Falkbeer Counter-gambit - is it sound?

Originally posted by Golub
I thought the modern had something to do with g6, etc.

Originally posted by Korch
I would say that at least 2 RHP players - Nothern Lad or English Tal knows that opening (from white side) better than me.

Hmm. This Abbazia defence looks interesting, at a closer look. The statistics at chessgames.com are pretty good too.

Found some d5 games on the gamesexplorer. Some decent games on there played by higher rated players. Here is one:

Game 377226

Edit: I see it just transposed.

Lovely game, makes me what to try that 0-0-0. Never thought about playing that before as black.

Nice attack also.

I would add that transposing to Abbazia defence (1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5) via Falkbeer counter gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 exf4 4.Nf3) have one advantage - Black can avoid unexpected surprises like Bishops gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4) and other less popular lines.

Originally posted by Korch
I would add that transposing to Abbazia defence (1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5) via Falkbeer counter gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 exf4 4.Nf3) have one advantage - Black can avoid unexpected surprises like Bishops gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4) and other less popular lines.

Originally posted by RahimK
I never knew that had a name, Abbazia defence.

Anywho, 3.Nf3 or 3.Bc4 I play d5 either way.

You have any games of your own in KGA? where black plays 3...d5?

Originally posted by Korch
It`s called "Abbazia defence" in chessgames.com.

In RHP I have no KGA games in this defence. In OTB play I have few games in that line. Also I have few blitz games played in playchess.

So I`m not too experienced in that line because I`m playing KG mostly against weaker players.

Game 3693871 in progress against the Falkbeer.

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
Game 3693871 in progress against the Falkbeer.

Originally posted by Korch
In English books 1.e4 g6 is called Robatch defence. And 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 d5 has been called Modern defence or Abbazia defence.

P.S. Name them as you wish, but its obviously that 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 exf4 4.Nf3 is other system.