Kings Gambit Accepted, Bishop's Gambit, Paulsen Attack
King’s Gambit Accepted (KGA)
Definition
The King’s Gambit Accepted arises after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4. Black accepts the pawn sacrifice on f4, allowing White rapid development and central control in exchange for a temporarily extra pawn and the chance to harass the exposed white king.
How it is used in play
- White’s plan: seize the centre with moves such as g2–g3, d2–d4, and Nf3, while aiming for a direct assault on f7 and the black king.
- Black’s plan: cling to the extra pawn, develop smoothly, and exploit the weakened white king along the e1–h4 diagonal.
- Main continuations
- King’s Knight’s Gambit: 3.Nf3 – the most common, eyeing g5 and h4 ideas.
- Bishop’s Gambit: 3.Bc4 – targets f7 immediately (see next section).
- Paulsen Attack: 3.Nc3 – a flexible system covered later.
Strategic and historical notes
The KGA was the epitome of 19th-century romantic chess. Adolf Anderssen, Paul Morphy and later Boris Spassky all scored brilliant wins with it. Its theoretical reputation declined after Fischer’s 1961 article “A Bust to the King’s Gambit”, yet modern engines show that the opening is quite playable for both sides.
Illustrative game
Spassky – Fischer, Santa Rosa 1965 (shortened):
White sacrificed material and seized the initiative, eventually winning after a kingside onslaught.
Interesting facts
- In their 1992 return match, Fischer surprised Spassky by accepting the gambit with Black and successfully defended.
- The ECO code cluster for the KGA is C30–C39.
Bishop’s Gambit (King’s Gambit Accepted, 3.Bc4)
Definition
The Bishop’s Gambit follows 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4. Instead of safeguarding the king with 3.Nf3, White aims straight at the weakened f7-square.
Typical ideas
- Rapid attack: Qh5+, Nf3–g5, and 0-0–0 can appear in a flash.
- Piece activity over pawn grabs: White often sacrifices more material (e.g., c2–c3 d2–d4) to rip open the centre.
- Black antidotes: 3…Qh4+ (the Hanstein Variation), 3…Nc6, or the ultra-solid 3…d5 returning the pawn for quick development.
Historical significance
Paul Morphy used the Bishop’s Gambit to great effect in many casual games. In the famous “Opera Game” (1858), although he chose 3.Nf3, Morphy’s attacking motifs mirror those found in the Bishop’s line.
Sample miniature
A typical 15-move crush: White sacrificed f-pawns but demolished f7.
Trivia
- The variation was analysed deeply by 1st World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz, who concluded “the attack compensates the pawn – but only with perfect accuracy!”
Cozio Defense (Ruy Lopez, 3…Nge7)
Definition
In the Ruy Lopez the Cozio Defense appears after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7. Black defers the usual ...a6 or ...Nf6, instead developing the knight to e7 to support …d7–d6 and keep options flexible.
Strategic features
- By avoiding …Nf6, Black sidesteps the mainline 4.O-O and potential e4-e5 pushes.
- The kingside knight may route to g6, f5 or even c6 after …a7–a6 and …Nb8-c6.
- White normally responds with 4.c3 preparing d2–d4, or 4.O-O maintaining central tension.
History
Named after the 18th-century Italian theoretician Carlos Cozio di Borgo. Although seldom seen at elite level today, it was revived occasionally by Alexander Grischuk and Baadur Jobava as a surprise weapon.
Example line
4.O-O a6 5.Ba4 g6 6.c3 Bg7 leads to an unbalanced middlegame where Black’s piece play compensates for a slight space disadvantage.
Fun fact
The same name “Cozio” also labels a sideline of the King’s Gambit (3…Ne7), though modern databases call that the Bogoljubov Defense (see below).
Bogoljubov Variation / Defense
Primary meaning – Nimzo-Indian, 4…Ne4
The main “Bogoljubov Variation” arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 Ne4. Black immediately attacks the c3-knight, hoping to double White’s c-pawns after …Bxc3+ and seize the two bishops.
Plans
- Black: Exchange on c3, erect a dark-square blockade with …d5 and …f5, or transpose to Benoni-style structures after …c5.
- White: Kick the knight with 5.Qc2 or 5.Bd2, accept doubled pawns but gain the bishop pair, or chase the knight with 5.Ne2.
Historical backdrop
Efim Bogoljubov (World-title challenger, 1929 & 1934) brandished this line against Capablanca and Alekhine. It retains theoretical respect; even Magnus Carlsen has used it in rapid play.
Secondary usage – King’s Gambit, 3…Ne7
After 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Ne7 Black opts for quick …Ng6 to clamp f4 without weakening the kingside with …g7–g5. Though less popular than 3…g5, it is positionally sound and carries Bogoljubov’s name in many older texts.
Anecdote
Bogoljubov reportedly quipped, “When I’m White I win because I’m White; when I’m Black I win because I am Bogoljubov.” His namesake variations keep that confidence alive!
Paulsen Attack (King’s Gambit Accepted, 3.Nc3)
Definition
Following 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nc3 White chooses the Paulsen Attack, named after the 19th-century German master Louis Paulsen. Instead of the standard 3.Nf3, White develops the queenside knight first, aiming for rapid central occupation with d2–d4.
Key ideas
- Central thrust: 4.d4 or 4.Nf3 later, challenging Black’s e- and f-pawns.
- Flexible king placement: White may castle either side depending on Black’s setup.
- Black replies: 3…Qh4+ (forcing 4.Ke2), 3…Nc6, or 3…d5. The resulting positions are sharp yet less explored than other KGA branches, making them ideal surprise weapons.
Sample continuation
White concedes castling rights but gains an open position with strong minor pieces.
Historical tidbit
Louis Paulsen, a pioneer of openings based on solid development (e.g., the Paulsen Sicilian), used this move-order to confound romantic era opponents who expected immediate fireworks on the kingside.
Why study it?
Because theory is sparse, modern engines frequently overturn published assessments, giving well-prepared players rich scope for original play.