The Alien Gambit explained, one move at a time

Against Magnus Carlsen in a UNICEF charity-stream rematch, Witty Alien tried an opening that offers Black a knight on move six. The Alien Gambit is a branch of the Caro-Kann. White spends a piece to pull the king into the open and has to act before Black gets organized.

Put the position on a board

Play 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Ng5 h6 6.Nxf7. After 6...Kxf7, look at what White can bring into play with a threat. White has plenty of pieces at home too, so count the moves each one needs to get involved.

Give Black a plan

Swap colors and play the position again. Try developing while offering a trade of an attacking piece. Black’s extra knight matters if the king can get clear. Playing both sides makes it easier to see why a line that feels dangerous in a quick game can be hard to justify with more time on the clock.