Chessstack

King's Gambit Accepted

ECO code
C33
Moves
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About this variation

Black takes the pawn with 2...exf4. White usually plays 3. Nf3 to stop ...Qh4+ and then fights to win the pawn back or attack.

The King's Gambit Accepted is 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4. Black takes the pawn, and White aims for quick development and an open f-file, often with Nf3, Bc4 and O-O. It is one of the oldest and most romantic openings in chess, and it leads to sharp, tactical positions where both sides must play precisely.

White's main lines include 3. Nf3, the King's Knight Gambit, which stops ...Qh4+ and prepares d4 and Bc4, and 3. Bc4, the Bishop's Gambit, which allows ...Qh4+ but develops quickly. After 3. Nf3, Black can choose from several defenses, including 3...g5, 3...d6 and 3...d5.

Black's typical ideas include holding the extra pawn with ...g5, returning it with ...d5 for quick development, or playing ...d6 and ...h6 to support the f4 pawn more solidly. Each approach leads to a different type of game, and Black should know at least one well.

White's plans include a kingside attack along the f-file, central control with d4, and quick development with Bc4 and Nc3. White often gives up more material for the attack, so understanding typical sacrifices is important.

The King's Gambit Accepted suits White players who like sharp, attacking positions and are willing to take risks. Black players should prepare a reliable defense, since the opening can be very dangerous if Black is unprepared.

Modern engines show that Black can hold the balance with accurate play, but in practice the King's Gambit remains a dangerous weapon. Studying model games from both sides is the best way to learn the typical attacking and defensive ideas.

In the Bishop's Gambit, 3...Qh4+ 4. Kf1 is White's normal answer: the king is safe enough on f1, and Black's queen can become a target after Nf3.

It is one of the main lines of the King's Gambit.

King's Gambit Accepted statistics

The King's Gambit Accepted was reached in 25,514 master games (0.1% of all master games), and White scored 52% from there. On Lichess it comes up in 0.5% of games, most often among players rated 1601–1800 (0.7%).

Master games

25,514

0.1% of games between players rated 2500+

Club games on Lichess

1.3M

0.5% of games between players rated up to 2400

White wins Draws Black wins

How often it comes up, by rating

  • 0–1000 0.3%
  • 1001–1200 0.4%
  • 1201–1400 0.5%
  • 1401–1600 0.6%
  • 1601–1800 0.7%
  • 1801–2000 0.6%
  • 2001–2200 0.3%
  • 2201–2400 0.1%

Most common next moves in master games

MoveGamesPlayedResults
3. Nf317,18167%
3. Bc46,34125%
3. Nc31,3105.1%
3. d44541.8%
3. Be21090.4%

Famous players with the most games here

  • Eric Rosen 90 games
  • Chessbrah 63 games
  • Hikaru Nakamura 43 games
  • Daniel Naroditsky 39 games
  • Frank Marshall 36 games
  • Paul Morphy 33 games

Master games from the Chessmont database (CC BY-SA 4.0). Club games from the Lichess open database.

Other King's Gambit variations