King's Gambit Accepted: Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit (C35)

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 fxg3 6. O-O gxh2+ 7. Kh1, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up three points of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. Black has doubled pawns on the h-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: Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit — position after Kh1 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Bc4 Bh4+ 5. g3 fxg3 6. O-O gxh2+ 7. Kh1

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3Be7
4Bc4Bh4+
5g3fxg3
6O-Ogxh2+
7Kh1

ECO: C35

Stockfish: -0.50 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit?

The Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Bc4 Bh4+ 5. g3 fxg3 6. O-O gxh2+ 7. Kh1. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C35.

What is the ECO code for the Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit?

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.

Is the Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Bc4 Bh4+ 5. g3 fxg3 6. O-O gxh2+ 7. Kh1 at -0.50 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 Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit lead to?

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