Expert: Wuyanbu Zutali - 7/6/2009

Question
Hi there

I play the same guy regularly and think I'm marginally better than him so have been trying out the Goring gambit to surprise him. However, after...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf6 Nc6
3. d4 ed
4. c3 dc
5. Bc4

... he always plays 5... Bb4, well outside any main line I've come across so I assume it's refutable. But how?! Obviously White has to do something about 6... c2+ immediately and I've tried various things, 6. Nxc3 BxN+ seems to leave White with nothing, I've even tried the bishop sac on f7 but always seem to end up with nothing.

I have a feeling Black's 5...Bb4 is wrong, I can't find any instances of it. Do you agree and if so, could you tell me why in a line or two for White after 5...Bb4?

Many thanks!

Neil Stevens

Answer
Neil,

If you ask an expert for an answer on theory, you can't expect a a few easy moves and call it a day.

In tournaments I play the Marshall  Attack from time to time and in blitz the Smith Morra, so I like them. In this position when I saw Bb4, I did not see it as a strong threat. My first instinct was to castle and  allow 6 cxb2 and have two beautiful Bishops aiming at his King. But, gambits are supposed to have more bit.  Nxc3 looks too passive. I looked at BXf7 but, did not see any great follow up so I consulted the MCO. Apparently, Bb4 is somewhat of a book move. He either mixes systems, or has material on the Goring Gambit that recommends Bb4, or is guessing it looks scary. They recommend declining the gambit after dxc3 go with Nxc3 and playing it safe. Or  o-o and allow cxb2 and go for the juglar. I dislike sacrificing two pawns. Gambits are a question of style. I prefer aggressive ones that do not give up too much material. I hope this helps.