King's Gambit
ECO C30-C39beginner
The King's Gambit, 1.e4 e5 2.f4, is the most romantic opening in chess: White offers a pawn on move two to deflect Black's e-pawn, seize the center with d4, and attack down the half-open f-file. Modern engines have softened its reputation for unsoundness — White's compensation after 2...exf4 3.Nf3 is real, and the resulting positions remain some of the most dangerous in chess for an unprepared opponent. Black chooses between grabbing and holding the pawn (...g5), returning it for development, or declining with 2...Bc5 or the Falkbeer 2...d5.
Main line
1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 59 | 33.9% | 5.1% | 61% | 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 |
| 600-800 | 340 | 41.8% | 3.8% | 54.4% | 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 |
| 800-1000 | 34 | 55.9% | 0% | 44.1% | 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 |
| 1000-1200 | 48 | 50% | 2.1% | 47.9% | 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 |
| 1200-1400 | 27 | 44.4% | 0% | 55.6% | 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 |
Most played continuations (600-800 rating)
After 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3:
- exf4 — played 35.9% of the time (White wins 48.4%, draws 2.5%, Black wins 49.2%)
- Nf6 — played 17.6% of the time (White wins 35%, draws 8.3%, Black wins 56.7%)
- d6 — played 15.6% of the time (White wins 43.4%, draws 3.8%, Black wins 52.8%)
Frequently asked questions
Is the King's Gambit sound?
Engine verdict: Black can equalize with precise play, but nothing more — there is no refutation. In practical play below master level it scores excellently, because the burden of precision falls almost entirely on Black from move three onward.
What is the best way to decline the King's Gambit?
2...Bc5, the Classical Declined, is the simplest: the bishop takes the a7-g1 diagonal that f4 weakened, and 3.fxe5?? loses to 3...Qh4+. The Falkbeer Counter-Gambit 2...d5 3.exd5 e4 is the ambitious alternative, turning the tables on the gambiteer.
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