Facing an opening · Black, 1...d5

How to play against the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3

The Blackmar-Diemer gives a pawn with f3 to open the f-file. Black takes it, fianchettoes the bishop and castles, with a sound extra pawn and a safe king.

Learn the first lineSee the full course
Lines to play
2
Quiz positions
6

Learn the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit move by move

You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.

Key ideas

Accept twice

...dxe4 and ...exf3 take the pawns. White’s compensation is the f-file and quick development.

Fianchetto and castle

...g6, ...Bg7 and ...O-O shut the f-file’s pressure out and point the bishop at d4.

Same setup against both recaptures

Whether White takes with the queen or the knight on f3, Black’s plan is the same.

Hit d4 later

Once castled, ...c5 or ...Nc6 attacks d4, which has lost its e-pawn support.

The main lines

  1. 5.Qxf3 g6

    1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qxf3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.O-O-O O-O

    White castles long; Black castles short and counterattacks.

  2. 5.Nxf3 g6

    1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 g6 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.O-O O-O

    The main recapture; Bc4 aims at f7, and Black castles in time.

Find the move

6 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.

Position 1 of 6

1.e4 d5 2.d4

The ideaTake the centre pawn.

Find the move for Black.

Common mistakes

Leaving the king in the centre

The f-file opens fast. Castle before going after d4 or b2.

Weakening with ...e6 too early

...e6 blocks the c8 bishop and leaves f7 and e6 targets for Bc4 and Ng5.

Returning the pawn for nothing

Black can give it back to finish development, but only when it trades White’s attackers.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit sound?

It is considered dubious: Black keeps the pawn with good play. It is still dangerous because White’s attack is fast.

Why does this guide start with 1.e4 d5 2.d4?

That is how the Scandinavian course reaches it. The usual order, 1.d4 d5 2.e4, gives the same position after 2...dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3.

What is the safest setup against the Blackmar-Diemer?

Take both pawns, play ...g6 and ...Bg7, and castle. It works against both 5.Qxf3 and 5.Nxf3.

Learn every line of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

The Viking Scandinavian teaches it as a repertoire: 60 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.

Open the course

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