Key ideas
- After 2...exf4, the King's Gambit Accepted, White's main moves are 3.Nf3, which stops ...Qh4+, and 3.Bc4, the Bishop's Gambit, which lets the king step to f1 if Black checks.
- Black can decline with 2...Bc5, the Classical Variation, which places the bishop on the a7-g1 diagonal so White cannot castle kingside, or strike back with 2...d5, the Falkbeer Countergambit.
- Moving the f-pawn opens the e1-h4 diagonal toward White's king. Checks with ...Qh4+ and pressure on the a7-g1 diagonal are recurring themes for Black in every line.
- When the gambit works, White recovers the pawn on f4 or uses the half-open f-file and a strong pawn on e4 or d4 to attack f7.
Plans for White
Aim for Nf3, d4, Bc4 and short castling, then use the f-file against f7. Recapture on f4 when you can do it with a big centre still standing.
Plans for Black
Either take the pawn and return it with a well-timed ...d5, or decline with 2...Bc5 and ...d6 for a sound position. Keep an eye on the e1-h4 and a7-g1 diagonals, where White's king is weakest.
Watch out
After 2...exf4, the check on h4 is a real threat. If White plays 3.d4 Qh4+ 4.g3?, then 4...fxg3 threatens a discovered check, for example 5.Nf3 g2+ 6.Nxh4 gxh1=Q, and Black wins a rook.