Tayler Opening

The Tayler Opening, 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Be2, is a restrained alternative to the Italian Game, Ruy Lopez and Scotch. The bishop develops modestly to e2, clearing the way for kingside castling and leaving the choice between a slow d3 setup and a later d4 open. It puts no immediate pressure on e5 or f7, so Black meets no early problems. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, with a very slight preference for Black, and results on Lichess are almost even.

The usual reply is 3...Nf6, which develops and attacks e4. After 4. d3 d5 5. Nbd2 White reaches the Inverted Hanham, a Philidor Hanham structure with colors reversed and an extra tempo. The Basman Gambit, 4. d4 exd4 5. e5, takes a sharper approach: White leaves the d4-pawn and drives the f6-knight away. The second most common reply, 3...Bc5, eyes f2 but is considered dubious by Wikibooks because of 4. Nxe5. Other options include 3...d6, which supports e5 and frees the c8-bishop, and 3...d5, which strikes at the center at once.