Friday, July 4, 2008

Bird’s Opening – Hobb’s Gambit :: 1.f4 g5!?

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White wins 23 (46%) Draws 11 ( 22%) Black wins 16 (32%)

After running an engine match for From’s Gambit (1.f4 e5!?) I decided to check out Hobb’s Gambit ,(1.f4 g5!?) . Of course this weakens the Kingside but it immediately challenges White and offers dynamic play. Of all the games 2.fxg5 was played and there followed 4 main replies: h6, Nc6, d5, and Bg7.

..h6 – This is the only move that directly attacks the misplaced pawn. The plan is to open up lanes for the rook and develop the bishop to the ideal square at g7. Usually White just ignores this pawn and opts for central control with d4 or e4.

Nc6, d5, and Bg7 – These moves ignore the exiled pawn and opt for central control. A plan that works well throughout the games.

All in all, this opening isn’t all that bad for Black. There are some interesting lines in there. All games can be viewed with the PGN viewer by following the link below and the PGN can be downloaded there as well.


hobbs 2008
1 Rybka 2.3.1 32-bit 9.5/13
2 Fritz 11 9.0/13
3 HIARCS 11.1 UCI 5.5/14
4 Deep Shredder 10 UCI 5.5/14
5 LoopMP 12.32 4.5/14
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