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What a gambit is
A gambit is an opening in which one side sacrifices a pawn (sometimes more) for rapid development, control of the centre or an attack. The word comes from the Italian expression “dare il gambetto” — “to trip someone up”.
The idea is simple: while your opponent spends time taking the pawn and defending it, you develop your pieces and start an attack.
The King's Gambit
The most famous gambit, the favourite opening of 19th-century players.
1. 2.
If White manages to play d4, they get a powerful pawn centre and open the f-file for the rook after castling. Black, in turn, can hold on to the extra pawn or give it back for calm development.
The Queen's Gambit
1. 2.
Strictly speaking it is not a real sacrifice: if Black takes the pawn with 2… dxc4, White almost always wins it back. The aim of the gambit is to lure Black's d5 pawn away from the centre.
The Evans Gambit
1. 2. 3. 4.
How to play against a gambit
- You may accept if you are sure you will have time to develop and get your king to safety. The extra pawn is a real material advantage.
- You may decline and calmly develop your pieces. That is simpler and often no worse.
- You may give the pawn back at a convenient moment to seize the initiative.
The main thing is not to be greedy: do not spend many moves holding on to the pawn while your pieces stay at home.
Gambits and beginners
Gambits teach you to value time and piece activity, so they are useful in training games. But remember: for the pawn you give up you need real compensation — otherwise you will simply reach the endgame a pawn down.
A gambit is a special case of a sacrifice.