What are the dangers of a King's Gambit? For a long time I have been wondering this. It isn't a choice opening for me, mainly because i do not know how to play it well. I know that chess.com is densely populated with smart people. So I am asking you guys," What is the purpose of playing a king's gambit? All views are welcomed. Thanks in advance for those kind responses.

Is this in the threads???????????

" What is the purpose of playing a king's gambit?"

The move 2. f4 does several things. 

> After capturing, blacks center e-pawn is demoted to a wing pawn (if black does not capture then an eventual p-f5 for white gains k-side space or fxe5 will eliminate a center pawn for a wing pawn).

> Black no longer controls d4 making p-d4 for white establishing a center pawn duo easier

> White's e-pawn's forward mobility is restored

> White obtains a semi-open f-file which can be useful in attacking black's kingside

To say anything more would require looking at specific variations.

yea. thanks

White gives up a pawn in the hope that he will gain a big centre and obtain an aggressive position. The downsides of playing the gambit are not trivial:

1. Black may force White to give up castling.

2. Black may hang on to the extra pawn (sometimes the Black f4 pawn develops into a monster).

3. Black may play one of many fiendish variations and counter gambits, with which he may be more familiar than White.

Having said all that, it's great fun to play.