Chessy
King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit
The Bishop's Gambit is an aggressive way to meet the King’s Gambit Accepted. After 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4, White points the bishop at the centre and the kingside at once, hoping to keep the game sharp and awkward for Black. The catch is that the position is not fully sound in engine terms, so you need to know the ideas, not just the optimism. Use the drill below to practise the critical position and learn how to handle Black’s best reply and the most common tries.
Play the King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position really says
Stockfish rates this -0.61, a small edge in your opponent's favour. That means you are slightly worse here, so you should play actively and with care rather than assuming the attack will carry you. The good news is that this is still a forcing, tactical opening: if you understand the themes, you can make Black work for every move. The immediate task is simple — keep your development moving and do not waste time while the kings remain uncastled.
Black’s best reaction
The engine’s best move here is d6, continuing d6 Nf3 h6 d4. That tells you the most important practical lesson: Black can calm the position while keeping the extra pawn. As White, your job is to stay alert to Black’s central control and keep your pieces active. In this kind of position, quick development matters more than grabbing at material or drifting into slow manoeuvring.
What the database says
The position is common: 1,189,335 games in the Lichess database. White wins 55.3%, draws 2.7%, and Black wins 42.0%. That does not mean the opening is “won” for White; it means the practical chances are very real and the positions are messy enough for errors on both sides. If you like initiative, piece activity, and open lines, this is a good drill position to study.
The replies you will see most often
From this exact position, the most-played continuations are Qh4+ (219,131 games, White scores 53.0%), Nf6 (175,341 games, White scores 56.5%), Nc6 (171,562 games, White scores 55.5%), d6 (162,209 games, White scores 54.0%), Bc5 (106,212 games, White scores 59.5%), and Be7 (78,591 games, White scores 50.2%). In practical terms, you should expect Black to choose from a small set of developing and checking moves. Your drill goal is to keep your king safe, finish development, and stay ready for tactics against the exposed black king.
Two move choices to notice
There are two important practical notes here. First, Bc5 is a mistake and loses about 1.7 pawns; the better move was Nc6. Second, Be7 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; again, Nc6 was better. When you meet these choices over the board, do not panic — just remember that Black has already drifted away from the engine’s strongest defence. That gives you extra encouragement to play confidently and keep the initiative.
Results across 1,189,335 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qh4+ | 219,131 | 53.0% |
| Nf6 | 175,341 | 56.5% |
| Nc6 | 171,562 | 55.5% |
| d6 | 162,209 | 54.0% |
| Bc5 | 106,212 | 59.5% |
| Be7 | 78,591 | 50.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bishop's Gambit good for White?
It is a playable aggressive choice, but it is not fully sound in engine terms. Stockfish gives -0.61, which means the position is a small edge in your opponent's favour. You should treat it as a sharp practical weapon rather than a fully equal opening.
What is Black's best move after 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4?
The engine’s best move is d6. The continuation given is d6 Nf3 h6 d4, so you should expect Black to consolidate rather than immediately crack under the pressure.
Which replies appear most often in this position?
The most-played continuations are Qh4+, Nf6, Nc6, d6, Bc5, and Be7. This means you should be ready for checks, development moves, and solid defensive setups rather than only one forced line.
What mistakes should I know here?
Bc5 is a mistake and loses about 1.7 pawns, while Be7 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns. In both cases, Nc6 was better, so those are useful practical targets for your training.
How many games feature the King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit position. White wins 55.3%, Black wins 42.0%, with 2.7% draws — based on real rated games.