The Anti-Moscow Gambit is lesson 5 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 5: master sacrifices, an opening course suited to players rated around 2100 (strong club players). Semi-Slav, Anti-Moscow Gambit, D43. White leaves the c4 pawn and builds a big centre. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Semi-Slav with Bg5 and h6. White kept the bishop with Bh4, and Black took on c4. White does not win the pawn back. White builds the centre. About 105,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
e4! The c4 pawn stays with Black. White takes the centre, and Black must spend time to keep the pawn.
After g5 and Bg3, Black plays b5 to hold c4. White develops with Be2, castles and plays Ne5. White has strong central play for the pawn. The engines like White a little.
Recap.
After Bh4 and dxc4, White can play e4.
The c4 pawn is given for the centre.
g5 and Bg3 are the usual next moves.
Ne5 and quick castling follow.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Semi-Slav Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black took your c4 pawn. Do not chase it. Take the centre with a pawn.
Black guards c4 at once with b5. Push your e-pawn and hit the knight.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Semi-Slav Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers dxc4. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black took your c4 pawn. Do not chase it. Take the centre with a pawn. That is the Anti-Moscow Gambit. A pawn for the centre and fast development.
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