gambit

chess

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

A gambit is a strategic move in chess where a player sacrifices a pawn or minor piece to gain a positional advantage. This tactic aims to disrupt the opponent's setup and create opportunities for future attacks.12

Beyond chess, the term "gambit" is used more broadly to describe any calculated move or stratagem intended to achieve a specific goal or gain an advantage. It implies a deliberate risk taken for a potential greater reward.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

chess
Morphy and the theory of attack
…sacrifices in the opening, called gambits, in order to achieve rapid mobilization and open lines for an attack. Checkmating attacks, often with startling sacrifices in concluding combinations, became the hallmark of many players of the 19th century. These leading masters were described as members of the Romantic school of chess.
Read More
…sacrifices in the opening, called gambits, in order to achieve rapid mobilization and open lines for an attack. Checkmating attacks, often with startling sacrifices in concluding combinations, became the hallmark of many players of the 19th century. These leading masters were described as members of the Romantic school of chess.
Read More