The Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO C35. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Bc4 Bh4+ 5. g3, reaching the position shown below after 9 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 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.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 80 King's Gambit Accepted variations →
The Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Bc4 Bh4+ 5. g3. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C35.
The Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit is ECO C35. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Gambit Accepted.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Bc4 Bh4+ 5. g3 at -0.85 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for Black. 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.
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 a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.