Black declines the gambit in the "classical" way by developing the king's bishop to c5, which prevents White from castling or playing d4 for the time being. Nevertheless, White gets a small advantage with correct play. The main reply to the Classical Variation is:

• 3.Nf3, the most obvious option, preventing the queen from coming to h4 and readying fxe5. From here, Black has multiple replies, with 3...d6 the most common. White can get attempt to gain a tempo on the bishop with 4.c3, intending d4, which would establish an imposing center. 3...exf4?! is unsound because of 4.d4!, pushing the bishop out. Note that after 4.d4, Black can't play 4...Bb4+, because 5.c3! only strengthens White's center and gains a tempo on the bishop.

3.Bc4 looks good at first sight, but Black's response 3...d5! 4.Bxd5 Nf6 is well regarded. White can't accept the pawn and play 3. fxe5?? because of 3...Qh4+! 4.g3 leading to the loss of a rook after 4...Qxe4+ 5.Qe2 Qxh1. Attempting to hang onto the rook with 4.Ke2?? leads to 4...Qxe4#).

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.e4 e5 2.f4 Bc5

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Wikipedia has related information at King's Gambit

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.