King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky, Polerio Defense (C39)

The Kieseritzky, Polerio Defense 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 Be7, reaching the position shown below after 10 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 White 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.

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King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky, Polerio Defense — position after Be7 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Be7

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4h4g4
5Ne5Be7

ECO: C39

Stockfish: -0.54 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, Polerio Defense?

The Kieseritzky, Polerio Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Be7. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C39.

What is the ECO code for the Kieseritzky, Polerio Defense?

The Kieseritzky, Polerio Defense 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, Polerio Defense good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Be7 at -0.54 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 Kieseritzky, Polerio Defense 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 White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.