ECO C30 · King's Gambit

King's Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. f4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2… exf4−0.43

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Gambit (C30), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. f4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… exf4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.43).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.432… exf4 3. Bc4 d5 4. Bxd5 Qh4+ 5. Kf1 Nf6 6. Nf3 Qh6 7. d4
  2. −0.342… d5 3. exd5 exf4 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. d4 cxd5 7. Bb5+
  3. +0.052… d6 3. d3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O

All King's Gambit variations (0)

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best move in the King's Gambit?
    After 1. e4 e5 2. f4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… exf4 for Black, continuing 3. Bc4 d5 4. Bxd5 Qh4+ 5. Kf1 Nf6 6. Nf3 Qh6 7. d4. Black is slightly better (−0.43). The next best moves are 2… d5 (−0.34) and 2… d6 (+0.05).
    Is the King's Gambit a good opening?
    Stockfish rates the position at −0.43: black is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
    What is the ECO code of the King's Gambit?
    C30. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

    Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).