Chess Openings - The King's Gambit
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1. e4 e5
2. f4
After reaching the Open Game (1. e4 e5), white has the option to play a startling and aggressive continuation. In the King's Gambit, white offers a pawn sacrifice with 2. f4. When black captures the pawn, it is the King's Gambit Accepted (KGA). If black does not capture the pawn, it is the King's Gambit Declined (KGD).
The King's Gambit is an old and romantic opening. White hopes that black will accept the gambit and try to hold on to the pawn advantage. This can lead to some fireworks as white has the chance to mobilize a potent attack - with black scrambling to hold on. Over a century ago, when the opening was popular, accepting a gambit was considered to be a matter of honour. If one person was courageous enough to offer a gambit, the other was obliged to accept it. Such gentlemen's rules are no longer followed in tournament chess.
If the gambit is accepted, the best defense for black is to give back the extra pawn at an opportune time. If done correctly, this can quickly take the steam out of white's attack. Black also has the option of completely declining the gambit, and he achieves a fine game in doing so. For these reasons, the King's Gambit is no longer a popular master opening.
How Common is The King's Gambit?
Common at Novice Level
Rare at Master Level
Out of the Open Game, you can expect to see white play the King's Gambit about 10% of the time. It's worth noting that the opening is more popular amongst novices than masters.