Chess opening · ECO B20
Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack
2.Bc4 is the Bowdler Attack, an early bishop move that points straight at f7. It looks like the Italian Game, but against the Sicilian the bishop has a problem: Black has not committed the e-pawn and can play ...e6 and ...d5, closing the diagonal and hitting the bishop with a pawn.
- Rank by weighted share
- #33 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. Bc4
- 2. Bc4The bishop develops to c4 and eyes f7, the weak square next to Black's king. It prepares quick kingside castling. On the other hand, a black pawn arriving on d5 would attack it.
Why ...e6 blunts the bishop
The move 2...e6 puts a pawn on the c4 to f7 diagonal, so the bishop stares at a wall. It also prepares ...d5, which attacks both e4 and the bishop.
If White takes on d5 after ...d5, Black recaptures with the e-pawn and the bishop has to move again. Black gains time and keeps a pawn on d5, next to the c5 pawn.
Other ways for Black
Black can also develop with 2...Nc6 or 2...d6. Both keep ...e6 in reserve. Against 2...Nc6, White often adds Nf3 and c3 to build a center with d4.
White can also meet ...d5 with exd5 exd5 and then Bb3. The bishop stays on the same diagonal, now pointing at the d5 pawn and, past it, at f7.
Hitting the bishop with ...d5
2... e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Nxd7
The bishop moved three times and was traded for Black's light-squared bishop. Black has pawns on c5 and d5 in the center and a knight developed on d7.
Top replies by rating
e6 leads every band, and its share is largest at 2000 and up. Nc6 holds second place throughout.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | e6 40% | Nc6 26% | d6 16% |
| 1200–1399 | e6 38% | Nc6 30% | d6 16% |
| 1400–1599 | e6 40% | Nc6 33% | d6 15% |
| 1600–1799 | e6 44% | Nc6 33% | d6 14% |
| 1800–1999 | e6 49% | Nc6 33% | d6 11% |
| 2000 and up | e6 60% | Nc6 23% | d6 10% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.