Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bc4/2...a6

Bishop's Opening: The Sideline 2...a6?! edit

Bishop's Opening - Sideline 2...a6?!
a b c d e f g h
8                 8
7                 7
6                 6
5                 5
4                 4
3                 3
2                 2
1                 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 a6

2...a6?! doesn't have a variation name. It can't be considered serious because white gains a large advantage after 3. Nc3! (or 3. Nf3). Although it threatens ...b5, this move is timid and not a good option against the Bishop's Opening. 3. a4, though strange, gains space in the queenside and stops 3...b5. While 3. a4 is not as good as 3. Nc3 and 3. Nf3, it also refutes 2...a6?!.