Matinovsky Gambit – Chess Opening

July 1, 2021 NHaselton Chess Lectures

thechesswebsiteThu, July 1, 2021 2:29amURL:
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The Matinovsky Gambit is a variation in the Owen’s Gambit that starts with the moves:

1. e4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
3. Bd3 f5

Black is looking to give up the f5 pawn so the bishop on b7 can launch an attack and capture the pawn on g2. If white plays properly, black will never have the chance to take the threatened rook on h1.

I don’t recommend you play this as black but it’s important to understand how to attack it properly if you face this defense.

PGN for the game:
1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 (3. Nc3) 3… f5 4. exf5 Bxg2 5. Qh5+ g6 6. fxg6 Bg7
(6… Nf6 7. gxh7+ Nxh5 8. Bg6#) 7. gxh7+ (7. Qf5 Nf6) 7… Kf8 8. Nf3 (8. Qf5+
Nf6 9. Bh6 Rxh7)(8. hxg8=Q+ Kxg8 9. Qg4 Bxh1 10. Nc3 e6 11. Bg5 Qe8) 8… Bxh1
(8… Nf6 9. Qg6 Bxh1 (9… Bxf3 10. Rg1 Rxh7 11. Qg3)10. Bh6 Bxh6 11. Qxh6+
Kf7 12. Ng5+ Ke8 13. Bg6#) 9. Ne5 Qe8 10. hxg8=Q+ Rxg8 (10… Kxg8 11. Qxe8+)
11. Qf5+ Bf6 12. Bh6+ Rg7 13. Bxg7+ Kxg7 14. Qh7+ Kf8 15. Bg6 Bxe5 16. dxe5
Qxg6 17. Qxg6 *

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