Bird's Opening

Play as WhiteSystem

White fights for the e5 square from the flank with the f-pawn.

The main line, move by move

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 c5 7. Qe1

1. 1. f4 — Bird's Opening: fight for the e5 square from the side.
2. 1... d5 — Take the center.
3. 2. Nf3 — Brings the knight into the game.
4. 2... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
5. 3. e3 — Open the bishop and support the center.
6. 3... g6 — Prepare to fianchetto the bishop.
7. 4. Be2 — Brings the bishop into the game.
8. 4... Bg7 — Brings the bishop into the game.
9. 5. O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
10. 5... O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
11. 6. d3 — Support e4 and keep the structure solid.
12. 6... c5 — Claim space in the center.
13. 7. Qe1 — Bring the queen toward the kingside for an attack.

Related openings

• London System
• Catalan
• English Opening
• Reti Opening
• Colle System

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