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ECO C30-C39WhiteA line in the King's Gambit

Learn the King's Gambit Accepted: Cunningham, Modern (4...Nf6) line in the King's Gambit

The modern Cunningham avoids the check; we gain space with e5, castle, and build the center with d4, then resolve the tension with exd6 en passant to keep an active, harmonious position.

The moves you’ll play

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.f4exf4
  3. 3.Nf3Be7
  4. 4.Bc4Nf6
  5. 5.e5Ng4
  6. 6.O-ONc6
  7. 7.d4d5
  8. 8.exd6

The line continues — master it move by move in the app.

Your coach, move by move

  1. 1. e4We take the center.
  2. 2. f4The King's Gambit: we offer the f-pawn for activity and open lines.
  3. 3. Nf3We develop and stop ...Qh4+.
  4. +5 more coached moves waiting in the app

Key ideas behind this line

  • Open the f-file and play for a quick attack: after recapturing on f4 with the bishop, White's rook on f1 bears down on f7, the soft spot in Black's camp.
  • Build a big pawn center with d4 (and sometimes c3), using the extra central space to justify the gambit pawn and open diagonals for the bishops.
  • Develop with tempo: Nf3 prevents ...Qh4+, Bc4 eyes f7, and rapid castling connects the rooks for the assault.

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More lines in this opening

King's Gambit Accepted: Modern Defense (3...d5)

Black returns the pawn for fast development with 3...d5; we use the bishop check and recapture to keep an extra pawn and a sound central structure with d4.

King's Gambit Accepted: Cunningham Defense, Bertin Gambit

Against the aggressive Cunningham check, we sacrifice with g3 and castle into the storm; the open f-file and lead in development give White a powerful attack for the pawns.

King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky Gambit, Main Line

The classical Kieseritzky: against the greedy ...g5-g4 we retreat the knight to e5 then d3, recapture on f4, and enjoy a strong center and active pieces while Black's kingside pawns are loose.

King's Gambit Accepted: Allgaier Gambit

The romantic Allgaier: instead of retreating we sacrifice the knight on f7 to drag the king out, then build a center with d4 and chase the exposed monarch with Bxf4 and Bc4+ ideas.

King's Gambit Accepted: Fischer Defense (3...d6)

Fischer's recommended 3...d6 sidesteps the Kieseritzky; we meet ...g5-g4 by retreating the knight to g1 and rerouting via e2, keeping our big center and untangling smoothly.

King's Gambit Accepted: Becker Defense (3...h6)

Becker's 3...h6 props up g5 before pushing it; we challenge with d4, h4 and g3, breaking the pawn chain and activating our knight on g4 with a sound, dynamic game.

King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit (3.Bc4)

The Bishop's Gambit allows ...Qh4+ deliberately; after Kf1 the exposed black queen loses time, and our bishop pair plus the open lines hand White a strong initiative.

King's Gambit Accepted: Schallopp Defense (3...Nf6)

Black develops with 3...Nf6; we gain space with e5, drive the knight to the rim, and build a strong center while the h5-knight remains awkwardly placed.

King's Gambit Accepted: Modern Defense, Abbazia Main Line

A solid handling of 3...d5: instead of the check we develop with Bc4 and castle, then recapture on f4 with full development, a healthy center, and easy piece play.

King's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense (3...g5 4.h4 g4 5.Ne5)

When Black challenges the e5-knight with ...d6, we capture on g4 and trade off, regaining the gambit pawn and emerging with a clean extra-pawn structure and easy development.

Vienna-style: King's Gambit Declined, Classical (2...Bc5)

Black declines with 2...Bc5, preventing fxe5 by pinning down the king's safety; we develop soundly, keep the tension, and use Na4 to challenge the powerful c5-bishop.

King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer Countergambit

The Falkbeer counter-strikes in the center; we accept with exd5 then undermine the e4-pawn with d3, returning material to reach a sound position where Black's pawn sacrifice is not justified.

King's Gambit Declined: Falkbeer, Nimzowitsch 3...c6

Against the Nimzowitsch ...c6 try, we hold the extra pawn with Nc3 and Nf3, build the center with d4, and grab on c6 to keep material with a healthy position.

King's Gambit Declined: Classical, ...Nc6 Main

Against 2...Bc5 we prepare a big center with c3 and d4; after the exchange on d4 we recapture and build a classical pawn duo, gaining space while keeping the king reasonably safe.

King's Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky, Berlin Defense (5...Nf6)

In the Berlin variation of the Kieseritzky, Black counters in the center with ...Nf6 and ...d5; we develop the bishop, take on d5, and build a solid center, keeping the e5-knight strong and the position rich.

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