Bishop's Opening: Kitchener Folly position after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Be7 4.Nf3 O-O. White: bishop on c4, pawn on e4, pawn on d3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on d7, bishop on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, knight on f6, pawn on e5.
Bishop's Opening: Kitchener Folly is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Be7 4.Nf3 O-O. It is classified C24 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Bishop's Opening develops the bishop to c4 before the king's knight, aiming at f7 immediately and keeping f4 available. It frequently transposes into the Vienna Game or the Italian, so it functions as much as a move-order device as an independent opening.
Strategic character
Flexible and transpositional. It sidesteps the Petrov entirely, which is one of its main practical attractions for 1.e4 players tired of that defence.
Who should play it
Players who want to reach Italian and Vienna structures while avoiding specific defences by move order.
This line is a variation within the Bishop's Opening family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Be7 4.Nf3 O-O.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bishop's Opening: Kitchener Folly?
The Bishop's Opening: Kitchener Folly is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Be7 4.Nf3 O-O. It is classified C24 in the ECO system. The Bishop's Opening develops the bishop to c4 before the king's knight, aiming at f7 immediately and keeping f4 available. It frequently transposes into the Vienna Game or the Italian, so it functions as much as a move-order device as an independent opening.
What are the moves of the Bishop's Opening: Kitchener Folly?
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Be7 4.Nf3 O-O. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Bishop's Opening: Kitchener Folly good for beginners?
Players who want to reach Italian and Vienna structures while avoiding specific defences by move order.