Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bc4/2...d6

Bishop's Opening: Sideline 2... d6!?
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/2B1P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK1NR w
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 d6

Bishop's Opening - Sideline 2... d6!?

In the Bishop's Opening, after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4, Black's move 2...d6 leads usually to the Philidor Defence. This line is a solid choice for Black and has historical significance, as it was often preferred during the time of François-André Danican Philidor, a renowned 18th-century chess player.

Main Moves

• For White: After 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 d6, the traditional move 3. Nf3 leads to a game that can transpose into lines of the Philidor Defense. However, an aggressive approach is 3.f4, directly challenging Black's center and aiming for a spatial advantage. This move is in line with the spirit of the Bishop's Opening, which seeks to control the center and develop pieces rapidly. Philidor's insighted into the importance of the f-pawn break is quite relevant here. He claimed that the player who first advances the f-pawn (f4 for White or f5 for Black) would gain a spatial advantage. However, the move 3. f4 has been refuted by the current status of the chess opening theory.
• For Black: In response to White's moves, Black should focus on solid development and maintaining a strong pawn structure. If White plays 3.Nf3, Black can continue with moves like Nf6, Be7, and O-O, aiming for a solid yet flexible position. If White opts for 3.f4, Black needs to be more cautious, possibly countering with exf4 and following up with Nf6 and Be7, preparing to castle and counterattack in the center.

Theory table

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

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 d6!?

	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
	f4?! exf4	d4 Qh4+	Kf1 Nc6	Nf3 Qh6	Nc3 Nf6	e5 dxe5	Nb5 e4	Ne5 Bd6	=
	... ...	... ...	... ...	... ...	... ...	... Nh5(!)	Nb5 Kd8	Bxf7 Ng3+!	⩱
	... ...	... ...	... ...	... Bg4!	Nxh4 Bxd1	Nc3 Bxc2	Bxf4 Nf6		⩱
	c3 Nf6	Qe2 Be7	Nf3						=
Transposition to the "Modern" Berlin Defence	... ...	d3 Be7	Nf3 O-O	O-O					=
	Nf3 Nf6	d3 Be7	O-O O-O	c3 c6	Bb3				=
	... ...	... ...	... ...	Re1 c6	a4				=
Transposition to the Philidor Defence with 3. Bc4, Lopez Countergambit	... f5?!								± +−
Transposition to the Philidor Defence with 3. Bc4	... Be6?!								±
	... Be7	d4 exd4	Nxd4 Nd7??						+−
Transposition to the Philidor Defence Exchange Variation with 4. Nxd4	... ...	... ...	... Nf6!	Nc3 O-O	O-O				=

References

Bibliography

• Kasparov, Gary & Keene, Raymond (1989, 1994). Batsford Chess Openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
• Lane, Gary (1993). Winning With the Bishop's Opening. ISBN 0-7134-7113-1.
• Panov, Vasily. (1973). Teoría de Aperturas, Tomo I: Aperturas Abiertas - Aperturas Semiabiertas. ISBN 84-270-0132-0.
• Schiller, Eric. (2002). Standard Chess Openings. ISBN 1-58042-048-6.

External links

• Goeller, Michael. The Bishop's Opening.
• Harding, Tim (August 1998). The Kibitzer: What Exactly is the Bishop's Opening?. ChessCafe.com.
• Harding, Tim (September 1998). The Kibitzer: The Eternal Appeal Of The Urusov Gambit. ChessCafe.com.
• Harding, Tim (October 1998). The Kibitzer: Is the Urusov Gambit Sound?. ChessCafe.com