King's Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.f4
An opening for White
The most romantic opening in chess - a pawn for rapid development.
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0 / 3 moves
The idea
White offers a pawn to open the f-file and gain rapid development for a kingside attack. It was the most popular opening in the 1800s and is still sharp and dangerous today.
The plan
After Black takes the f4 pawn, White develops rapidly with Nf3, Bc4, and castles. The open f-file gives White's rooks attacking potential, and the extra space in the centre allows fast piece activity.
What to play next
After Black accepts the gambit and plays the wild Kieseritzky line with ...g5, White sacrifices further with h4 and Ng5. The knight leaps to f7 in the Muzio Gambit style - purely for wild attacking play. This is an advanced line best explored after learning the basics of the King's Gambit.
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 d6 4.d4 g5 5.h4 g4 6.Ng5 h6 7.Nxf7 Kxf7
Watch the typical continuation
Show me the opening
0 / 14 moves
One tip for beginners
Don't try to hold the f4 pawn as Black - give it back and develop. If you're White, castle quickly and don't let Black consolidate.
What to watch out for
If Black plays 2...d5 (the Falkbeer Counter-Gambit), White must be careful. Stick to 3.exd5 and the normal plans.
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