4. Cunningham Gambit (3.Nf3 Be7 4.Bc4 Bh4+)
Black seeks to annoy White with the 4...Bh4+ check, but White exploits the situation to castle rapidly or offer pawns for an atomic initiative.
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Be7 4.Bc4 Bh4+ 5.Kf1 d5 6.Bxd5 Nf6 7.Nc3
Move by move
- 1.e4 – White's fundamental opening thrust: controls the center with e4, opens paths for bishop and queen, laying the cornerstone for the King's Gambit.
- 1...e5 – The classical response: Black stakes a firm claim on the center with e5, stopping White's immediate d4 and enabling smooth piece development.
- 2.f4 – The legendary King's Gambit! White offers the f-pawn on move two to deflect Black's e5 pawn, pry open the f-file for the rook, and rule the center.
- 2...exf4 – The King's Gambit Accepted: Black takes the sacrificed pawn on f4, weakening central presence while daring White to prove rapid attacking initiative.
- 3.Nf3 – The critical move of the King's Knight Gambit: 3.Nf3 develops smoothly toward the center and decisively rules out Black's early Qh4+ check.
- 3...Be7 – The Cunningham Gambit: Black develops the bishop to e7, preparing a mischievous check on h4 to disrupt White's king coordination in the center.
- 4.Bc4 – Active development: White plants the bishop on the dangerous a2-g8 diagonal, bearing down on the f7 tender spot and preparing kingside castling.
- 4...Bh4+ – Provocative bishop check: Black delivers 4...Bh4+ trying to deny White castling rights or provoke structural concessions on the kingside.
- 5.Kf1 – White calmly sidesteps with 5.Kf1: forfeiting castling is harmless as the king finds safety while Black's h4 bishop becomes a target of tempo.
- 5...d5 – Central counter-punch: Black pushes d5 to blow open lines and activate pieces before White completes smooth coordination of the forces.
- 6.Bxd5 – White's bishop captures on d5 with tempo, liquidating Black's central thrust while retaining fierce diagonal pressure across the board.
- 6...Nf6 – Black develops the knight to f6, attacking the d5 bishop and trying to hurry kingside castling to usher their exposed king to safety.
- 7.Nc3 – Development and protection: the knight develops to c3, safeguarding the center and granting White clear and commanding positional mastery.
How to exploit the position
Dynamically neutralize the bishop check
- Answer the check with the sharp g3 thrust sacrificing pawns
- Castle to shelter the king safely in the h1 pocket
- Regain the initiative targeting the weak f7 square with Bc4 or Bxd5
- Exploit Black's lagging development to dominate the board
Master tips
Rapid piece mobilization over material
The bishop check Bh4+ loses time if White reacts boldly