Elephant Gambit Miniatures

To learn any new chess opening or gambit it has been my practice to first look at the miniature games in that opening you intend to master.  A miniature game is defined as a game that ends on or before move 25.

By looking at miniature games from that opening you can quickly pick up on the traps, tactics, strategy and opening mistakes that can decide the game.

In this article I will show some key miniature Elephant Gambit games (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5) to give you an idea of how to play this interesting gambit.  However I do not intend to go very deeply into any kind of opening analysis which should be covered by books and ebooks on the Elephant Gambit.

With the second move, 2…d5, Black immediately challenges White for control of the center.

Below is the starting position in the Elephant Gambit:

3. exd5 e4 Knight Chase Line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4

This was one of the first lines that I learned in the Elephant Gambit.  From the position above White has 4.Nd4 Qxd4 or 4.Qe2 Nf6 5.d3 Qxd5. 

Samuel Calthrop – Louis Paulsen     New York/01 Congress 1857

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Bb5+ ?? {forfeits the advantage} ({better is} 4. Qe2 {would be a reprieve} Be7 5. Qxe4 +/=) 4... c6 -/+ 5. dxc6 bxc6 6. Qe2 (6. Bc4 exf3 7. Qxf3 Qe7+ 8. Kf1 Nf6 -+) 6... cxb5 -+ 7. Qxe4+ (7. O-O !? Nf6 8. d3 -+) 7... Qe7 8. Qxe7+ Bxe7 9. Nc3 a6 10. O-O (10. Nd5 Bd8 -+) 10... Nf6 11. d4 O-O (11... b4 !? 12. Na4 Bb7 13. Bg5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 -+) 12. Bg5 Ra7 13. Rfe1 (13. a4 bxa4 14. Nxa4 Rb7 -+) 13... Be6 14. Rad1 h6 (14... Rd8 15. d5 Bg4 16. Rd3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 -+) 15. Bxf6 -/+ Bxf6 16. Ne4 Bd8 17. h3 (17. d5 Bg4 -/+) 17... Bd5 -+ 18. b3 (18. Nc5 Re7 -+) 18... Re7 ({better is} 18... Ba5 19. Re3 Rc7 -+) 19. Nfd2 ?? {simply worsens the situation} ({better is} 19. Nc5 -+) 19... Rfe8 20. f3 f5 21. c4 Ba8 22. d5 fxe4 (22... fxe4 23. Rxe4 Nd7 -+) 0-1
 

Samuel Reshevsky – ED Duncan     San Francisco, CA USA Simul 1921

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 (2... Nc6 3. d4 +/=) 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. Nc3 (5. d3 Qxd5 6. Nbd2 +/-) 5... Bc5 ? ({better is} 5... Be7 {would keep Black alive} 6. Nxe4 O-O +/=) 6. Nxe4 +- O-O 7. Nxf6+ (7. Nxc5 Re8 8. Ne5 Qxd5 +-) 7... Qxf6 +/- 8. c3 Bd7 (8... Qf5 9. d4 Bd6 10. Be3 +-) 9. d4 +- Bd6 (9... Bb6 10. Qc2 Re8+ 11. Be3 +-) 10. Be3 (10. Qc2 Re8+ 11. Be3 Bg4 +-) 10... Bf5 11. Nd2 Nd7 12. g3 (12. h4 a6 +- ) 12... Rfe8 (12... Qg6 13. Nf3 Be4 14. Bg2 Bxd5 15. O-O +/-) 13. Bg2 Qg6 14. O-O-O (14. Nf3 Qh5 +/-) 14... c5 (14... Nb6 !? +/-) 15. dxc6 +- bxc6 16. Bxc6 ?? {releasing the pressure on the opponent} (16. Qa6 Rac8 +/-) 16...Rac8 +- 17. Bxd7 ?? {a weak move, ruining a winning position} ({better is} 17. Qb5 +- {White has the better game}) 17... Rxc3+ {Demolition of pawn structure} (17... Rxc3+ 18. bxc3 Ba3#) 0-1
 

Svetozar Gligoric – Christa Holze     Berlin, GER 1970

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. Nc3 (5. d3 Qxd5 6. Nbd2 Bb4 +/-) 5... Be7 +/= 6. Nxe4 O-O 7. d3 {Controls e4} Re8 8. Bd2 Nxd5 9. O-O-O ({better is} 9. c4 Nb4 10. Be3 =) 9... Be6 ({better is} 9... f5!? =/+) 10. Kb1 (10. Nfg5 Bxg5 11. Bxg5 f6 +/=) 10... Nc6 11. Nc3?? {gives the opponent counterplay} (11. h3 Ndb4 12. a3 Ba2+ 13. Kc1 Nd5 =) 11... Bf6?? {letting the wind out of his own sails} (11... Nxc3+ 12. Bxc3 Bg5 13. Be5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 -+) 12. Nxd5 ({better is} 12. Ne4+/= {would keep White alive}) 12... Qxd5 -/+ 13. c4 Qd6 14. Be3 b5 15. Qc2? ({better is} 15. Nd2 bxc4 16. Ne4 -/+) 15... Nb4 -+ 16. Qc1 (16. Qb3 Rab8 17. d4 Bf5+ 18. Kc1 bxc4 19. Bxc4 -+) 16... bxc4 17. dxc4 (17. Nd4 {a last effort to resist the inevitable} Bxd4 18. Bxd4 Qxd4 19. Qc3 Qxc3 20. bxc3 Nxd3 21. Rd2 -+) 17... Qa6 (17... Bf5+ 18. Bd3 Bxd3+ 19. Rxd3 Qxd3+ 20. Ka1 Nc2+ 21. Kb1 Nxe3+ 22. Ka1 Nc2+ 23. Kb1 Rab8 24. Ne5 Rxe5 25. a3 Re1 26. Qxe1 Nb4+ 27. Ka1 Qxa3+ 28. Kb1 Qxb2#) 18. a3 Bf5+ 19. Ka1 Qxa3# 0-1

Position after 19.Ka1

NN – Emil Diemer     Corr 1978

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Qe7 (4... Be7 5. Qxe4 Nf6 6. Bb5+ Nc6 7. Qc4 Qxd5 8. Qxd5 Nxd5 9. a3 +/-) 5. Nd4 +/- Qe5 (5... Nf6 6. Nc3 +/-) 6. Nb3 (6. Nb5 Bb4 7. Nxc7+ Qxc7 8. Qb5+ Bd7 9. Qxb4 Nf6 +-) 6... f5 (6... Nf6 7. Nc3 c6 8. dxc6 Nxc6 9. d4 +/-) 7. d3 (7. Nc3 !? Bd6 +-) 7... Nf6 +/- 8. dxe4 fxe4 9. f3 (9. Nc3 Bd6 +/-) 9... Bd6 (9... Be7 10. Nc3 +/=) 10. fxe4 ({better is} 10. Nc3 !? {should be investigated more closely} exf3 11. gxf3 +/=) 10... Bg4 11. Qb5+ ? ({better is} 11. Qe3 {and White could well hope to play on} O-O 12. Nc3 = ) 11... Nbd7 -+ 12. Qxb7 ?? {simply worsens the situation.} ({better is} 12. Qc4 Nxe4 13. Be2 -+) 12... Nxe4 (12... Qxe4+ 13. Kd2 Qf4+ 14. Ke1 Qe5+ 15. Kf2 Ne4+ 16. Ke3 Qf4+ 17. Kd4 Be5+ 18. Kc4 Nd6+ 19. Kd3 Nc5+ 20. Nxc5 Qd4#) 13. Qxa8+ (13. Be2 {cannot change what is in store for ?} O-O 14. Be3 Nec5 15. Bxg4 Nxb7 -+) 13... Kf7 ({better is} 13... Ke7 {and Black can already relax} 14. Be2 Rxa8 -+) 14. Qxh8 (14. Be2 {is still a small chance} Nef6 15. Nc3 Rxa8 16. Bf4 Qxf4 17. Bxg4 Qxg4 18. O-O -+) 14... Qg3+ !! {a decisive sacrifice that breaks all resistance} 15. hxg3 Bxg3# {The nicest combinations are those leading to mate. . . . . .} 0-1

Position after 14.Qxh8
 

Petersen – Tom V. Purser        Warner Robins 1985

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Nd4 (4. Qe2!? Be7 5. Qxe4 +/=) 4... Qxd5= 5. Nb3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qe5 7. Be2 Bd7 (7... Nc6 8. d4 exd3 9. cxd3=/+) 8. O-O Bd6 9. g3 h5 (9... O-O 10. d3 exd3 11. Qxd3 =) 10. d4 Qf5 (10... Qxd4 11. Nxd4 +-) 11. Re1 h4 (11... O-O 12. Qd2 h4 13. Qg5 hxg3 14. fxg3 =) 12. Bf3 (12. Nxe4!? Nxe4 13. Bf3 hxg3 14. fxg3 +/-) 12... hxg3+/= 13. fxg3 Qh3 14. Qe2 Bxg3 15. hxg3 Qxg3+ 16. Bg2 Ng4??  {another bit of territory lost} ({better is} 16... Qh2+ 17. Kf1 Bh3 18. Bxh3 Qxh3+ 19. Qg2 Qf5+ 20. Kg1 Nc6 +/-) 17. Qxe4+ ({better is} 17. Bf4 {!  and the result of the game is clear: White will win} Qxf4 18. Qxe4+ Qxe4 19. Rxe4+ Kf8 20. Rxg4 Bxg4 21. Bxb7+-) 17... Kf8 (17... Be6!?  {seems even better} 18. Qf4 Qxe1+ 19. Qf1 Qxf1+ 20. Kxf1 Bc4+ 21. Kg1 -+) 18. Re2 (18. Qf4 Qxe1+ 19. Qf1 Qxf1+ 20. Kxf1 -+) 18... Rh1+!? (18... Rh1+ 19. Kxh1 Qh2#) 0-1

Position after 18.Re2
 

L. Hols – Stefan Buecker       Germany 1987

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7  6. Ne5 O-O {Black castles and improves king safety} 7. Nxe4 (7. Qc4 a6 8. d4 b5 =) 7... Nxd5 -/+ 8. d3 (8. d4 !? f6 9. Nc4 -/+ ) 8... f6 -+ 9. Nf3 f5 10. Ned2 ??  {White falls apart} ({better is} 10. Nc3 Bb4 11. Qd2 Re8+ 12. Kd1 -+) 10... Re8 -+ 11. Nc4 (11. Ne5 {the only chance to get some counterplay} Bf6 12. Ndc4 -+) 11... Bb4+ (11... Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Bxd2+ 13. Nfxd2 Rxe2+ 14. Bxe2 Nb4 -+) 0-1
 

Karl De Smet – Niels Jorgen Jensen    Corr 1987

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 (5... Qxd5 {!?} 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. Nxe4 Be6 8. Nxf6+ gxf6 +/-) 6. Nc3 +- O-O 7. Nxe4 (7. dxe4 Ng4 8. Bg5 Qd6 +-) 7... Re8 ? (7... Be7 8. c4 c6 9. d6 Bxd6 10. Bg5 Bb4+ 11. Nfd2 +/-) 8. Bg5 (8. Nxf6+ gxf6 9. Be3 f5 +-) 8... Nbd7 (8... Be7 !? +/-) 9. O-O-O c6 (9... Be7 10. Qd2 +/-) 10. Bxf6 ({better is} 10. Re1 {the advantage is on the side of White} Re7 11. dxc6 bxc6 12. Qd2 +-) 10... Nxf6 +/- 11. Nxf6+ gxf6 12. Qd2 Qxd5 13. Kb1 b5 14. d4 Bf8 15. Qf4 (15. Bd3 !? +/-) 15... Be6 16. b3 a5 17. Qxf6 (17. Bd3 a4 18. Rhe1 axb3 19. axb3 Ra3 =) 17... Bg7 (17... a4 18. Qg5+ Qxg5 19. Nxg5 axb3 20. cxb3 Bf5+ 21. Bd3 Bxd3+ 22. Rxd3 =) 18. Qh4 h6 {Consolidates g5} (18... Bf5 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Rxd3 +/-) 19. Bd3 +/- f5 (19... a4 20. Qe4 +/-) 20. Rhe1 (20. c4 !? bxc4 21. Bxc4 Qd7 +-) 20... a4 +/- 21. c4 (21. Qg3 axb3 22. axb3 Kf8 +/-) 21... Qd6 ({better is} 21... Qd7 22. Ne5 Qb7 23. cxb5 axb3 24. Nxc6 bxa2+ 25. Kb2 Rac8 =) 22. Ne5 ?? {ruins a clearly superior position} ({better is} 22. c5 Qc7 23. Rxe6 Rxe6 24. Bxf5 +/=) 22... axb3 -+ 23. Re2 (23. c5 {the last chance for counterplay} Qd5 24. Rd2 -+) 23... Rxa2 (23...Rxa2 24. c5 Qd5 -+) 0-1
 

Beatmaster (2034) – Evilone (1991)    Internet Chess Club    Game 5min.    11/9/97

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Ng5 {e4 draws heavy fire. White threatens to win material: Ng5xe4} (6. Nxe4 Nxd5 7. c4 Nb6 +/=) 6... O-O = 7. Ngxe4 Nxd5 8. Nxd5 Qxd5 {Black has a king attack} 9. Nc3 {White threatens to win material: Nc3xd5} Qd8 10. d3 Nc6 11. Be3 {White's piece can't move: f1} Bf6 12. g3 {Controls h4} Re8 13. Bg2 Nd4 {Black threatens to win material: Nd4xe2} 14. Qd2 (14. Qd1 !? is worth looking at} Nf5 15. O-O Rxe3 16. fxe3 Nxe3 17. Qh5 =) 14... Bg4 -/+ 15. O-O (15. Qc1 Nf3+ 16. Kf1 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Qf6 =) 15... Nf3+ 16. Bxf3 Bxf3 17. Ne4 {?? an oversight. But White was lost anyway.} ({better is} 17. Ne2 -/+) 17... Qd7 -+ 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 (18... gxf6 19. Qd1 Bxd1 20. Rfxd1 h5 -+ ) 0-1
 

Ego-crusher (2690) – Evilone (2043)  Internet Chess Club  Game u 2m 4incr  1/2/98

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. Qe2 Nf6 5. c4 ??  {White lets it slip away} ({better is} 5. d3 Qxd5 6. Nbd2 +/=) 5... Be7 {White's pieces can't move: c1+f1} (5... Bb4 6. a3 O-O 7. Ng5 -/+) 6. Nd4 (6. Ng5 O-O 7. Nxe4 c6 =/+) 6... c6 {Black threatens to win material: c6xd5} (6... O-O 7. Qe3 -/+) 7. Nc3 cxd5 8. cxd5 {White has a new passed pawn: d5.} O-O 9. Nxe4 (9. d3 exd3 10. Qxd3 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 =/+) 9... Qxd5 (9... Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Bc5 11. Ne2 -+) 10. Nxf6+ Bxf6 (10... Bxf6 11. Nc2 Rd8 -/+) 0-1
 

Chen Fan (2385)–Lin Weiguo (2469)  TCh-CHN Men  Suzhou, Jiangsu CHN   4/2/01

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 e4 {Black threatens to win material: e4xf3} 4. Ne5 (4. Qe2 Be7 5. Qxe4 Nf6 +/=) 4... Qxd5 = 5. d4 exd3 6. Nxd3 {White king safety dropped} Nc6 7. Nc3 Qe6+ (7... Qf5 !? = {has some apparent merit}) 8. Be2 +/= Bd7 9. Nb5 {White threatens to win material: Nb5xc7} (9. Nf4 Qf5 10. g4 Qa5 +/=) 9... O-O-O +/= 10. Bf4 Nb4 {Black threatens to win material: Nb4xa2} 11. Nxa7+ (11. Nxc7 !? Qe4 12. Qd2 Nxd3+ 13. cxd3 Qxg2 14. Rf1 +/=) 11... Kb8 = 12. Nxb4 ({better is} 12. O-O ? {is noteworthy} Nd5 13. Be5 Kxa7 14. c4 =) 12... Bxb4+ -/+ 13. c3 Be7 14. Be3 (14. Qd3 !? Kxa7 15. Bxc7 -/+) 14...c5 -+ 15. Qb3 Kxa7 16. Qa3+ Kb8 17. O-O-O Qe5 18. Rxd7 ? (18. Rhe1 Bg5 19. Bf3 -+) 18... Rxd7 19. Qa4 Qc7 0-1
 

3.exd5 Bd6 Jonathan Rogers Line

This line is covered in the book Winning With The Elephant Gambit by Jonathan Rogers.  Black will later play f5, Nf6 and castle kingside and attack White’s kingside position by first playing e4, chasing the White Knight from the f3 square.

Poehlmann – Emil J. Diemer    Corr 1947

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6 4. d4 e4 5. Ne5 Ne7 (5... c6 6. c4 +/=) 6. Bg5 ({better is} 6. Nc3 !? f6 7. Nc4 +/-) 6... O-O = 7. Bh4 f6 {Controls g5} 8. Bc4 ? ({better is} 8. Nc4 {=/+and White hangs on}) 8... Nf5 -+ (8... fxe5 {is clearly weaker} 9. dxe5 e3 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. fxe3 +/-) 9. Bg3 b5 {! Black stays in the lead} (9... Nxg3 10. hxg3 fxe5 11. dxe5 =/+) 10. Bxb5 ({better is} 10. Bb3 !? fxe5 11. dxe5 -+) 10... fxe5 -+ 11. dxe5 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Bxe5 13. Qh5 (13. Nc3 Nd7 14. Nxe4 Nf6 -+) 13... Bf5 (13... Bxb2 {and Black can already relax} 14. Qxh7+ Kf7 15. Rh4 Qxd5 16. c4 -+) 14. c3 Qxd5 15. Na3 Qc5 (15... Kh8 !? 16. Bc4 Qd6 17. Rd1 -+) 16. Bc4+ Kh8 17. Rc1 ?? {terrible, but the game is lost in any case} ({better is} 17. O-O-O Qe7 18. Nc2 -+) 17... Nc6 18. Qg5 Bg6 19. Qd2 (19. O-O {what else?} Rf5 20. Qe3 Qxe3 21. fxe3 -+) 19... e3 20. Qd7 exf2+ 21. Kf1 Rad8 22. Qh3 Qxc4+ ! {Eliminates the defender c4} 23. Nxc4 Bd3# {A double attack} 0-1
 

Belai – Gyoergy Halasz   Corr 1966

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6 4. Qe2 Qe7 5. d3 f5 6. Bg5 Nf6 7. Nbd2 Nbd7 8. Nc4 {Pawn e5, live or die!} O-O 9. O-O-O (9. d4 Re8 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nfxe5 Bxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 +/-) 9... b5 10. Nxd6 Qxd6 11. d4 e4 {This push gains space} 12. Nh4 Nxd5 13. g4 N7b6 14. gxf5 Bxf5 15. Nxf5 Rxf5 16. h4 Raf8 17. Qxe4 Nc3 18. bxc3 Qa3+ 19. Kd2 Rxf2+ 20. Kd3 ??  {an unfortunate move that relinquishes the win} ({better is} 20. Be2 {is the best chance} Nc4+ 21. Kd3 Nb2+ 22. Kd2 Nc4+ 23. Kd3 Nb2+ 24. Kd2 Nc4+ =) 20... R8f3+ (20... Na4 21. Qe6+ Kh8 22. Bd2 Nb2+ 23. Ke4 Nxd1 24. Rh3 -+) 21. Be3 Qxa2 (21... Qxa2 22. Qe8+ Rf8 23. Qxf8+ Rxf8 -+) 0-1

J Chuah (1976) – Evilone (1988)  Internet Chess Club Game 10min. 8/19/97

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6  4. Bc4 (4. Qe2 Nd7 +/-) 4... f5 (4... Nf6 !?  {must definitely be considered} 5. Nc3 O-O +/=) 5. O-O e4 {Black threatens to win material: e4xf3} 6. Nd4 Nf6 7. d3 Bxh2+ ? ({better is } 7... a6 +/-) 8. Kxh2 +- Ng4+ 9. Kg3 (9. Kg1 !?  {seems even better} c5 10. dxe4 cxd4 11. Qxd4 O-O +-) 9... h5 (9... Qd6+ 10. f4 Qg6 11. Qe2 +-) 10. dxe4 fxe4 11. Re1 ?? {forfeits the clear win} ({better is} 11. Ne6 {and White wins} Bxe6 12. dxe6 +-) 11... h4+ -+ 12. Kf4 (12. Kh3 {is no salvation} Nxf2+ 13. Kh2 Qd6+ (13... Nxd1 14. Rxe4+ Kf8 15. Rf4+ Ke7 16. Re4+ Kd7 17. Ne6 -/+) 14. Kg1 Nxd1 15. Rxe4+ Kd7 -+) 12... Qf6+ ({better is } 12... O-O+ {it becomes clear that Black will call all the shots} 13. Kxe4 Nxf2+ 14. Ke3 Qg5+ 15. Ke2 Qg4+ 16. Nf3 Nxd1 17. Nbd2 Nc3+ 18. bxc3 Qxg2+ 19. Kd1 -+) 13. Kxe4 Nxf2+ 14. Ke3 Nxd1+ 15. Kd2+ (15. Kd3+ {hardly improves anything} Kd8 16. Rxd1 h3 -+) 15... Kd8 (15... Kd8 16. c3 c5 17. dxc6 Nxc6 18. Kxd1 Nxd4 -+) 0-1
 

IM Tadej Sakelsek (2425)-Philip Corbin (2242)  36^th Olympiad/Calvia, Spain 2004

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6 4. d4 e4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Nxc6 Qb6 9. c4 Nxc6 10. d5 {White threatens to win material: d5xc6} O-O {Black has a strong king attack} 11. Bxc6 Ng4 {Black has a mate threat} 12. Qe2 f5 ({better is} 12... Rb8 =  {and Black hangs on}) 13. Bxa8 +- f4 14. f3 {White threatens to win material: f3xg4} (14. Nd2 e3 15. O-O exd2 16. Qxd2 f3 +/=) 14... Ne5 15. Nc3 (15. Nd2 !? e3 16. Ne4 +/- ) 15... exf3 = 16. gxf3 Bf5 17. Ne4 ({better is} 17. Bc6 {would keep White in the game} Nd3+ 18. Kd1 Nf2+ 19. Ke1 Nd3+ 20. Kd1 Nf2+ 21. Ke1 Nd3+ 22. Kd1 {=}) 17... Bb4+ -+ 18. Kd1 Qd4+ 19. Kc2 Nxf3 20. Rd1 Bxe4+ (20... Rxa8 21. Bxf4 Rf8 22. Kb3 Bxe4 23. a3 Rxf4 24. axb4 =/+) (20... Qxe4+ ?! 21. Qxe4 Bxe4+ 22. Kb3 =) 21. Kb3 Rb8 22. Bc6 (22. Bb7 Rxb7 23. a3 Nd2+ 24. Ka2 -+) 22... Bd2+ 23. Bb5 (23. Ka4 {doesn't do any good} Qxb2 !! {Mate attack} 24. Bxb2 Bc2+ 25. Ka3 Bb4#) 23... Rxb5+ ! {Mate attack} 24. cxb5 (24. cxb5 Qb4# {Mate attack})  24... Qb4# 0-1

Position after 24.cxb5

Esperanza (1885) – Evilone (1937)   Playchess.com  Game 5min. 4/4/04

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6 4. Nc3 f5 5. Bb5+ Nd7 6. d4 {White threatens to win material: d4xe5} e4 {Black threatens to win material: e4xf3} 7. Ne5 {White can be proud of that piece} Ngf6 8. Bg5 {White has an active position} O-O 9. Bxd7 Bxd7 {Black has the pair of bishops} 10. Qd2 Qe8 11. Bxf6 Rxf6 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. O-O-O b5 14. f3 b4 15. Ne2 exf3 16. gxf3 a5 17. Nf4 a4 18. Ne6 b3 19. cxb3 ({better is} 19. a3 {!?  = and White can hope to survive}) 19... axb3 -/+ 20. axb3 Qb5 21. Qc3 Bb4 ??  {forfeits the advantage} ({better is} 21...Qxd5 22. Nc5 Rg6 -/+) 22. Qxc7 ??  ignoring the path to victory.} ({better is} 22. Qc4 Qa5 23. Kc2 +-) 22... Ra1+ 23. Kc2 Qe2+ (23... Qe2+ 24. Rd2 Qxd2#) 0-1
 

Buck Buchanan (2001)-Brian Wall (2201) CSCC Game/12 with 2 sec delay 3/3/04

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6  4. Nc3 f5? { Nakamura: not sure why Deep Shredder marked this as questionable. In fact I believe that this is the best move in the position.} (4... Nf6 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 bxc6 7. Be2 +/-) 5. d3 ({better is} 5. d4!? e4 6. Ng5 +-) 5... Nf6 +/- 6. Bg5 O-O 7. Be2 Qe8 8. Bxf6 Rxf6 9. O-O e4 10. dxe4 fxe4 11. Nd4 (11. Bb5 Qg6 12. Nh4 Qh6 +/-) 11... Rh6 ({better is} 11...Qe5 12. g3 Bh3 =/+) 12. h3?? {throwing away the advantage} ({better is} 12. g3 Bh3 13. Bb5 +/-) 12... Bxh3 -+ 13. gxh3 Qe5 ({better is} 13... Rxh3!? 14. Re1 Qe5-+) 14. f4 =/+ exf3 {Black has a mate threat} 15. Nxf3?? ({better is} 15. Rxf3 {this is the best bet to save the position} Rg6+ 16. Kf1 =/+) 15... Qg3+ 16. Kh1 Rxh3+ 17. Nh2 Rxh2#  0-1
 

Mauro Catozzi (2147) – Stephane Morin (2055)  SH.2006.0.00068/LSS  10/17/06

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6 4. d4 e4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Nxc6 Qb6 9. c4 Nxc6 10. d5 {White threatens to win material: d5xc6} O-O {Black has a strong king attack} 11. Bxc6 {An ideal square for the white bishop.} Ng4 {Black has a mate threat} 12. Qe2 {White threatens to win material: Qe2xe4} Rb8 13. Nc3 f5 14. Ba4 (14. h3!? { should be investigated more closely} Ne5 15. O-O Nxc6 16. dxc6 Qxc6 17. b3 =) 14... Bc5 -/+ 15. O-O Qc7 16. g3 f4 17. Bxf4 ({better is} 17. d6 !? Qf7 18. d7 -/+) 17... Rxf4 -+ 18. Nxe4 Qe5 19. Rae1 Rxb2 20. Bc2 (20. Qxb2 Bd4 (20... Rxe4 {is easily refuted} 21. Qxe5 Rxe5 22. Rb1 +-) 21. Qb1 Qh5 +-) 20... Rxc2 21. Qxc2 Qh5 22. h4 Ne5 23. Ng5 Rg4 (23... Rg4 24. Kg2 Rxg5 -/+) 0-1

Position after 23.Ng5
 

Nagy Attila1980 (2003)-DarthMusashi (1858)  Playchess.com  Game 5min. 5/17/08

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 {Elephant Gambit} 3. exd5 Bd6 {the Jonathan Rogers line, this was covered by Master Jonathan Rogers in his book on the Elephant Gambit} 4. d3 f5 5. Bg5 Nf6 6. Nc3 a6 {to prevent Nb5 which would take out my valuable B at d6 which is needed in a Kingside attack} 7. Be2 O-O 8. Qd2 h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. O-O-O {White did not like the Black setup on the Kingside.} Nd7 {over protecting the e5 pawn  (Nimzovich)} 11. Kb1 b5 12. Rde1 Bb7 {-/+ 1.15 despite being one pawn down Black has the better game because White's game is very cramped. White's pieces are not very well coordinated and do not  have much space to maneuver.} 13. d4 e4 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Bxe5 16. Nd1 Rfd8 {Black is putting more pressure on the White center. White is getting into deeper trouble.} 17. c4 c6 18. f4 Bd4 19. g4 cxd5 20. g5 hxg5 21. fxg5 Qe5 22. cxd5 Bxd5 23. h4 e3 {-+ 8.25 Deep Junior 10 White has some very serious problems, if Qc2  the Rac8, if Qa5 then Black has Bxh1} 0-1

Position after 23.h4
 

3. Nxe5 dxe4 4.Bc4  The Attack on f7
 

You will notice that the 2 positions above look very similar.  In both positions Black can play …Qg5 attacking both the Knight at e5 and the pawn at g2.  In the Latvian Gambit the move 4…d5 is also playable.

However from having played both positions in games, I believe that the Elephant Gambit position on the left is a lot more dangerous for White than the Latvian Gambit position on the right.  White should not underestimate Black’s attack with 3…Qg5 because White can get into very deep trouble very early in the opening.  The sample miniature games will clearly show you this fact.

NN – David Bronstein     Moscow – Kislovodsk  1954

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. Bxf7+ Ke7 {Black loses the right to castle} 6. Qh5 Qxg2 {Black traps the enemy king in the center} 7. Bxg8 {White has a mate threat} Qxh1+ 8. Ke2 Rxg8 9. Qf7+ {White forks: g8+e7} Kd6 10. Qxg8 ??  {further deteriorates the position} ({better is} 10. Nc4+ Kc5 11. b4+ Kc6 12. b5+ Kxb5 13. Qd5+ Bc5 14. Nc3+ Ka6 15. Ne5 =/+) 10... Kxe5 -+ 11. Qxf8 (11. d4+ {a last effort to resist the inevitable} exd3+ ! {Mate attack} 12. Kd2 -+) 11... Bg4+ (11... Qxc1 12. Qxc8 Nc6 13. Qxc7+ Kf6 14. Qd6+ Kf7 15. Qd5+ Kf8 16. Qc5+ Kg8 17. a4 -+) 12. Ke3 (12. f3 {cannot undo what has already been done} Qxh2+ 13. Kd1 Qg1+ 14. Ke2 exf3+ 15. Qxf3 Bxf3+ 16. Kxf3 Nc6 17. Ke2 Qg2+ 18. Kd3 Qe4+ 19. Kc3 Qd4+ 20. Kb3 Qb4#) 12... Qe1# 0-1
 

W. Schneider – Niels Jorgen Jensen      /34-04/ Corr 1986

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. Bxf7+ Ke7 6. d4 Qxg2 7. Rf1 Nd7 8. Nxd7 ({better is} 8. Bc4 Ngf6 9. Bf4 +/-) 8... Bxd7= 9. Bxg8 ({better is} 9. Bc4 {!?  is an interesting alternative} Bg4 10. Be2 =) 9... Rxg8 -/+ 10. Qh5 g5 11. Qxh7+ ? (11. Nc3 Bh3 12. Qxh7+ Bg7 13. Qxe4+ Qxe4+ 14. Nxe4 Bxf1 15. Bxg5+ Ke6 16. Kxf1 Bxd4 17. c3 +/=) 11... Rg7 -+ 12. Bxg5+ ??  {the final mistake, not that it matters anymore.} (12. Qh5 Bg4 13. Qh6 -+) 12... Qxg5 13. Qxe4+ Kf7 (13... Kd8 {keeps an even firmer grip} 14. f4 Qb5 15. Nd2 -+) 14. Qf3+ (14. Kd1 {otherwise it's curtains at once} Bc6 15. Qd3 -+) 14... Kg8 15. Qb3+ Kh8 16. Nc3 (16. Kd1 {praying for a miracle} Re8 17. h3 Qh5+ 18. f3 -+) 16... Re7+ 17. Kd1 Bg4+ 18. f3 (18. Ne2 {does not win a prize} Bxe2+ 19. Ke1 Bf3+ 20. Qe3 Rxe3+ 21. Kd2 Rb3+ 22. Ke1 Re8#) 18... Bxf3+ ! {Mate attack.} 19. Rxf3 (19. Rxf3 Qg1+ {Mate attack}) 19... Qg1+ 20. Kd2 Qxd4+ 21. Rd3 (21. Kc1 {is not the saving move} Re1+ 22. Nd1 Rxd1#) 21... Bh6+ 22. Kd1 Qg1# 0-1

Position after 18.f3
 

John Lai – Paul Motta   0873  Oregon Open/Portland  1990

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. d4 Qxg2 6. Qh5 {f7 draws heavy fire} Qxh1+ 7. Ke2 Nf6 ({better is} 7... Ne7 {makes sure everything is clear} 8. Bg5 Bd7 -+) 8. Qxf7+ Kd8 9. Bg5 Be7 ??  {letting the wind out of his own sails} (9... Nbd7 10. Qe6 c6 11. Nf7+ Kc7 12. Nxh8 Bb4 -+) 10. Bxf6 ?? ({better is} 10. Qxg7 {would bring relief} Rf8 11. Nc3 Bg4+ 12. Nxg4 Qf3+ 13. Ke1 =/+) 10... gxf6 (10... Bxf6 !?  {might be the shorter path} 11. Qd5+ Bd7 12. Nf7+ Kc8 13. Nxh8 Bg4+ 14. Kd2 -+) 11. Qd5+ Bd7 12. Nf7+ Kc8 13. Nxh8 Bg4+ 14. Kd2 Qd1+ 15. Kc3 Qf3+ 16. Bd3 exd3 17. Qg8+ (17. Qxf3 {is still a small chance} Bxf3 18. Nd2 -+) 17... Kd7 18. Nd2 Qc6+ ({better is} 18... Nc6 {secures the point} 19. Nxf3 Rxg8 20. Rg1 dxc2 21. Kxc2 -+) 19. Kxd3 Bf5+ (19... Qb5+ !?  {and Black can already relax} 20. Qc4 Qf5+ 21. Ke3 -+) 20. Ke3 (20. Ke2 {cannot undo what has already been done} Qb5+ 21. Kf3 Nc6 -+) 20... Qe6+ (20... Qe6+ 21. Qxe6+ Bxe6 -+) 0-1
 

Bill Lynch – Paul Motta   Billings 1991  Rd 4

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. Bxf7+ Ke7 6. d4 Qxg2 7. Rf1 {last book move} Nd7 8. Nxd7 (8. Bc4 Ngf6 9. Na3 +/=) 8... Bxd7 =/+ 9. Qh5 ?? ({better is} 9. Bd5 {would be a reprieve} Nf6 10. Bxb7 -/+) 9... Nf6 -+ 10. Bg5 Bg4 11. Bxf6+ gxf6 12. Qd5 Rd8 13. Qb3 (13. Qc4 {hoping against hope} b5 14. Qxb5 Kxf7 15. Qc4+ Be6 16. Qxc7+ Rd7 17. Qg3 -+) 13... Rxd4 14. Nc3 Bh6 15. Rd1 Rhd8 16. Nd5+ (16. Qb4+ {doesn't change anything anymore} Rxb4 17. Bd5 Bxd1 18. b3 Qf3 19. Rg1 Qxc3+ 20. Kf1 Bf3 21. Rg7+ Bxg7 22. Bf7 Rd1#) 16... R8xd5 (16... R8xd5 17. Qxd5 Rxd5 18. Bxd5 Qf3 19. Rd2 Qf4 20. Rd1 Bxd1 21. Rg1 Bf3 22. Rg7+ Bxg7 23. b3 Qc1#) 0-1

Position after 16.Nd5+
 

Michael J. Read – David A. Flude      ENG-AUS Corr/England   1996

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. Bxf7+ Ke7 6. d4 Qxg2 7. Rf1 Nd7 8. Qh5 ??  {ignoring the path to victory} ({better is} 8. Bc4 Ngf6 9. Bf4 +/-) 8... Ngf6 (8... Nxe5 {makes it even easier for Black} 9. dxe5 Bg4 10. Bg5+ Nf6 11. exf6+ gxf6 12. Bxf6+ Kxf6 13. Qa5 -+) 9. Bg5 ??  {simply worsens the situation} (9. Qg5 Qxg5 10. Bxg5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Kxf7 12. exf6 gxf6 13. Bf4 -+) 9... Nxe5 10. dxe5 Bg4 11. Qh4 (11. exf6+ {doesn't change the outcome of the game} gxf6 12. Bxf6+ Kxf6 -+) 11... Kxf7 (11... Qf3!?  {keeps an even firmer grip} 12. Nc3 Kxf7 13. h3 Bxh3 14. exf6 -+ ) 12. Qg3 Qxg3 13. fxg3 Bh3 (13... Bh3 14. exf6 Bxf1 15. Kxf1 gxf6 -+) 0-1
 

Celesv0.77c(2420)–Aristarch4.50(2530) COMPGroßes Dezember-Engineturnier 2004

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. Nxf7 Qxg2 6. Qh5 ??  {terrible, but what else could White do to save the game?} (6. Rf1 Bg4 7.Be2 Bxe2 8. Qxe2 Kxf7 9. Qc4+ Ke8 10. Qxc7 -+) 6... Qxh1+ 7. Ke2 Nf6 ({better is} 7... g6 {seems even better} 8. Qe5+ Ne7 -+) 8. Qb5+ (8. Nd6+ {desperation} Kd7 9. Qh3+ Kxd6 10. Qxc8 {-+}) 8... Nc6 9. Ne5 Kd8 10. Nf7+ Ke7 11. Qc5+ Ke8 12. Qb5 Bg4+ 13. f3 Qxf3+ 14. Ke1 Qd1+ 15. Kf2 e3+ !  {Mate attack} 16. dxe3 (16. dxe3 Ne4+ {Mate attack}) (16. Kxe3 Qf3# {Mate attack}) 16... Ne4+ 17. Kg2 Qf3+ 18. Kg1 Qf2+ 19. Kh1 Bf3# 0-1

Position after 15.Kf2
 

BurninUp (1991)-DarthMusashi(1901)  Playchess.com Game 3min. 9/21/08

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. Nxf7 Qxg2 6. Qh5 ??  {the position was bad, and this mistake simply hastens the end} (6. Rf1 Bg4 7. Be2 Bxe2 8. Qxe2 Kxf7 9. Qc4+ Ke8 10. Qxc7 -+) 6... Qxh1+ 7. Ke2 Nf6 ({better is} 7... g6 {might be the shorter path} 8. Qe5+ Be7 -+) 8. Qe5+ (8. Nd6+ {what else?} Kd7 9. Qh3+ Kxd6 10. Qxc8 {-+}) 8... Be7 9. Nxh8 Bg4+ 10. Ke3 (10. f3 {doesn't improve anything} Bxf3+ 11. Ke3 Qg1+ 12. Kf4 Qxh2+ 13. Kg5 Qh6+ 14. Kf5 Bg4#)10... Qf3+ 11. Kd4 Nc6# 0-1

Position after 9.Nxh8
 

Andre (1882) – DarthMusashi (1926)  Playchess.com   Game 5min. 5/3/08

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 dxe4 4. Bc4 Qg5 5. Nxf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 Bg4 7. f3 ??  {an oversight. But White was lost anyway.} (7. Be2 Bxe2 8. Qxe2 Kxf7 9. Qc4+ Ke8 10. Qxc7 Nd7 -+) 7... exf3 (7... Bxf3 8. Nxh8 Be7 9. Qxf3 exf3 -+) 8. Nxh8 ??  {terrible, but the game is lost in any case} (8. d4 Be7 9. Qd3 Bh4+ 10. Kd1 -+) 8... Be7 9. Bf7+ Kf8 10. Rf2 (10. Ng6+ {does not help much} hxg6 11. Qxf3 Bh4+ 12. Rf2 Bxf3 13. c4 Qxf2#) 10... Bh4 (10... Bh4 11. Ng6+ hxg6 12. Qe2 Qg1+ 13. Qf1 Bxf2+ 14. Kd1 Qxf1#) (10... Qg1+ 11. Rf1 Bh4#) 0-1

3. Nxe5 Bd6 Modern Line

Wolfgang Weiler – Emil J. Diemer     Baden-ch MB2/Kirchheim    1982

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. d4 Ne7 5. exd5 O-O 6. Bd3 c5 7. c3 (7. c4 !? cxd4 8. Nf3 +/-) 7... cxd4 8. cxd4 Nxd5 {White has a new passed pawn: d4} 9. O-O Nc6 {Black threatens to win material: Nc6xe5} 10. Nc3 {White threatens to win material: Nc3xd5} Ndb4 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Be4 Ba6 {Black threatens to win material: Ba6xf1} 13. Re1 f5 14. a3 (14. Bb1 !?  +/-) 14... fxe4 = 15. axb4 Bxh2+ 16. Kh1 (16. Kxh2 Qh4+ 17. Kg1 Qxf2+ 18. Kh2 Qh4+ 19. Kg1 Qf2+ 20. Kh2 Qh4+ 21. Kg1 Qf2+ +=) 16... Qh4 17. Rxe4 (17. Rxa6 ??  {is not to be advocated because of the following mate in 3} Bg3+ 18. Kg1 Qh2+ 19. Kf1 Rxf2#) 0-1

Position after 15.axb4
 

C. O’Connor – Jonathan Rogers (2335)   England 1989

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. d4 dxe4 5. Bc4 Bxe5 6. Qh5 ({Not} 6. dxe5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nc6 {-/+}) 6... Qe7 7. dxe5 Nc6 8. Bf4 Nh6 ({better is} 8... Be6 {!? should be examined more closely} 9. Nd2 Bxc4 10. Nxc4 Qe6 {=}) 9. Bxh6 +/- gxh6 10. Nc3 Nxe5 11. Nd5 Qd6 12. Bb5+ ?? {letting the wind out of his own sails} ({better is} 12. O-O-O Nxc4 13. Rhe1 +/-) 12... c6 -/+ 13. O-O-O cxb5 14. Qh4 ? ({better is} 14. f4 Ng6 15. Rhe1 -/+) 14... Nd3+ -+ 15. Rxd3 exd3 16. Re1+ ? ({better is} 16. Qd4 {!? } d2+ 17. Kxd2 -+) 16... Be6 ({better is} 16... Kf8 {keeps an even firmer grip} 17. Kd2 Rg8 -+) 17. Rxe6+ ?? {the position was bad, and this mistake simply hastens the end} (17. Nf6+ Kf8 18. Qxh6+ Ke7 19. Ne4 -+) 17... fxe6 18. Qh5+ (18. Nf6+ {does not win a prize } Kf7 19. Ne4 Qe5 -+) 18... Kd8 19. Qh4+ Kc8 20. Qf6 (20. Nc3 {doesn't change anything anymore} Rd8 21. cxd3 Qxd3 -+) 20... Rd8 (20... Rd8 21. Nf4 dxc2 22. Qxe6+ Qxe6 23. Nxe6 Rd6 -+) ({better is} 20... Rf8 {it becomes clear that Black will call all the shots} 21. Qc3+ Kd7 22. Ne3 Rxf2 23. Qg7+ Kc6 24. Qc3+ Kb6 25. Qxd3 Qxd3 26. cxd3 Rc8+ 27. Kb1 -/+) 0-1

P. Dodson – Jonathan Rogers (2335)     Nottingham, ENG  1990

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. d4 dxe4 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bg5 Bf5 7. Bc4 O-O 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. f3 {Secures g4} Rae8 12. fxe4 Bxe4 13. Nxe4 Rxe4 14. Qh5 (14. Bd3 Rh4 15. h3 =) 14... Bxh2+! -/+ Demolition of pawn structure} 15. Kxh2 (15. Qxh2 Qxd4+ {Theme: Double Attack}) 15... Qxd4 16. g3 (16. Rad1!? Qxc4 17. Qf5 -/+) 16... Qxc4 -+ 17. Rf2 Rfe8 18. Raf1 Re2 19. Qf5 R8e6 20. Kh3 R6e5 21. Qxf6?? {the pressure is too much, White crumbles} ({better is} 21. Qg4+ Qxg4+ 22. Kxg4-+) 21... Rh5+ 22. Kg2 Qd5+ 23. Qf3 Rh2+!! {giving up material to nicely decide the game} (23...Rh2+ 24. Kxh2 Qxf3 25.Rxe2 Qxe2+ 26. Kg1 Qxc2 -+) 0-1

Position after 23.Qf3
 

Fawler – Karsten Rasmussen (2440)   Tacoma 1991

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. d4 dxe4 5. Bc4 Bxe5 6. Qh5 ({Inferior is} 6. dxe5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nc6 =/+) 6... Qe7 7. Qxe5 Qxe5 8. dxe5 Nc6 9. Bf4 Nge7 10. Nc3 Ng6 11. Nd5 ({better is} 11. Be3 {is a viable option} Ngxe5 12. Bb3 +/=) 11... Nxf4 -/+ 12. Nxc7+ ({better is } 12. Nxf4 Nxe5 13. Bd5 -/+) 12... Kd8 ({better is} 12... Ke7 13. Nxa8 Nxg2+ 14. Kd2 Nxe5 -+) 13. Nxa8 = Nxg2+ 14. Kf1? ({better is} 14. Kd2 {and White can hope to live} Nxe5 15. Bd5 =) 14... Bh3 -+ 15. Kg1?? { an oversight. But White was lost anyway.} (15. Ke2 Nxe5 16. Bd5 Nf4+ 17. Ke3 Nxd5+ 18. Kd4 -+) 15... Nxe5 16. Bb3 (16. f4 {cannot change what is in store for ?} Nxc4 17. Kf2 -+) 16... Nf3+ 17. Kf1 Nf4# 0-1
 

Bryson Powell – Walter Wood     California Open 1992

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. Nf3 (4. d4 dxe4 5. Bc4 Bxe5 6. Qh5+/- ({worse is} 6. dxe5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nc6=/+)) 4... dxe4-/+ 5. Qe2 Nf6 6. d4 ({better is} 6. d3!? {is noteworthy} O-O 7. dxe4 Nxe4 8. Nbd2 Nxd2 9. Bxd2=/+) 6... O-O-+ 7. Ne5 Nc6 (7... c5!? 8. Be3 cxd4 9. Bxd4 Bxe5 10. Bxe5 Nc6-+) 8. Nxc6=/+ bxc6 9. Be3 (9. Bg5!? -/+) 9... Rb8-+ 10. b3 Re8 11. h4 ({better is} 11. h3-+) 11... Bg4 12. Qc4?! {offers little resistance} (12. Qd2 Nd5 13. Be2 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Nxe3 15. Qxe3-+) 12... Nd5 13. Bg5 Qd7 14. a3 (14. Be2 Bxe2 15. Qxe2 c5-+) 14... e3 15. f3 (15. Bd3 h6 16. Bxe3 Rxe3+ 17. fxe3 Qe7 -+) 15... Bf5 16. Bd3 (16. g4 {cannot undo what has already been done} Be6 17. Be2 h6 -+) 16... h6 17. g4 (17. Be2-+ {is the last straw}) 17... Bg3+ (17... Bxd3 {seems even better} 18. cxd3 Bg3+ 19. Ke2 hxg5 20. Nc3 Nf4+ 21. Kd1 e2+ 22. Kc2 gxh4 23. b4 e1=N+ 24. Kb3 Nxf3 25. Rhd1 Qxd4 26. Qxc6 Qxb4+ 27. axb4 Nd4+ 28. Kc4 Nxc6 29. b5 Ne5+ 30. Kb3 Nxg4 31. Rxa7-/+) 18. Kd1 (18. Ke2 {hardly improves anything} Bxd3+ 19. cxd3 hxg5-+) 18... Bxd3 19. Qxd3 hxg5 20. hxg5 (20. Nc3 {doesn't do any good} Nxc3+ 21. Qxc3 e2+ 22. Kc1 e1=Q+ 23. Rxe1 Bxe1-+) 20... e2+ (20... e2+ 21. Kc1 e1=Q+ 22. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 23. Kb2 Nf4-+) 0-1

Falk Zimmerman – Bernard Huguet (2205)   It Open GER  1995 Rd 7

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. d4 dxe4 5. Nc4 Nf6 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 8. c3 {Consolidates b4} Re8 9. f3 {Prevents intrusion on g4} e3 10. Bxe3 ({Worse is} 10. Nxe3 Bf4 11. d5 Nxd5 (11... Rxe3 ?!} 12. dxc6 Qe7 13. Bxe3 Bxe3+ 14. Kh1 =) 12. Nxd5 Bxc1 13. Qxc1 Qxd5 -+ (13... Rxe2 ?! 14. c4 =)) (10. Nxd6 !? Qxd6 11. Re1 Nd5 =) 10... Nd5 11. Bf2 Nf4 12. Bd3 Qg5 13. Bg3 ? ({better is} 13. g3 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 =/+) 13... Nh3+ -+  {Theme: Clearance for d6-g3} 14. Kh1 (14. gxh3 {A pinning theme} Bxg3) 14... Bxg3 15. hxg3 (15. gxh3 Qh5 16. h4 Qxh4 -+) 15... Qxg3 16. Qd2 (16. Qc2 Nf4 17. Bxh7+ Kh8 18. Qf2 Qxf2 19. Rxf2 Re1+ 20. Kh2 Kxh7 21. Nca3 -+) 16... Nf4 17. Be4 (17. a4 -+  {otherwise it's curtains at once}) 17... Re6 (17... Re6 18. Kg1 Rh6 19. Qxf4 Qxf4 -+) 0-1
 

Karl-Heinz Jergler (2180) – Wolfgang Schmidt (2315)   Bayernlig 1990/2000 

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. d4 dxe4 5. Bc4 Bxe5 6. Qh5 ({Less advisable is} 6. dxe5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nc6 -/+) 6... Qe7 7. dxe5 Be6 8. Bxe6 Qxe6 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. O-O O-O-O 11. Be3 Nge7 12. Nxe4 Nxe5 13. Nc5 Qf5 14. Qe2 c6 15. Nb3 Nd5 16. Rae1 (16. Bxa7 ??  {White will choke on that pawn} Nf4 17. Qe3 Qg4 -+) 16... Rhe8 ({Instead of} 16... Nxe3 17. Qxe3 ({worse is} 17. fxe3 Qg5 =/+) 17... Nd7 18. Qxa7 +-) 17. Nd4 Qg6 18. c4 ({better is} 18. h3 !?  -/+) 18... Nxe3 -+ 19. Qxe3 Rxd4 ! { Annihilates a defender: d4} 20. f4 (20. Qxd4 {Theme: Deflection from f3} Nf3+ {A double attack}) 20... Rd3 21. Qe4 ?? {White has lost his nerve... understandable when you consider his position} ({better is} 21. Qc1 f6 22. fxe5 fxe5 23. Re3 -+) 21... Nf3+ !  {Clearance to allow e8-e1} (21... Nf3+ 22. Qxf3 Rxe1 23. Qxd3 Qxd3 24. Rxe1 Qd4+ 25. Kf1 Qxf4+ 26. Ke2 Qxc4+ 27. Kd1 Qd5+ 28. Kc2 Qxg2+ 29. Kc1 Qf2 -+) 0-1
 

FireFly v2.4.1 (2330) - Clyde Nakamura (2100)     Blitz 15min    9/28/08

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nxe5 Bd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. exd5 O-O 6. Nc3 c6 7. dxc6 Nxc6 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. Be2 {White should quickly conclude development.} Qa5 (9... Bxf3 !?  {looks like a viable alternative} 10. Bxf3 Re8+ 11. Ne2 Bb4+ 12. c3 Nxd4 13. cxb4 Rc8 = ({worse is} 13... Nxf3+ 14. gxf3 Qc7 15. Be3 +-)) 10. O-O +/- Qh5 11. h3 Bxh3 12. gxh3 ({better is} 12. Ne5 !? Qh4 13. g3 Qxd4 14. Nxc6 +/-) 12... Qxh3 = 13. Re1 ??  {ignoring the path to victory} ({better is} 13. a4 =  {would bring relief}) 13... Ng4 -+ 14. Rf1 Bh2+ 15. Kh1 Be5+ 16. Kg1 Nxd4 !!  {a sacrifice that destroys the opponent} 17. Qxd4 (17. Nxd4 {A deflection} Qh2# {The nicest combinations are those leading to mate}) 17... Bxd4 (17... Bxd4 18. Bf4 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rfe8 -+) 0-1

Position after 15.Kh1
 

3. exd5 Qxd5 - Transpose into a Scandinavian Defense

1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3  A Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5) with an extra e5 move. Actually this transposition into a Scandinavian Defense is not as good as playing the Scandinavian (1.e4 d5) because in this Elephant Gambit line you have committed to playing e5.  Playing the regular Scandinavian is more flexible because you are not committed to guarding the pawn at e5 and can play other lines of the Scandinavian.

Thamover, Rybka 2.3.2a mp(2632)-Thanbai(1975)  16 min blitz   1/7/08

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 {last book move} Bc5 {?} ({better is} 6... Bb4 {would keep Black in the game} 7. Bd2 Qc5 {+/-}) 7. Nb3 {+-} Qb4 (7... Qb6 8. Nxc5 Qxc5 {+-}) 8. Bb5+ Nd7 (8... c6 {is not much help} 9. a3 Qg4 10. Qxg4 Bxg4 11. Nxc5 cxb5 12. Nxb5 {+-}) 9. a3 Bxf2+ (9... Qh4 {does not win a prize} 10. Nxc5 Qe7+ 11. N5e4 {+-}) 10. Kxf2 Qh4+ 11. g3 Qf6+ 12. Bf4 Qb6+ (12... Ne7 {doesn't get the bull off the ice} 13. Re1 O-O 14. Bxd7 {+-}) 13. Nd4 ({better is} 13. Kg2 {makes it even easier for White} Ngf6 14. Re1+ Kf8 15. Qe2 {+-}) 13... c6 (13... Ne7 {there is nothing better in the position} 14. Re1 O-O 15. Rxe7 c6 {+-}) 14. Re1+ Kd8 15. Na4 Qa5 16. Qe2 Ngf6 (16... Qd2 {doesn't change the outcome of the game} 17. Bxd2 g5 18. Bxg5+ f6 19. Qe8+ Kc7 20. Bf4+ Ne5 21. Rxe5 Be6 22. Rxe6#) 17. Qe7# 1-0
 

3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qe6 - Transpose into a Reversed Center Game

1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3. exd5  Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qe6. The is  a Reversed Center Game. (Center Game 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3). I had 2 games in my database on this Elephant Gambit line, however playing the Center Game a move down may not be as effective as playing the regular Center Game.

Michael Sweeney – E. Rasmussen   BDG Theme Corr  1992

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qe6 5. Bb5+ c6 {last book move} 6. Be2 (6. Ba4 Qg6 +/-) 6... Bb4 7. O-O Nf6 8. d4 Bxc3 (8... exd4 !? 9. Qxd4 c5 +/-) 9. bxc3 +- e4 10. Ne5 Nbd7 11. Bc4 {White threatens to win material: Bc4xe6} (11. f4 !?  +/-) 11... Nd5 +/= 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. f3 O-O 14. fxe4 Qxe4 {White king safety dropped} 15. Bd3 Qh4 16. Qd2 Rfe8 17. Rb1 b6 18. Bb2 c5 19. dxc5 Bc6 20. cxb6 axb6 (20... Ne3 21. Qf2 Qh5 22. bxa7 Rxa7 23. Rfe1 +/=) 21. Rf3 (21. Qf2 !? Qxf2+ 22. Rxf2 +/-) 21... Rxa2 22. Rh3 {White threatens to win material: Rh3xh4} Qf4 {Black threatens to win material: Qf4xd2} 23. Bxh7+ ??  {a transit from better to worse} (23. Bc1 Qd6 24. Bxh7+ Kf8 25. Qd4 Re1+ 26. Kf2 =) 23... Kf8 -/+ 24. Qc1 ??  {solves nothing} ({better is} 24. Qxf4 Nxf4 25. Rh4 -/+) 24... Rxb2 -+ (24... Rxb2 25. Bd3 Rxb1 26. Qxb1 Re3 -+) 0-1
 

David A. Van Der Hoeven – Marco Bulgarini Torres (2347)
30 YEARS APA Magazine Section B     CADAP    (Corr)  5/15/01

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qe6 !?  5. Be2 Bb4 (5... Nf6 !?  +/-) 6. d4 +- e4 7. Ne5 Qe7 8. O-O Nf6 9. f3 Bxc3 10. bxc3 O-O (10... Nbd7 !? 11. Nxd7 Bxd7 +/-) 11. fxe4 +- Nxe4 12. Bd3 Nd6 13. Qh5 f5 14. Bg5 Qe8 15. Qh4 Nc6 16. Rae1 Kh8 ? (16... b6 +-) 17. Rf3 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nf7 19. Bf6 (19. Bf6 Nh6 20. Qxh6 Rxf6 21. Qxg7+ Kxg7 22. exf6+ Kf7 23. Rxe8 Kxe8 24. Bc4 +-) 1-0
 

Declined Line 3. Nc3

Florin Gheorghiu (2530) – Jonathan Rogers        IT Open 1985

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 f5 {Black threatens to win material: f5xe4} 5. Nc3 {White's piece can't move: c1} Nc6 (5... e4 6. Ne5 Qd4 +/=) 6. Bc4 ({better is } 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. d3 +/-) 6... e4 =/+  {Black threatens to win material: e4xf3} 7. Ng1 Nf6 8. d3 (8. Nh3 Bc5 =/+) 8... Bb4 (8... Na5 9. Bg5 -/+) 9. Nge2 Ne5 {Black has a very active position} 10. O-O Qe7 ({better is} 10... Nxc4 !?  {would keep Black in the game} 11. dxc4 Be6 =/+) 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 c6 {Black threatens to win material: c6xd5} 13. Bb3 Be6 (13... exd3 14. Nd4 c5 15. c3 cxd4 16. cxb4 +-) 14. Bxe6 +/- Qxe6 15. dxe4 Rd8 (15... O-O 16. Nd4 Qc4 17. c3 +/-) 16. Nd4 Qf6 (16... Qc4 17. c3 Bc5 18. Bg5 +/-) 17. c3 fxe4 18. Re1 ??  {White threatens to win material: Re1xe4. a transit from better to worse} ({better is} 18. Qh5+ {would have given White the upper hand} Ng6 19. Be3 +-) 18... O-O -/+ 19. Qb3+ (19. Be3 +- Bd6 20. b4 -/+) 19... Kh8 -+ 20. Be3 Bd6 21. Qe6 ({better is} 21. Rf1 -+) 21... Nf3+ ??  {throws away a nice position} ({better is} 21... Qh4 {Black has a promising position} 22. Qh3 Qxh3 23. gxh3 Rde8 -+) 22. gxf3 +- Qh4 23. Qxe4 (23. Qxe4 Qxh2+ 24. Kf1 +-) 1-0
 

J. Berg – Rasmus Pape    Denmark 1994

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 f5 {Black threatens to win material: f5xe4} 5. Nc3 {White's piece can't move: c1} e4 {Black threatens to win material: e4xf3} 6. Ne5 Be6 ?? ({better is} 6... Qd4 {was much better} 7. f4 Be6 8. Qh5+ g6 +/= ) 7. Qh5+ +- g6 8. Nxg6 !  {Deflection: h7} Bf7 (8... hxg6 9. Qxh8 {Pinning} (9. Qxh8 {Deflection})) 9. Qxf5 Bxg6 10. Qe5+ Qe7 11. Qxh8 Nf6 12. Bc4 ??  {White lets it slip away} (12. Nb5 Kd7 13. Bc4 +/-) 12... Nbd7 +/- 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 O-O-O 15. Qc3 Nc5 ? (15... Qg5 16. Be6 Qxg2 17. Rf1 Qxh2 18. Qd4 +/-) 16. Bc4 ?? { forfeits the advantage} ({better is} 16. Qh3+ !?  {might be the shorter path} Kb8 17. Bc4 +-) 16... Nd3+ 17. cxd3 ??  {stumbles just before the finish line} ({better is} 17. Kf1 +- {and White can look forward to a comfortable game}) 17... exd3+ (17... exd3+ 18. Be6+ Qxe6+ 19. Qe5 Qxe5+ 20. Kf1 Qe2+ 21. Kg1 Qe1#) 0-1
 

Jovana B. Zivojinovic – L. Vukovic (1927)  Spring Open/Belgrade SRB  3/30/07

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 d4 4. Ne2 Bd6 {White has a cramped position. White's pieces can't move: c1+f1} 5. c3 {White threatens to win material: c3xd4} c5 {White has a cramped position. White's pieces can't move: c1+f1} 6. Ng3 Ne7 {White's piece can't move: c1} 7. Bc4 a6 ??  {throwing away the advantage} (7... O-O 8. O-O =) 8. a3 ??  {weakening the position} ({better is} 8. Ng5 {White missed this excellent chance} Rf8 9. Qb3 +-) 8... b5 =/+  {Black threatens to win material: b5xc4} 9. Ba2 c4 {Black wins space} (9... Nbc6 !?  =  {should be investigated more closely}) 10. cxd4 exd4 11. Nxd4 ??  {there were better ways to keep up the pressure} ({better is} 11. d3 +/= {the only rescuing move}) 11... Bxg3 -+ 12. hxg3 (12. Nf3 Bc7 13. d4 Bg4 -+) 12... Qxd4 13. Qc2 (13. d3 cxd3 14. O-O Nd7 -+) 13... Be6 14. Rh4 (14. Kf1 {cannot change destiny} O-O -+) 14... Ng6 15. Rh1 Ne5 16. Rf1 (16. d3 {the last chance for counterplay} cxd3 17. Qc3 Qxc3+ 18. bxc3 Bxa2 19. Rxa2 -+ ) 16... Nd3+ 17. Ke2 (17. Kd1 {doesn't change the outcome of the game} Nxf2+ 18. Rxf2 Qxf2 -+) 17... Qxe4+ 18. Kd1 Qxg2 19. Ke2 (19. Qxc4 {is not the saving move} bxc4 20. Re1 Nxe1 21. d3 Qxf2 22. Bd2 Nf3 23. Ba5 cxd3 24. Bb1 Qg1+ 25. Be1 Qxe1#) 19... Bg4+ 20. Ke3 Qxf1 (20... Qf3+ ) (20... Qxf1 21. Qxc4 bxc4 22. Kd4 Nc6+ 23. Kc3 Qxf2 24. Bxc4 Qd4+ 25. Kb3 Bd1+ 26. Ka2 Qxc4+ 27. Kb1 Bc2#) (20... Qf3+ 21. Kd4 Nc6+ 22. Kc3 Qf6#) 21. f4 Qf2+ 22. Ke4 Bf3+ 0-1

Position after 19.Ke2
 

Declined Line 3. d3

Francis – J. Bunch          52-02/1985

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 (3. Nxe5 Qe7 4. d4 f6 +/-) 3... Bd6 (3... dxe4 4. Nxe5 Nf6 5. Be2 exd3 6. Qxd3 Qxd3 7. cxd3 =) 4. exd5 +/= Ne7 {Black threatens to win material: Ne7xd5} 5. Nc3 Bf5 (5... Bb4 6. d4 Nxd5 7. dxe5 +/=) 6. Be3 (6. d4 Nd7 +/-) 6... Nd7 (6... O-O 7. Be2 +/=) 7. Nh4 Bg6 (7... Nb6 8. Nxf5 Nxf5 9. Bd2 +/=) 8. Nxg6 +/- hxg6 9. Qd2 (9. Qf3 Bb4 10. d4 O-O +/-) 9... Nf6 (9... Bb4 10. a3 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nxd5 12. Be2 =) 10. g3 (10. d4 Bb4 11. Bb5+ c6 12. dxc6 bxc6 +/-) 10... Nexd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. O-O-O Qd7 {White has a cramped position} 13. Bg2 {White threatens to win material: Bg2xd5} Nb4 (13... Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Qb5 15. h4 +/=) 14. Kb1 (14. a3 Qa4 +/-) 14... Qa4 15. a3 Nc6 16. Bd5 Na5 (16... Nd4 !?  +/-) 17. Qc3 (17. d4 O-O 18. dxe5 Bxe5 +-) 17... c6 ({better is} 17...Qb5 !? 18. Ba2 c5 +-) 18. Ba2 +- Qb5 19. f4 (19. d4 e4 20. d5 O-O-O +-) 19... exf4 ? ({better is} 19... O-O +-) 20. Bxf4 Bxf4 (20... O-O-O 21. Bxd6 Rxd6 22. Qxg7 Rhd8 +-) 21. Rde1+ Kf8 22. Rhf1 g5 (22... Rh5 {is one last hope } 23. Rxf4 Rf5 +-) 23. gxf4 f6 (23... g4 {what else?} 24. Re5 Qb6 +-) 24. fxg5 Qxg5 (24... Nc4 {does not solve anything} 25. Bxc4 Qd5 26. Bxd5 cxd5 27. Qc7 Rxh2 28. g6 Kg8 29. Qf7+ Kh8 30. Re8+ Rxe8 31. Qxe8#) 25. Qb4+ (25. Qb4+ c5 26. Qxa5 +-) (25. Qd4 Nc4 26. Bxc4 Qd5 27. Rxf6+ Kg8 28. Bxd5+ cxd5 29. Qxd5+ Kh7 30. Re5 g6 31. Qf7+ Kh6 32. Qxg6#) 1-0
 

Callahan – Tim Just           Grayslake 1990

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. Nxe5 {White has a cramped position} Bd6 {Black threatens to win material: Bd6xe5} (4... Nf6 !? 5. Nc3 Bb4 =) 5. Nc4 +/= Bc5 6. Qe2 {White pins: Qe2xe4} ({better is} 6. Nc3 !? Nf6 7. Bg5 +/- ) 6... Nf6 7. dxe4 O-O {Black castles and improves king safety} 8. Be3 {White threatens to win material: Be3xc5} Nxe4 9. Bxc5 ({better is} 9. Nbd2 !?  {is an interesting idea} Bxe3 10. Nxe3 Nxd2 11. O-O-O =) 9... Nxc5 -/+ 10. Qh5 Re8+ 11. Be2 Qd4 {Black threatens to win material: Qd4xc4} ({better is } 11... Ne6 12. Ne3 Nf4 -/+) 12. Nbd2 ?? ({better is} 12. O-O =  {would bring relief}) 12... Bg4 -+ 13. Nf3 (13. Qxg4 {cannot change destiny } Qxg4 14. Ne3 Qf4 -+) 13... Qxc4 ({better is} 13... Rxe2+ {nails it down} 14. Kxe2 Qxc4+ 15. Kd2 Bxh5 -+) 14. O-O-O (14. O-O {no good, but what else?} Rxe2 15. Qh4 -+) 14... Qf4+ (14... Qf4+ 15. Nd2 Bxh5 16. Bxh5 Nc6 -+) 0-1

Libor Brat – Petr Dusbaba        Nachod Op   7/1/06

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 ({better is} 3. Nxe5 !? Nf6 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Qe2 +/=) 3... dxe4 = 4. Nxe5 {White has a cramped position} Bd6 (4... Nf6 !?  {is noteworthy} 5. Be2 exd3 6. Qxd3 Qxd3 7. cxd3 Nbd7 =) 5. Nc4 +/= Nf6 6. Bg5 ({better is} 6. dxe4 Bb4+ 7. Nbd2 +/=) 6... Bf5 ? ({better is} 6... O-O {is a viable option} 7. dxe4 Bb4+ 8. Nbd2 Nc6 +/=) 7. dxe4 +- Bb4+ (7... Bxe4 8. Nc3 Bc6 9. Nxd6+ cxd6 10. Qe2+ Qe7 11. O-O-O +-) 8. Nbd2 Qe7 ? ({better is} 8... Be6 9. e5 h6 +-) 9. e5 ({better is} 9. c3 {and White wins} Bc5 10. Qe2 +-) 9... Nc6 +/=  {Black threatens to win material: Nc6xe5} 10. c3 {White threatens to win material: c3xb4.} (10. f4 h6 11. Bxf6 gxf6 +/=) 10...Nxe5 = 11. Bxf6 0-1

Position after 11.Bxf6
 

Declined Line 3. d4

Alexander Alekhine – Manuel de Agustin    Madrid Simul  1941

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 (3. Nxe5 Nf6 +/-) 3... dxe4 +/= 4. Nxe5 {Black king safety dropped} Nc6 ? ({better is} 4... Nd7 {and Black is still in the game} 5. Bf4 Nxe5 6. Bxe5 Nf6 +/=) 5. Bb5 +- Bd7 6. Nxd7 ({better is} 6. Bxc6 !? Bxc6 7. O-O +-) 6... Qxd7 +/- 7. d5 O-O-O (7... a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 =) 8. c4 Qf5 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Nc3 Bc5 11. Be3 (11. O-O cxd5 12. Qa4 Qd7 13. Qa6+ Kb8 +-) 11... Bxe3 +/= 12. fxe3 Qg5 ? (12... cxd5 13. Qd4 dxc4 14. Qxa7 Nf6 15. Qa8+ Kd7 16. O-O-O+ Ke7 17. Qa3+ Rd6 =) 13. Qd4 +- Kb8 14. Nxe4 (14. O-O Nf6 +-) 14...Qxg2 15. O-O-O Ne7 16. Nc5 ({better is} 16. Rdg1 !? Qh3 17. Ng5 +-) 16...cxd5 +/- 17. Rhg1 {White threatens to win material: Rg1xg2} Qe2 18. cxd5 {White has a mate threat} (18. Rd2 Qxc4+ 19. Qxc4 dxc4 20. Rxg7 Rxd2 21. Kxd2 Rd8+ 22. Kc3 Nd5+ 23. Kxc4 Nxe3+ 24. Kb5 Nf5 25. Rxh7 c6+ 26. Ka4 Nd6 +/-) 18... Nxd5 +/= 19. Rd3 ({better is} 19. Rxg7 Qxe3+ 20. Qxe3 Nxe3 21. Re1 +/- ) 19... Qxh2 ?? ({better is} 19... Rd6 =  {would save the game}) 20. Rgd1 +- Qd6 (20... Ka8 {is no salvation} 21. Qa4 Qh6 +-) 21. Qe4 ({better is} 21. Qc4 {and White has reached his goal} Qc6 22. Nd7+ Kb7 23. Qxc6+ Kxc6 24. Ne5+ Kb6 25. Nxf7 +-) 21... c6 ({better is} 21... Qxc5+ {nails it down} 22. Kb1 c6 -+) 22. Qb4+ (22. Qb4+ Nxb4 23. Rxd6 Rxd6 24. Rxd6 -+) 1-0

Position after 21.Qe4
 

Ricardo N. Carranza Pons – Andres Schenk Papke (2111)  Binissalem Op  2002

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe5 Bd6 5. Qe2 {White threatens to win material: Qe2xe4} Nf6 {White's piece can't move: f1} 6. Nc3 {White threatens to win material: Nc3xe4} O-O 7. Bd2 (7. Bg5 !?  {should be examined more closely} Bb4 8. Qe3 =) 7... c5 =/+  {Black threatens to win material: c5xd4} 8. Nxe4 Re8 (8... cxd4 9. f4 =/+) 9. Nxd6 (9. O-O-O cxd4 10. Nxf7 Kxf7 11. Qc4+ Re6 12. Ng5+ Ke7 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. Re1 +-) 9... Qxd6 =/+ 10. O-O-O (10. Qc4 Qxd4 11. Qxd4 cxd4 =/+) 10... cxd4 11. Bf4 ? ({better is} 11. Re1 Nc6 12. Nc4 =/+) 11... Nc6 -+ 12. Re1 Bf5 13. Qb5 Rac8 (13... Bd7 14. Kd1 Ng4 15. Nd3 Rxe1+ 16. Kxe1 -+) 14. Bd3 ? (14. Bc4 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 -/+) 14... Nxe5 ??  {Black is ruining his position} ({better is} 14... Rxe5 15. Bxe5 Bxd3 16. Bxd6 Bxb5 -+) 15. Rxe5 ?? (15. Bxf5 Rc5 16. Qxb7 -/+) 15... Rxe5 -+ 16. Bxe5 Bxd3 17. Qxb7 (17. Qxd3 {a last effort to resist the inevitable} Qxe5 18. Rd1 Qf4+ 19. Qd2 -+) 17... Rxc2+ 18. Kd1 Qxe5 (18... Qxe5 19. Qa8+ Ne8 20. Re1 Re2 21. Qf3 Bc2+ 22. Kc1 Qg5+ 23. Qe3 Rxe1+ 24. Kxc2 dxe3 25. Kc3 exf2 26. Kc4 Re4+ 27. Kb3 Qe3+ 28. Kc2 Rc4+ 29. Kd1 f1=Q#) 0-1
 

Andrej Kuttruf – Peter Grott (2093)    DESC D0199   Email   12/5/02

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe5 Bd6 5. Nc4 (5. Bc4 Bxe5 6. Qh5 Qe7 +/-) 5... Ne7 (5... Nf6 6. Be2 =) 6. Nc3 {White threatens to win material: Nc3xe4} (6. Nbd2 Bf4 7. Nxe4 Bxc1 8. Rxc1 O-O +/-) 6... Bf5 (6... Bb4 7. Be2 Nbc6 8. O-O +/=) 7. Nxd6+ (7. g4 !? Bg6 8. Bg2 +/-) 7... Qxd6 {+/=  White has the pair of bishops} 8. Bc4 (8. g4 Bg6 +/=) 8... Qg6 {= Black threatens to win material: Qg6xg2} 9. O-O ?  ({better is} 9. Ne2 =  {would allow White to play on}) 9... Bh3 -+ (9...Bh3 10. g3 Bxf1 11. Bxf1 Nbc6 -+) 0-1

Conclusion

The revival of the Elephant Gambit has been with the Jonathan Rogers Line 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6 and the Modern Line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nxe5 Bd6.  The Elephant Gambit is not considered sound at the Master level but I believe it is playable below Master level.

The advantage of playing the Elephant Gambit in tournament and off hand games is that it is not that well known and the majority of the chess players will not be prepared to play against the Elephant Gambit and even if your opponent is prepared to play against the Elephant Gambit it will still be a battle for the White side.

Also possible in the Elephant Gambit are transpositions into two lines: Transposition into the Scandinavian with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qa5; or a transposition into a reversed Center Game (1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3) with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qe6.  It is not clear if a transposition into a reversed Center Game is playable.  I do not recommend a transposition into a Scandinavian (1.e4 d5) because it is not as flexible as the regular Scandinavian Defense. You should have played the Scandinavian in the first place.

There are chess players who believe that they can easily defeat the Elephant Gambit with the White side of the Gambit.  A word of warning: you had better be prepared for a battle because the Elephant Gambit is very dangerous because even an International Master has lost to the Elephant Gambit.

FIDE Masters Jonathan Rogers and Philip Corbin of Barbados have been the leading exponents of the Elephant Gambit and its theoretical revival.  It is said that even GM Mark Hebden of England has played the Elephant Gambit in weekend tournaments.

However it is strange that I could not find any Mark Hebden Elephant Gambit games in my 24 million chess games database.

I have also explored the possibility of playing the Elephant Gambit from the White side by dropping a move.  The moves are 1.e3 e5 2.e4 Nf6 3.d4 an Inverse Elephant Gambit.  I have called this opening the Shiva-Elephant Gambit and it is covered in my previous article called “Inverse Chess Openings” which has five analyzed games.

All the games from this article have been analyzed by either the chess engines Deep Junior 10, Deep Shredder 10 or by myself.

Recommendation

1. Read a chess book on the Elephant Gambit.

2. Play a lot of Elephant Gambit blitz games or offhand games to become familiar with the traps, tactics, strategy, and early errors in the opening.

3. Create an Elephant Gambit chess database and do a close examination of the games.

4. Analyze the Elephant Gambit with a chess board or use chess software such as Fritz or Chessbase to analyze the games.

References

Zipped PGN file with all the games in this article.

Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Gives some lines on the Elephant Gambit

     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Gambit

Chessgames.com

     100+ Elephant Gambit games which can be viewed online.

     http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chess.pl?node=1622123

We're Going On An Elephant Hunt

     Tim Harding’s article on the Elephant Gambit

     http://www.chesscafe.com/text/kibitz15.txt

Eric Schiller’s Article on the Elephant Gambit

     http://www.ericschiller.com/pdf/ElephantGambit_SBACO.pdf

Chessville Book Review

     This is a book review of an Elephant Gambit book.

     http://www.chessville.com/reviews/ElephantKrazyKat.htm

Everything

     Comment on the Elephant Gambit

     http://everything2.com/title/Elephant%2520Gambit

Opening Secrets Revealed

     Some analysis on the Elephant Gambit

     http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2007/02/chess-understanding-elephant-gambit_3289.html

Latvian & Elephant Gambit

     Latvian and Elephant Gambit games that can be viewed online.

     http://www.pgnmentor.com/openings/Latvian-Elephant/

     Elephant Gambit Hitting Back with 2..d5!? Peter Tart

Ebook review at Chessville.

     http://www.chessville.com/reviews/ElephantGambitEBook.htm

Opening Lanes Article by GM Gary Lane

     In this Opening Lanes article by Gary Lane there is a small portion of the article devoted to the Elephant Gambit line 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 e5 3.exd5 Bd6.

     http://www.chesscafe.com/text/lane24.pdf

ChessBase Magazine 112 – Review of Chessbase Magazine 112

     This review of Chessbase Magazine 112 has a short coverage on the Elephant Gambit line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 e4.

     http://www.chessbase.com/shop/product.asp?pid=286

Elephant Gambit Video

     An Elephant Gambit video on www.youtube.com where a 1600 player (White) wins against a player rated 2100+ in the Elephant Gambit line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 e4.  The player from the White side played the move g4 giving back the pawn to develop his pieces.

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfwALatPZK0

FIDE Master Philip Corbin of Barbados upset an IM with the Elephant Gambit

     http://www.thechessdrum.net/newsbriefs/2004/NB_PCorbin.html

Yahoo Unorthodox Openings Newsgroups Messages

     There are 151 messages on the Elephant Gambit at the Yahoo Unorthodox Chess Openings Newsgroups. You should do a search by the words “Elephant Gambit”.

Yahoo Unorthodox Chess Openings Newsgroup File Section

     elepcorb.pgn
     Elephant Gambit - 6 games by Philip Corbin 4 KB
    

     ElephantGambitWatsonSchiller.pdf
     ElephantGambitWatsonSchiller - from Eric Schiller

La Difesa Cozio by Giorgio Cadezza

     Discusses the history and theory of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5.

The Elephant Walk

     A short article on the Elephant Gambit.

     http://web.archive.org/web/19991002034955/http://home.naxs.com/jmongle/cheleph.htm

Kassiber 02 & 09 Chess Magazine by Stefan Buecker (in German)

     Discussion of Jonathan Rogers Elephant Gambit Analysis. There might be more discussion of the Elephant Gambit in other issues of the Kassiber Chess Magazine. I have not explored this fully.

     http://uscfsales.com/item.asp?cID=15&PID=1575

ChessLecture.com

     Elephant Gambit Video – pay to see - 24 min 33 sec

     Taking Out The Trash Part II, by IM David Vigorito

Elephant Gambit and Trompowski Attack

     http://www.chesslecture.com/archive.php?screen=24&nav=

The Gambit Cartel – Chess Cafe Column by Tim McGrew

     Part of this article by Tim McGrew covers the Elephant Gambit.

     http://www.chesscafe.com/text/mcgrew09.pdf

Other References On the Elephant Gambit by Niels Jorgen Jensen - Click here

CD’s DVD’s and Audio Tapes

     Basman, Elephant Gambit - Audio Chess (audio tape)

     I am not sure if this audio tape by IM Michael Basman is currently available and I also do not know the year it was produced.

Roman's Lab: Volume 50, Unsound Openings and How to Exploit Them  (dvd)

     Covers the Elephant Gambit and other openings.

     http://uscfsales.com/item.asp?cID=15&PID=2545

The Gambitingly Way, Opening Gambits For You  (cd)

     Cd By Franco Pezzi – covers Elephant Gambit and other gambits.  I do know that there are some Elephant Gambit games but I do not know if there is any Elephant Gambit analysis on the cd.

     http://www.chesscentral.com/publisher/Gambitingly_CD_Rom.htm

BOOKS ON THE ELEPHANT GAMBIT

Elephant Gambit (Pamphlet) by Niels J. Jensen (Author)
84 pages, published by Blackmar Press (April 1988) in English

     http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elephant-Gambit-Niels-J-Jensen/dp/0961960604

Winning With The Elephant Gambit  by FIDE Master Jonathan Rogers (May 1994).  Paperback 42 pages in English. According to the Amazon web site listed below this book is currently unavailable.

     http://www.amazon.ca/Winning-Elephant-Gambit-Jonathan-Rogers/dp/1859320295

The Elephant Gambit for Black – 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5!?  (2005) by David Robert Lonsdale, 44 pages, saddle-stitched self-published.

     http://www3.sympatico.ca/martha.lonsdale/chess.htm

Elephant Gambit Hitting Back with 2..d5!? Peter Tart  (chess ebook)

     The Elephant Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5!?) will immediately put the e4 player on the back foot. If you enjoy wild, open positions with tactics aplenty then this line is for you. Written by a practicing expert on gambit play, Peter Tart uses his own and master games plus much original analysis and ideas all of which has been checked with Fritz. Comes complete with games database updated to June 2007.

     http://www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com/shop_item_nli.php?prodcode=EBOOKEG

Gambit Chess Openings by Eric Schiller

     Page 334 – A short 1/3 page coverage on the Elephant Gambit. Eric Schiller says it is about equal.

Survive & Beat Annoying Chess Openings (Paperback)

     by Eric Schiller (Author), John Watson (Author)

     The book covers the Elephant Gambit and other annoying chess openings.
     http://www.amazon.com/Survive-Beat-Annoying-Chess-penings/dp/1580420737

There might actually be more Elephant Gambit books because whenever I do a search on for the Elephant Gambit on the internet I see more books that were published.

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Copyright 2008 Clyde Nakamura. All rights reserved.

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