KGA: 3.Nf3 g5 4.Bc4 g4

Before the first move

The King's Gambit is one of chess's most romantic and aggressive openings, where White sacrifices a pawn on move two to dominate the center and open lines for an attack. In this sharp variation, Black stubbornly defends the extra pawn and immediately counterattacks your kingside, leading to some of the most tactical positions in the game.

1. e4White · your move

Move your pawn to e4. This classic opening move claims space in the center, controls the d5-square, and clears the way for your queen and light-squared bishop to enter the fray.

1... e5Black

Black replies with e5, the most principled response to e4. While alternatives like the Sicilian Defense or the French Defense are common, this move leads to the most direct confrontation for the center.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. f4White · your move

Push your pawn to f4. This is the King's Gambit. You are offering a pawn to deflect Black's e5-pawn, which will allow you to build a massive center with d4 and open the f-file for your rook.

Other paths here: Ke2 (Bongcloud Attack) · d4 (Center Game) · c4 (English Opening: The Whale) · Ne2 (King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening)

2... exf4Black

Black accepts the gambit with exf4. This is the most critical test. Black could decline with the Classical Variation using Bc5 or try the Falkbeer Countergambit, but taking the pawn is the bravest path.

Other paths here: Bc5 (King's Gambit Declined: Classical Variation) · Qh4+ (King's Gambit Declined: Keene's Defense) · Qf6 (King's Gambit Declined: Norwalde Variation) · f5 (King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit)

3. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This is the most flexible way to continue, preventing an immediate queen check on h4 and preparing to fight for the center while you develop your pieces.

Other paths here: Qe2 (King's Gambit Accepted: Basman Gambit) · Bc4 (King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit) · Qf3 (King's Gambit Accepted: Breyer Gambit) · Qh5 (King's Gambit Accepted: Carrera Gambit)

3... g5Black

Black plays g5, the most ambitious way to defend the gambit pawn. Instead of the solid Fischer Defense with d6 or the Becker Defense with h6, Black chooses the sharpest line to put White under pressure.

Other paths here: h6 (King's Gambit Accepted: Becker Defense) · Ne7 (King's Gambit Accepted: Bonsch-Osmolovsky Variation) · d6 (King's Gambit Accepted: Fischer Defense) · f5 (King's Gambit Accepted: Gianutio Countergambit)

4. Bc4White · your move

Move your bishop to c4. You are targeting the f7-square, the weakest point in Black's camp. This development is essential for preparing an eventual kingside castle and putting pressure on the enemy king.

Other paths here: Nc3 (King's Gambit Accepted: Quaade Gambit) · d4 (King's Gambit Accepted: Rosentreter Gambit) · h4 (King's Gambit Accepted: King's Knight's Gambit)

4... g4Black

Black pushes g4, forcing the issue. This move characterizes the wildest lines of the King's Gambit. Black ignores development like Nc6 or Bg7 to immediately kick the knight and disrupt White's coordination.

Other paths here: Nc6 (KGA: Blachly Gambit) · Bg7 (King's Gambit Accepted: Traditional Variation) · d6 (King's Gambit Accepted: King's Knight's Gambit)

Where you stand

The position is on a knife-edge. White must now decide whether to move the knight or sacrifice it with a move like O-O (the Muzio Gambit) for a devastating attack. Black has the extra material but must survive the coming storm and complete development before White's pressure on f7 becomes decisive. Both sides are playing for a win from move one.

• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king and activate the rook.
• d1-f3 Bring the queen to f3 to pressure f4 and f7.
• d8-f6 Develop the queen to f6 to defend the f4-pawn.
• f8-d6 Develop the bishop to d6 to bolster the center.
• d2-d3 Push d3 to open the bishop's path to the f4-pawn.