Jump to content

Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bc4/2...Nf6/3. f3

From Wikibooks, open books for an open world

Can also be reached via 1. e4 e5 2. f3 Nf6 3. Bc4 or 1. f3 Nf6 2. e4 e5 3. Bc4.

Bishop's Opening: Berlin Defence, Walkerling
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black kingh8 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 knightg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black pawnf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 white bishopd4 black kinge4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 white pawng3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 white pawne2 black kingf2 black kingg2 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)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. f3

Bishop's Opening: Walkerling

[edit | edit source]

3. f3?!

[edit | edit source]

The Walkerling variation of the Bishop's Opening is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. f3!?. This move is considered an obvious error by chess experts, as it weakens White's pawn structure and hinders the development of the king's knight, as well as weakening the kingside.

Black's main options are:

  • 3...Bc5 develops the bishop to an active square that attacks f2.
  • 3...Nc6 aims to activate both knights to active squares and control the center.
  • 3...d5 strikes back in the center and fights for a lead in development, which black already has.
However, Black cannot play 3...Nxe4?, aiming to win a rook with 4...Qh4+, because white simply has 5. Kf1!, simply being up a piece.

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. f3?!