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The Evans Gambit chess opening has 40 variations, and it is ECO codes C51-C52 in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings. The Evans Gambit is recognized by the following moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4. It may be accepted (4... Bxb4) -- the Evans Gambit may be declined (see below).


Evans Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4
Accepted (4... Bxb4) -- Declined (usually 4... Bb6 or d5)

Evans Gambit Main Variations

ECO code C51 starts with the Evans Gambit moves. ECO code C52 starts with the Evans moves plus 4... Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5. The first 9 variations of C51 are the Evans Gambit Declined (4... Bb6 or ...d5), and the rest 14 are Accepted. All 16 variations of C52 are the Evans Gambit Accepted.

C51: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture)
C52: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5
Below is a list of the most common variations of the Evans Gambit.


C51 Evans gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4
Note: The next 5 declined variations of C51 in the ECO list run via 4... Bb6 5. b5 Na5 6. Nxe5 (declined Lange; declined Pavlov; declined Hirschbach; Vasquez; Hicken).


C51 Evans gambit declined, 5.a4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bb6 5. a4
Note: The next declined Showalter variation run via 5... a6 6. Nc3.


C51 Evans gambit declined, Cordel variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bb6 5. Bb2


C51 Evans counter-gambit 4... d5
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... d5

Note: The next 14 accepted variations of C51 - not all shown - run via 4... Bxb4 (Accepted 4... Bxb4, Normal variation, Ulvestad, Paulsen, Morphy attack, Goering attack, Steinitz, Evans Gambit 9... Bg4, Fraser attack, Fraser-Mortimer attack, Stone-Ware, Mayet defence, 5...Be7, Accepted Cordel variation).


C51 Evans gambit accepted 4... Bxb4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4
• The Answering Statistics to Evans Gambit


C51 Evans gambit accepted, Normal variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O d6 8. cxd4 Bb6
Note: The Evans normal variation was rare in 2019 at the chess master level.
• How to Play the Normal Variation of Evans Gambit


C51 Evans gambit accepted, Stone-Ware variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4 5. c3 Bd6
Note: The accepted Stone-Ware was quite popular in 2019 at the chess master level.
• How to Play the Stone-Ware Variation of Evans Gambit


C51 Evans gambit, 5...Be7
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4 5. c3 Be7
Note: The Evans gambit 5...Be7 was playable in 2019 at the chess master level.
• How to Play the 5... Be7 Variation of Evans Gambit


C51 Evans gambit accepted, Cordel variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4 5. c3 Be7 6. d4 Na5
Note: The accepted Cordel variation was very popular in 2019 at the chess master level.


C52 Evans gambit accepted, 5... Ba5 variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5
Note: The Evans Gambit ECO code C52 starts from the above variation, and all C52 variations of the Evans Gambit run via 4... Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5.


C52 Evans gambit accepted, Tartakower attack variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Qb3
Note: The Evans gambit accepted Tartakower attack was very popular in 2019 at the chess master level.


C52 Evans gambit, Lasker defence variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (in the picture), then:
4... Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O d6 7. d4 Bb6
Note: The Evans gambit Lasker defence was rare in 2019 at the chess master level.

Evans Gambit Answering Moves and How to Respond

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The Evans Gambit starts with the moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (see them below). By statistics, based on a 3800-game database on the Evans Gambit chess opening, Black answers: 4... Bxb4 (80%), 4... Bb6 (15%), 4... Nxb4 (2%), 4... d5 (1%); other moves - 2% (4... Be7, Bd6, b5).


Figure 1. See the Black answering statistics to the Evans Gambit:
Bxb4 (80%), Bb6 (15%), Nxb4 (2%), d5 (1%); others - 2% (Be7, Bd6, b5).
How to respond to the answering moves? What are best lines to play at the beginning of the Evans Gambit? Let's see the answers below...

Evans Gambit: Answers and How to Respond

Figure 2. The Black answer 4... Bxb4 is the most common -- 80%.
Best line: 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.0-0 Nge7 (equal, +0.05)
Note: If 7... dxc3 (instead of 7... Nge7), then play 8.Qb3 (equal, +0.34).
Note: 4... Bxb4 is the strongest Black answer to the Evans Gambit.


Figure 3. The Black answer 4... Bb6 is the 2nd common -- 15%.
Best line: 5.0-0 d6 a4 a6 7.c3 Nf6 (equal, +0.40)


Figure 4. The Evans Gambit answer 4... Nxb4 is played rarely -- 2%.
Best line: 5.c3 Nc6 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 Bb6 (equal, +0.15)


Figure 5. The Evans Gambit answer 4... d5 is played rarely -- 1%.
Best line: 5.exd5 Nxb4 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Nxe5 Nbxd5 (white slightly better, +0.78)

Conclusion: Evans Gambit Answers

You have studied the answering statistics and best respond lines at the beginning on the Evans Gambit. The statistics were taken from a 3800-game database on this chess opening and the best playing lines were calculated by a chess engine.

The best lines are similar or very close to the proven lines, and this will help you learn how to play the Evans Gambit correctly. Remember that the move 4... Bxb4 is the strongest Black answer to the Evans Gambit.

Latvian Gambit Answering Statistics and Best Proven Lines

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The Latvian Gambit begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5. After that, it is the White player who is to continue a Latvian Gambit game from the 3rd move... Do you know the answering statistics to the Latvian Gambit and best playing lines for White and Black?.. By stats, the move-answer is: 3.Nxe5, 3.exf5, 3.d4, 3.d3, 3.Nc3, or 3.Bc4.

Below is the answering statistics to the Latvian Gambit and best proven lines for White and Black. The lines have been proved by chess master games, by history and time , and evaluated by chess engine. This chess opening information must be useful for you to study how to correctly play the Latvian Gambit chess opening.

I. Latvian Gambit Answering Statistics

Latvian Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5


The answering statistics:
• 3.Nxe5 (50%) - best answer for White;
• 3.exf5, 3.d4, 3.d3, 3.Nc3, 3.Bc4 (10% for each).

The above answering statistics were taken from a 1400-game database on the Latvian Gambit chess opening. Best playing lines (actually, they are ones of the best) were calculated by a chess engine -- see them below to study or learn. Some of them are proven lines that have been proved since the year 1985.

II. Latvian Gambit Best Proven Lines

• 3.Nxe5 (50%, best answer for White in the Latvian Gambit)
3... Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6 7.f3 Nf6
...white better +1.01, depth 25 -- this is the main line of the year 2019
3... Nf6 4.Bc4 Qe7 5.d4 Nc6 6.0-0 fxe4 7.Bf4 d5
...note: 5.Nf7? Qxe4+ 6.Qe2 Qxe2+ 7.Kxe2 d5 (-0.99)
...white better +1.10, depth 25



• 3.exf5 (10%)
3... Nf6 4.d4 e4 5.Nh4 d5 6.g4 Ng8 7.Ng2 h5 8.Nf4 Nc6
...white slightly better +0.59, depth 25
3... Nc6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Nxc6 dxc6
...white slightly better +0.85, depth 25



• 3.d4 (10%)
3... fxe4 4.Nfd2 Qe7 5.Qh5+ g6 6.Qxe5 Qxe5 7.dxe5 e3! 8.Nf3 exf2+ 9.Kxf2 Nc6
...position equal +0.34, depth 25
3... fxe4 4.Nxe5 Nf6 5.Be2 Be7 6.c4 0-0 7.Nc3 d6
...position equal +0.47, depth 25



• 3.d3 (10%)
3... Nc6 4.d4 fxe4 5.Nxe5 Nf6 6.Bc4 d5 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.c4 Bd6
...position equal -0.01, depth 25
3... d6 4.Nc3 c5 5.g3 Be7 6.Bg2 Nc6 7.O-O Nf6
...position equal +0.03, depth 25



• 3.Nc3 (10%)
3... fxe4 4.Nxe5 Nf6 5.Ng4 c6 6.Nxf6+ Qxf6 7.Qh5+ Qf7
...white slightly better +0.60, depth 25
3... Nf6 4.exf5 Nc6 5.d4 e4 6.Ne5 Bb4 7.g4 Nd5 8.g5 g6
...white better +1.01, depth 25



• 3.Bc4 (10%)
3... fxe4 4.Nxe5 Qg5 5.Nf7 Qxg2 6.Rf1 Nf6 7.Nxh8 d5
...note: very sharp line, but it is a Latvian proven line since 1985
...position equal +0.00, depth 25
3... Nc6 4.d3 Be7 5.0-0 d6 6.Nc3 a6
...white slightly better +0.55, depth 25



Having seen the above answering statistics and proven lines will help you learn how to correctly play the Latvian Gambit chess opening, which is sometimes considered as dubious chess opening, and which is very aggressive for Black. However, the Latvian Gambit is a very nice opening for chess beginners to study and try...

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Below is how to correctly play the Main Line of the Latvian Gambit chess opening. It belongs to the proven lines of the Latvian which were proved by time and experience of the chess masters who analyzed and played this opening in real. A proven line of the Latvian Gambit will show you how to correctly play for White and Black.

The rated players are playing the Latvian Gambit rarely today. But the Main Line (it is similar to the Nimzovich variation) is being in use at by chess masters rated at 1600-2100 as the only line of the Latvian to play. The chess masters avoid other lines and variations of the Latvian due to their dubiousness and sharpness.

Latvian Gambit: Main Line and Nimzovich Variation

Below is a pictured presentation of the main line 2019 of the Latvian Gambit. The line is unofficially called the Main Line, but it is very similar to the official Nimzovich variation of the Latvian Gambit. The line runs: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6 (you will see it below).

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (Latvian Gambit)


3.Nxe5 Qf6


4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6


Evaluated by chess engine: White is better at +1.37, depth 30.
Below is 2 best recommended lines to continue:
7.f3 Be7 8.fxe4 Nh6 9.Be3 c6 10.Qd2 b5 (+1.57)
7.f3 Nc6 8.fxe4 Be7 9.Ne3 Nh6 10.Ned5 O-O (+1.30)

Notes: Please pay your close attention to the above chess engine evaluations for 2 best recommended lines to continue (You see: +1.57 White is much better; +1.30 White better). The chess engine evaluations show that the Latvian Gambit is not the best chess opening choice for Black, if 2 opponents are equal by strength.

• 7 Official Variations of Latvian Gambit

• To the Main Page of Latvian Gambit

Here, on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com you have studied the Main Line of the Latvian Gambit chess opening. This is the only line of the Latvian Gambit that is being played at the chess master level today. The Main line is very similar to the Nimzovich variation of the Latvian Gambit (the difference is only 1 move).

Compare below the Main line and the Nimzovich variation:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6 (Main Line)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Ne3 (Nimzovich Variation)

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On this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com we will discuss the variations of the Latvian Gambit chess opening. Each official variation of the Latvian Gambit is written in moves, pictured in figures, and evaluated by chess engine: who's better is shown in pawns; (+) means that white is better; (0 to 0.5) position equal; (0.5 to 1.00) better; (1.50 and more) much better.

The Latvian Gambit is C40 by the ECO code classification stated in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, and it has 7 official variations (you can also see 2 unofficial variations of the Latvian at the bottom of this page). The Latvian Gambit is officially called the Latvian Counter-Gambit (note: if white conducts a gambit, it is called gambit; if black conducts a gambit, it is called counter-gambit).

The Latvian Gambit is also known by the name of the Greco Counter-Gambit which is a tribute to the chess player Gioachino Greco who analyzed the opening in the 17th century. It is an old chess opening, original and beautiful, which may be dubious for black. The Latvian Gambit is played very rarely at master level (masters' ratings 1600-2100) and not played at top level of chess.

In 2019, the Latvian Gambit was played as 1 game to 10000 at chess master level. The main variation of the Latvian Gambit was the C40 Latvian, Nimzovich variation. The Nimzovich variation covered 90% of the Latvian Gambit games. Learn the difference between the main line and the Nimzovich variation (the difference between the main line and the Nimzovich is only the last move).

Below is a full list of 7 official variations and 2 unofficial variations of the Latvian Gambit, known as the Latvian Counter-Gambit, and also known as the Greco Counter-Gambit. The strongest variation of the Latvian Gambit for black is the Behting variation. The worst variation of the Latvian Gambit for black is the Corkscrew Counter-Gambit variation (and the best for white).

Latvian Gambit Variations

C40 Latvian Gambit (Latvian Counter-Gambit)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5

By chess engine white is better (+1.48, depth 20).
By engine to continue: 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6 ...

C40 Latvian, Nimzovich variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Ne3

By chess engine white is slightly better (+0.65, depth 20).
By engine to continue: 6... Nc6 7.c3 Qg6 8.Nd5 Kd8 9.Nf4 Qf5 ...

C40 Latvian, Fraser Defense variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Nc6

By chess engine white is much better (+1.82, depth 20).
By engine to continue: 4.Qh5+ g6 5.Nxg6 Nf6 6.Qh3 Rg8 7.Nxf8 Kxf8 ...

C40 Latvian gambit, 3.Bc4 variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4

By chess engine white is slightly better (+0.60, depth 20).
By engine to continue: 3... fxe4 4.Nxe5 Qg5 5.d4 Qxg2 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Bf7+ Kd8 ...

C40 Latvian, Behting variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 Qg5 5.Nf7 Qxg2 6.Rf1 d5 7.Nxh8 Nf6

By chess engine position is equal (+0.30, depth 20).
By engine to continue: 8.Bxd5 Bg4 9.f3 Bh3 10.Rf2 Qh1+ 11. Ke2 Qxd1 12.Kxd1 Nxd5 ...

C40 Latvian, Polerio variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 d5

By chess engine white is slightly better (+0.73, depth 20).
By engine to continue: 5.Qh5+ g6 6.Nxg6 Nf6 7.Qe5+ Be7 8.Bb5+ c6 ...

C40 Latvian, Corkscrew Counter-Gambit variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 Nf6

By chess engine white is much better (+2.32, depth 20).
By engine to continue: 5.Nf7 Qe7 6.Nxh8 d5 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 9.0-0 0-0-0 ...

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2 Unofficial Variations of the Latvian Gambit
Leonhardt Variation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.Nc4 (+0.87, depth 20).
Svedenborg Variation: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 d5 (+0.57, depth 20).
On chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com we learned the variations of the Latvian Gambit.

41 Alekhine Defense Variations by ECO Codes

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The Alekhine's Defense chess opening has 41 official variations by the ECO code classification (ECO stands for Encyclopedia of Chess Openings). The ECO codes of the Alekhine's Defense include B02-B05. Below you can find a full list of 41 official variations of the Alekhine's Defense with ECO codes B02, B03, B04, B05.

Note 1. Being an official variation of the Alekhine's Defense does not mean that the variation in question is common in play.
Note 2. The B02 Alekhine Defense line 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 is called "The Main line."
Note 3. The links below will help you learn how to correctly play the main variations of the Alekhine's Defense, which are the most common (including the PGN file).

• Alekhine's Defence PGN File - Games 2019

ECO codes B02-B05 begin with the following moves:
B02: 1.e4 Nf6
B03: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 (including Exchange variation and Four Pawns Attack)
B04: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 (Modern variation without 4...Bg4)
B05: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4 (Modern variation with 4...Bg4)

Alekhine's Defence Variations

Below is the main picture of the Alekhine's Defence.
B02 Alekhine's Defence
1. e4 Nf6

Analyzed by chess engine: White is slightly better (+0.64).
B02 Alekhine's defense, Scandinavian variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5

• How to Play the Scandinavian Variation B02

B02 Alekhine's defense, Spielmann variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e5 Nfd7 4. e6
B02 Alekhine's defense, Maroczy variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. d3
B02 Alekhine's defense, Krejcik variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. Bc4
B02 Alekhine's defense, Mokele Mbembe (Buecker) variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ne4
B02 Alekhine's defense, Brooklyn defence
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Ng8
B02 Alekhine's defense, "The Main line"
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5
B02 Alekhine's defense, Kmoch variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Bc4 Nb6 4. Bb3 c5 5. d3
B02 Alekhine's defense, Saemisch attack
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nc3
B02 Alekhine's defense, Welling variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. b3
B02 Alekhine's defense
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4
B02 Alekhine's defense, Steiner variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. b3
B02 Alekhine's defense, two pawns' (Lasker's) attack
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5

• How to Play the Two Pawns Attack Variation B02

B02 Alekhine's defense, two pawns' attack, Mikenas variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3 d6

B03 Alekhine's defense, 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4

Analyzed by chess engine: Position is equal (+0.37).
B03 Alekhine's defense, O'Sullivan gambit
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 b5
B03 Alekhine's defense
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6
B03 Alekhine's defense, Balogh variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Bc4
B03 Alekhine's defense
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4
B03 Alekhine's defense, exchange variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6

• How to Play the Exchange Variation B03

B03 Alekhine's defense, exchange, Karpov variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 cxd6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. O-O O-O 9. h3 Nc6 10. Nc3 Bf5 11. Bf4
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4

• How to Play the Four Pawns Attack Variation B03

B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, Korchnoi variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Bf5 7. Nc3 e6 8. Nf3 Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O f6
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, 6...Nc6
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, Ilyin-Genevsky variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. e6 fxe6 9. c5
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, 7.Be3
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Be3
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, Tartakower variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Nc3 e6 9. Nf3 Qd7 10. Be2 O-O-O 11. O-O Be7
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, Planinc variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 g5
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, fianchetto variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 g6
B03 Alekhine's defense, four pawns attack, Trifunovic variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 Bf5

• How to Play the Modern Variation B04-B05

B04 Alekhine's defense, modern variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3

Analyzed by chess engine: Position is equal (+0.07).
B04 Alekhine's defense, modern, Larsen variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5
B04 Alekhine's defense, modern, Schmid variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Nb6
B04 Alekhine's defense, modern, fianchetto variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6
B04 Alekhine's defense, modern, Keres variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Bg7 7. a4

B05 Alekhine's defense, modern variation, 4...Bg4
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4

Analyzed by chess engine: White is slightly better (+0.67).

• To the Main Page of Alekhine's Defense

B05 Alekhine's defense, modern, Flohr variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 c6
B05 Alekhine's defense, modern, Panov variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. h3
B05 Alekhine's defense, modern, Alekhine variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. c4
B05 Alekhine's defense, modern, Vitolins attack
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. c4 Nb6 6. d5
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20 Bishop's Opening Variations by ECO Codes

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On this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com you can study all variations of the Bishop's Opening. The Bishop's Opening is C23-C24, and it has 20 official variations in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO). Not all the official variations of the Bishop's Opening are very common in play, but the most popular variation of the Bishop's Opening is the Berlin Defense (70-75% of all games at master level). Below is a list of all 20 official variations of the Bishop's Opening...

Important. At the bottom of this page you will also find 3 useful links which will explain how to correctly play the following variations of the Bishop's Opening: the Classical variation, the Ponziani and Urusov Gambits, and the Berlin Defense. Welcome!

C23: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4
C24: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6

C23 Bishop's opening
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4

Analyzed by chess engine: Position is equal (+0.01, depth 25).
C23 Bishop's opening, Philidor counter-attack
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6
C23 Bishop's opening, Lisitsyn variation
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 cxd5 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Nxd7 7. dxe5 Nxe5 8. Ne2
C23 Bishop's opening, Calabrese counter-gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5
C23 Bishop's opening, Calabrese counter-gambit, Jaenisch variation
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5 3. d3
C23 Bishop's opening, Classical variation
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5
• How to Play the Classical Variation of the Bishop's Opening

C23 Bishop's opening, Lopez gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qe2 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. f4
C23 Bishop's opening, Philidor variation
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3
C23 Bishop's opening, Pratt variation
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. exf6 dxc4 7. Qh5 O-O
C23 Bishop's opening, Lewis counter-gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 d5
C23 Bishop's opening, del Rio variation
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Qg5
C23 Bishop's opening, Lewis gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. d4
C23 Bishop's opening, Wing gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4
C23 Bishop's opening, MacDonnell double gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4 Bxb4 4. f4
C23 Bishop's opening, Four pawns' gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4 Bxb4 4. f4 exf4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. d4 Bh4+ 7. g3 fxg3 8. O-O gxh2+ 9. Kh1

C24 Bishop's opening, Berlin defence
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6

Analyzed by chess engine: Position is equal (+0.18, depth 25).
• How to Play the Berlin Defense Variation of the Bishop's Opening

C24 Bishop's opening, Greco gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. f4
C24 Bishop's opening, Ponziani gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4
• How to Play the Ponziani and Urusov Gambits of the Bishop's Opening

C24 Bishop's opening, Urusov gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3
C24 Bishop's opening, Urusov gambit, Panov variation
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 d5 5. exd5 Bb4+ 6. c3 Qe7+
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Sicilian Defense Scheveningen Variation

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This chess information is designed for chess beginners to learn the Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian Defense chess opening. On this page you can find general description of the Scheveningen variation, its main and less common playing lines and see chess video on the Scheveningen variation below.

The Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian Defense was first noticed in 1923 during a chess tournament in the village Scheveningen near the Hague. During the tournament the variation in question was played several times by several chess players, including Euwe playing that variation against Maroczy.

The Sicilian Scheveningen was a favorite variation of the famous chess player Garry Kasparov. It is ambitious and popular today. It may transpose into the Najdorf variation of the Sicilian Defense. Black may build the pawn structure 1... c5 2... d6 3... e6 as an answer to a non-standard White play of the Sicilian.

Scheveningen Variation: Official Data

Variation Name: The Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian Defense
Moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6
ECO Codes: B80-B89



The Sicilian Scheveningen has 3 main lines to play and 4 less common lines:
Main line 1: 6.g4 (most popular today)
Main line 2: 6.Be2
Main line 3: 6.Be3

Less common line 1: 6.g3
Less common line 2: 6.f4
Less common line 3: 6.Bc4
Less common line 4: 6.Bb5+

To understand in a visible way the Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian, to get a general picture and presentation of this variation and to study the most common play lines of the Scheveningen, you are recommended to see the below video. Here is a short description of the video:

Sicilian Scheveningen Variation: Video

The video runs for 5 minutes. It shows the designated moves of the Sicilian Defense and its Scheveningen variation at the beginning. Then you can see and read general information about the Scheveningen variation. At last, you can see how to play its 3 main lines and 4 less common. To see the video, click the Play button below:




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Note. One video may be not enough to learn the Sicilian Scheveningen. Because the variation is large, there will be published a special PGN file. The Scheveningen PGN files will be placed on the next separate page of this chess openings blog. Thank you!

Sicilian Defense Dragon Variation

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This chess post is designed for chess beginners to learn the Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense chess opening. Please be advised that at the chess master level, the Dragon variation is the 2nd most common variation of the Sicilian Defense - after the Najdorf variation which is the most frequent one.

The Dragon variation is strong defense for Black, not difficult to learn and not so sharp as the Najdorf may be in play. On this page, find data and general description of the Dragon variation and chess video at the bottom of this page. A special PGN file on the Dragon will be published at a later stage.

The German chess master Louis Paulsen invented the modern form of the Dragon variation in 1880. From his part, the Russian chess master and astronomer Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky named it Dragon because the resemblance of Black's kingside pawn structure to the constellation Draco.

Dragon Variation: Official Data

Variation Name: The Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense
Moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
ECO Codes: B70-B79



The Sicilian Dragon has 2 main lines of play and 4 less common:
Main line 1: 6.Be3
Main line 2: 6.Be2

Less common line 1: 6.Bc4
Less common line 2: 6.f4 (f3 is seen rarely today)
Less common line 3: 6.g3
Less common line 4: 6.Bg5

Sicilian Dragon Variation: Video

To understand in a visible way the Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense, to get a general picture and presentation of this variation, and to study the most common playing lines of the Dragon, you are recommended to see the following video:



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Note. One video may be not enough to learn the Sicilian Dragon. Because the Dragon variation is large, there will be published a special PGN file. The Dragon PGN files will be placed on the next separate page of this chess openings blog. Thank you!