Bishop's Opening · C23

Four Pawns Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4 Bxb4 4. f4 exf4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. d4 Bh4+ 7. g3 fxg3 8. O-O gxh2+ 9. Kh1

Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade. White posts a bishop on c4 eyeing f7 and keeps the option of either Italian-style development or an early f-pawn push.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Bc4 Develops the bishop to c4, eyeing d5. It eyes f7, the one square only the king defends. Theory calls this the Bishop's Opening.
• 2... Bc5 Develops the bishop to c5, eyeing d4. It eyes f2, the one square only the king defends. Theory calls this the Boi Variation.

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