King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky Gambit, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation (C39)

The Kieseritzky Gambit, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation 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 d5 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bxf4 Nxe4 8. Nd2, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after eight moves. The e-file file is fully open.

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: Kieseritzky Gambit, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation — position after Nd2 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 d5 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bxf4 Nxe4 8. Nd2

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4h4g4
5Ne5d5
6d4Nf6
7Bxf4Nxe4
8Nd2

ECO: C39

Stockfish: +0.74 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, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation?

The Kieseritzky Gambit, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 d5 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bxf4 Nxe4 8. Nd2. 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, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation?

The Kieseritzky Gambit, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation 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, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 d5 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bxf4 Nxe4 8. Nd2 at +0.74 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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, Brentano Defense, Caro Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. The e-file file is fully open.