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.

Train as White Train as Black Explore all variations

Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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.

Move by move

The first 10 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

Nice opening move! Your pawn marches up to e4, a light square right in the middle of the board. Claiming the center early gives your pieces lots of room to come out and play.
Black answers boldly, pushing a pawn to e5, a dark square in the heart of the board. Both sides now share the middle fairly, and the game is off to a balanced, exciting start.
Welcome to the King's Gambit! White pushes a pawn to f4, a dark square, offering it freely. It is a brave, fun choice that tries to grab the center and open lines for an attack.
Good developing move. Black brings the knight out to c6, a light square. Knights love to jump into the game early, and this one helps watch over the busy central squares.
Smart development! Your knight hops to f3, a light square. Getting your knights out quickly is one of the golden rules, and this one is ready to help in the middle of the board.
Black pushes a second pawn to f5, a light square, fighting hard for space. It is a daring try to challenge your e4 pawn and keep things sharp and interesting.
Your pawn captures on f5, a light square, winning the pawn that just arrived there. Grabbing material when it is safe to do so is always a happy moment in chess.
Black pushes the pawn to e4, a light square, gaining space in the center and bumping into your territory. Pawns that march forward can cramp the other side, so stay alert.
Your knight leaps to e5, a dark square smack in the middle. A knight planted in the center is a strong, proud piece that can reach many squares at once. Well placed!
Black develops the knight to f6, a dark square. This is a friendly, natural square for a knight, helping guard the center and getting ready to bring the king to safety soon.

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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	99	37.4%	5.1%	57.6%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6
600-800	107	44.9%	1.9%	53.3%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5
800-1000	60	46.7%	1.7%	51.7%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4
1000-1200	27	44.4%	0%	55.6%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4
1200-1400	155	51%	2.6%	46.5%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6
1400-1600	598	40.6%	3.2%	56.2%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6
1600-1800	180	43.9%	3.9%	52.2%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6
1800-2000	271	38.7%	2.6%	58.7%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6
2000-2200	197	38.6%	3%	58.4%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6
2200-2400	79	39.2%	3.8%	57%	1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6:

Bc4 — played 38.8% of the time (White wins 38.8%, draws 3.5%, Black wins 57.8%)
Nxc6 — played 29.3% of the time (White wins 37.1%, draws 4%, Black wins 58.9%)
Nc3 — played 8.4% of the time (White wins 54%, draws 2%, Black wins 44%)

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.