When researching the opening in order to teach it to my student, I began to think that it would be a handy weapon to bring into my own opening arsenal as a surprise weapon against my opponents.  Little did I know the affect of how it would take hold of me and I became one of its most adherent followers.

I bought every book, database and CD that I could get my hands on about the opening.  As I continued to employ the BDG more and more, it soon became my mainstay opening of choice as White allowing me to beat players 200-300 rating points above mine.

Not long ago, I decided to abandon the BDG for more conventional “solid” opening.  After losing several games with my new opening choice, I consulted LM Sonny Kamberi about what I was doing wrong?  It was simple; he asked me why had I quit playing the BDG?  When I told him I thought I should play better chess openings that were more solid, he asked me why would a more solid opening be better if I can not win with them when in fact he knew I loved playing the BDG and that I had an excellent record with it.  He stated that I should go back to playing it and not worry over what other players say about it.

I spent much time in thought about what he had said and found his conclusions were correct and jumped back into the BDG with both feet.  With the BDG back as my main opening as White, I began to win again.

Tom Purser wrote and edited Blackmar-Diemer Gambit World magazine for 15 years, (1983-1997) to help encourage others to take up the opening.  Since then, there have been a few books and CD’s published on the opening, but nothing in the way of BDG World.  It is my hope that the BDG ZEALOT will fill that void.  My goal it to supply you with games, analysis, articles, news and events on the BDG so you can continue to improve yourself as an adherent player and help other chess players to discover the richness of the tactics and the swiftness of the attacks in playing the BDG.

Why the name ZEALOT?  Simple; I have found that most players of the BDG are fanatics like myself and play the opening religiously.  With all chess players, you either love the gambit or hate it.  Rarely is there an in-between.

As Tom Purser said at the introduction to BDG World #1; “We hope you’ll join us, and share the adventure and delight of the chess world’s most exciting opening.”

Sincerely, Leopold Lacrimosa, Chess Coach

BDG Zealot
        
Vol 1 No 1, Nov-Dec 2007