← All Openings

Budapest Gambit A52

Surprise gambit against 1.d4 2.c4

Final position of the Budapest Gambit main line

Fajarowicz Variation

After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5, Black immediately sacrifices a pawn to gain active piece play. A dangerous weapon at club level that takes White out of preparation.

The Budapest Gambit is a tricky, aggressive surprise weapon against 1.d4. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4, Black plays 2...e5, sacrificing a pawn for quick development and active piece play. A dangerous practical weapon at club level and a fun change of pace from solid defences.

Key strategic ideas

  • Black sacrifices the e5 pawn for fast development and active pieces. This is the gambit spirit: give material for activity.
  • After 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bb4+, Black gets a strong initiative. White must defend carefully to avoid getting overrun.
  • The Fajarowicz Variation (3...Ne4) is different. Black does not chase the e5 pawn but instead attacks everything in sight.

Common mistakes & traps

  • The Fajarowicz's main trap: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ne4 4.Qd4? Nc5! 5.Qxg7? Qxg7 6.Bxg7 Nxc4+ and Black wins a rook.
  • After the main line 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Nf3 Bc5 5.e4 Nxe5 6.Nxe5 Qe7, Black regains the piece and has active play for the pawn.

Pawn structure notes

White has an extra pawn on e5, but Black has active pieces and pressure. The centre is volatile. White's best plan is often to return the pawn with d4 to consolidate.

Name origin

Named after the city of Budapest, Hungary, where the gambit was first analysed in a 1917 tournament game between Abonyi and Vajda. Further developed by Hungarian masters in the 1920s, including Géza Maróczy.

Famous practitioners & games

Géza Maróczy, Lajos Portisch, Viktor Korchnoi, Mikhail Tal

Géza Maróczy vs Milan Vidmar
Budapest · 1926 · 1-0

Maróczy demonstrated how White can neutralise the gambit with accurate play.
Viktor Korchnoi vs Tigran Petrosian
Moscow · 1969 · 1-0

Korchnoi refuted Petrosian's Budapest Gambit with precise defence and a powerful counterattack.

Lines

Fajarowicz Variation advanced
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ne4
4. Nf3 b6
Instead of 3…Ng4, Black jumps to e4 immediately with 3…Ne4, attacking the e5 pawn and creating immediate complications. The Fajarowicz is rare but tricky.
Practice
Classical Variation intermediate
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Nf3 Bc5
5. e3 Nc6
Black plays 3…Ng4 to attack the e5 pawn, then 4…Bc5 to develop with tempo. The Classical Variation is the main line, giving Black active piece play as compensation.
Practice
Rubinstein Variation intermediate
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Bf4 Nc6
5. Nf3 Bb4+
6. Nbd2 Qe7
Black develops rapidly with check on b4 before the queen moves to e7, putting maximum pressure on the e5 pawn. A key line in the Classical Budapest.
Practice
4.Nf3 Variation advanced
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Nf3 Nc6
5. Bf4 Bc5
6. e3 O-O
7. Nc3 Ngxe5
8. Nxe5 Nxe5
9. Be2
White develops the bishop to c4 before the knight to f3, keeping the option of an early Bxf7+ sacrifice. A sharp and aggressive response to the Budapest.
Practice
4.Nf3 Bc5 5.Bg5 System intermediate
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Nf3 Bc5
5. Bg5 f6
6. exf6 Nxf6
7. Bxf6 Qxf6
8. Nc3 O-O
9. e3 d6
In the Classical Budapest, White pins the Ng4 with Bg5 before defending the e5 pawn. Black sacrifices a pawn for active piece play and quick development.
Practice