woofwoof wrote on 06/23/06 at 16:19:49:


3.Nf3 is not a forced draw. It leads to unique positions in which Black is not worse - which of course is not the same thing as a forced draw

3.Bc4 is generally not sharp. There are some sharp lines (I like 3...f5!? personally), but the main defence 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 c6 is not one of them. And really this is the main drawback of the Bishop's Gambit: it positively encourages Black to play ...d7-d5, which leads to rather one-dimensional positions; i.e. not in the spirit of the King's Gambit.

my favourites...

Johansson - The King's Gambit for the Creative Aggressor (Schachverlag Kania 1998)
Gallagher - Winning with the King's Gambit (Batsford 1992)
Glazkov & Estrin - Korolevskii Gambit (Fizkultura i Sport 1988)
Bücker - Das Neue Königsgambit (Franckh 1986)

I agree with other poster who recommended the Gallagher King's Gambit book.

The minor flaws with that book is that:

1) The paucity of King's Gambit declined lines (one small chapter)
2) It only covers the Knight's King's Gambit. If you want to play the Bishop's Gambit you will have to look elsewhere.

Thank you everyone for yours responses About the Gallagher's book, I had the chance to read it a bit (it's in my father's home), but I think it's a bit out of date in somes lines no, even if it's still a good work and good introduction to the KG!

ArKheiN wrote on 06/23/06 at 12:01:30:


For newer books, I'd suggest TJ's Creative aggressor for 3. Nf3 & his FKG for 3.Bc4. The rest just doesnt seem to be impressive enough based on the reviews. Neil Macdonald's KG book doesnt seem to convey confidence to white's side of things, neither are most of the reviews on his book very positive. There is also a book by Raingruber but it doesnt seem to give enough attn to the Kieseritsky. Frankly there arent many books on the KG since its not one of those highly popular openings, so which also means theoretical advancement isnt so rapid hence even some older books are still very useful.

Of the older books one of the very best is Gallagher's Winning with the KG- has raving reviews all around. Trouble is its out of print & some places are charging high prices for it. I was very fortunate to find 1 over at eBay for abt US$17. The 2 volume books by Estrin & Glaskov-Play the KG(Vol 1 for Accepted & Vol2  for Declined) are quite well presented. They might be someewhat dated but they do get into the essence of things very well & written on the white perspective, which is very impt imo.

Also helpful would be the collection of Bronstein's games. Definitely a nomber of KG games to look at & relish the potential behind this archaic opening

Opinions still vary abt 3.Ktf3. For some they say its a forced draw (at least that's how I understand MNb's & TJ's opinions. Correct me if I'm wrong, guys  ) Others say that the Fischer Defense refutes 3.Ktf3. Tho TJ's book does give some interesting suggestions to play against the Fischer Defense w/o having to go into its mainline where white eventually retreats his Kt to g1 . Fischer went so far as to say his defence refutes the KG! Yet there are still others who say that white's more favourable pawn formation should lead to a won ending. Of course the anti-gambit guys have nothing good to say abt anything KG.
But generally so far the opinion is that 3.Bc4 is the sharpest at white's disposal &  based on the FKG thread, does offer white better chances to play for a win.

HgMan wrote on 06/23/06 at 13:27:07:


Not a good recommendation, though, if you only have limited time for study 

Hello everyone here, I would like to know what is the best book on the King Gambit where the theory would still be actual and accurate? And for the specialists of the King Gambit here, do you think the King Gambit is something unclear/equal at worst for White and objectively, what would be best between 1.e4 e5 2.f4 fxe4 3.Nf3 and 3.Bc4, both equal? I have always been interested by this gambit, but if I work on it, it would be seriously...Thank you for the futures responses