A creative pawn sacrifice where Black offers the b5 pawn to develop quickly. Named after Norwegian-American master Arne Ulvestad.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 - See Knight Attack introduction.
5...b5 - The Ulvestad Variation! Black offers a pawn to gain time for development. If White takes the bishop, Black gets rapid play with ...c6 and ...Bb7.
6.Bf1 - The most popular response. White retreats the bishop, declining the pawn sacrifice and maintaining a solid position. After 6...c6, Black recovers the d5 pawn in many lines.
Lichess Masters statistics: White 96 / Draw 64 / Black 82 (9% of games after 5.exd5)
White's plans: Retreat the bishop (Bf1 or Be2) and maintain the extra pawn if possible. Play solidly and develop.
Black's plans: Push ...c6 to recover the d5 pawn. Use the open b-file for rook play. Develop with ...Bb7 and ...Qd7.
The Ulvestad is interesting and creative but slightly less popular than the Polerio Defense. It leads to unbalanced positions where both sides must play accurately. Good for players who like creative, less-theorized positions.
Watch the moves to understand the opening sequence. Use the controls to replay or auto-play the variation.