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In this post, I will show some of the interesting ideas I managed to find in the Von Hennig-Schara Gambit, a very dynamic sideline in the Tarrasch Defense in the Queen’s Gambit. The gambit arises after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5, when instead of 4…exd5 with a standard Tarrasch Black plays 4…cxd4, sacrificing a pawn for a couple of tempi and (very) active pieces. (This is not to be confused with the line that arises after 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.cxd5 cxd4. This is a super-solid line that’s played for a draw; a sort of “Berlin” variation in the Queen’s Gambit. Despite 80% of the moves being the same, the character of the play is radically different.)
The analysis in this post reflects the older, classical approach to the VHS Gambit - maybe a subsequent post will address the newer lines (the DVD Gambit? The streaming gambit?). So it won’t be cutting-edge theory; nevertheless, these ideas are not to be found in the database, and these old lines aren’t bad as a surprise weapon, especially in games with shorter time controls. I played the VHS Gambit in a couple of classical games, drawing with a GM and defeating a 2000-rated player, and facing serious danger against a talented junior when facing it with the white pieces before ultimately prevailing. In blitz, I’ve played it countless times, with excellent results even against my peers and betters.
To be clear, it is a risky line, and not fully sound. Objectively, White is clearly better, but there are three provisos: White must have done their homework (and remembered it - the first does not entail the second!), they must have some sense of what to do after they’ve reached the end of the basic theoretical solution, and they’ll need some time to work out the tactics. I think the line is perfectly playable even in classical chess against opponents rated up to 2000 (assuming you know what you’re doing, of course) and in rapid games against players up to 2400 or so, and against anyone in blitz - assuming the element of surprise. Given the rarity of the VHS, and given further that newer moves have supplanted the variation I’m covering in this post, your chances of surprising your opponent are very decent.
On to specifics…
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