Why Black should play Max Lange attack, when its favorable for white only.?

Question

In Max Lange attack..when white is giving gambit of d and e pawns and can grab a piece or good attacking favorable position. Then why black should accept it? Is there any solid defense against it?

Answer 1

I hope you are talking about the below line . " 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.0-0 Bc5 6.e5 "

The Best response to the above line from Black is 6) ..d5! .

7.exf6 dxc4 8.Re1+ Be6 9.Ng5 Qd5 (9...Qxf6?? 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.Qh5+ followed by 12.Qxc5 is a notorious trap) 10.Nc3 Qf5 (10...dxc3?? 11.Qxd5 wins, since 11...Bxd5 is illegal) 11.Nce4 0-0-0 with complicated play.

True the Theory of max lange extends long but it is refutable from Black side . Black needs to be extra cautious to avert White's Activity . Black should try castling Q-side . One line goes as follows

"1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. Ng5 Qd5 10. Nc3 Qf5 11. Nce4 O-O-O "

If on move no 9)White captures the g7 pawn then advantage goes to Black's side .

" 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. fxg7 Rg8 "

The White Player is the Man with the Plan and he needs to remember each move precisely else one incorrect move and the Tables will turn towards Black side .

The most aggressive line is " 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. Ng5 Qd5 10. Nc3 Qf5 11. Nce4 O-O-O 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. g4 Qe5 " . Here the Game depends on who is a better player .

If you are still unsure & afraid to play Max Lange then I would suggest that you try Philidor Defense as Black which is safe and does not involve too many gambits line .

In top level Tournaments you can rarely see Max Lange nowdays .

Answer 2

Your assumption about it being favorable for white is flawed.

I end up in such positions because I do not like what would happen when I might deviate to avoid it. Nothing wrong with the Lange if black just plays 6...pd5

See comments by Seth Projnabrata above that pretty well summarizes the true situation.