The Modern Bishop's Opening is a variation of the Two Knights Defense, catalogued as ECO C55. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Two Knights Defense generally: Black counters 3.Bc4 with Nf6, challenging the e4 pawn immediately. Leads to sharp, tactical play especially after 4.Ng5.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 7 Two Knights Defense variations →
The Modern Bishop's Opening goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6. It is a variation of the Two Knights Defense and is catalogued as ECO C55.
The Modern Bishop's Opening is ECO C55. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Two Knights Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 at +0.44 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.