Kings gambit. 3.Nf3 or 3.Bc4?
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Cali_boy613
Dec 17, 2017
0
#1
Some Gm’s play both, so it seems both are playable. Whats the major thematic difference and which do you prefer and why?
I love watching a kings gambit game. I always get crushed playing against it, and don't play it as an opening, but I love the sacrifices...
Dec 17, 2017
0
#3
Cali_boy613 wrote:
Some Gm’s play both, so it seems both are playable. Whats the major thematic difference and which do you prefer and why?
In both the Nf3 and Bc4 variations you can get a wide variety of positions. Some are very dull, some wild and crazy. It's impossible to come up with theme for what a KG position will be on move 3, and the main trouble is black gets to choose the character of the position, so the white KG player has to be comfortable and knowledgeable in a lot of positions.
Black also has the sensible option of declining with 2...Bc5 3.Nf3 d6 for a "normal" looking position (for lack of a better word). So in terms of choosing the type of position, black is in the driver's seat right away.
Dec 18, 2017
0
#4
Cali_boy613 wrote:
Some Gm’s play both, so it seems both are playable. Whats the major thematic difference and which do you prefer and why?
The largest difference is whether or not you intend to allow Qh4+. In the Bishop's Gambit your king often hides on f1 or g2 instead of castling. On the other hand, the Nf3 version often has you sacrificing this knight at a very early stage, either after you play Nxf7, or after ...gxf3 Qxf3 (e.g. the Muzio Gambit). Games usually get complicated quickly, so it is hard to draw any more generalizations than that.
Both choices offer a quick attack/big center against inaccurate play, and both barely hold onto a draw against perfect play (probably). For what it's worth, Nf3 is much more common, so black is somewhat more likely to be prepared for it.
Lines like this one are what made me shy away from the King's Gambit entirely:
It's a matter of taste.
3.Nf3 keeps the fun factor, but equalizing after 3...Nf6! is not at all easy.
3.Bc4 is likely safer, but Black can instantly kill all the "fun" with 3...d5 4.Bxd5 Nf6.
So, pick whichever you like.
Hint: 2.Nf3 works very nicely! 
Dec 19, 2017
0
#7
Dale wrote:
I like playing 3.b4 so I can play Bb2.
In the kings gambit!?
There goes my life... Can't have fun anymore...
How is it not fun? I don't care if a robot has gotten good at chess... That doesn't ruin my chess playing experience...
Dec 19, 2017
0
#10
pfren wrote:
It's a matter of taste.
3.Nf3 keeps the fun factor, but equalizing after 3...Nf6! is not at all easy.
3.Bc4 is likely safer, but Black can instantly kill all the "fun" with 3...d5 4.Bxd5 Nf6.
So, pick whichever you like.
Hint: 2.Nf3 works very nicely!
Hint: So does 1.d4!
Dec 19, 2017
0
#11
Someone said nf3if playing for draw. Bc4 if playing for a win. I think Ginger GM in his video series, and the GM who said was Bronstein, I think. Too lazy to look it up now.
White is playing for a draw after both 3 Bc4 and 3 Nf3. Objectively speaking anyway. In practical terms either move gives good winning chances.
Dec 20, 2017
0
#14
White is playing for "I hope black doesn't remember the theory and make me suffer all game long."
