Bishop's Opening

The Bishop's Opening is characterized by the opening moves

1. e4 e5
2. Bc4

White attacks Black's f7-square and prevents Black from advancing his d-pawn to d5. By ignoring the beginner's rule, "develop knights before bishops", White leaves his f-pawn unblocked allowing the possibility of playing f2-f4. This gives the Bishop's Opening an affinity to the King's Gambit and the Vienna Game, two openings that share the same characteristic.

JOHN COCHRANE vs. HOWARD STAUNTON
London, 1841
Bishop's Opening: Lewis Gambit

1. e4, e5
2. Bc4, Bc5
3. d4, Bxd4

The Lewis Gambit. White sacrifices the d-pawn in order to weaken Black's central pawn structure.

4. Nf3, Nc6
5. 0-0, Nf6
6. Nxd4, Nxd4
7. f4, d6
8. fxe5, dxe5
9. Bg5, Be6
10. Bxe6, Nxe6
11. Qxd8+, Rxd8
12. Bxf6, gxf6
13. Rxf6, Nf4
14. Nc3, Rd2!!
15. Rd1 ....

White avoided 15. g3 Nh3+, 16. Kh1  (if 16. Kf1 then 16....Rxh2) Nf2+,  17. Kg1 Ng4 and Black wins the exchange.

15. .... Rxg2+
16. Kh1, Rhg8
17. Rf5, f6!

Black correctly decided to protect the e5-pawn. If 17....Nh3; then 18. Rxe5+ Kf8, 20. Rd8+ Kg7, 21. Rxg8 and Black's attack collapses.

18. Rxf6, Nh3!!


 19. Rff1, Rg1+
20. Rxg1, Nf2+ mate.

A marvelous finish.