2...Bc5: 3.c3 and d4 is variation 4 of 6 in the Bishop's Opening course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C23). It runs 19 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 …. Against 2...Bc5 White plays 3.c3 and wants a big centre with d4. After 3...Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 Black must find 5...d5. Natural knight moves lose ground, and the coach shows you why. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black takes an equal share.
2. Bc4 – The bishop aims at f7.
2... Bc5 – The Boi Variation. Black copies White's bishop move.
3. c3 – White prepares a pawn push to d4, and it comes with tempo against the c5 bishop.
3... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
4. d4 – White strikes in the centre and attacks the c5 bishop.
4... exd4 – Black takes the pawn.
5. e5 – White kicks the knight first. The c3 pawn takes back on d4 later.
5... d5 – The right answer. Black hits the c4 bishop and gives the knight time.
6. Bb5+ – The bishop escapes with check.
6... Bd7 – Black blocks the check and offers a trade.
7. Bxd7+ – White trades the bishops.
7... Nfxd7 – Black takes back with the f6 knight, which was attacked.
8. cxd4 – White wins the pawn back and gets a big centre with pawns on d4 and e5.
8... Bb4+ – Black checks to slow down White's development.
The lesson goes on for 3 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM