King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense (C33)

The Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO C33. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 Ne7 5. Nc3 g5 6. d4 Bg7, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after six moves. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.

On the King's Gambit Accepted generally: A romantic opening where White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances.

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King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense — position after Bg7 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 Ne7 5. Nc3 g5 6. d4 Bg7

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Bc4Qh4+
4Kf1Ne7
5Nc3g5
6d4Bg7

ECO: C33

Stockfish: +0.48 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense?

The Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 Ne7 5. Nc3 g5 6. d4 Bg7. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C33.

What is the ECO code for the Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense?

The Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense is ECO C33. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Gambit Accepted.

Is the Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 Ne7 5. Nc3 g5 6. d4 Bg7 at +0.48 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Bishop's Gambit, Classical Defense lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.