King's Gambit Accepted · C39

Kieseritzky Gambit, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 d5 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bxf4 Nxe4 8. Nd2

The structure hands White the half-open f-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade. f4 offers a pawn to drag Black's e-pawn off the centre and open the f-file - development and attack against material, the oldest bargain in chess.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. f4 Challenges the pawn on e5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the King's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... exf4 Takes the pawn on f4, toward the centre. Theory calls this the King's Gambit Accepted.

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