Kings Gambit Accepted: Salvio, Silberschmidt, Anderssen
King’s Gambit Accepted (KGA)
Definition
The King’s Gambit begins 1. e4 e5 2. f4. When Black captures the pawn with 2…exf4 the opening is said to be accepted, creating the ECO family C30-C39. White sacrifices the f-pawn in return for rapid development and an attack on the f-file, while Black seeks to consolidate the extra pawn or return it under optimal circumstances.
Typical Continuations
- 3.Nf3 – The King’s Knight Gambit, the most popular move, attacking e5 and preventing …Qh4+.
- 3.Bc4 – The Bishop’s Gambit, aiming directly at f7.
- Black replies include the Classical 3…g5, the Fischer Defence 3…d6 followed by …g5, the Schallopp 3…Nf6, the Cunningham 3…Be7, and sideline ideas such as 3…d5 or 3…Nc6.
Strategic Themes
- Open Lines vs. Material. White wants rapid piece activity, open files, and an attack on the king; Black tries to complete development without letting the initiative get out of hand.
- King Safety. Castling is often delayed for both sides. White sometimes keeps the king in the center or castles long; Black may castle queenside or play …Kf8.
- Pawn Structure. The gambit pawn on f4 gives Black an extra half-open g- and h-files for counterplay but may also become a target if it lingers on f4.
Historical Significance
No opening dominated 19th-century romantic chess like the King’s Gambit. Players such as Greco, Kieseritzky, Anderssen, and Morphy produced dazzling games that still appear in anthologies. Interest waned in the 20th century after the classical school showed convincing defences, but occasional revivals by Spassky (1960s), Bronstein, and Nigel Short proved the gambit is far from refuted. Bobby Fischer’s 1961 article “A Bust to the King’s Gambit” (advocating 3…d6) remains a famous polemic.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following five-move skeleton shows the flavour of many KGA positions:
Interesting Facts
- The KGA is the only major 1.e4 e5 line in which Black is encouraged to push the g-pawn down the board as early as move three.
- In “Kasparov vs. the World” (1999), the world team briefly considered answering Kasparov’s 1.e4 with 1…e5, hoping to tempt him into a King’s Gambit.
- Modern engines evaluate many KGA lines around 0.00, illustrating how far defensive technique has progressed since the 1800s.
Salvio Gambit
Definition
The Salvio Gambit is an aggressive branch of the Classical King’s Gambit Accepted:
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 g4 5. Ne5 Qh4+ 6. Kf1.
Named after the 17th-century Neapolitan master Alessandro Salvio, the line willingly keeps White’s king in the centre in order to obtain a lead in development and targets along the a2–g8 diagonal.
How It Is Used
- White’s plan: Sacrifice time and occasionally more material to rip open the f- and g-files (often via h3 or d4), exploit the exposed black king, and dominate the light squares.
- Black’s plan: Harass the white king with the queen and pawns, consolidate with …d5 and …Nf6, and if possible keep the extra material.
- The early check on h4 pulls the white king to f1, denying White the right to castle but also moving the king off the e-file so the f-rook can join the battle quickly.
Strategic and Historical Notes
The line’s romantic pedigree is clear: Steinitz, Chigorin, and especially Rudolf Spielmann all tried it, producing sparkling attacks. Theory long regarded the gambit as “unsound but dangerous.” Modern engines give roughly equal chances if Black knows the critical continuations after 6…d5. Nevertheless, at club level the chaotic positions still yield plenty of decisive results.
Example Game
Spielmann – Ragosin, Moscow 1925 (simplified start):
The Austrian master sacrificed a rook, then a bishop, and finally delivered mate on move 24 – a textbook Salvio brilliancy.
Fun Trivia
- Alessandro Salvio never wrote the moves “Qh4+” or “g4” – algebraic notation did not exist in his time! Yet the line that bears his name captures the spirit of his treatises.
- Modern correspondence databases still show surprise wins for White when Black forgets the quiet resource 6…d5! effectively equalising.
Silberschmidt Defense
Definition
The Silberschmidt Defense is a solid but rare answer to the King’s Knight Gambit:
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 d6.
Named for Swiss analyst Oskar Silberschmidt (early 20th century), the idea is to reinforce the e5-square, prepare …g5 at leisure, and blunt White’s central ambitions without committing the king’s knight or queen.
Plans and Typical Play
- Black: After 3…d6, Black often follows with …g5, …Bg7, and …h6, reaching a Philidor-like setup where the f-pawn on f4 may become isolated and weak. Another scheme is …Nf6 and …Be7, arguing that the extra pawn is worth the modest concession of a cramped position.
- White: Choices include 4.d4 seizing the centre, 4.Bc4 developing with threats on f7, or 4.h4 immediately challenging the pawn chain. Castling kingside is sometimes delayed, and a queen-side castle with an eventual g-pawn sacrifice is thematic.
Strategic Significance
The move …d6 sidesteps many of White’s sharpest tactical lines (e.g., those after 3…g5 4.h4). Because Black’s king remains in the centre for a while, the game often evolves into a strategic struggle rather than the razor-sharp mêlée seen in the Classical Defense. Modern theory considers 3…d6 playable but passive; engines rate the position around +0.4 for White with best play.
Example Line
Play is slower than in many KGA lines, allowing both sides creative manoeuvring.
Interesting Facts
- The Silberschmidt has never been played in a classical World Championship match, but it has popped up in correspondence events where players hope to steer opponents out of deep engine books.
- Because …d6 resembles Philidor structures, some coaches recommend the line to players who know the Philidor but dislike the usual King’s Gambit chaos.
Anderssen Counterattack
Definition
The Anderssen Counterattack is an energetic answer to the Bishop’s Gambit of the King’s Gambit Accepted:
1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 d5 5. Bxd5 Nf6.
Black immediately returns the extra pawn (d5), opens lines for rapid development, and drags White’s king further off-side, echoing Adolf Anderssen’s swashbuckling style.
Main Ideas
- Quick piece activity. By playing …Qh4+ and …d5, Black gains time to develop minor pieces with tempo and strives for equality through activity rather than material.
- King placement. White’s king on f1 blocks his own rook; Black may castle long or leave the king in the centre depending on the tactical mood.
- Tactical Resources. Themes include sacrifices on g2 or f3, pins along the a7–g1 diagonal after …Bc5, and double-attacks with the queen and knight.
Historical Background
Although attributed to Anderssen, the first known appearance was in offhand games he played in Breslau (1850s). The defence never enjoyed mainstream popularity but remains a provocative surprise weapon. In the pre-engine era it was considered “sound enough for a skittles game.” Modern analysis shows that precise play by White (e.g., 6.Nf3) yields a small edge, but one slip can lead to disaster.
Illustrative Fragment
All the pieces are flying out; both kings are uncastled, and each pawn thrust creates new tactical opportunities.
Anecdotes
- Legend claims Anderssen once shouted “My queen is my bishop’s pawn!” after delivering checkmate down the h-file in this line, underscoring his willingness to hurl major pieces forward.
- Grandmaster Simon Williams revived the variation in online blitz during the 2020 lockdown, scoring several miniature victories and sparking renewed interest among streamers.