King's Gambit Declined
1.e4 e5 2.f4 Bc5 3.Nf3 d6 · C30
Part of King's Gambit
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 12
Declining removes the attack's fuel
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The idea
Black declines the pawn and develops the bishop to c5, keeping e5 defended and turning the game into a solid, classical struggle.
Main line: 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Bc5 3.Nf3 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bc4 Nc6 6.d3 O-O
What White wants
- Play fxe5 at the right moment to give the rook the half-open f-file
- Develop and castle, then expand on the kingside
- Use the slight space advantage without overextending
What Black wants
- Hold e5 with ...d6 and ...Nc6 and castle
- Keep the bishop on c5 aimed at f2
- Trade into a sound, slightly passive but safe position
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Declining removes the attack's fuel
The King's Gambit attack depends on the e5 pawn disappearing. With ...Bc5 and ...d6 Black keeps the pawn on e5, so White's f4 pawn is not a lever yet — just a slightly loose pawn.
Common mistake
Pushing f5 before developing and castling. The f-pawn stays on the f-file rather than opening it, gives up control of e5 and g5, and can be challenged by ...g6. Build with Nf3, Bc4 and O-O first, then advance only when the central position supports the attack.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2np1n2/2b1p3/2B1PP2/2NP1N2/PPP3PP/R1BQK2R w KQ - 1 7
Analyze this position