Power of the Danish

I had yet another game today that reaffirmed the massive attacking power of the Danish gambit.This game really demonstrated the Danish's aspect of being fast and furious!

I'd like to hear others opinions on this powerful opening.

You seem well prepared in this opening- post again when someone presents a stiffer challenge!

I think that this opening is good for White, as he has easy, open development. Now he just has to attack and overwhelm Black's defenses before Black can regroup. If Black is allowed to develop, then his material advantage will prove fatal to White.

That said, you did a great job attacking and putting pressure on the kingside.

Whoa, there's no way I could bring myself to castle queenside with all those pawns missing. Very gutsy gambit performance sir.

I did consider whether to queenside castle for a long time, but I felt that if I didn't attack aggressively enough I may lose tempo and the pawn sacrifices would be for nothing.

5...Nh6 is known as the Nordic Defense and while not common also it is not that bad (which is surprising). Your Qh5 is probably not correct as it breaks the concept of the Danish which is quick development and Black's f7 is well protected. Usual is 5. Nf3 though Nc3,Qe2 and Ne2 are also playable

aansel thanks for your comment but i was under the assumption the usual reply in the danish is d5 to lead into the shlechter defence.

5...d5 is probably the most common answer in the Danish Gambit Accepted and leads to a roughly  equal game. It also is quite forcing and in most lines leads to an endgame like position.

My comment was that 5...Nh6 is not common and not that bad--though no one has played it against me (yet). Qh5 can not be the correct approach of playing against it as it is not in the spirit of the Danish

The Danish can be a powerful weapon, but it is also, unfortunatly, easy to defuse by giving back the material. That said, you played well against a hesatant opponent. Well done.

B.t.w here is the defusal

True, i do agree that Qh5 was a flaw upon my part, i think it was because i was so thrown by Nh6. That said, the queen's position was invaluable during this match so i may use it if confronted by Nh6 again as like Nh6 this move has the potential to dislodge the opponent further.

yeah, i do know that defusal, its known as the shelchter defence. Apart from at high level play i think it is a very playable position for white. especially as white has the advantage of being able to castle.

The danish does not play well against players of a higher level.

Richie makes an excellent point.Not all equal position does not equate to a drawish position. There is still lots of play.

I believe in teaching the Danish to people as it shows the importance of early development and the use of open files both of which are important your people learning chess. My daughter has done well with it in Scholastic events.

I am not sure about BackIn94's comment. I use the Danish against all people I play now though since I do not play OTB anymore I rarely play anyone over 2300 but I would use it against anyone i did play.

I will definitely have to try such gambits in which more than one pawn is sacrificed. That now includes the Danish, the Muzio and the Double Muzio, as far as I know!

*Sigh* you people are WAY off...the only 1st move for white is d4.....

(Sicilian Phobia)

So, if you know any such gambits which sacrifice more than a pawn for heaps of development and initiative, post them here, please!

halloween gambit- Its the four knights opening followed by white taking blacks e5 pawn with his knight! there's an upcoming themed tournament using that gambit you may want to look at Dimitrije.

Oh, right, I forgot, the Halloween Gambit. Except from that one?

in the goring, black's two options, ...dxc3 and ...d5, are both good. ...d5 at least equalizes with no risk at all though.