Alien Gambit: The Hottest Trend in Chess

Roughly 100,000 games have been played using the Alien Gambit just in January 2024. Many Grandmasters are falling victim to it. Why has it become a hot trend in chess?

The Alien Gambit is like a new trend in online chess. It’s become super popular, with more than 100,000 games played just in January 2024. People of all skill levels are trying it out, from newbies to masters, including top ones like Hikaru Nakamura. As more and more people get into it, the Alien Gambit could become a regular part of the game for those who like to take risks.

The Alien Gambit, made famous by CM Volen Dyulgerov, aka The Witty Alien, is a bold and unusual opening. Witty Alien is a crazy chess streamer too and you should check out his Youtube channel. The Gambit happens in the Caro-Kann Defense, where White sacrifices a knight on the f7 square to tempt Black’s king into the middle of the board.

Some people might say this gambit isn’t very reliable and isn’t something serious players should try. But in quick games like bullet or blitz, where opponents might not be familiar with it, it can create confusion and lead to big mistakes. Even experienced players like Eric Rosen can struggle with it, dealing with weird piece positions and the challenge of not being able to castle.

The Alien Gambit Theory

First of all, let’s review the game between two FIDE Masters below, which took place just a few weeks ago. It’s an online bullet game on Lichess. The Russian FM Gor Glidzhian, playing as White, employed the Alien Gambit.

As you can see, Glidzhian sacrificed a knight to weaken Black’s kingside, then launched a deadly attack on the king, winning the game in just 20 moves. White’s subsequent moves after 6.Nxf7 were straightforward and clear. These included moves like Nf3, Bd3 (or Bc4), Ne5 (or Ng5), Qf3 (or Qh5), 0-0, and Re1. White could even sacrifice the bishop on h6 pawn at some point, using the other bishop to attack Black’s weak light squares and the b1-h7 diagonal. White can also target the weak e6 pawn or maneuver the rook from e1 to e3 and g3 for a kingside attack. There were numerous ways for White to mount an attack, while Black had limited defensive options.

Now I will go into more detail about the theory behind the Alien Gambit, based on a game where the 2600 Elo rated Grandmaster Miguel Santos Ruiz was defeated in a bullet game.

Here is another example where the player executed the gambit very effectively, winning the game in just 18 moves.

Most common responses for Black in the 7th move

Let’s look at the table below.

Move	% of moves	White won	Black won
Nbd7	24%	56%	40%
e6	20%	58%	39%
Bg4	19%	84%	15%
Bf5	11%	54%	43%
Be6	7%	55%	41%
Kg8	6%	56%	41%
g6	4%	56%	41%
g5	3%	62%	36%
Ke8	2%	68%	30%
c5	1%	39%	57%

The table shows the 10th most common responses for Black after White’s 7.Nf3. Surprisingly, the best move for Black is the 10th choice, which is 7…c5. Black has a 57% chance of winning after this move. The other moves would leave Black with just a 43% or less chance of winning. That’s why the Alien Gambit is so popular right now. Because, it gives White so many chances to win.

Why did 7…Bg4 give White 84% of winning? Because White can launch a knight fork.

A Trap when Black plays 7… Bf5

Strategies for Tackling the Alien Gambit

A 2100-rated chess player was winning against Hikaru Nakamura when the top grandmaster played the Alien Gambit a few weeks ago. How could that be possible? Well, the lower-rated player used 7…c5, then traded the Queen. He lost, obviously, but put up a good fight. That’s the best way to counter the Alien Gambit, as shown in the table above.

Over time, as more people get used to it, the Alien Gambit might lose some of its surprise factor. Still, its ability to disrupt opponents and create chaos on the board shouldn’t be underestimated. While it’s not recommended for longer games or playing without practice, the Alien Gambit adds excitement and creativity to the game.

The Alien Gambit might seem reckless, but it mirrors the fearless style of legendary players who thrived on chaos, like Mikhail Tal. Tal, known as “The Magician from Riga,” turned chess into a battlefield where his opponents were constantly under attack. Just as the Alien Gambit lures Black’s king into dangerous square with 6.Nxf7, Tal’s games were a masterclass in sacrifices, positional destruction, and relentless attacking.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Alien Gambit

Q: What is the Alien Gambit?
The Alien Gambit is an aggressive opening in the Caro-Kann Defense where White sacrifices a knight on f7 to lure Black’s king into the center. It was popularized by CM Volen Dyulgerov, also known as The Witty Alien.

Q: Is the Alien Gambit sound?
The gambit is generally considered unsound in classical chess. With precise defense, Black can equalize or gain an advantage. However, in blitz and bullet games, the surprise factor often leads to quick wins for White.

Q: Who invented the Alien Gambit?
The gambit became famous through Bulgarian Candidate Master Volen Dyulgerov (The Witty Alien), who introduced it in online play and streams.

Q: Why is the Alien Gambit so popular?
Its popularity comes from surprise value, attacking potential, and viral moments on platforms like Lichess, Twitch, and YouTube. Many players enjoy its chaotic style, even if it’s theoretically dubious.

Q: How do you refute the Alien Gambit?
The best response for Black is 7…c5, followed by quick piece development and queen trades. This neutralizes White’s attack and leaves Black with a safer position.

Q: Do grandmasters play the Alien Gambit?
Yes, but usually only in blitz or bullet games online. Players like Hikaru Nakamura and Eric Rosen have used it for entertainment, though not in serious tournament games.

Q: Is the Alien Gambit good for beginners?
It can be fun for beginners who want to learn attacking patterns. But for long-term improvement, it’s better to focus on sounder openings and use the Alien Gambit as a surprise weapon in casual or fast games.