Kings Gambit Accepted: Kieseritzky, Berlin & Anderssen
King’s Gambit Accepted (KGA)
Definition
The King’s Gambit Accepted is an open-game opening that begins 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4. By capturing the pawn on f4 Black “accepts” White’s gambit and pockets a pawn at the cost of allowing White a rapid lead in development and dangerous attacking chances on the f-file and the light squares around Black’s king.
Typical Move Order
The most common continuations are:
- 3. Nf3 g5 – the start of the Kieseritzky systems.
- 3. Bc4 – the Bishop’s Gambit, an immediate assault on f7.
- 3. d4 – the Muzio-style approaches, often leading to spectacular sacrifices.
Strategic Themes
- White willingly weakens his own king to seize the initiative, aiming for rapid development, central domination (d4, Nc3, Bc4), and attacks on f7 and along the e- and f-files.
- Black must decide between hanging on to the extra pawn (…g5, …h6, …Bg7) or returning material for speedy development (…d5, …Nf6). Accurate defense can yield an extra pawn and chances in the end-game, but one slip can lead to mate.
Historical Significance
During the 19th century the King’s Gambit epitomized romantic chess: Adolf Anderssen, Paul Morphy, and Wilhelm Steinitz all produced brilliancies with it. With deeper defensive technique, the opening almost vanished from elite classical play after the early 1900s, but it enjoys periodic revivals in rapid and blitz—most notably by Boris Spassky (who scored 8½/9 in World Championship games with the gambit!) and by modern speed-chess aficionados like Hikaru Nakamura.
Illustrative Mini-PGN
In the famous “Immortal Game” (Anderssen vs Kieseritzky, London 1851) the opening moves were:
(The game went on to a celebrated queen sacrifice and mating attack.)
Interesting Facts
- The earliest known reference to the gambit appears in Il Gioco degli Scacchi (1606), making it one of the oldest recorded openings.
- The ECO codes for the King’s Gambit Accepted run from C30 to C39.
- Defensive methods pioneered by Wilhelm Steinitz and later refined by computers are the main reason the opening is rarely seen in contemporary classical chess.
Kieseritzky Gambit / Kieseritzky Variation
Definition
The Kieseritzky Gambit is the most combative branch of the KGA, arising after the moves
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5.
White offers a second pawn (and later may even offer a piece) to tear open Black’s kingside and seize central space with d4.
Strategic Ideas
- Piece sacrifice motifs: After 5…g3?! 6.Bc4 d6 7.Bxf7+! Kxf7 8.Qh5+ Black’s king is dragged into the open. Even sounder defences still force Black to walk a tactical tightrope.
- Central break: White normally follows with d4, Bc4, Bxf4, and O-O-O, building up enormous pressure on f7 and the e-file.
- Black’s dilemma: accept the muddle with an extra pawn or return material (…d6, …Qe7, …Nf6) for stability.
Historical Notes
Named after the flamboyant Latvian master Lionel Kieseritzky (1806-1853), who both championed and occasionally fell victim to its dangers—most famously in the Immortal Game. The line was a mainstay of 19th-century café chess in Paris’ legendary Café de la Régence.
Key Sub-Variations
- 5…Nf6 – Berlin Defense (see next heading)
- 5…d6 – Anderssen Defense (see below)
- 5…Qe7 – Paulsen Defense (safer, but concedes space)
- 5…Nc6 – Salvio Defense (mixes development and piece hunting)
Famous Game
Shirov – Topalov, Linares 1998 (rapid) displayed a modern handling: Shirov uncorked a piece sacrifice on f7 that left Topalov reeling, proving the line’s continued venom more than a century after its invention.
Berlin Defense (in the Kieseritzky Gambit)
Definition
The Berlin Defense to the Kieseritzky Gambit arises after
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 Nf6.
By deploying the knight to f6, Black ignores the immediate capture of the e5 knight and instead accelerates development, preparing …d6 or …Qe7 to dislodge the advanced knight under more favourable circumstances.
Strategic Essence
- Development vs Material: Black gives back nothing immediately, but emphasises coordination (…d6, …Bg7, …0-0) to weather White’s attack.
- e4–e5 outpost: White’s knight on e5 can be both a spearhead and a target. If chased away prematurely, combinations based on Bxf4 and Qxg4 can erupt.
Comparison with the “Other Berlin”
Do not confuse this line with the Berlin Defense of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6). The only commonality is the city of origin—Berlin masters in the 1840s analysed both setups.
Sample Line
Here Black survives the opening blast, returns the extra pawn, and heads for an ending with healthy structure.
Interesting Tidbits
- Grandmaster David Bronstein recommended 5…Nf6 to club players, claiming “it asks White the hardest practical questions.”
- Because engines defend precisely, the Berlin Defense scores well in correspondence chess—better than any other line after 5.Ne5.
Anderssen Defense (to the Kieseritzky Gambit)
Definition
The Anderssen Defense occurs after
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 d6.
Black immediately strikes at the e5-knight with the pawn, intending …dxe5 or …d5 and retaining the extra pawn. The move was analysed and frequently employed by Adolf Anderssen, hence the name. (Modern literature often calls 5…d6 the Anderssen-Cordel Gambit because Louis Paulsen and Paul Cordel also developed its theory.)
Main Ideas
- Early central counterstrike: …d6 claims the centre and forces White to decide: maintain the knight on e5 (6.Nxg4!) or relocate (6.d4?) while Black keeps a spatial foothold.
- Tactical minefields: If White overpresses with 6.Nxg4 Be7 7.d4 Bxh4+, Black’s king may remain in the centre but the extra piece gives long-term chances.
- Returning material: Modern praxis often continues 6.Nxg4 Nf6 7.Nf2 or 7.Be2, with approximate equality after Black gives back a pawn to complete development.
Representative Game
Anderssen – Paulsen, Leipzig 1863 advanced as follows:
Black ultimately prevailed after a long, maneuvering middlegame, showcasing the line’s practical resilience.
Why It Matters Today
- The defense offers forcing play with limited theory, a blessing for over-the-board surprise value.
- Engines rate 5…d6 at roughly equal (~0.00 to ‑0.20), giving Black an objectively sound alternative to the more fashionable Berlin Defense.
Trivia
- From the same starting position (after 5.Ne5) Black has at least eight named options—proof of the analytical richness of the King’s Gambit.
- Anderssen’s own score with 5…d6 was phenomenal: +6 =1 -0 in surviving tournament records.