Is a gambit declined still a gambit?

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Dann Corbit
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Is a gambit declined still a gambit?

Post by Dann Corbit »

For instance, are KGD and QGD still gambits?
Second question, (assuming a declined gambit is not longer a gambit) what if the offered pawn or piece can still be captured after the gambit is declined? Is it still a gambit in that case?
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jefk
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Re: Is a gambit declined still a gambit?

Post by jefk »

a 'normal' (real) gambit declined usually remains a 'gambit'; for example there are quite
some kings gambit declined variations.
But ofcourse there's also the QGD but that's not really a gambit because the QGA is a pseudo
gambit (the lost pawn on c4 can always be won back (also after moves as ...b5!?) ).

Then there are counter gambits, using a move like ...b5?! against a Scottish (or Italian) gambit
Such moves were quite normal in the past (100-150 yrs ago) but were more bluff (or attempts
to get the opponent out of preparation) than really good moves.

As for your second question, if the pawn is taken later (after a decline), instead
of immediately, it's usually called a (xx..) gambit deferred ; or 'delayed'.
For example when you play against the Kings gambit with Black you can decline
it with the Falkbeer countergambit, but then later not play ...d4!?, but
take the pawn anyway (but later) on f4 (e5xf4) , thus transposing to a KGA Abbazzia
defense (deferred).
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess- ... ia-defence
Abbazia is a town in Croatia btw.
(a lot) more info here (but not only Abbazzia)
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Ope ... xf4/3._Nf3
"
Again, there are no official rules regarding the names of such variations.
And maybe topics as this belong better in the chess players forum
viewforum.php?f=11
but that doesn't seem to be such a popular cq frequently visited place