King's Gambit Accepted: Salvio Gambit, Cochrane Gambit (C37)

The Salvio Gambit, Cochrane 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 Qh4+ 6. Kf1 f3, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on 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 White to move after six 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, Cochrane Gambit — position after f3 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5 Qh4+ 6. Kf1 f3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4Bc4g4
5Ne5Qh4+
6Kf1f3

ECO: C37

Stockfish: -1.01 at depth 18

Practice this line free →

Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Salvio Gambit, Cochrane Gambit?

The Salvio Gambit, Cochrane Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5 Qh4+ 6. Kf1 f3. 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, Cochrane Gambit?

The Salvio Gambit, Cochrane 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, Cochrane Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5 Qh4+ 6. Kf1 f3 at -1.01 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, Cochrane Gambit lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on 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 White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.