King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch Variation (C39)

The Kieseritzky, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch 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 h5 6. Bc4 Rh7 7. d4 Bh6 8. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. 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. 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: Kieseritzky, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch Variation — position after Nc3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 h5 6. Bc4 Rh7 7. d4 Bh6 8. Nc3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4h4g4
5Ne5h5
6Bc4Rh7
7d4Bh6
8Nc3

ECO: C39

Stockfish: +0.85 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, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch Variation?

The Kieseritzky, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 h5 6. Bc4 Rh7 7. d4 Bh6 8. Nc3. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C39.

What is the ECO code for the Kieseritzky, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch Variation?

The Kieseritzky, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch 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, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 h5 6. Bc4 Rh7 7. d4 Bh6 8. Nc3 at +0.85 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, Long Whip Defense, Jaenisch Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. 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. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.