The Cochrane Gambit, an alternative against the Russian Defense
The Gambito Cochrane arises after the moves 1.e4, e5 2.Nf3, Nf6 3.Nxe5, d6 4.Nxf7!
I. Defining the Cochrane Gambit -and the other “boring” classic variants.
John Cochrane (1798-1878)
The Cochrane Gambit (which owes its name to John Cochrane, a Scottish amateur who used it consistently) is a knight sacrifice, played by White, in exchange for two pawns in the opening. Also, White gets a strong pawn center and some attack against the Black king, which is unable to castle.
It’s not widely used by “big names” (with the honorable exception of the game Topalov-Kramnik, Linares 1999) -but in amateur and lower rated games abounds. It produces stormy games where White can practice their skills on the attack, and Black the art of defense.
It’s an interesting alternative to classic variants. See the “normal” possibilities on the following interactive board:
II. A model game.
I have analyzed an interesting game, as showing the possibilities of attack for White. Please read the illustrative verbal comments that will appear in the white box under the board (they are in English and Spanish).
I hope you enjoy it!
III. A collection of chess miniatures to download
In the following links you can download 59 Cochrane Gambit’s miniatures. I have extended the number of moves to 30, otherwise it would have been very few games. They all end in checkmate, or one side is about to receive it. If you do not know how to take advantage of this resource, you need to read this article:
A hardcore guide to study and train your chess openings (1st part)
You may download these miniatures in pgn and cbv formats, but I strongly recommend cbv because the games are categorized by openings, tactics, strategy, endgames, etc etc…
Bon appetite!
You may find other collections like this one right here.
4 Responses to “The Cochrane Gambit, an alternative against the Russian Defense”
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Hi Carlos. it occurred to me, no position is good or bad, but how one negotiates the position is what matters. When one is about to be Check-Mated, then one has negotiated the position, earlier, inappropriately. After that inappropriate negotiation it doesn’t matter if the position is good or bad, one can play further, and learn from the positions, which further come from the inappropriate position earlier.
Actually, winning is about feeling good. If a looser can learn from loosing, it makes more sense than a winner feeling good from winning.
That one is an interesting point of view
Philosophy of chess!
Thanks for commenting here.
Hi Carlos. When Im faced with the Petroff defense, I figure my opponent has prepared it so I often transition to the two knights defense and often win or draw with the Halloween attack,1e4 e5 2Nf3 Nf6 3Nc3 Nc6 4Nxe5?! This is another opening not often seen at higher levels but has suprise value against those players who are psychologically attuned to openings like the Petrov. After reading your info about the Cochran Gambit, I am encouraged to study and play it. Thank you.
Well, the halloween attack deserve more than a ?! sign, I think is totally incorrect, but you know, if you are playing for fun, you got a hell of a ride for your horsy
See you around.