Indian Defense · A45
Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit, Maltese Falcon
1. d4 Nf6 2. g4 Nxg4 3. f3 Nf6 4. e4
The structure hands White the half-open g-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
- 2. g4 Opens the f1-h3 diagonal for the bishop. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit: development and initiative over material.
- 2... Nxg4 Takes the pawn on g4. Theory calls this the Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit Accepted.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 53 in the Indian Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.