← King's Gambit

Practice: Bishop's Gambit

Bc4 instead of Nf3

Instead of the knight to f3, White develops the bishop to c4 immediately. An old and aggressive line that keeps the f3 square open for the queen.

1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Nc3 c6
5. Qf3 d5
6. exd5+ Be7
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • White sacrifices the f-pawn to open lines for a fast attack. The bishop and queen get active diagonals while Black struggles to complete development.
  • Black can accept the pawn (2...exf4) or decline. Accepting gives White the most attacking chances and Black must defend precisely.
  • White's plan is simple: develop fast, sacrifice more if needed, and checkmate on f7 or g7 before Black can catch up.

Common mistakes & traps

  • In the King's Gambit Accepted, Black's Classical Defense (3...g5) is risky. White can play 4.h4 g4 5.Ne5 and get a powerful centre if Black does not follow up correctly.
  • The Fischer Defense (3...d6) is the safest. Black returns the pawn on f4 to stabilise the position and avoids the dangerous g5 lines.

Pawn structure notes

White gives up the f-pawn for open lines and fast development. The f-file becomes a highway for White's rook. Black's extra pawn on f4 can be a weakness if White plays accurately.

Tips

  • 3.Bc4 develops with tempo, threatening mate on f7
  • White can bring the queen to f3 with dangerous attacking possibilities
  • The Bishop's Gambit was analysed extensively in the 19th century

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.