King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky, Salvio Defense, Cozio Variation (C39)

The Kieseritzky, Salvio Defense, Cozio 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 Qe7 6. d4 f5 7. Bc4, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven 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, Salvio Defense, Cozio Variation — position after Bc4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Qe7 6. d4 f5 7. Bc4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4h4g4
5Ne5Qe7
6d4f5
7Bc4

ECO: C39

Stockfish: +0.98 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, Salvio Defense, Cozio Variation?

The Kieseritzky, Salvio Defense, Cozio Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Qe7 6. d4 f5 7. Bc4. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C39.

What is the ECO code for the Kieseritzky, Salvio Defense, Cozio Variation?

The Kieseritzky, Salvio Defense, Cozio 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, Salvio Defense, Cozio Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Qe7 6. d4 f5 7. Bc4 at +0.98 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, Salvio Defense, Cozio Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.