King's Gambit

The King's Gambit is a chess opening which starts with these moves:
1.e4 e5
2.f4 and now
2...exf4 is the King's Gambit accepted, and 3.Nf3 the most common move.
2...any other move by Black is the King's Gambit declined. 2...d5 is most usual.

The opening is called a gambit because White sacrifices a pawn. In exchange for the pawn, White gets better development and opens up lines that can be used to attack/checkmate the black king. It was more popular in the 1800s, when many Black players did not know good ways to play against it.

ECO code C30–C39. ECO is the Encyclopaedia of chess openings.

Category:Chess openings