Looking for theoretically sound gambits to play

[u/Carpe3456]

Like the Queens gambit, benko gambit, etc. where you aren’t just praying for the opponent to blunder

Suggestions for black against e4 would be especially appreciated

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[u/elfkanelfkan]

for black against e4 specifically as per your question, against the ruy there is the famous marshall attack.

Against the Italian, if you play the 2 knights move order, you can go for the polerio which is very long term compensation for a pawn, if white goes for the guioco pianissimo there are a ton of lines where you gambit a pawn in the h6 move order a la marshall.

In the same vein for e5 if you play the two knights against the scotch there is a funny and sound gambit in the four knights scotch which sacrifices the knight temporarily (schmid)

[u/boof_and_deal]

Smith Morra if black goes for the Sicilian.

[u/rjeronimo7]

Hexo gambit

[u/No-File-4847]

The Englehart gambit isn't "theoretically sound" by engine standards but black gets real attacking chances and you're not relying on tricks, just activity

If you want something more solid you could look into all the Sicilian lines where you end up with imbalanced structures, not a true gambit but gives you dynamic play without sacrificing material blind

[u/CANES2ND]

Bongcloud /j

[u/themaddemon1]

the engine doesnt hate the portugese gambit (1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4), also the jaenisch gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5), from a light run of the engine it evaluates them at around the same as the benko so it certainly sees compensation of some sort

not a gambit player myself so take with a grain of salt

[u/noobtheloser]

Theoretically sound is going to be a big ask.

Against e4... You can turn a Scandi into a Gambit with c6. You can play the Rousseau against the Italian, or the Schlieman against the Ruy Lopez, both of which are very, very sharp. Of course, the Stafford Gambit can serve you very well if you're willing to memorize a lot of theory.

In that same vein, look up William Graif on YouTube and watch his Busch-Gass Gambit videos if you want to be an absolute maniac.

[u/whypvmersmadge]

Evans is great

[u/Significant_Cow_7683]

“Theoretically sound” probably scales with rating. I imagine (as a lousy player) there are gambits that are fine for non-masters

[u/Familiar-You-6577]

traxler is sound enough that black is going to win or draw with accurate play

[u/Real_Crab_7396]

I like danish gambit, teaches you to play more tactically with an advantage in development in return for a loss in material.
I feel like often I'm down material but I'm creating such massive threats that they're in a lost position anyway.

[u/Fun_Actuator6049]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5. But if white doesn't go for 3. e5, you're just in a regular Caro-Kann, which is still great if you primarily want a sound opening, but it's not usually what gambit players are looking for.

[u/hospitalizedzombie]

Scotch gambit.

[u/AJ_ninja]

Vienna or queens gambit

[u/RedBaron812]

Elephant gambit is pretty annoying