Bishop's Gambit
A classical and aggressive approach where White develops the bishop immediately to attack f7. This variation creates immediate threats and leads to sharp tactical complications. The Bishop's Gambit was a favorite of many Romantic era masters who prioritized rapid development and attacking chances.
ECO Code
C33
Difficulty
Advanced
Style
Attacking/Tactical
Key Players
McDonnell, Morphy, Spassky
Strategic Ideas for White
- f7 target: The bishop immediately attacks the weak f7 square
- Rapid development: Develop pieces quickly to exploit Black's uncastled king
- Central control: Use the e4 pawn and piece activity to dominate the center
- Tactical complications: Create sharp positions where tactical skill matters
- King hunt: Prevent Black from castling and launch a king hunt
Main Continuations
Classical Defense
Black gives check and develops solidly. The most principled defense against the Bishop's Gambit.
Modern Defense
Central counter-attack immediately. Sharp and forcing play ensues.
Aggressive Response
Black advances aggressively in the center. Double-edged and tactical.
Understanding the f7 Attack
The bishop on c4 creates immediate pressure on f7, Black's weakest point in the opening. This tactical theme runs throughout the Bishop's Gambit, where White often sacrifices material to expose the Black king. The key is understanding when the attack is sound and when Black can successfully defend.
Strategic Plans
For White
- Piece development: Develop knights and queen for maximum attacking potential
- f7 sacrifice: Look for opportunities to sacrifice on f7
- Central pressure: Use the e4 pawn to support the attack
- Initiative maintenance: Keep Black under constant pressure
For Black
- King safety: Prioritize getting the king to safety
- Central counter: Use ...d5 or ...d6 to contest the center
- Development: Complete development while defending accurately
- Material retention: Keep the extra f4 pawn when possible
Typical Attacking Patterns
The f7 Sacrifice
The classic sacrificial pattern exposing the Black king to a devastating attack.
Queen and Bishop Battery
The queen and bishop work together to create mating threats.
Knight Support
Knights join the attack, typically via g5 to increase pressure on f7.
Critical Timing
For White: Don't sacrifice without sufficient follow-up. Calculate precisely before committing material.
For Black: King safety is paramount. Don't be greedy with pawns if it compromises the king position.
Famous Games
McDonnell - La Bourdonnais, 1834: A brilliant attacking masterpiece demonstrating the Bishop's Gambit's potential. McDonnell sacrificed material for a spectacular mating attack.
Morphy - Amateur, 1858: The great Paul Morphy showed typical technique in converting a King's Gambit attack, with the bishop on c4 playing a crucial role.
Modern Assessment
While computer analysis shows that Black can defend with accurate play, the Bishop's Gambit remains a dangerous practical weapon. The psychological pressure of facing immediate threats often leads to defensive errors, especially in faster time controls where precise calculation is difficult.
Related Attacking Systems
Master the Bishop's Gambit
Learn to create immediate tactical threats and attacking chances with this classical gambit approach to the King's Gambit.
Back to King's Gambit Explore King's Gambit Accepted