Bishop's Opening: Philidor Counterattack is a chess opening with the ECO code C23, part of the Bishop's Opening family. It goes 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e5. After 4 moves it is White to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.
The moves
1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
1... e5 – Black plays the pawn to e5
2. Bc4 – White plays the bishop to c4
2... c6 – Black plays the pawn to c6
About the Bishop's Opening
After 1.e4 e5, White plays 2.Bc4 at once, aiming at f7. White keeps options open for f4 or a quiet Italian-style game.
White often plays d3, Nf3, c3 and O-O, then pushes d4.
Black's best reply is 2...Nf6, attacking e4 right away.
Black can also hit back with ...d5 to gain time against the bishop.
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