King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit

About this variation

Black answers with 2...d5, offering a pawn back to strike at the center.

The Falkbeer Countergambit is 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5. Black answers with a central counterattack, offering a pawn back to strike at the center. After 3. exd5, Black can play 3...e4, gaining space and cramping White's development, or 3...exf4 in the modern line, which gives play similar to the King's Gambit Accepted.

White's main plan after 3...e4 is d3 to undermine the e4 pawn and open lines. After 4. d3 Nf6 5. dxe4 Nxe4, Black has active pieces and White has an extra pawn. The game often becomes very sharp, with both kings in some danger.

Black's typical ideas include quick development with ...Nf6, ...Bc5 and ...O-O, and pressure on the e-file. Black uses the time White spends on regaining material to create threats against White's king, which has been weakened by f4.

The Falkbeer is a principled reply that challenges White's center and keeps the initiative. White must be careful not to fall behind in development, since Black's pieces can become very active.

This countergambit suits Black players who like sharp, active play and want to meet the King's Gambit with an attack of their own. White players should know the main lines with d3 and Nf3.

Studying the main lines with 3...e4 and 3...exf4 is the best way for both sides to prepare, since each leads to different types of positions. The opening rewards quick development and an understanding of king safety.

In the old main line, 3...e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. dxe4 Nxe4 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. Qe2, White pins the knight on e4 against Black's king and threatens to win it. Black must answer accurately, for example with 7...Bf5, defending the knight and continuing development. Lines like this show how quickly both kings can come under fire in the Falkbeer, and why knowing a few key positions is more useful than general principles here.

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