Chessy
King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit as Black
If you answer 1.e4 e5 2.f4 with 2...f5, you are heading into the King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit. It is an immediate challenge to White's gambit, but the position is not equal and the engine gives White a small edge. That makes this a useful drill for learning how to survive the first tactical wave and steer the game with care. Practice the key reply below and get comfortable with the most common choices White makes next.
Play the King's Gambit Declined: Panteldakis Countergambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is really asking you to solve
After 1.e4 e5 2.f4 f5, White gets the move and the first test is simple: will White open the centre or keep the tension? The engine's best move is exf5, and that is the reply you need to expect most often. Your task as Black is not to pretend the opening is risk-free. The position already gives White a small edge, so you need accurate play and a clear plan rather than wishful thinking.
What the engine wants after the main capture
The engine line given here is exf5 Qe7 Nc3 Nc6. You do not need to memorise every detail of that line to learn from the drill. What matters is the pattern: White has opened the f-file tension, and you must respond with active, purposeful development. In this kind of position, time matters. If you spend too long drifting, White's lead can become easier to use.
What the database says White usually does
This exact position has been played in 296,308 games on Lichess, so the practical evidence is very large. White scores 57.2%, draws 3.0%, and Black scores 39.8%. The most popular continuation is exf5 with 120,644 games, and White scores 62.5% there. Other common choices are Nf3 with 68,260 games and White scoring 56.2%, fxe5 with 52,557 games and White scoring 48.8%, Nc3 with 18,772 games and White scoring 57.9%, d3 with 13,088 games and White scoring 56.6%, and Qh5+ with 8,044 games and White scoring 49.0%.
The mistakes to punish straight away
This is a great drill position because some White moves are already marked as mistakes or worse. Nf3 is a mistake and loses about 1.1 pawns; fxe5 is a blunder and loses about 4.0 pawns; Qh5+ is a mistake and loses about 1.0 pawns. In every case, the better move was exf5. That means you should train yourself to recognise when White helps you by choosing the wrong capture or by grabbing for a premature attack instead of playing the most principled move.
Results across 296,308 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exf5 | 120,644 | 62.5% |
| Nf3 | 68,260 | 56.2% |
| fxe5 | 52,557 | 48.8% |
| Nc3 | 18,772 | 57.9% |
| d3 | 13,088 | 56.6% |
| Qh5+ | 8,044 | 49.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Panteldakis Countergambit good for Black?
In this position, the engine gives White a small edge, so it is not a promise of safety for Black. It is still worth studying if you want an active answer to the King's Gambit and you are ready to handle a sharp position.
What is the best move for White here?
The engine's best move is **exf5**. The database also shows it is the most common continuation, so this is the main line you should expect in the drill.
Which White moves should I know as mistakes?
**Nf3** is a mistake, **fxe5** is a blunder, and **Qh5+** is also a mistake. In each case, the better move was **exf5**, so these are useful targets for punishment training.
How should I think about the opening as Black?
You should accept that White has a small edge and focus on accurate defence and development. The key is to know the main reply, recognise the common tries, and avoid drifting into passive play.