King's Gambit Accepted: Silberschmidt Gambit (C37)

The Silberschmidt 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 Nh6 7. d4 f3, reaching the position shown below after 14 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. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White 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: Silberschmidt Gambit — position after f3 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5 Qh4+ 6. Kf1 Nh6 7. d4 f3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2f4exf4
3Nf3g5
4Bc4g4
5Ne5Qh4+
6Kf1Nh6
7d4f3

ECO: C37

Stockfish: -0.41 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Silberschmidt Gambit?

The Silberschmidt Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5 Qh4+ 6. Kf1 Nh6 7. d4 f3. It is a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO C37.

What is the ECO code for the Silberschmidt Gambit?

The Silberschmidt 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 Silberschmidt 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 Nh6 7. d4 f3 at -0.41 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 Silberschmidt Gambit 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. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file.