ECO C30 · for White
King's Gambit
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
22,326,814 games in this band reached the King's Gambit position. From there White won 52% and drew 3%.
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. O-O gxf3 6. Qxf3 Qf6 7. c3 Nc6
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. f4
Sacrificing a pawn for a development edge and a big attack.
2... exf4
Accepting the gambit and preparing to defend against a large attack.
- 2... Nc6: Developing the knight while protecting e5.
- 2... d6: Declining the gambit and choosing two protect the hanging pawn.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4
3. Nf3
Developing the knight aiming to play Bc4 and castle quickly using the open f-file for attacking chances on the black king.
3... g5
Supporting the weak pawn while preparing to play g4 and kick the knight.
- 3... d6: Opening up the light squared bishop while allowing the knight to go to f6, where it won't be kicked after e5.
- 3... Nc6: Developing the knight while preparing to challenge the center with d5.
- 3... Be7: Developing the bishop to e7, likely preparing Bh4+ which would misplace white's king.
4. Bc4
Developing the bishop and aiming for an attack on the f7 pawn. White has sacrificed a pawn in order to gain a development advantage and attacking chances.
4... g4
- 4... Bg7: Developing the bishop and preparing to defend against White's attack. Black will try to utilize the extra pawn while White will try to use the development advantage to attack.
Moves 5 to 6
5. O-O gxf3 6. Qxf3 Qf6
5. O-O
5... gxf3
6. Qxf3
6... Qf6
Move 7
7. c3 Nc6
7. c3
7... Nc6
Plans for White in this position
What White usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The dark-squared bishop typically captures the pawn on f4
- The pawn on c3 generally recaptures the knight on d4
- The king on g1 often moves to h1
- The queenside knight can develop to d2 or a3
- The queen on f3 often moves to e3
- A common pawn move is d4
Related opening guides
- Italian Game for White
- Queen's Gambit for White
- English Opening for White
- Bishop's Opening for White
- Philidor Defense for Black
- Zukertort Opening for White