Gambit

A gambit (from ancient Italian gambetto, meaning "to trip") is a chess opening in which a player, more often White, sacrifices material, usually a pawn, with the hope of achieving a resulting advantageous position. Some well-known examples are the King's Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4), Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4), and Evans Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4). A gambit used by Black may also be called a gambit (e.g. the Latvian Gambit—1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 or Englund Gambit—1.d4 e5), but is sometimes called a "countergambit" (e.g. the Albin Countergambit—1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 and Greco Counter-Gambit, an old-fashioned name for the Latvian Gambit).

The word "gambit" was originally applied to chess openings in 1561 by Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura, from an Italian expression dare il gambetto (to put a leg forward in order to trip someone). Lopez studied this maneuver, and so the Italian word gained the Spanish form gambito that led to French gambit, which has influenced the English spelling of the word. The broader sense of "opening move meant to gain advantage" was first recorded in English in 1855.

Goliath (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)

Goliath is a steel inverted roller coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard currently operating at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Texas since April 18, 2008. In the roller coaster's lifetime, it has operated at two other amusement parks: Thrill Valley from 1995 to May 6, 2002, and Six Flags New Orleans from April 12, 2003 to August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Goliath's highest point is 105 feet (32 m), the trains can reach a top speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h), and the length of the track is approximately 2,693 feet (821 m).

History

Thrill Valley (1995—2002)

Goliath originally opened at Thrill Valley in Japan as Gambit in 1995. The ride operated at the park for about 7 years before closing on May 6, 2002. The ride was dismantled and transported to Six Flags New Orleans.

Six Flags New Orleans (2003—2007)

In 2002, Six Flags took over the lease of Jazzland and renamed the park to Six Flags New Orleans. After the take over, Six Flags announced major changes coming to the park included the arrival of Gambit, but now named Batman: The Ride. The roller coaster was built in one of the new area's Six Flags had constructed for the 2003 season after the acquisition, DC Comics Super Hero Adventures. The ride re-opened at Six Flags New Orleans on April 12, 2003.

Gambit (comics)

Gambit is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men. The character was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee. Drawn by artist Mike Collins, Gambit makes his full first appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266 (August 1990).

Gambit belongs to a subspecies of humans called mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. Gambit has the ability to mentally create, control, and manipulate pure kinetic energy to his desire. He is also incredibly knowledgeable and skilled in card-throwing, hand-to-hand combat, and the use of a staff. Gambit is known to charge playing cards and other objects with kinetic energy, using them as explosive projectiles.

He was part of a thieves' guild before becoming a member of the X-Men. Given his history, few X-Men trusted Gambit when he joined the group. There was consistently a source of stress between him and his on-again, off-again love interest Rogue. This was exacerbated when Gambit's connections to villain Mister Sinister were revealed, although some of his team members accept that Gambit honestly seeks redemption. Often portrayed as a "ladies' man," Gambit has shown a more vulnerable side of himself over the years, especially when it comes to Rogue. Gambit remains fiercely proud of his Louisiana heritage and speaks in a thick Cajun accent.