Answers.Body: <p><strong>Edit :</strong></p>
  
  <p>After posting this I realized that I just transposed to pretty common position, which I believe is not all that great for Black. But perhaps the idea of getting a crazy attacker to play a dry position is still valid, so I will keep my post up.</p>
  
  <p>What about returning the knight right away with <code>5.d6</code>. I don't think that white has any better moves than <code>6. dxe5</code> and then exchanging queens. Where white only has a slight advantage.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 d6 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Qxd8 Kxd8
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I realize that this is not everybody's cup of tea, and on pure chess level this is not impressive. However, this might be useful in practical sense. People who play Halloween Gambit love to attack; it is likely that the above resulting position is not to their taste. This would also take them out their opening territory.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-06T18:22:59.147Z
Answers.Text: I like the "playing against the player" approach of returning the piece for a quiet game.  I've done that in some similar situations before.  On the other hand, I've never been one to look a gift horse (or piece!) in the mouth... :P
Answers.UserDisplayName: Andrew
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-07T04:55:15.640Z
Answers.Text: I found the resulting position really not great for Black… he surely can achieve much better against this gambit, even returning the piece.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Nikana Reklawyks
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-05T23:27:05.233Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-12-05T23:33:45.253Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2012-12-05T23:33:45.253Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Akavall
Answers.Body: <p>When meeting tricky (complex) positions, the best we can try is to simplify the position, this is for sure one of those tricky ones.</p>
  
  <p><code>5...Nc6</code> seems like a good option</p>
  
  <pre><code>r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4n3/3PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq d3 0 5
  
  5... Nc6 6. e5 Ng8 7. Bc4 d6 8. Bf4 dxe5 9. dxe5 Bf5 10. O-O Qxd1 11. Raxd1 Bxc2 12. Rd2 
  </code></pre>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-07T05:01:32.573Z
Answers.Text: … against `e5`. `d5` is White's move, I think. `8 Qf3`, `Qh5`, or `d5` frighten me more than the somewhat passive `Bf4`.  At last, you probably don't want to lose time capturing pawns with such a poor development.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Nikana Reklawyks
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-07-15T20:20:13.063Z
Answers.Text: Yes, this line is totally irrelevant. It shows that if Black plays into the most dangerous possible line of the gambit, and then White derps around and lets the Queens come off, Black will be fine. Which doesn't mean anything.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Evan Harper
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-05T18:09:49.313Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-12-06T20:39:27.903Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2012-12-06T20:39:27.903Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Helio
Answers.Body: <p>I've playing this gambit a lot and stumbled on a good response for Black players who hope to win quickly. In the "main line" (i.e. ..Ng6) play ..d6 instead of ..d5. More often than not White will play f4 which loses to ..de fe ..Nxe5! intending ..Qh4+. It's a nice little trap. 
  <img src="https://i.sstatic.net/kxVvT.png" alt="Black plays ..d6!?">. More analysis of the other lines <a href="http://compulsiontomove.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-halloween-gambit-is-scarier-than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="my blog">on my blog</a> if you are interested. </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2022-02-04T17:58:42.493Z
Answers.Text: This **7...d6** move was played by Stockfish 10 against Leela: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaobKmr4y-Q
Answers.UserDisplayName: hb20007
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-21T03:09:20.687Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-12-21T03:09:20.687Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Quant
Answers.Body: <p>After </p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Instead of moving the <code>c6 Knight</code>, black should continue with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Knights_Game,_Halloween_Gambit#Pinski.27s_6...Bb4">Jan Pinski's <code>6...Bb4</code></a>. Black will just give away the <code>c6 knight</code> and then black will take the <code>e4 pawn</code> with the <code>f6 Knight</code>.  White can't take the Knight because his own is pinned and if white moves their queen to <code>d4</code>, black can just move their queen to <code>e7</code> to protect both the bishop and the knight.  A continuation might be something like this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Bb4 7. dxc6 Nxe4 8. Qd4 Qe7 9. Qxg7 Nxc3+ 10. Be3 Nd5+ 11. c3 Rf8
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>As you can see from above, if black plays accurately, there can be many discovered checks on white and if black wants, they can continue by taking the bishop on <code>e3</code> eventually with another discovered check to follow or white will have to take the Knight, but either way, black will just take back with <code>Qxe3+</code> and it is pretty much over for white.</p>
  
  <p>Here is a professional game between <code>Grigor Minchev</code> and <code>Aleksandr Pretov</code> where black was unable to defend properly and was devastated.</p>
  
  <pre><code>  [FEN ""]
    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5
    Ne5 7. f4 Ng6 8. e5 Ng8 9. d6 cxd6 10. exd6 Qf6 11. Nb5 Rb8
    12. Be3 b6 13. Qe2 Kd8 14. O-O-O Qe6 15. f5 Qxf5 16. Qc4 Qe5
    17. Qc7+ Ke8 18. Bd4 Qf4+ 19. Kb1 Ra8 20. Re1+ Be7 21. g3 Qd2
    22. Bg2 Qxg2 23. dxe7 N8xe7 24. Nd6+ Kf8 25. Qd8# 1-0
  </code></pre>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-09-11T22:07:04.803Z
Answers.Text: If someone is going to try to hold onto the piece, then 5...Ng6 is much better than 5...Nc6; 6.d5 Ne5; 7.f4.
  
  I really like that 6...Bb4  line. Black is busted there.
Answers.UserDisplayName: PhishMaster
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-05T18:19:56.517Z
Answers.Text: IMHO trying to defend black's queen knight is the cause of death...
Answers.UserDisplayName: Helio
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-05T18:39:35.043Z
Answers.Text: I like the 6...Bb4 idea.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Akavall
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-12-05T18:10:31.567Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-12-05T20:39:55.343Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2012-12-05T20:39:55.343Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: xaisoft
Body: <p>Although the Halloween Gambit is generally considered bad (and nearly losing for white), it is tricky to meet over the board, especially at the club level.</p>
  
  <p>How should black play in order to refute white's gambit?</p>
  
  <pre><code>[White "Four Knights"]
  [Black "Halloween Gambit"]
  [FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 (5... Ng6)
  </code></pre>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-02-01T19:00:12.397Z
Comments.Text: Lichess study showing several good responses for Black: https://lichess.org/study/qXpjcZgz
Comments.UserDisplayName: hb20007
Tags: <opening><four-knights>
Title: How should black meet the Halloween Gambit?
ThreadText: # How should black meet the Halloween Gambit?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2012-12-05)
  
  Although the Halloween Gambit is generally considered bad (and nearly losing for white), it is tricky to meet over the board, especially at the club level.
  How should black play in order to refute white's gambit?
  [White "Four Knights"]
  [Black "Halloween Gambit"]
  [FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 (5... Ng6)
  
  **Tags:** opening, four-knights
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Lichess study showing several good responses for Black: https://lichess.org/study/qXpjcZgz  
  
  ---
  
  ## 4 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2012-12-05. Score: 11 | Accepted answer
  
  After 
  [FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5
  
  Instead of moving the c6 Knight, black should continue with Jan Pinski's 6...Bb4. Black will just give away the c6 knight and then black will take the e4 pawn with the f6 Knight.  White can't take the Knight because his own is pinned and if white moves their queen to d4, black can just move their queen to e7 to protect both the bishop and the knight.  A continuation might be something like this:
  [FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5 Bb4 7. dxc6 Nxe4 8. Qd4 Qe7 9. Qxg7 Nxc3+ 10. Be3 Nd5+ 11. c3 Rf8
  
  As you can see from above, if black plays accurately, there can be many discovered checks on white and if black wants, they can continue by taking the bishop on e3 eventually with another discovered check to follow or white will have to take the Knight, but either way, black will just take back with Qxe3+ and it is pretty much over for white.
  Here is a professional game between Grigor Minchev and Aleksandr Pretov where black was unable to defend properly and was devastated.
    [FEN ""]
    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 Nc6 6. d5
    Ne5 7. f4 Ng6 8. e5 Ng8 9. d6 cxd6 10. exd6 Qf6 11. Nb5 Rb8
    12. Be3 b6 13. Qe2 Kd8 14. O-O-O Qe6 15. f5 Qxf5 16. Qc4 Qe5
    17. Qc7+ Ke8 18. Bd4 Qf4+ 19. Kb1 Ra8 20. Re1+ Be7 21. g3 Qd2
    22. Bg2 Qxg2 23. dxe7 N8xe7 24. Nd6+ Kf8 25. Qd8# 1-0
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_4**: IMHO trying to defend black's queen knight is the cause of death...  
  > **username_2**: I like the 6...Bb4 idea.  
  > **username_8**: If someone is going to try to hold onto the piece, then 5...Ng6 is much better than 5...Nc6; 6.d5 Ne5; 7.f4.  I really like that 6...Bb4  line. Black is busted there.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2012-12-05. Score: 3
  
  Edit :
  After posting this I realized that I just transposed to pretty common position, which I believe is not all that great for Black. But perhaps the idea of getting a crazy attacker to play a dry position is still valid, so I will keep my post up.
  What about returning the knight right away with 5.d6. I don't think that white has any better moves than 6. dxe5 and then exchanging queens. Where white only has a slight advantage.
  [FEN ""]
  
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5?! Nxe5 5. d4 d6 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Qxd8 Kxd8
  
  I realize that this is not everybody's cup of tea, and on pure chess level this is not impressive. However, this might be useful in practical sense. People who play Halloween Gambit love to attack; it is likely that the above resulting position is not to their taste. This would also take them out their opening territory.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: I like the "playing against the player" approach of returning the piece for a quiet game.  I've done that in some similar situations before.  On the other hand, I've never been one to look a gift horse (or piece!) in the mouth... :P  
  > **username_3**: I found the resulting position really not great for Black… he surely can achieve much better against this gambit, even returning the piece.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2012-12-05. Score: 3
  
  When meeting tricky (complex) positions, the best we can try is to simplify the position, this is for sure one of those tricky ones.
  5...Nc6 seems like a good option
  r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4n3/3PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq d3 0 5
  
  5... Nc6 6. e5 Ng8 7. Bc4 d6 8. Bf4 dxe5 9. dxe5 Bf5 10. O-O Qxd1 11. Raxd1 Bxc2 12. Rd2
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_3**: … against `e5`. `d5` is White's move, I think. `8 Qf3`, `Qh5`, or `d5` frighten me more than the somewhat passive `Bf4`.  At last, you probably don't want to lose time capturing pawns with such a poor development.  
  > **username_5**: Yes, this line is totally irrelevant. It shows that if Black plays into the most dangerous possible line of the gambit, and then White derps around and lets the Queens come off, Black will be fine. Which doesn't mean anything.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2013-12-21. Score: 0
  
  I've playing this gambit a lot and stumbled on a good response for Black players who hope to win quickly. In the "main line" (i.e. ..Ng6) play ..d6 instead of ..d5. More often than not White will play f4 which loses to ..de fe ..Nxe5! intending ..Qh4+. It's a nice little trap.
  ![Black plays ..d6!?](https://i.sstatic.net/kxVvT.png). More analysis of the other lines [on my blog](http://compulsiontomove.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-halloween-gambit-is-scarier-than.html "my blog") if you are interested.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: This **7...d6** move was played by Stockfish 10 against Leela: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaobKmr4y-Q  
  
  ---
  
  