Portuguese Opening · C20
Main line
1. e4 e5 2. Bb5
Black's pawn on d7 is pinned against the king.
The first 3 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. Bb5 Develops with a pin: the pawn on d7 is stuck shielding the king. Theory calls this the Portuguese Opening.
Create a free account to train this line — every note in it is already on this page; an account puts it on a board, with the plan and a drill that walks it.
Where this fits
This line is one of 3 in the Portuguese Opening. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.