Chess lessons › Chess openings
The King’s Gambit
Give the f-pawn on move two for fast development and the f-file, and learn how Black can answer.
The idea
White gives the f-pawn for fast development and the f-file.
- Black has taken the f-pawn, so White is a pawn down for now.
- With the f-pawn gone, the black queen could check from h4.
- Nf3 develops and covers h4, and d4 comes next.
In a game: When you give the f-pawn, keep an eye on the diagonal from h4 to your king.
How the lesson begins
After 1.e4 e5, the King’s Gambit is 2.f4. White offers the f-pawn to pull Black’s e-pawn away from the centre. Here Black has taken it with 2...exf4, the King’s Gambit Accepted. White wants d4, quick development and the f-file for a rook once the king has castled.
The price is a weaker king. With the f-pawn off f2, the diagonal from h4 to e1 is open. Among players rated 1200 to 1599 on Lichess, White scores 54% after 2.f4.
Find the move
White to move. Deal with that diagonal first. Develop a knight that guards h4, the square the black queen would check from.
A hint
Which knight move covers h4?
Show the answer
3. Nf3
3.Nf3, the King’s Knight’s Gambit, is White’s most played move here, chosen in 90% of games at 1200 to 1599. The knight on f3 covers h4. Next you want d4, and then your bishop on c1 can win back the pawn on f4.
In numbers
How often it is played
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | Too few games |
| 800 to 1199 | 1.6 |
| 1200 to 1599 | 2.5 |
| 1600 to 1999 | 2.6 |
| 2000 and up | 0.7 |
How the games ended
White won 56%, 3% were drawn and Black won 41%, over 4,023 games that start this way, in a sample of rated Lichess games from 2026.