Declined: Classical 2...Bc5 is variation 4 of 5 in the King's Gambit course, a advanced opening course for White (ECO C30). It runs 19 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Nf6 …. Black ignores the pawn and places the bishop on c5, where it stops White from castling short. White builds a centre with c3 and d4, exchanges the bishop and castles with a good, space-gaining position. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – Takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims the centre.
2. f4 – The King's Gambit.
2... Bc5 – Black declines: the bishop aims at g1 and stops White from castling short.
3. Nf3 – Develops, attacks e5 and covers h4 against ...Qh4+.
3... d6 – Black protects e5.
4. c3 – Prepares d4 to kick the c5 bishop off its diagonal.
4... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
5. d4 – Gains the centre and attacks the c5 bishop.
5... exd4 – Black exchanges in the centre.
6. cxd4 – Recaptures with a pawn, building the ideal e4+d4 centre.
6... Bb4+ – Black checks to exchange its bishop.
7. Bd2 – Blocks and offers a bishop trade.
7... Bxd2+ – Black trades bishops.
8. Nbxd2 – The knight recaptures and protects e4.
8... O-O – Black castles.
The lesson goes on for 3 more moves, each with its explanation.
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