Sunday, January 21, 2018
By: Matthew Doucette
The Doucette Gambit -- coining it here -- is a new chess opening played by Jason's Maim Chess engine against me:
>>> 1. e4 nf6 2. e5 ne4 3. d3 Nxf2 <<<
After 1. e4 nf6 2. e5 ne4 3. d3 Nxf2.
"Doucette Gambit" Coinage:
It is named after Jason Doucette, creator of Maim Chess, and Matthew Doucette, brother of Jason and competitor who Maim used opening on... twice.
The Games:
Matthew Doucette vs. Maim Chess v1.13 CV500 (0-1) 😕 5m2s Blitz - MATE in 14 MOVES!!!
(Jan. 16, 2018.)
Matthew Doucette vs. Maim Chess v1.13 CV500 (0-1) 😕 5m2s Blitz - MATE in 17 MOVES!!!
(Jan. 21, 2018.)
Prominent Usage?
Let us know if you see any prominent usage of this opening!
2023-AUG-13 Update: Prominent Usage?
An internet search shows the opening has now been used in a prominent game, between AlphaZero and Magnus Carlsen bot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdn863tH_Q (video taken offline)
AlphaZero (4K Elo) Blundered his Knight Against Magnus Carlsen - Magnus Carlsen Vs AlphaZero
2024-JUL-28 Update:
Above video taken offline. :(
2025-MAY-10 Update:
I believe the game above was posted in a new video, same players, same rare "Doucette Gambit" opening:
AlphaZero Gives his Material to Magnus Carlsen, Can Magnus Win?| AlphaZero Vs Magnus Carlsen | Chess
I will post the PGN this time, in case this video goes offline too:
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ne4 3. d3 Nxf2 4. Kxf2 d6 5. Be2 Nc6 6. Be3 dxe5 7. Nd2 e6 8. Bf3 Nd4 9. Nc4 f6 10. g3 Be7 11. Be4 O-O 12. Kg2 f5 13. Bf3 Bf6 14. Bxd4 exd4 15. h4 e5 16. Qe1 c6 17. Nh3 Be6 18. b3 Re8 19. Nd2 Rc8 20. a3 a5 21. Qe2 b5 22. Rhe1 g6 23. Qf2 Qd7 24. Ng5 Bd5 25. Nh3 h6 26. Kh2 Kg7 27. a4 Be6 28. Qg2 Rg8 29. Ra2 g5 30. axb5 cxb5 31. Rxa5 g4 32. Ng1 gxf3 33. Ndxf3 Bd5 34. Qf2 f4 35. gxf4 Kh7 36. fxe5 Bd8 37. Ra6 Qf5 38. Qd2 Rxc2 39. Rxh6+ Kg7 40. Qxc2 Kxh6 41. Qd2+ Kh7 42. Ra1 Rg7 43. Re1 Qg4 44. Re4 Bxe4 45. dxe4 d3 46. e6 Bxh4 47. e5 Rg6 48. Kh1 Be7 49. Qf2 Bc5 50. Qh2+ Rh6 51. Qxh6+ Kxh6 52. e7 Bxe7 53. b4 Bxb4 54. Kh2 Bc5 55. e6 d2 56. Nd4 Bxd4 57. e7 Bxg1+ 58. Kh1 d1=Q 59. e8=Q Qh3# 0-1
That is all.
About the Author: I am Matthew Doucette of Xona Games, an award-winning indie game studio that I founded with my twin brother. We make intensified arcade-style retro games. Our business, our games, our technology, and we as competitive gamers have won prestigious awards and received worldwide press. Our business has won $190,000 in contests. Our games have ranked from #1 in Canada to #1 in Japan, have become #1 best sellers in multiple countries, have won game contests, and have held 3 of the top 5 rated spots in Japan of all Xbox LIVE indie games. Our game engines have been awarded for technical excellence. And we, the developers, have placed #1 in competitive gaming competitions -- relating to the games we make. Read about our story, our awards, our games, and view our blog.