This puzzle is based on Emmanuel Schiffers vs Max Harmonist 1-0
5th DSB Congress, Frankfurt (1887), Frankfurt am Main GER, rd 11, Jul-25
White is setup to attack the f7 pawn. However, it's well defended and trading pieces will result in an even position with both Queens gone. Not the outcome expected of a Godfather Gambit. Can you see a better sacrifice that will result in the capture of the Black Queen?
Bronstein vs Korchnoi, Moscow vs Leningrad match, 1962
I haven't seen many Godfather Gambits in open play like that. Usually the opponent King is on the back rank when the GG is played. Very nice.
This puzzle is based on Max Weiss vs William Pollock 0-1
6th American Chess Congress, New York (1889), New York, NY USA, rd 35, May-11
The idea behind this GG is to draw the White King out and away from the back rank. Then push it towards the White Pawns while pushing the White Pawns towards the Black King in a pincer movement or bear trap. Pretty risky play with the White Queen lurking nearby. Can you pull off this checkmate in 14 moves?
This puzzle is based on Giri, Anish vs. Gukesh, D 1-0
Chess.com: Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023: 2023.01.15
Playing a Godfather Gambit move from this position results in the capture of the Black Queen in 4 moves. Although behind in material following the Queen capture, White has more pawns. With the Black King in the corner White can continue harassing it.
This puzzle is based on Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar vs. Giri, Anish
Meltwater Champions Chess Tour | Aimchess Rapid | Prelims: 2022.10.14
Play the Godfather Gambit to clear the h-file and promote the h-pawn. Then force the Black King away from the back rank where you can harass it with checks. The puzzle is 9 moves.
This puzzle is based on Wilhelm Steinitz vs. Curt von Bardeleben
Hastings ENG: Hastings: 1895.08.17
Although White won the game when Black resigned, I think it was too risky to play the Godfather Gambit and leave the White King vulnerable to a back rank checkmate. Following the GG White must keep checking the Black King to avoid a counter checkmate. This puzzle takes a different line to the original game.
This puzzle is based on Georg Rotlewi vs. Akiba Rubinstein
Lodz RUE: Lodz: 1907.12.26
Good puzzles!
This puzzle is based on Geza Maroczy vs Savielly Tartakower 0-1
Teplitz-Schönau (1922), Teplice-Sanov CSR, rd 4, Oct-05
Black sacked a Rook earlier to dismantle White's King-side pawn defence but White had defenders on the 7th rank to protect the King from a checkmate threat. Black then moved up a Knight, Bishop and Rook to try the Godfather Gambit. This resulted in White giving up its Queen in defence.
Based on Jan-Krzysztof Duda vs Anish Giri 1-0
Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals (2022) (rapid), Chess24 INT, rd 3, Nov-16
White checks the Black King with every move until checkmate and uses the Godfather Gambit twice to find mate in 11 moves.
Based on Delmar Saxton vs Howard Ohman 1-0
Omaha Chess Team Playoff (1947), Omaha, NE
White checkmates in 8 moves starting with the Godfather Gambit.
I just remembered a cool "Godfather Gambit" move I got to play in an OTB tournament, decades ago.
I just remembered a cool "Godfather Gambit" move I got to play in an OTB tournament, decades ago.
Qh6 is a brilliant move because if Black takes the White Queen with gxh6 M1 follows with a great discovered checkmate with the re-capture move gxh6#. Well done and thanks for sharing.
I just remembered a cool "Godfather Gambit" move I got to play in an OTB tournament, decades ago.
Qh6 is a brilliant move because if Black takes the White Queen with gxh6 M1 follows with a great discovered checkmate with the re-capture move gxh6#. Well done and thanks for sharing.
Notice that I had to start the sequence with 16. Bf6.
If I had played 16. Qh6 right away instead, Black could have parried the threat with 16. f7-f6.
So first I played 16. Bf6 to immobilize his f-Pawn, and THEN I played 17. Qh6 threatening mate.
Notice that I had to start the sequence with 16. Bf6.
If I had played 16. Qh6 right away instead, Black could have parried the threat with 16. f7-f6.
So first I played 16. Bf6 to immobilize his f-Pawn, and THEN I played 17. Qh6 threatening mate.
Black could also have blocked the White Bishop with pawn to e5 also attacking the White Bishop. So, moving that Bishop first was a smart move.
Based on Luis Paulo Supi vs Magnus Carlsen 1-0
Blitz (2020), May-26
White checkmates in 6 moves starting with the Godfather Gambit.
Based on Pechac, Jergus vs. Palac, Mladen Chess.com: Mitropa Cup 2023: 2023.04.11
I include this as a Godfather Gambit because Black resigned immediately after the GG was played. If the White Queen is taken it's checkmate in 2 moves. However, Black could have elected to play another line which would have taken the game to an endgame albeit down in material. Can you find those moves?
This puzzle is based on Edward Lasker vs Fritz Englund 1-0
Scheveningen (1913), Scheveningen NED, rd 12, Aug-06
Click the lightbulb twice to see White's first move followed by Black's. Then play a Godfather Gambit move and continue to checkmate.