Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c5/3. cxd5/3...Nf6

Gusev Countergambit (3...Nf6!?)

Gusev Countergambit
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/5n2/2pP4/3P4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c5 3. cxd5 Nf6

Arising from the Austrian Defense, the Gusev Countergambit, named after the Soviet Master of Sports Nikolai Nikolaevich Gusev, is represented by the gambit of a pawn on c5 with 3...Nf6. In distinction to traditional openings that prioritize immediate control, Black elects to relinquish central pawns for active piece play. By offering the pawn on c5 as a gambit, Black aims to swiftly develop their pieces and pinch the action from White. The position's dynamic nature places emphasis on sharpness and quick development.

White's responses

White will probably reply with one of the following options:

• 4. e4 - The critical approach for White.
• 4. dxc5 - Accepting the gambit and the further complications.
• 4. Nf3 - Inviting a transposition to one of the main Austrian Defense lines.
• 4. Nc3 - Trying to consolidate the position while keeping the central tension.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c5 3. cxd5 Nf6

	4	5	6	7
	e4 Nxe4	dxc5 Nxc5	Nc3 e5	Nf3 Bd6	∞
	dxc5 Qxd5	Qxd5 Nxd5	e4 Nb4	Na3 e5	∞
	Nf3 cxd4	Qxd5 Qxd5	Nc3 Qxd4	Nxd4 a6	=
	Nc3 Nxd5	e4 Nxc3	bxc3 cxd4	cxd4 e5	∞

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

• 1 d4 d5 and Unusual Replies to the Queen's Gambit, Nunn, John (ed.), et al. (1999). Nunn's Chess Openings. Everyman Chess, ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.