King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky, Rice Gambit (C39)

The Kieseritzky, Rice 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 Nf6 6. Bc4 d5 7. exd5 Bd6 8. O-O, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the d-file; Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; 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, Rice Gambit — position after O-O a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Bc4 d5 7. exd5 Bd6 8. O-O

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4h4g4
5Ne5Nf6
6Bc4d5
7exd5Bd6
8O-O

ECO: C39

Stockfish: -1.36 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, Rice Gambit?

The Kieseritzky, Rice Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Bc4 d5 7. exd5 Bd6 8. O-O. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C39.

What is the ECO code for the Kieseritzky, Rice Gambit?

The Kieseritzky, Rice 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, Rice Gambit good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Nf6 6. Bc4 d5 7. exd5 Bd6 8. O-O at -1.36 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, Rice Gambit lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the d-file; Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; the e-file file is fully open.