The Rousseau Gambit | Risky Opening Choice for Black in the Italian Game | IM Alex Astaneh

In this video, IM Alex Astaneh is covering the Rousseau Gambit that arises out of the Italian Game. This variation is characterized by black's move 3...f5 and is quite risky for black as white already developed two pieces whereas black only developed the knight on c6. The Rousseau Gambit is in nowadays not a much played variant especially at the highest levels as it puts black into a weaker position.

The main focus of this video is on the best play in the Rousseau Gambit after black's last moves:

1:38 4...fxe4
4:18 4...exd4

📘 The pgn to this video can be downloaded on our website!

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[Chessfactor]

How did you like this lesson? Let us know your questions and comments, we’ll be happy to answer them!

[zanti]

This opening reminds me of the Latvian Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5), which was popular with scholastic players in the 1970s. As a practitioner of the Latvian myself at that time, I can tell you I didn't care that White has several ways to gain an advantage - my objective was to get to a messy position that required accurate play from both sides. Maintaining the advantage in a tricky tactical position is tough for a club player, and the game usually came down to which player could calculate better.

I can see players who like the Rousseau Gambit being of the same mindset: "Damn the theoretical evaluation, let's play a messy game." No doubt trying it at the top level would be suicide, but that's an irrelevant point. At our level, accurate play is essentially nonexistent, and at least the game won't be boring.

[shivprateek]

Another bit of theory added to the vast chess knowledge that I can showoff to my friends at the library and the bar

Thanks Chessfactor and IM Alex

[wqjioqj]

it is good to know the answer for this surprising gambit. thx

[bznabba]

I won many games with this gambit, usually white is not ready! :)

[jbennett]

Amazing learning tool. Shows how strong players think descriptively about resulting positions and how they are the ones who can play out such descriptions true, without misplaying the tactics that follow. Thank you

[abdel-quddousibnismael]

I frequently use this gambit which has allowed me to win many games.

Before moving on to the gambit, I play three moves: bishop c5, in order to control the d4 square three times and thus avoid the bursting of the center, pawn a6 in order to avoid the blocking of my knight by the bishop on c4, and finally pawn h6 in order to prevent the knight from coming on g5.

[fredgandolfi]

You explain things well and clearly. Thank you.

[WilliamJonesChess]

Interesting that with the Italian Opening, if black plays f5, white should strike with d4, as shown in this video.
But with the Spanish Opening if 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 is considered a nice way for white to play.

[rudipauwels]

Thanks a lot! Another gambit goes down the drain!

[dragonore]

Is it really risky though? I mean this gambit has allot of tricky traps black can set up.

[edjoma]

2.26 In my opinion after d5 Bb5 better is Qf6 not Qd6.Regards

[AkshayParulekar-cmhx]

Practically white is not prepared for this at lower level

[prabhureubenthomas]

Italian Game.. well are there any more variations??

[renaissancerachnavali]

What is this ?? It's like a deep dark forest where 2+2=5 where only one can suffice to much heat🔥🔥🔥

[gavincain]

Great video, very helpful, this was played against me recently and I made a silly mistake ((bishop and Knight fork by a pawn!)

[theexaminer]

Hi! I know the counter offensive as black.

[yeeluvspizza]

Once a chess player realizes he or she will never play at the highest levels, they are liberated and can freely play gambits and enjoy their chess.

[pipingbertonel]

Master better to use screen board only..tnx

[ManuFerrara]

No. Black queen in E7 to defend the whites attack (knight+bishop+queen).