King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky Gambit (C39)

The Kieseritzky Gambit is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO C39. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at one 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.

King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky Gambit — position after Ne5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4h4g4
5Ne5

ECO: C39

Stockfish: -0.70 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Kieseritzky Gambit?

The Kieseritzky Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C39.

What is the ECO code for the Kieseritzky Gambit?

The Kieseritzky Gambit is ECO C39. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Gambit Accepted.

Is the Kieseritzky Gambit good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 at -0.70 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.

What kind of position does the Kieseritzky Gambit lead to?

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