Chess opening · ECO C23

Bishop's Opening

The Bishop's Opening starts 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4. It ranks #17 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
  3. 2. Bc4White develops the light-squared bishop to c4.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Nf6 is the most popular next move in every rating band.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200Nf6 36%Nc6 14%d6 12%
1200–1399Nf6 37%Nc6 18%d6 13%
1400–1599Nf6 38%Nc6 22%d6 13%
1600–1799Nf6 36%Nc6 25%Bc5 14%
1800–1999Nf6 39%Nc6 30%Bc5 14%
2000 and upNf6 52%Nc6 29%Bc5 12%

Related openings

King's Pawn GameThe line this one grows fromBishop's Opening: Berlin DefenseA variation of this line

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