King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit, Fraser Variation (C33)

The Bishop's Gambit, Fraser Variation 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 g5 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. g3 fxg3 7. Qf3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. Black has doubled pawns on the g-file; White’s h-file pawn is isolated.

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, Fraser Variation — position after Qf3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 g5 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. g3 fxg3 7. Qf3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Bc4Qh4+
4Kf1g5
5Nc3Bg7
6g3fxg3
7Qf3

ECO: C33

Stockfish: -0.39 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, Fraser Variation?

The Bishop's Gambit, Fraser Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 g5 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. g3 fxg3 7. Qf3. 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, Fraser Variation?

The Bishop's Gambit, Fraser Variation 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, Fraser Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 g5 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. g3 fxg3 7. Qf3 at -0.39 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, 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, Fraser Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the g-file; White’s h-file pawn is isolated.