Don Chess

Learn the King's Gambit

Pure romance: on move 2 you give up a pawn to rip open the f-file and go for the king. There are no boring games here.

You play with White. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

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The main line

1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 g5 4.h4 g4 5.Ne5 Nf6 6.Bc4 d5 7.exd5

C39 · King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky Gambit, Berlin Defense

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…e5 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e5.
  3. 2.f4 Gambit: the pawn on f4 is offered – for quick development and open lines.
  4. 2…exf4 Accepts the pawn offered on f4.
  5. 3.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  6. 3…g5 Supports the pawn on f4 – the centre stands firm.
  7. 4.h4 Attacks the pawn on g5 – the fight for the centre begins.
  8. 4…g4 Gains space with the pawn on g4.
  9. 5.Ne5 The knight was attacked and goes to safety on e5.
  10. 5…Nf6 Develops the knight to f6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  11. 6.Bc4 Develops the bishop to c4 – pieces out first, then attack.
  12. 6…d5 Attacks the pawn on e4 – the fight for the centre begins.
  13. 7.exd5 Takes the pawn on d5.

Idea and plans

The idea

With 2.f4 White gives a pawn to remove e5, open the f-file and build a big centre.

Plan for White

Develop quickly, castle and attack f7 along the f-file.

Plan for Black

Take the pawn and hold it with …g5, or give it back with …d5 and open the centre.

Tip

White’s own king is weakened after f4 – watch for checks on h4 and the e1–h4 diagonal.

The 7 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

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More openings