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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bb5

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Portuguese Opening
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 white bishopc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black pawnf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 black kinge4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 white pawne2 black kingf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 black kingg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/1B2p3/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK1NR b

Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Bb5

Portuguese Opening

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Theory table

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

The Portuguese Opening is a rare opening starting with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Bb5. The bishop is ineffective on the b5 square when there is no black knight on c6. It can be easily attacked by Black's c-pawn with 2...c6. Other moves can result in a Ruy Lopez/Spanish Opening (like 2...Nc6 3.Nf3) or other situations, where Black should be fine.

After 2...c6, the bishop can move to f1 (which makes White just waste 2 tempi), c4 (which allows 3...d5 to come with tempo and gives Black a classical center), d3, e2 (which allow a classical center for Black as well) and a4 (allowing 3...b5 4.Bb3 d5 and Black has a classical center, though engines may prefer 3...Nf6).

On move 2, Black can also play Nf6, develop normally, and exploit the bishop on b5 later. The Portuguese Opening is akin to a Ruy Lopez where White does not play Nf3 and is trying to gain pressure on Black's d-pawn. White may be hoping that Black attacks the bishop too much and weakens their dark squares or overextends.

1.e4 e5 2.Bb5

2 3
Bb5
c6		 Ba4
Nf6		 =

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References

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Wikipedia has related information at Portuguese Opening


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