One definition for 'romantic' in my Random House College Dictionary
refers to "a desire for adventure". Certainly the Kings Gambit
represents adventurous chess.

There is a well-known book by Zagorovsky called "Romantic Chess
Openings", covering the Ponziani Opening, Scotch Gambit, Evans Gambit,
etc. The Kings Gambit is not included, probably because there was no
room in this very short book for such a complicated opening. The book
jacket refers to the openings which "were popular in the 'romantic
period' of the last century...."


"King Leopold" wrote in message
...
Why is it called The 'Romantic' King's Gambit?
What makes it 'Romantic'?