Chess Openings Lab
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King's Gambit Accepted

The King's Gambit Accepted is 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4, where Black takes the offered pawn. White wants quick development, a big center with d4 and open lines toward f7, while Black decides whether to hold the f4 pawn or return it for fast development.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4
ECO
C33
Engine
−0.48 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
32,232 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.Nf3 is the main move. It stops ...Qh4+ and prepares d4 and Bc4.
  • Bc4 is the Bishop's Gambit: it allows ...Qh4+ but aims straight at f7.
  • 3.Nc3 is the engine's first choice; after ...Qh4+ the king walks to e2.
  • Win back the f4 pawn later with the c1 bishop when d4 has opened its path.

Black

  • Check with ...Qh4+ when White allows it, to take away castling rights.
  • Hold the pawn with ...g5, ...d6 or ...h6 after Nf3, building a kingside chain.
  • Return the pawn with ...d5 to free the pieces and open the center.
  • Against 3.Be2, the engine likes ...f5 and ...Qh4+, which give Black active play.

Plans and pawn structure

This position sets up every accepted line. White's open f-file and central pawn on e4 give attacking chances, but the f4 pawn blocks the c1 bishop and the f1 rook. Black's choices split into two groups: keep the pawn with ...g5 chains, or give it back with ...d5 or ...Nf6 for easy development. White does best by developing quickly and striking with d4, h4 or a well-timed sacrifice before Black consolidates.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.48: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for White:

  1. −0.48 3.Nc3 Qh4+ 4.Ke2 Qe7 5.Kf2 d5
  2. −0.60 3.Nf3 g5 4.Nc3 d6 5.d4 g4
  3. −0.73 3.Be2 f5 4.exf5 Qh4+ 5.Kf1 Ne7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

32,232 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.1%.

under 120055.9%
1200–159955.2%
1600–199954.2%
2000 and up47.7%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • King's Knight's Gambit3.Nf3 · 4,614 games
  • Bishop's Gambit3.Bc4 · 1,883 games
  • Villemson Gambit3.d4 · 706 games
  • Basman Gambit3.Qe2 · rare
  • Breyer Gambit3.Qf3 · rare
  • Carrera Gambit3.Qh5 · rare
  • Dodo Variation3.Qg4 · rare
  • Eisenberg Variation3.Nh3 · rare
  • Gaga Gambit3.g3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, pick a system you know, most often 3.Nf3. Do not drift: every move counts when you are a pawn down. Keep watch over ...Qh4+ and the e1-h4 diagonal until a knight covers h4, and plan d4 early so the c1 bishop can win back f4.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Gambit Accepted?

The King's Gambit Accepted starts 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4. Its ECO code is C33.

Is the King's Gambit Accepted good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.48 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 32,232 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.1%. The sharpest answer to the King's Gambit; both sides need concrete knowledge and willingness to fight from move three.

What is the main idea of the King's Gambit Accepted?

Black takes the pawn on f4. White aims for fast development, d4 and pressure on f7, while Black either holds the pawn with ...g5 or returns it with ...d5 for free play.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Nf3 and Be2 close behind. 3.Nc3 develops and protects e4, accepting a king move after ...Qh4+ in exchange for central control.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.