Another day, another Caro-Kann destroyed by the von Hennig Gambit (1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Bc4)!

The von Hennig Gambit is a simple straightforward gambit of a pawn for accelerated development. There are some potential traps for Black, but even if they sidestep those, there is just something about being effectively almost three steps ahead with how the opening often proceeds. Why three steps? Firstly, White gets to go first. White gambits a pawn to develop another piece. And then, White trades off the f-pawn to develop the knight to f3. At the end of move 6, White has three developed pieces, and ready to castle compared to Black’s single developed bishop!

The interesting thing here is that Black is completely fine according to the engine. The evaluation in the opening is between [-1] and [-1.5]. However, it isn’t easy for humans to play. Against the rapid development of White, the relative control of the centre, and the beginnings of an attack, Black will often make inaccuracies and errors.

Black cracked on move 8 – striking out with c5, but this was a severe mistake [+7]. What is curious is that the move is not obviously bad, which gets to the insidious and complicated nature of these positions. Against the ongoing forward advance of my pieces attacking, the game shifts further and further into my favour – [+9] on move 10, [+10.5] on move 14. In the confusion, Black hangs their knight on move 16 [+17], which becomes the psychological trigger for defeat, resigning after its capture. GG!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/74046665445

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.01"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "mgcrispino"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "B15"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Caro-Kann-Defense-von-Hennig-Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2023.04.01"]
[UTCTime "00:07:06"]
[WhiteElo "1414"]
[BlackElo "1340"]
[TimeControl "1800"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "00:07:06"]
[EndDate "2023.04.01"]
[EndTime "00:19:52"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/74046665445"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.82046355.50x50o.c8c8e6b7296c.jpg"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/15351544.09007b2c.50x50o.dbb892306e47.jpeg"]
[BlackCountry "111"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:29:55.2]} 1... c6 {[%clk 0:29:53.9]} 2. d4 {[%clk 0:29:50.1]}
2... d5 {[%clk 0:29:51]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 0:29:46.3]} 3... dxe4 {[%clk 0:29:47.7]}
4. Bc4 {[%clk 0:29:42.3] Caro-Kann Defense: von Hennig Gambit [-0.6]. A
straightforward gambit of a pawn for accelerated development.} 4... Bf5 {[%clk
0:29:36.2]} 5. f3 {[%clk 0:29:28.3][%c_arrow
g2g4;keyPressed;none;from;g2;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false] The purpose of f3 is
to lure Black to capture the pawn, and then we capture back with development
[-1]. The best engine line is the tricky g4, which wins tempo, but with a risk.}
5... exf3 {[%clk 0:29:12]} 6. Nxf3 {[%clk 0:29:23.8]} 6... e6 {[%clk 0:29:09.5]}
7. O-O {[%clk 0:29:07.1]} 7... Nd7 {[%clk 0:29:01.4]} 8. Bf4 $6 {[%clk
0:27:35.3][%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f3g5;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g5;persistent;false] A relative inaccuracy
[-1.5]. A forward attacking move with Ng5 is Stockfish's preferred move.} 8...
c5 $2 {[%clk 0:28:55.1][%c_effect
c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f8e7;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] A mistake - Black
needs to develop and get their king to safety [+7]} 9. d5 $1 {[%clk
0:27:17.4][%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9... Nb6 $6
{[%clk 0:28:45][%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g8f6;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] Under pressure from
White's rapid development and attack, it's is common for Black to succumb to
inaccuracies and mistakes [+9.5]} 10. Ne5 {[%clk 0:26:06.3][%c_arrow
c4b5;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false] Not the most accurate
move, but still strongly ahead [+5]} 10... Bd6 $2 {[%clk 0:28:07.9][%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a7a6;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false] Black makes a mistake
back [+9]} 11. Bb5+ {[%clk 0:25:32.5]} 11... Ke7 {[%clk 0:27:45.5]} 12. dxe6
{[%clk 0:24:51.7]} 12... Bxe5 {[%clk 0:27:28.7]} 13. Bxe5 {[%clk 0:23:35.1]}
13... Qxd1 {[%clk 0:27:06.3]} 14. Raxd1 {[%clk 0:23:00.6]} 14... Nf6 $6 {[%clk
0:27:03.9][%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f7f6;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] [+10.5]} 15. Rxf5
{[%clk 0:22:24.2]} 15... Kxe6 {[%clk 0:26:56.1]} 16. Rg5 {[%clk 0:20:53.5]}
16... Ne4 $4 {[%clk 0:26:42.8][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] In the confusion, Black unfortunately
hangs their knight and the game comes to an end [+17]} 17. Nxe4 {[%clk
0:20:45.7][%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Winner,e6;square;e6;type;ResignBlack]}
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