, strategies, strengths as well as weaknesses in this fascinating counter gambit.  Most chess engines tend to favor material considerations in evaluating a chess position but there are some chess positions that require the evaluation of the dynamic features of the game such as development, control of space, position of strong pieces and etc. which are difficult to quantify and to program into a chess engine.  This material bias means that a chess engine will not always find the best move in a given chess position.  However a strong chess engine will not make a total blunder and will not miss mate in four moves.  Therefore most strong chess engines tend to play high quality games without major blunders.  Like humans, chess engines range in rating strength from 1200 to 2800+.  Glaurung2-E5,  which plays more human like, won this event with a score of 8.5 out of 10 games.

King safety is a key issue in the Mutkin.  White has to find a safe place for the White King.  In the Mutkin castling Kingside early is a requirement, otherwise the White King will be trapped in the middle.  There are rare positions where White can safely castle Queenside or have the King remain the middle of the board, but castling Kingside should be played early in the opening.  After castling Kingside, White can cover his King with a Knight or Bishop on g3 which provides protection for the White King. White cannot allow Black to control the diagonal a6 to f1 with the Black Bishop on a6 before White castles, otherwise the White King will be trapped in the middle of board in an unsafe position with weak White squares. This has occurred in almost all of chess engine Firefly’s losses from the White side. Surprisingly this has also occurred in some of the other chess engine games.

In the 4…bxc4 Mutkin Counter Gambit line I strongly recommend that White play to shut down the Black Queenside attack first by preventing the Black Knight from posting at b4 with the a3 pawn move and posting the White Knight at c3 which blockades the c4 pawn. It is also recommended that White does not recapture the Black c4 pawn right away. Black’s own c3 pawn prevents Black from conducting a strong Queenside attack.

White should castle Kingside early to safeguard his King. Then White can launch a pawn storm down the middle to attack the Black Kingside. A good example of this strategy is the game Nakamura – Chess Genius.

Also in the 4.bxc4 Mutkin line, an interesting move to try is f3 which guards the g4 pawn and also provides a safe place at f2 for the White King to hide. This has to be explored further.

To effectively play the Mutkin from the White side, you have to place your minor and heavy pieces on active attacking squares and control the half open and open files. And take advantage of weak squares in your opponents position. White has to be careful not to drop too many center pawns because Black will have a connected passed pawn roller down the middle of the board which will be very difficult to stop in the endgame.

REFERENCES

Gambit Chess Openings by Eric Schiller
Page 654-A brief mention about the Mutkin

Unorthodox Chess Openings Vol 2 by Eric Schiller
Page  53 -  One page with analysis devoted to the Mutkin

Yahoo Unorthodox Chess Openings Newsgroup Messages
Message Numbers 611, 903, 904, 905, 972, 1065

Yahoo Unorthodox Chess Openings Newgroup File Section
No games posted in file section but games posted within Message no. 611

RESOURCES

• Click here to download the 21 games shown in this article, in zipped PGN format.

________________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2008 Clyde Nakamura.  All rights reserved.

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