King's Gambit (for White)

The King's Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4?!) is the romantic opening par excellence: White offers the f-pawn to deflect the e5 pawn from the center and open the f-file. To be honest: Stockfish rates it objectively dubious, about a pawn worse than developing the knight to f3, because the push weakens White's king. That is why it gets a "?!". But it leads to very lively games, and the opponent has to find the right moves.

The principle

If Black takes on f4, White hopes to dominate the center with the d4 push and win the f4 pawn back later, attacking along the open f-file.

The main line: the King's Gambit Accepted

2...exf4 3.Nf3 g5. Black defends the f4 pawn with the g-pawn. After 4.h4 g4 5.Ne5 Nf6 6.d4 d6 7.Nd3 Nxe4 8.Bxf4 (Kieseritzky Gambit), White is a pawn down but has a lead in development and targets around Black's king.

Main variations

• Fischer Defense: 2...exf4 3.Nf3 d6 4.d4 g5 5.h4 g4 6.Ng1. The knight retreats! White will win the f4 pawn back later, with a solid center.
• Modern Defense: 2...exf4 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5 Nf6. Black returns a pawn to develop quickly.
• King's Gambit Declined: 2...Bc5?! 3.Nf3 d6 4.c3. The bishop on c5 controls g1 and stops White from castling for now. Practical, but according to Stockfish taking the pawn is stronger.
• Falkbeer Countergambit: 2...d5 3.exd5 e4?!. The advanced pawn on e4 hampers White's development, but Stockfish prefers 3.exd5 exf4, which takes the offered pawn.

Typical mistakes

With White, don't castle or attack without calculating: your king is more exposed than in a classical opening. With Black, returning the pawn at the right moment is often simpler than clinging to it.

Coach's advice

The King's Gambit is ideal for learning to attack and play with the initiative. Click the colored moves to see each line, then ask me your questions.

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