Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. f4/2...Bc5

King's Gambit Declined rd nd bd qd kd nd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd bd pd pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl bl nl rl King's Gambit Declined, Classical Variation Black declines the gambit in the "classical" way by developing the king's bishop to c5, which prevents White from castling or playing d4 for the time being. Nevertheless, White gets a small advantage with correct play. The main reply to the Classical Variation is: 3.Nf3, the most obvious option, preventing the queen from coming to h4 and readying fxe5. From here, Black has multiple replies, with 3...d6 the most common. White can get attempt to gain a tempo on the bishop with 4.c3, intending d4, which would establish an imposing center. 3...exf4?! is unsound because of 4.d4!, pushing the bishop out. Note that after 4.d4, Black can't play 4...Bb4+, because 5.c3! only strengthens White's center and gains a tempo on the bishop. 3.Bc4 looks good at first sight, but Black's response 3...d5! 4.Bxd5 Nf6 is well regarded. White can't accept the pawn and play 3. fxe5?? because of 3...Qh4+! 4.g3 leading to the loss of a rook after 4...Qxe4+ 5.Qe2 Qxh1. Attempting to hang onto the rook with 4.Ke2?? leads to 4...Qxe4#). Theory table . 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Bc5 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 King's Gambit Declined Nf3d6 Nc3Nf6 Bc4Nc6 d3Bg4 Na4O-O += King's Gambit Declined Bc4d5 Bxd5Nf6 Nf3Nxd5 exd5e4 d4Bb4+ c3exf3 cxb4fxg2 Qe2+Qe7 Qxe7+Kxe7 Rg1Bh3 =/+ References King's Gambit