Facing an opening · Black, 1.e4 e5

How to play against the King’s Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.f4

The King’s Gambit, 1.e4 e5 2.f4, offers a pawn to open the f-file. The course answers with 2...d5, a counter-gambit that attacks the centre before White’s king is safe.

Learn the first lineSee the full course
Lines to play
3
Trap
1
Quiz positions
6

Learn the King’s Gambit move by move

You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.

Key ideas

Hit back in the centre

2...d5 attacks e4 at once. White’s f-pawn has left the king and the centre, so opening lines favours Black.

...c6 for development

After 3.exd5, 3...c6 offers a pawn to open lines for the pieces, rather than recapturing slowly.

Punish the early queen

If White defends with Qe2, Black develops with tempo: ...Nc6, ...Bg4 and ...d4.

Never allow fxe5 with check

3.fxe5?? loses to 3...Qh4+: the queen checks, takes e4 with check and wins the h1 rook.

The main lines

  1. 3.exd5 c6 4.Qe2

    1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 c6 4.Qe2 cxd5 5.fxe5 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Nc3 a6 8.Qf2 d4 9.Ne4 Qd5

    Black regains the pawn and develops with tempo against the queen.

  2. 4.Qe2 with Qf2

    1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 c6 4.Qe2 cxd5 5.fxe5 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Qf2 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Qe7 9.Qxd5 Rd8

    White’s queen retreats; the pin on f3 keeps Black active.

  3. 3.exd5 c6 4.Nc3

    1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 c6 4.Nc3 exf4 5.Nf3 Bd6 6.dxc6 Nxc6 7.d4 Nge7 8.Bc4 O-O 9.O-O h6

    Black takes on f4 and develops quickly.

A trap to know

Short tactical shots that come out of these moves. More in the chess traps collection.

3.fxe5?? Qh4+

White takes the wrong pawn and loses the rook in the corner.

  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.

Step through the line with the arrows.

0 / 10

Find the move

6 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.

Position 1 of 6

1.e4 e5 2.f4

The ideaCounter in the centre.

Find the move for Black.

Common mistakes

Clinging to the extra pawn

Holding f4 with ...g5 and ...h5 is possible, but it weakens Black’s own king. Development matters more.

Forgetting the f-file

When White castles, the rook lands on f1 facing f7. Keep f7 covered until your pieces are out.

Missing Qh4+

Whenever White’s e1–h4 diagonal opens and g3 is weak, ...Qh4+ is worth checking.

Frequently asked questions

Should Black accept the King’s Gambit?

Accepting with 2...exf4 is sound, but the course prefers 2...d5, which fights for the centre and avoids most of White’s preparation.

Is the King’s Gambit good?

It is risky but playable at club level. Its danger is practical: Black has to know an answer, or White’s attack comes fast.

What is the Falkbeer Countergambit?

The name for 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5. The course’s 3...c6 after 3.exd5 is its most active version.

Learn every line of the King’s Gambit

The Gladiator 1...e5 teaches it as a repertoire: 80 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.

Open the course

A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up