Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bc4/2...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, 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."^[1]

3...c6 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.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 b5?!

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Wikipedia has related information at Bishop's Opening

• Kasparov, Gary & Keene, Raymond (1989, 1994). Batsford Chess Openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
• Lane, Gary (1993). Winning With the Bishop's Opening. ISBN 0-7134-7113-1.