Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bc4/2...b5

Anderssen attack C23 Bishop's opening 2...b5?! This ancient move from the romantic era was Adolf Anderssen’s favourite. Black tries to emulate an Evan’s gambit in reverse, but White can refute the risky gambit by acting early. White can snap up the pawn 3. Bxb5 and it's not transparent what Black is getting. Anderssen played both 3...f5 and 3...c6: After 3...f5, the Thorold gambit, either 4. exf5 or 4. d4 seem pleasant for White. With the Bishop on b5, Black can't play Nc6 so there is no tempo gain if Qxd4, hence: 4. exf5 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 and Nc6 isn't possible 4. d4 exd4 5. Qxd4 and Nc6 still isn't possible. If Black meets 4. d4 with 4...fxe4?, then 5. Qh5+ g6 6. Qxe5+ and "Black can put the pieces back in the box."The Bishop's Opening Explained Lane Gary Batsford 2004 07134 8917 0 London 11. Unusual replies 3...c6, the Anderssen gambit, can be met by 4. Ba4 or 4. Bc4 and the game resumes with Black being down a pawn, and it's up to them to prove an advantage. Theory table . 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 b5?! 3456789Anderssen GambitBxb5c6 Ba4!Nf6 Nc3Bc5 Nf3d6 O-OO-O ±...... ...... d3d5 exd5Bg4 Ne2  ±...... Be2Nf6 Nf3d5 O-ONxe4 d3Nf6 Nxe5Bd6 d4 ±Thorold Gambit...f5 d4exd4 Qxd4a6 Ba4Nc6 ±...... ...fxe4?? Qh5+g6 Qxe5+  +-...... exf5Nf6 d4exd4 Qxd4  ± References See also Bishop's Opening Kasparov, Gary & Keene, Raymond (1989, 1994). Batsford Chess Openings 2. 0-8050-3409-9. Lane, Gary (1993). Winning With the Bishop's Opening. 0-7134-7113-1.