1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Budapest Gambit, Fajarowicz Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Ne4ECO A51
A sharper cousin of the main Budapest Gambit: instead of recapturing on e5, Black plants a knight on e4 immediately, betting everything on quick piece play against White's centre. Rare, provocative, and dangerous if White doesn't know the specific ideas.
Key ideas
- 3…Ne4 aims the knight straight at White's centre and prepares …Qh4 or …Bb4+ ideas.
- Black accepts a pawn deficit for fast development and immediate pressure — the position must be played energetically or the compensation evaporates.
- An excellent surprise weapon in faster time controls, where precise refutations are hard to find over the board.
Who it suits
Black players who enjoy gambit play and want a rare, well-prepared surprise against 1.d4.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Budapest Gambit, Fajarowicz Variation move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer