The Duz-Khotimirsky Variation is a variation of the Blumenfeld Countergambit, catalogued as ECO E10. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 b5 5. Bg5, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Blumenfeld Countergambit generally: ECO E10. A chess opening with 3 known variations.
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See all 5 Blumenfeld Countergambit variations →
The Duz-Khotimirsky Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 b5 5. Bg5. It is a variation of the Blumenfeld Countergambit and is catalogued as ECO E10.
The Duz-Khotimirsky Variation is ECO E10. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Blumenfeld Countergambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 b5 5. Bg5 at +0.50 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.