King's Gambit

The King's Gambit is a chess opening.

This opening was the most popular opening in the 19th century. White offers a pawn in exchange for rapid development. It is now rarely seen at the master level, it being generally thought that black can obtain a reasonable position by giving back the gambited pawn at the right moment.

1. e4 e5 2. f4

A natural following move is 2... exf4, accepting the gambit; however, it is enteresting for black to play 2... d5, the countergambit to this opening, where black will restrict white's development after 3. exd5 e4, and black's e-pawn becomes a nuisance.

Black may also choose to decline such a sacrifice with 2... Nc6 or 2... d6.

However, it is more interesting when black accepts the sacrifice with 2... exf4, as stated above. White then has two continuations: 3. Nf3, more common and necessary to block 3... Qh4+, and 3.Bc4, where white's development will rapidly increase after 3... Qh4+!? 4. Kf1 followed by 5. Nf3, driving the queen away and gaining tempi.