Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
Basque Opening
A bishop on b2 with its own d4 pawn in the way
- Offbeat
After 1.d4 Nf6 White plays 2.b3 to put the bishop on b2. It is the same post Black takes in the Queen's Indian, only here the pawn already stands on d4. The opening is quiet and unusual. People pick it to lead the opponent off the beaten track and avoid long theory.
4…c5
Moves
(8 plies • 4 moves)- 1–4moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
Defining move
2.b3 — the road to b2 for the bishop
The move that sets it apart from ordinary queen's pawn games
The b3 pawn opens the road for the c1 bishop to reach b2. From there it eyes e5, and the whole long diagonal towards g7 opens once the d4 pawn moves on or is exchanged. White has not yet decided where to put the c- and e-pawns. The weak spot of the plan is plain: if White does not contest the centre with c4 or e3, Black gets quiet development and a free game.
Tabiya
Black in the centre, White's bishop waits
White has the bishop on b2 and has played e3; Black has taken the centre with e6, d5 and c5. The …c5 move presses on d4. White must decide how to hold the centre: Nf3 or c4. Black needs to develop and make use of the fact that the b2 bishop for now bumps into White's own pawns.
White’s plan
- Put the bishop on b2 and wait for the long diagonal to open.
- Back up the centre with e3, Nf3 and c4.
- Develop without hurry and play the position, not the theory.
Black’s plan
- Take the centre with …e6 and …d5.
- Hit d4 with …c5: that pawn is what blocks the white bishop's diagonal.
- Develop the knight and bishop to comfortable squares and keep the white bishop out of the game.
Games in the Atlas
No games in the Atlas yet