Chessbook

ECO C33 · for Black

King's Gambit Accepted

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.

9,821,566 games in this band reached the King's Gambit Accepted position. From there Black won 45% 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

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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.

Moves 3 to 4

3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4

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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

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5. O-O

5... gxf3

6. Qxf3

6... Qf6

Move 7

7. c3 Nc6

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7. c3

7... Nc6

Plans for Black in this position

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What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.

  • Black typically castles queenside
  • The knight on c6 generally captures the pawn on d4
  • The queen on d4 usually captures the bishop on c4
  • The dark-squared bishop often develops to h6
  • The kingside knight typically develops to e7
  • The knight on c6 often moves to e5
  • A common pawn move is d6

Related opening guides

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