Bishop's Opening · C23

Lewis Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. d4

The pawns on d4 and e5 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure. 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.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 1 more move in this line, 5 in all.