The King's Gambit arises after 1.e4 e5 2.f4. ECO codes: C30–C39.

History

The King's Gambit is among the oldest chess openings, documented in Lucena's 1497 work. It dominated the Romantic chess era of the 19th century, when bold sacrificial play was prized. Wilhelm Steinitz argued it was "logically flawed," and it fell from favour after the 1880s as positional understanding advanced. In the modern era, it remains rare at the elite level but popular at club level.

Main Lines & Variations

King's Gambit Accepted (2...exf4):

• Classical Variation (3.Nf3 g5) – with sub-variations including the Kieseritzky, Allgaier, and Muzio Gambits.

• Fischer Defence (3...d6)

• Modern/Abbazia Defence (3...d5)

King's Gambit Declined:

• Falkbeer Countergambit (2...d5) – Black counter-sacrifices to seize the initiative.

• Classical Defence (2...Bc5)

Key Positions

After 1.e4 e5 2.f4 – White offers the f-pawn for open lines and initiative.

Strategic Themes & Plans

White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development, open diagonals, and attacking chances. Black chooses between holding the pawn with ...g5 or returning it with ...d5. Rudolf Spielmann was known as the "Last Knight of the King's Gambit." Modern advocates include Boris Spassky, Magnus Carlsen, and Hikaru Nakamura.