Meeting the Bishop's Opening — defence for Black

Meet 2.Bc4 with 2...Nf6 and an early ...d5. It covers the quiet 3.d3 with ...c6 and ...d5 (with ...Bd6 or ...Bb4+), 3.d3 Bc5, the Urusov 3.d4, 3.Nc3 with ...Nxe4 or ...Nc6, and 3.Nf3 Nxe4. 8 lines for Black: 3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 with ...Bd6, Urusov 3.d4 exd4 4.Nf3 Nxe4, 3.d3 c6 with ...Bb4+, 3.Nc3 Nxe4 4.Qh5, 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d3 Bb4, 3.d3 Bc5 with ...a6 and ...Ba7, 3.Nf3 Nxe4 4.Nc3, 3.d3 c6 4.Qe2.

Popularity rank #8 of 64 · Free defence · against 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4

After ...c6 and ...d5, Black holds pawns on d5 and e5 against White's d3 and e4. If White captures on d5, the centre opens and Black's pieces develop quickly.

Watch out: Do not let White win a tempo on your queen in the centre. When the e4 pawn is taken, count whether White's Re1 or Qe2 can pin your knight on the e-file.

Endgame
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