Kings Gambit Declined & Falkbeer, Staunton & Charousek
King’s Gambit Declined
Definition
The King’s Gambit Declined (KGD) arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. f4 when Black refuses to capture the pawn on f4. Any reply other than 2…exf4 is, by definition, a “decline.” Typical declining moves include 2…Bc5, 2…d5 (the Falkbeer Counter-Gambit), 2…Nf6, 2…Nc6 and even 2…d6.
Main Ideas
- By declining, Black avoids the razor-sharp theory of the King’s Gambit Accepted and keeps the central pawn on e5 intact.
- Black often counter-attacks in the centre (…d5, …d6) or on the kingside (…Qh4+, …Bc5).
- White must prove that the pawn advance f4 was not premature; typical plans include d2–d4, Nb1–c3, Bf1–c4, and rapid castling.
Strategic Significance
The KGD is less forcing than the Accepted lines, so it offers both sides greater strategic latitude. Historically it enjoyed popularity in the 19th century—when almost everybody played 2…exf4—but modern grandmasters sometimes choose a decline to sidestep reams of engine-checked gambit analyses.
Illustrative Example
In this model game (Anderssen – Dufresne, off-hand 1852), Black chose the Classical Decline 2…Bc5, steering the struggle into a rich manoeuvring battle where the e- and f-files became the focus.
Interesting Facts
- Garry Kasparov teased his colleagues by playing the “Modern Defence” 2…Nc6!? against Deep Blue (New York, 1997) before ultimately steering for a solid set-up.
- The once-fashionable 2…d6 is nicknamed the “King’s Gambit Examination Paper” because it tests whether White really understands the typical themes before Black commits.
Falkbeer Counter-Gambit – Accepted
Definition
The Falkbeer Counter-Gambit appears after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5. If White accepts the pawn with 3. exd5, we reach the “Falkbeer Accepted.” The critical continuation is 3…e4, when Black sacrifices the pawn back in order to seize space and initiative.
Typical Move Order
- e4 e5
- f4 d5
- exd5 e4 ( 3…Qxd5!? is an older sideline )
- Nc3 Nf6
- d3 Bb4
Strategic Themes
- Black immediately challenges the e-file, often leaving White’s king stuck in the centre for several moves.
- Piece activity is valued over material; Black’s light-squared bishop and queen frequently pressure f4 and d3.
- White aims to consolidate with d2–d3 and Nf3, banking on the extra pawn if the position calms down.
Historical Notes
Named after the Austrian master Ernst Falkbeer (1819-1885), the gambit was praised by Steinitz as “the correct refutation of the King’s Gambit.” While theory no longer calls it a refutation, it remains a dangerous practical weapon—especially in rapid time controls.
Famous Game
Steinitz — Anderssen, London 1862. Steinitz demonstrated how White can return material to blunt Black’s initiative and emerge with a lasting end-game edge.
Trivia
- Many modern databases list the Falkbeer under ECO code C31.
- Bobby Fischer once recommended 3…c6 instead of 3…e4, calling it “Falkbeer-Fischer,” showing the opening still invites new ideas.
Staunton Gambit
Definition
The Staunton Gambit arises in the Dutch Defence after 1. d4 f5 2. e4 !? White offers the e-pawn to rip open the f-file and punish Black’s early kingside commitment. The gambit is named after the 19th-century English champion Howard Staunton.
Main Line
- d4 f5
- e4 fxe4
- Nc3 Nf6
- Bg5 ( threatening 5. Bxf6 ) e6
- Nxe4 Be7
Strategic Motifs
- White aims for a lead in development, pressure on the e- and f-files, and control of the vital e4-square.
- Black hopes to consolidate the extra pawn, often by returning it at the right moment (…d7-d5) to complete development.
- The resulting positions can resemble a reversed French Defence but with the f-file already half-open.
Historical & Practical Significance
The gambit enjoyed a golden age in the late 1800s but fell out of top-level fashion once theory showed reliable ways for Black to equalise. Nowadays it is a surprise weapon, popular in club play and rapid events where early initiative counts for more than long-term structure.
Illustrative Miniature
Sokolov — Dlugy, Reykjavik 1990: White wins in 25 moves after a whirlwind attack that began with the classic Staunton piece pressure on e4.
Fun Facts
- Staunton allegedly created the line to catch Adolf Anderssen by surprise in their 1851 match; he scored +1 =2 -0 with it.
- The pawn structure d4-e4 vs. f5-e6 often gives rise to the instructive minority attack g2-g4! seen decades before it became fashionable in other openings.
Charousek Gambit – Accepted
Definition
The Charousek Gambit occurs in the Tarrasch-style Queen’s Gambit Declined: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e4 !?. If Black accepts with 5…dxe4 we reach the “Charousek Gambit Accepted.” White sacrifices a pawn to obtain a ferocious centre and open lines for rapid piece play.
Typical Continuation
- d4 d5
- c4 e6
- Nc3 c5
- cxd5 exd5
- e4 dxe4
- d5 Nf6
- Bg5 Be7
- Qd2 O-O
Strategic Themes
- White’s pawn wedge on d5 cramps Black’s minor pieces and paves the way for O-O-O and a kingside pawn storm.
- Black relies on piece activity and the extra pawn to weather the attack; timely breaks with …f5 or …b5 are standard counter-measures.
- Both sides must calculate accurately—the position is highly unbalanced by move six.
Historic Background
Named after the brilliant Hungarian master Rudolf Charousek (1873-1900), who uncorked the idea in several casual games during the 1890s. Although Charousek never wrote formal theory, later analysts recognised the gambit’s originality and named it in his honour.
Model Game
Alapin — Charousek, Budapest 1896 (analysis game). Charousek showed that after 9. …Nbd7 10. d6! the d-pawn becomes a spearhead that ties Black in knots.
Interesting Nuggets
- The Charousek is sometimes called the “Shara-Charousek Gambit,” sharing DNA with the sharper Hennig-Shara Gambit in the Slav.
- Despite its romantic origins, modern engines give White full compensation for the pawn—making it a viable surprise weapon even today.