The Pratt Variation is a variation of the Bishop's Opening, catalogued as ECO C23. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. exf6 dxc4 7. Qh5 O-O, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after seven moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair.
On the Bishop's Opening generally: White develops the bishop early to c4, targeting f7. Can lead to sharp or quiet positions.
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The Pratt Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. exf6 dxc4 7. Qh5 O-O. It is a variation of the Bishop's Opening and is catalogued as ECO C23.
The Pratt Variation is ECO C23. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Bishop's Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. exf6 dxc4 7. Qh5 O-O at -1.96 at depth 18, which is a clear advantage for Black. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4, and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair.