Bishop's Opening: Boi Variation
The Boi Variation is 2...Bc5, copying White's bishop and aiming at f2. White can play quietly with d3, Nf3 and c3, or try sharper gambits with d4 or f4, while Black develops with ...Nf6, ...d6 and short castling.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5
- ECO
- C23
- Engine
- +0.19 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 11,767 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 55.4%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- d3, Nf3 and c3 build a quiet center, with d4 to come once White has castled.
- c3 also prepares b4 or d4 to gain a tempo on the c5 bishop.
- An early Qh5 or Qg4 hits g7 and f7, so Black must not ignore these threats before ...Nf6.
Black
- ...Nf6 and ...d6 hold e5 and keep the bishop on the a7-g1 diagonal aimed at f2.
- ...Bb6 or ...a6 with ...Ba7 save the bishop from d4 and b4 pawn pushes.
- ...h6 in the main line stops Bg5 and Ng5, both annoying ideas in this structure.
Plans and pawn structure
This becomes an Italian Game with both bishops on the c-file. The structure is c3, d3 and e4 against ...d6 and e5, so the game is slow and maneuvering. White improves with Nbd2, Re1 and a d4 push, while Black uses ...a6, ...Ba7 and ...h6 to keep the bishop and stop pins. Black's counterplay is ...d5 when White's pieces are not ready. The side that times the central break better gets the edge.
Where the engine's main line heads: Quiet center: c3–d3–e4 against e5. A slow center: White has c3, d3 and e4 against e5. Nobody is in a hurry, and the d3–d4 break decides when the game opens.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.19: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.19 3.d3 Nf6 4.Nf3 d6 5.c3 Bb6
- +0.17 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 a6
- +0.17 3.d4 Bxd4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Nxd4 Nxd4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
11,767 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.4%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Lewis Gambit3.d4 · 583 games
- Philidor Variation3.c3 · 554 games
- Stein Gambit3.f4 · 157 games
- Lopez Gambit3.Qe2 · rare
- Four Pawns Gambit3.b4 · rare
- Pratt Variation3.c3 · rare
How to play against it
As White, the quiet d3 or Nf3 lines are best; your edge is small but stable. Gambits such as d4 give the pawn back after ...Bxd4 with nothing special. Watch for ...Bxf2+ shots if f2 is guarded only by the king.
Questions
What are the moves of the Bishop's Opening: Boi Variation?
The Bishop's Opening: Boi Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5. Its ECO code is C23.
Is the Bishop's Opening: Boi Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.19 at depth 20, which is level. In 11,767 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.4%. A sound and simple reply for Black that leads to quiet Italian positions; good for players who like slow maneuvering.
What is the main idea of the Bishop's Opening: Boi Variation?
Both sides aim bishops at the weak f-pawns and build slow Italian-style centers. White uses c3 and d4 to gain time on the c5 bishop, while Black keeps it safe with ...Bb6 or ...a6.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is d3, with Nf3 and d4 close behind. 3.d3 guards e4 and keeps the center solid, preparing Nf3, c3 and castling.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.