King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit, Paulsen Attack (C33)

The Bishop's Gambit, Paulsen Attack is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO C33. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e5, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five 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, Paulsen Attack — position after e5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Bc4Nf6
4Nc3Bb4
5e5

ECO: C33

Stockfish: -0.03 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, Paulsen Attack?

The Bishop's Gambit, Paulsen Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e5. 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, Paulsen Attack?

The Bishop's Gambit, Paulsen Attack 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, Paulsen Attack good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e5 at -0.03 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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, Paulsen Attack lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.