King's Gambit Declined: Classical, Svenonius Variation position after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 exf4. White: bishop on c4, pawn on e4, knight on c3, pawn on d3, queen on f3, pawn on h3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, pawn on g2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, king on e1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, queen on d8, king on e8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, knight on c6, pawn on d6, knight on f6, bishop on c5, pawn on f4.
King's Gambit Declined: Classical, Svenonius Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 exf4. It is classified C30 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. Declining the King's Gambit avoids the wildest complications while exploiting the fact that 2.f4 has weakened White's king. The bishop on c5 hits f2 and makes castling awkward, so White must handle the position carefully rather than simply attacking.
Strategic character
Calmer than the accepted lines but still unbalanced. Black keeps the centre closed and targets the weakened diagonal, which often leaves White with a structurally compromised kingside and no attack to show for it.
Who should play it
Players facing the King's Gambit who prefer solidity to entering heavily analysed gambit theory.
This line is a variation within the King's Gambit Declined family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 exf4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the King's Gambit Declined: Classical, Svenonius Variation?
The King's Gambit Declined: Classical, Svenonius Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 exf4. It is classified C30 in the ECO system. Declining the King's Gambit avoids the wildest complications while exploiting the fact that 2.f4 has weakened White's king. The bishop on c5 hits f2 and makes castling awkward, so White must handle the position carefully rather than simply attacking.
What are the moves of the King's Gambit Declined: Classical, Svenonius Variation?
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 exf4. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the King's Gambit Declined: Classical, Svenonius Variation good for beginners?
Players facing the King's Gambit who prefer solidity to entering heavily analysed gambit theory.