ECO B01
Scandinavian, Icelandic Gambit
Also known as: Icelandic-Palme Gambit
The Icelandic Gambit arises after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 e6, when instead of regaining the pawn Black offers a second one with 4.dxe6 Bxe6, gaining a big lead in development and open lines against White's centre and the f2-point.
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. dxe6 Bxe6
Strategic ideas
Rather than the routine recapture on d5, Black treats the position as a genuine gambit, using the time White spends grabbing and holding the pawn to develop rapidly with ...Bc5, ...Nc6, ...O-O and ...Qe7 or ...Qd7. The open e-file and active bishops give real, lasting compensation.
Black's pieces swarm toward d4, f2 and White's uncastled king, so White must develop with great care and avoid greedy pawn-grabbing. If White consolidates and returns the pawn at the right moment the extra material can tell, but one careless move can leave the king caught in the centre.
Main variations
After 4.dxe6 Bxe6 Black develops with tempo, hitting the c4-pawn with the bishop and following up with ...Nc6, ...Bc5 and quick castling. White commonly returns the pawn to blunt the initiative and reach a roughly balanced game, or tries to hold on and weather the attack.
Key target squares for Black are d4 and f2, and moves like ...Bb4+ or ...Qe7 add to the pressure. White's soundest approach is patient development, timely returns of material and getting the king to safety before Black's activity becomes decisive.
History and background
The gambit is associated with Icelandic players who developed and popularised it, and it is also known as the Icelandic-Palme Gambit. It belongs to the dynamic wing of Scandinavian theory, prized by attacking players who happily invest a pawn for the initiative and are willing to play for the attack straight out of the opening.
Key ideas
- 3...e6 turns the Scandinavian into a genuine gambit
- Black sacrifices a pawn for rapid development
- The open e-file and active bishops give compensation
- Black's pieces target d4, f2 and the centre
- White should return the pawn to defuse the initiative
- Also known as the Icelandic-Palme Gambit
Typical plans
White
- Develop carefully and avoid greedy pawn-grabbing
- Return the extra pawn to blunt Black's initiative
- Get the king to safety before Black's attack builds
- Complete development with Nf3, Be2 and castling
- Neutralise the active bishops by trading pieces
Black
- Develop with tempo using ...Bc5 and ...Nc6
- Castle quickly and seize the open e-file
- Target the f2-square and White's uncastled king
- Add pressure with ...Bb4+, ...Qe7 or ...Qd7
- Keep the initiative rolling to justify the pawn