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

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Bishop's Opening: Berlin Defence
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6

Bishop's Opening: Berlin Defence[edit | edit source]

2... Nf6[edit | edit source]

Black develops the king's knight and in doing so threatens the e4-pawn and makes it possible to play d5. This move also preempts Scholar's Mate by preventing 3. Qh5, and blocking the queen's path in the 3. Qf3 version of the mate.

White's options:

  • 3. d3 is the most common continuation.
  • 3. d4 can go either to Ponziani-Urusov Gambit or to the Two Knights Defence by transposition.
  • 3. Nc3 transposes to the Vienna Game (Falkbeer Defence), with an opportunity to use a center fork trick.
  • 3. Nf3 transposes to Petrov's Defence.

Theory table[edit | edit source]

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

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6

3 4
Modern Bishop's Opening d3
Nc6
Nf3
Be7
=
Ponziani/Urusov Gambit d4!? =
Vienna Game
by transposition
Nc3=
Petrov's Defence
by transposition
Nf3

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References[edit | edit source]