ChessThe King's Gambit is 1. e4 e5 2. f4. On move two White offers the f-pawn, hoping to lure Black's e5 pawn away, take the center with d4 and attack down the f-file with a rook. It was the most popular opening of the 19th century and is still a favorite of attacking players today. If you meet it when you play chess against a computer, you're in for a lively game.
Moves and position
Just two moves, but the meaning is clear:
1. e4 e5the two pawns meet head to head in the center.2. f4White hits e5 with the f-pawn and asks Black: "Will you take it?"
What does White want? If Black takes on f4, e5 is left empty, and White can push d4 to take the center. Once the f-file is open, the rook can attack Black's f7 directly after castling. The price is one less pawn next to the white king, so the king is less safe.
What White wants
- Trade a pawn for time: a pawn down, White gets the center and faster development.
- Open the f-file: after castling, the rook on the f-file aims straight at f7.
- Develop fast: Nf3, Bc4, d4. White wants to attack before Black gets settled.
What Black wants
- Accept the gambit:
2... exf4takes the pawn. Then Black either finds a way to keep it or gives it back at the right moment to catch up in development. - Decline the gambit:
2... Bc5doesn't take. The bishop goes to c5 and aims at g1, so White can't castle easily. - Counter-gambit:
2... d5gives a pawn back in return and grabs the initiative.
Main lines
King's Gambit Accepted: 2... exf4 3. Nf3 g5
After taking the pawn, Black protects f4 with g5. White doesn't let Black get comfortable and pushes h4 to attack g5. Neither king is very safe. This is the most traditional and most exciting King's Gambit position, and one wrong move can lose the game.
The modern way: 2... exf4 3. Nf3 d5
Today many strong players with Black take the pawn and don't rush to defend it. Instead they push d5 to open the center and meet White's attack with fast development. This line is safer, and it's a good one for beginners to learn with Black.
King's Gambit Declined: 2... Bc5
Black doesn't take the pawn and puts the bishop on c5, aiming at g1, the square the white king wants to castle to. White has to chase the bishop away before castling safely. It's a much calmer game than the accepted lines.
A common trap: grabbing e5 too soon
When Black declines with 2... Bc5, White is easily tempted: "If Black won't take, I will." But taking on e5 now runs into a queen check:
If White blocks with g3, the black queen takes the e4 pawn with another check and lines up on the rook on h1:
The white king can't hide on f2, because the black bishop on c5 covers f2. White can only block the check, and the rook on h1 is lost. Worse still, if the white king goes to e2 on move 4, the queen takes e4 and it's checkmate on the spot:
Show answer
4... Qxe4+ The queen takes e4 with check and lines up on the rook on h1 at the same time. The white king can't go to f2 (the bishop on c5 covers it), so White can only block the check, and next move the queen takes the rook on h1.
The right plan for White is to develop first: play 3. Nf3, chase the black bishop away, castle, and only then look to open the f-file. Remember this: in a gambit opening, the thing to fear most is the open diagonal next to your own king.
Who it suits
- Players who love to attack and don't mind risk: the King's Gambit gives a pawn right away, and it's a race to see who calculates faster.
- Players who want to learn attacking ideas: the f-file, f7, king safety. You can learn it all here.
- Black players who want a steady answer: play
2... exf4 3. Nf3 d5, or simply decline the gambit.
It's a bit like the Vienna Game, since both want to open the f-file with f4. The difference is that the Vienna plays Nc3 first and pushes f4 later, so it's less risky.
Frequently asked questions
Has the King's Gambit been "refuted"?
No. In theory, if Black defends correctly, White has a hard time getting an advantage, so it's rarer in professional chess. But it has never been shown to lose. Top players still bring it out now and then, and it's very common in amateur and fast games.
As Black, should I take the pawn in the King's Gambit?
Either is fine. The simplest plan for a beginner is to take it, then play 3... d5 to open the center and develop quickly. Don't cling to the extra pawn.
Why is the King's Gambit so famous?
One story says that in the Romantic era of the 19th century, strong players cared most about beautiful attacks and sacrifices. The King's Gambit fit that style perfectly and left behind many classic games.
Try it yourself
Use the button below to start a game against the computer from the King's Gambit position, and practice developing quickly after giving the pawn. To see other openings, go back to the openings guide. To brush up on the basics first, read good habits for beginners. To jump straight into a game, go play free chess.
Play this opening against the computer