Wing Gambit
|
In chess, Wing Gambit is the name given to the branches of several openings in which one player gambits a wing pawn (usually the b pawn (see algebraic notation)).
Most common is the Wing Gambit in the Sicilian Defence, which runs 1.e4 c5 2.b4 (see diagram). After Black takes with 2...cxb4, the usual continuation is 3.a3 bxa3 (3...d5 is also possible, when White must avoid 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.axb4?? Qe5+ winning the rook; 5.Nf3 is better) and now the main line is 4.Nxa3, though 4.Bxa3 and 4.d4 are also seen. It is also possible to decline (or at least delay acceptance of) the gambit with 2...d5. For his pawn, White gets quicker development and a central advantage, but it is not generally considered one of White's better choices against the Sicilian, and is virtually never seen at the professional level (amongst amateurs it is more common, though still not so popular as other systems).
There is also a Wing Gambit in the French Defence, 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4, which is quite rare. Even rarer is the Wing Gambit in the Bishop's Opening, 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.b4, which has some resemblance to the Evans Gambit.