Horwitz Defense · A40

Zilbermints Gambit

1. d4 e6 2. c4 e5

In the centre, White holds d4 while Black holds e5.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Horwitz Defense.
• 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
• 2... e5 Challenges the pawn on d4 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Zilbermints Gambit: development and initiative over material.

Create a free account to train this line — every note in it is already on this page; an account puts it on a board, with the plan and a drill that walks it.