Pressure 1.d4 Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit for Black + PGN Feb 20, 2025

Take 1.d4 Players Away From Closed Positions

If there’s one thing 1.d4 players love, it’s slow, positional, closed grinds. They’ll squeeze you gradually with their space advantage until you capitulate. Where’s the fun in that?

Well, the fun starts with the Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit!

After the moves 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 d6!? we’ll reach the start of our repertoire.

Our starting position

This is a true gambit – we won’t immediately win the pawn back and we have no intention of doing so. The goal is fast development in an open position and a direct attack against White’s king.

White will have to tread carefully and natural development often leads to a quick punishment.

The Queen is in trouble

Your setup will consistently involve active bishops and quickly castling queenside. This gives you the great practical benefit of developing a feel for these unusual positions – which your opponents will rarely see.

Black’s practical compensation is clear

Make no mistake – this pawn sacrifice isn’t for the faint of heart. If your goal is to equalize with Black and get an engine-approved 0.00 position, then this course isn’t for you.

But if you’re looking for a seriously sharp surprise weapon and a chance to attack in every game, then this gambit will make your day, because:

✔️You avoid dull, closed positions.
✔️You’ll surprise your opponent on move 2
✔️Your development lead and active bishops guarantee you attacking chances
✔️You’ll be far more familiar with the tricks and traps because this line is so rare

The course is structured with club players in mind. You’ll learn the mainlines first and there’s a real focus on moves that are played most often by club players. Priority Lines have been specifically chosen as the Priority Lines for casual & club players.

NM Solomon Ruddell presents the course. Better known as The Chess Giant, he’s a full-time chess coach and content creator with almost 40,000 subscribers on YouTube. Russ Southern is an adult improver, engineer, and comedian by night.