From Larry:
Dear Yaz,
My name is Larry Carroll I'm a USCF rated 1756 player. On ICC I've made it
to as high as 1956 in 5-0 blitz. My question is about gambits. I like them;
they're fun, especially for blitz. In OTB chess, I've had somewhat disappointing
results.
GM's prefer Petrosian style chess-not gambits. What are your thoughts on
two gambits for use at any level: The Evans Gambit and the Smith-Morra Gambit?
For me, I love the Blackmar-Deimer, especially for blitz, but this is beside
the point. Your friend John Donaldson wasn't terribly impressed with the
BDG when I queried him about in Hot Springs, Ark. several years ago, but
his simul was great.
By the way, I was an Inside Chess subscriber for years, ask April Jenkins!
P.S: Friends of mine from Baton Rouge tell me that when Petrosian visited
there some 25 years ago he played blitz like a sacrificial maniac! More in
the style of Zukertort or Chigorin!
Yasser Seirawan replies:
Dear Larry,
Greetings and salutations! Thank you for your
support during the Inside Chess days. Most
appreciated.
Personally, when I started playing, I loved
playing AGAINST gambits. The motto being anything
in capture should be taken – even if it
meant giving up a mate in one! As I got a little
better, I began to appreciate the strength of
many gambits. Eventually, I started playing them
myself. The Max Lange was a particular early
favorite along with the Evans Gambit. By the
time I was an “A” player, gambits
including the Smith-Morra were fully appreciated.
It was discouraging when folks declined my gambits
(1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 d5) and got perfectly
sound positions.
Gambits are a lot of fun. Fast development,
an early initiative; isn't chess great!? Then
as I got stronger into the expert and master
class, Gambit's just stopped happening. The BDG
is just bad. As is the Budapest Gambit. The only
gambit as Black that I feel really has bite is
the Benko Gambit.
At the highest level you see an occasional King's
Gambit or an Evans. Most players throw out a
gambit if they feel they can catch their opponent
unprepared. A well-prepared player often gets
a sound or a very good position out of the opening.
I played Petrosian blitz – only once – and
he didn't give me anything. He stayed true to
his style throughout.
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