The Budapest Gambit is popular with club and internet chess players all over the world, and it is easy to see why. It has surprise value, it’s not hard to learn, and it leads to sharp and dynamic play from the very start of the game.

But what about its strategic value?

Grandmasters tend to be sceptical about gambits like this. However, when Viktor Moskalenko started playing the Budapest, its all-round appeal struck him, and since then he has won many games with it in countless tournaments.

This book contains quite a few of Moskalenko’s own games, as well as games by other star players from the past and the present. They illustrate perfectly the dynamic character of this gambit as well as its solid strategic foundations.

The Fabulous Budapest Gambit does not shower you with long computer-generated variations, but provides crystal-clear insights into the wide spectrum of this opening, explaining the plans for both White and Black.

Moskalenko’s lively style will infect you and encourage you to start playing this opening which is a great weapon at any level, from club player to grandmaster. The Budapest Gambit can surprise any player, even at the highest level.

Viktor Moskalenko (1960) is an International Grandmaster born in the Ukraine, who has been living in Spain since 2000. He is a successful author and a well-known chess coach who has worked with Vasily Ivanchuk. The former Ukrainian champion remains a very active player and has won many tournaments in his new home country.

Freechess:
"I haven't seen this quality in an opening book in a very long time; the Ukrainian Grandmaster did a really outstanding job. He has found the right mixture and adresses experienced players who have been playing the gambit for a long time, as well as novices."

Dennis Monokroussos, ChessToday:
"Another great virtue of the book: its comprehensiveness."

Paul Motwani, The Scotsman:
"In his fascinating book, Moskalenko provides clear analysis and explanations to lots of exciting games, designed to arm the reader with more than ample ammunition."

Bill McGeary, ChessVille:
"I find this to be a model of an opening book."

Lubos Kavalek, The Washington Post:
"Well structured and fun to read."

Glenn Flear, Yearbook:
"The arrival of this charming book could change the fortunes of the Budapest (..) The liberal addition of summaries throughout enables the reader to understand the significance of each line."

Rochade Europa:
"Moskalenko does not dish out endless variations, but concentrates on the details of the principal (most aggressive) plans."

Excerpts from the interview by Edwin Lam with GM Viktor Moskalenko on ChessBase.com, December 15 2007:

Edwin Lam: What is your current competitive chess score with the Budapest Gambit as Black?

Viktor Moskalenko: My personal BG statistics in 2007 are: from a total of 11 games played, I scored 3 wins with 8 draws, which translates into a performance of 2577 (some of these games can be seen in the book).

Viktor Moskalenko: In the first place it is necessary to learn that the Budapest Gambit is much more than just a surprise weapon or a ‘romantic’ opening. Nor is it a simple attacking weapon or a system with which you can ‘cheat’ your opponent. I have discovered that each main line of this opening contains elements of the modern game and there is enough room for improvisation. See for example Shakhriyar Mamedyarov’s fascinating games with the Budapest Gambit."