Strategies for Chess - The Max Lange Attack

Max Lange Attack - Strategies for Chess

The Max Lange Attack is one of the aggressive strategies for chess that leads to a position with high tactical risks. This Gambit can be reached by changing the move order in the Scotch Opening or other open games.

This Variation was researched 1854 by the german chess player Max Lange and became quite popular until the 20th Century. Black can avoid this variation and play the Anti-Lange-Variation.

The Max-Lange-Attack can be reached after:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 and now 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 e5xd4 5. 0-0 Bc5 ( The move 5.… Nf6xe4 is the Anti-Lange-Variation.) 6. e5

Or is reached in the Italien Game after 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 (Black can play also 4. … Bc5xd4) 5. 0-0 Nf6 6. e5.

Or is reached in the Scotch Opening after 3.d4 e5xd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. 0-0 Nf6 6. e5.

White attacks the Knight on f6 and likes to open the e-file for his rooks. But Black is a pawn up in the center and has more center control. Black should not be afraid of the Max-Lange-Attack at all as White got no advantage. For that reason the Max-Lange-Attack is not very popular among grandmasters.