The Budapest Defense is a chess opening beginning with the moves

1.d4 Nf6

2.c4 e5.

With his second move Black launches an immediate strike on White's centre, sacrificing, at least temporarily, a pawn to do so. In most games where the Budapest is played, White will not cling onto his extra pawn since it ties up his pieces to defense. Instead White usually develops his pieces and hopes to gain a lead in development while Black spends time regaining his pawn. After 3.dxe5 Black must move his knight again. Usually Black plays 3...Ng4 attacking the pawn, but 3...Ne4!? (the Fajarowicz Variation), a true gambit, is also seen.

The Budapest defense is rarely played in top-level chess, but it is occasionally seen at amateur levels.

External links

• Harding, Tim (December 1997). The Kibitzer: How Stands the "Faj"?. ChessCafe.com.
• Harding, Tim (November 2000). The Kibitzer: Playing the Budapest in Budapest (PDF). ChessCafe.com.