ECO code: C23
Bishop's Opening: Calabrese Countergambit
This opening arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5. Black immediately challenges White's control of the center and seeks active counterplay by pushing the f-pawn early.
Characteristic: The move 2...f5 is a sharp and somewhat risky countergambit aiming to undermine White's central presence and open lines for Black's pieces, especially the bishop on c8 and the queen. It is named after Calabrese, who analyzed this aggressive response in the Bishop's Opening.
Attacking or Defensive: Black adopts a highly aggressive, attacking stance by offering a pawn to destabilize White’s center and gain dynamic chances. White, on the other hand, can choose to accept or decline the pawn, but generally remains in a more solid, slightly defensive posture early on until the position clarifies.
Center Control: This opening definitely involves an immediate contest for the center. Black’s 2...f5 challenges White’s e4 pawn and attempts to wrest control of central squares, making it a direct fight over central dominance.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Bishop's Opening: Calabrese Countergambit, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 12 - Move #3 black