Indian Defense: Budapest Defense

The Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5) is an active pawn sacrifice against 1.d4. After 3.dxe5 Black usually plays 3...Ng4, attacks the e5-pawn with pieces, and aims to win it back while getting quick development.

Origins

The opening was first played in Budapest on 5 March 1896, in a casual game between Mór Adler and Géza Maróczy. Maróczy credited Zsigmond Barász with discovering that it was playable. It became famous when Milan Vidmar beat Akiba Rubinstein with it in 24 moves in Berlin in April 1918. In the 1920s Richard Réti, Rudolf Spielmann and Savielly Tartakower played it, and it reached its peak of popularity. By the late 1920s it was considered theoretically dubious. Nigel Short tried it against Anatoly Karpov in 1992, and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov has tried to rehabilitate it, but it almost never appears at the highest level today.

The idea

After 3.dxe5 Ng4, Black attacks e5 with the knight, and follows with ...Nc6, ...Bc5 or ...Bb4+ and sometimes ...Qe7. Black usually wins the pawn back and gets active piece play. White either gives the pawn back for a lead in development, or tries to hold it with Bf4 and Nf3.

Main lines

• Adler Variation 4.Nf3: quick development.
• Rubinstein Variation 4.Bf4: White defends e5 with pieces.
• Alekhine Variation 4.e4: White gives back the pawn for a strong centre. Alekhine developed it in 1925–26.
• Fajarowicz Variation 3...Ne4: a less common, tricky alternative.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• Active piece play from the start, with many tactical chances.
• Many 1.d4 players know it less well than the main Indian defences.
• Clear plans: pressure on e5 and quick development.

Weaknesses

• Considered theoretically dubious since the late 1920s, and almost never seen at the highest level.
• If Black fails to win the pawn back, Black is simply a pawn down.
• It only works after 2.c4; against 2.Nf3 Black needs a different line.

Who should play it

The Budapest suits active players who want an aggressive, low-theory answer to 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4, especially in rapid and blitz. It is effective against opponents who try to keep the pawn at all costs and fall behind in development. It is less effective against well-prepared players who play 4.Bf4 or 4.e4 and give the pawn back at the right time.

The numbers

On Lichess, below 1400, it is level, 48.5% each. Between 1400 and 1800 Black is ahead, 49.6% against 46.7%. Between 1800 and 2200 it is even again, 47.6% against 47.2%. Above 2200 White pulls ahead, 49.6% against 43%. In master games over the board, White wins 44%, Black 20% and 35.5% are drawn.