Falkbeer Counter-Gambit

Play as BlackCounter-gambit

Black answers the King's Gambit with a counter-punch in the center.

The main line, move by move

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. dxe4 Nxe4 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. Qe2 Qe7

1. 1. e4 — Claim the center and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... e5 — Black claims the center too.
3. 2. f4 — The King's Gambit: offer the f-pawn to open the f-file.
4. 2... d5 — The Falkbeer: counter-attack in the center at once.
5. 3. exd5 — Takes the pawn on d5.
6. 3... e4 — Gain space and cramp the knight.
7. 4. d3 — Challenge the pawn on e4.
8. 4... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
9. 5. dxe4 — Takes the pawn on e4.
10. 5... Nxe4 — Takes the pawn on e4.
11. 6. Nf3 — Brings the knight into the game.
12. 6... Bc5 — Brings the bishop into the game.
13. 7. Qe2 — Put pressure on the knight on e4 and the e-file.
14. 7... Qe7 — Defend the knight on e4 and keep the e-file.

Related openings

• Marshall Attack
• Albin Counter-Gambit
• Budapest Gambit
• Latvian Gambit
• Englund Gambit

← All opening guides · Tactics guides