Danish Gambit Declined: Sorensen Defense

A lesser-known defense in the Danish Gambit, the Sorensen Defense aims to counter the gambit by striking back at the center with an early d5 pawn push.

The Sorensen Defense is a solid and somewhat rare response to the Danish Gambit, an aggressive chess opening. Instead of accepting the gambit pawn, Black plays a move that immediately challenges White's central pawn on e4. This defense aims to counter the gambit by striking back at the center and avoiding the complications that can arise from accepting the gambit pawn.

In this opening, Black's main idea is to maintain a strong pawn presence in the center and to develop their pieces harmoniously. White, on the other hand, will try to exploit the open lines and diagonals created by the gambit and put pressure on Black's position.

One of the key aspects of the Sorensen Defense is that it can lead to a variety of pawn structures, depending on how the players choose to recapture. This can result in a rich middlegame with many strategic and tactical possibilities for both sides.

While the Sorensen Defense is not as popular as other defenses against the Danish Gambit, it can be a good surprise weapon for Black, especially against an unprepared opponent. However, it is essential for Black to be well-versed in the resulting middlegame positions and to have a clear plan for development and counterplay.