Bishop's Opening: Calabrese Countergambit
The Calabrese Countergambit is 2...f5, striking at e4 but weakening the a2-g8 diagonal where White's bishop already sits. It is a dubious try: White plays for Ng5 and pressure on f7, g8 and e6, while Black hopes ...fxe4 and ...d5 will build a center fast.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 f5
- ECO
- C23
- Engine
- +1.08 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 841 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Nh3 heading for g5 is the engine's choice: the knight joins the c4 bishop against f7 and e6 without blocking the f-pawn.
- d4 opens the center at once; after ...exd4, Qxd4 or Ng5 hits the loose light squares.
- After Nf3 and ...fxe4, Nxe5 and Qh5+ attack the king directly, as the third engine line shows.
Black
- ...Nc6 and ...Ne5 are the best defense: the knight hits c4 and covers f7.
- ...Qf6 guards f7 and g7 and keeps the queen near the weakened kingside.
- ...fxe4 is risky against Nf3, because Nxe5 and Qh5+ hit g6, e8 and f7 together.
Plans and pawn structure
Black has loosened the e8-h5 diagonal and the a2-g8 diagonal in one move, so White's plan is fast development and direct attack. The knight on g5 and bishop on c4 work against f7, e6 and g8, and Qh5+ is always in the air. Black wants to trade White's light-squared bishop, often with ...Ne5 hitting c4, and get the king to safety. If Black survives, the f-pawn trade gives some central space, but that takes many accurate moves.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.08: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +1.08 3.Nh3 Nc6 4.d4 exd4 5.Ng5 Ne5
- +1.05 3.d4 exd4 4.Nh3 Nc6 5.Ng5 Ne5
- +1.05 3.Nf3 fxe4 4.Nxe5 d5 5.Qh5+ g6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
841 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Calabrese Countergambit, Jaenisch Variation3.d3 · rare
How to play against it
As White, do not take on f5 without a plan; develop with Nh3 or d4 and go after f7 and g8. A quiet d3 gives Black time for ...Nf6 and a normal game. Keep Qh5+ in mind whenever the e8-h5 diagonal opens.
Questions
What are the moves of the Bishop's Opening: Calabrese Countergambit?
The Bishop's Opening: Calabrese Countergambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 f5. Its ECO code is C23.
Is the Bishop's Opening: Calabrese Countergambit good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.08 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 841 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.9%. A risky surprise weapon; Black needs exact defense, and White players who know the knight jump to g5 get a strong attack.
What is the main idea of the Bishop's Opening: Calabrese Countergambit?
Black hits e4 with the f-pawn, but this opens the diagonal from c4 to g8 and exposes the king. White's best plan is quick development with Nh3 or d4 and pressure on f7 and e6.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nh3, with d4 and Nf3 close behind. 3.Nh3 is aimed at g5, where the knight joins the c4 bishop against e6 and f7.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.