Don Chess

Learn the Alien Gambit

Out of this world: against the Caro-Kann you sacrifice a whole knight on f7. Risky, crazy – and a real shock for your opponent.

You play with White. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

Train the Alien Gambit now →

The main line

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Ng5 h6 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 7.Bc4+ e6 8.Nf3 Bd6 9.O-O

B15 · Caro-Kann Defense: Alien Gambit

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…c6 Prepares the pawn move to d5.
  3. 2.d4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on d4.
  4. 2…d5 Attacks the pawn on e4 – the fight for the centre begins.
  5. 3.Nc3 Develops the knight to c3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  6. 3…dxe4 Takes the pawn on e4.
  7. 4.Nxe4 Takes back on e4 – material is level again.
  8. 4…Nf6 Develops the knight to f6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  9. 5.Ng5 The knight was attacked and goes to safety on g5.
  10. 5…h6 Prevention: takes important squares away from the opponent's pieces.
  11. 6.Nxf7 Takes the pawn on f7.
  12. 6…Kxf7 Takes back on f7 – material is level again.
  13. 7.Bc4+ Check! The opponent has to react at once.
  14. 7…e6 Opens the way for the bishop on f8.
  15. 8.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  16. 8…Bd6 Develops the bishop to d6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  17. 9.O-O Castles: the king is safe and the rook joins the game.

Idea and plans

The idea

1…c6 prepares …d5 without locking in the c8 bishop. Solid, with a healthy pawn structure.

Plan for White

In the Advance (3.e5) use the kingside space; in the main lines develop quickly and press on e6/f7.

Plan for Black

Develop the bishop to f5 or g4, then …e6, …c5, and aim for a safe endgame.

Tip

Get the bishop out before …e6 – otherwise it is shut in, as in the French.

The 4 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

Train the Alien Gambit now →

More openings