ChessAnalyzerKing's Gambit: moves, ideas and plans
The romantic opening: White gives the f-pawn for rapid development and an attack on f7.
C39Play it as WhiteAdvanced15 moves
Main line: 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. d4 d6 7. Nd3 Nxe4 8. Bxf4
Key ideas
- f4 deflects the e5 pawn and opens the f-file.
- White often gets the pawn back on f4 later.
- Accuracy matters: the white king is exposed too.
The King's Gambit move by move
Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as C39 King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky Gambit, Berlin Defense, Rubinstein Variation.
- 1. e4Centre.
- 1… e5Symmetrical.
- 2. f4The King's Gambit: a pawn is offered to open the f-file.
- 2… exf4Accepted: Black takes the pawn.
- 3. Nf3Develops and stops ...Qh4+.
- 3… g5Black defends the extra pawn on f4.
- 4. h4White undermines the g5 pawn at once.
- 4… g4The pawn advances with an attack on the f3 knight.
- 5. Ne5The Kieseritzky Gambit: the knight jumps to a strong central square.
- 5… Nf6Develops and hits e4.
- 6. d4White grabs the centre and opens the c1 bishop's path to f4.
- 6… d6Kicks the e5 knight.
- 7. Nd3The knight retreats and eyes f4.
- 7… Nxe4Black grabs the e4 pawn too.
- 8. Bxf4White regains a pawn with rapid development: typical King's Gambit play.
More openings for White
Italian Game
Fast development and a bishop aimed at f7, the weakest square in Black's camp. The classic first opening to learn with White.
Two Knights: the Fried Liver trap
A sharp attacking line. If Black recaptures on d5 with the knight, White can sacrifice on f7 and hunt the king into the open.
Ruy Lopez
The Spanish Game: slow, deep pressure on Black's centre. A lifetime opening played at every level.