In his 2007 book, Gambiteer II: A Hard-Hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for Black , Davies argues that White’s most popular setups—the Ruy Lopez and the Queen’s Gambit—aren't actually optimal from a development perspective. Instead of playing into White's hands, he offers a repertoire designed to seize the initiative immediately through "open warfare" and sharp tactical play.
The book focuses almost exclusively on two highly aggressive responses that turn the tables on White from move two or three:
The lines provided prioritize development and piece play over "boring" long-term structural considerations. Gambiteer 2 Repertoire For Black Nigel Davies [...
Davies uses extensive analysis, including many correspondence games, to prove these gambits are more than just "hope chess"—they are theoretically resilient weapons. A Word of Caution: Is It "Complete"?
If you’re tired of the "dreary positional subtleties" often found in modern opening theory, GM Nigel Davies has a proposition for you: . In his 2007 book, Gambiteer II: A Hard-Hitting
Davies’ approach is built on the idea that many amateur players—and even some masters—are uncomfortable when forced to defend against early, direct attacks.
He advocates for the Albin Countergambit (2...e5) . By sacrificing a pawn to plant a "bold d4 pawn," Black disrupts White’s natural development and forces them onto unfamiliar ground. Why It Works (And Who It’s For) Davies’ approach is built on the idea that
Davies recommends the Schliemann Gambit (3...f5) . This provocative move immediately challenges White's center and leads to bloodthirsty positions where the better-prepared player usually triumphs.