King's Gambit Accepted: Salvio Gambit (C37)

The Salvio Gambit is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO C37. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. 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 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.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

King's Gambit Accepted: Salvio Gambit — position after Ne5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4Bc4g4
5Ne5

ECO: C37

Stockfish: -1.39 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Salvio Gambit?

The Salvio Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C37.

What is the ECO code for the Salvio Gambit?

The Salvio Gambit is ECO C37. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Gambit Accepted.

Is the Salvio Gambit good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5 at -1.39 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 Salvio Gambit lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. 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.