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Bishop's Opening

Kitchener Folly

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Bc4Nf6
  3. 3.d3Be7
  4. 4.Nf3O-O
796 games51%46%

A Bishop's Opening line in which Black castles instead of guarding e5, leaving the pawn to 5. Nxe5 and giving White a clear edge by engine assessment.

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About the Kitchener Folly

The Kitchener Folly arises from the 3. d3 Be7 branch of the Berlin Defense of the Bishop's Opening. With 4...O-O, Black castles but leaves the e5-pawn attacked by the knight on f3 with nothing defending it. Capturing with 5. Nxe5 is the most frequent reply and the engine's first choice, and the engine rates White's position as clearly better. Quieter options include 5. O-O and 5. Nc3.

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