Bishop's Opening: Lewis Countergambit

In the Bishop's Opening: Lewis Countergambit, white starts with e4, which is an aggressive move towards the center of the board. This move not only controls important squares but also opens up lines for the development of white's pieces. By occupying the center, white can apply pressure on black's pieces, restrict their mobility, and maintain control of the game. With e4, white sets up the Bishop's Opening which can lead to several different variations and attack plans.

By playing e5, Black challenges white's control over the central squares, preparing to occupy a central square with their pawn. It also frees the bishop on f8, allowing it to develop to its most active square. e5 is a solid move that equalizes in the center, enabling Black to contest White's plan and initiate their counterplay. The move e5 also provides good mobility to Black knights, which can secure important outposts in the center and support an eventual offensive.

By playing Bc4, White applies pressure on the f7 square- a square that is often weak in Black's position after the move e5. The intent is to fork the knight on f6 and pawn on e5, forcing Black to move one of the pieces and giving White control over the center. Additionally, Bc4 develops a piece and targets the f7 square which can be a vulnerable area for Black if not protected accurately. This move also opens up the potential for White to castle kingside while simultaneously applying pressure on Black's position.

In the Bishop's Opening: Lewis Countergambit, by playing Bc5, Black mirrors the move of White's bishop and simultaneously attacks White's pawn on e4. The bishop also occupies a strong central square, preventing White from advancing their d-pawn to d4. Bc5 also allows Black to develop a piece actively while threatening to exchange one of White's bishops which can leave Black with a bishop pair advantage. This move puts immediate pressure on White's position, forcing them to make further decisions to defend their central pawn and maintain their advantage.

By playing c3, White reinforces their central pawn on d4, preparing to maintain their hold on the center of the board. This move also creates a square on d4 as a possible outpost for the White knight in the future. c3 also restricts the mobility of Black's queen bishop, forcing it back to b6 or d6, where it can be less effective. This pawn move frees up the Queen's Knight, which could develop to c3 or e2, depending on the desired variation. Additionally, the move also indirectly supports the development of the White light-squared bishop to d3, exerting pressure on Black's kingside.

By playing d5, Black challenges White's grip on the center by pushing their central pawn to attack White's pawn on e4. This move frees the pawn on e5, allowing the Black light-squared bishop possibilities to develop actively and puts pressure on White's bishop on c4. d5 also opens a path that can use to place Black's queen on a more active square, increasing overall control over the board. The move d5 challenges the central pawn structure of White's camp, and if White chooses to trade pawns, Black's bishop could find a promising diagonal to attack the king. Furthermore, by advancing the pawn, Black aims to resolve the issue of lagging development, paving the way for their pieces towards the center.

In the Bishop's Opening: Lewis Countergambit, by playing Bxd5, White aims to take control of the center by exchanging the Black knight on f6 - the guardian of the central e4 pawn. The benefit of this exchange is that the e4 pawn is no longer blocked by the knight, opening the diagonal for White's queen bishop and increasing aggression towards Black's king. Additionally, Bxd5 also gains a tempo and forces Black's queen to come forward to recapture, allowing White the opportunity to exploit this development and gain more space on the board. The move Bxd5 also weakens the Black pawn structure, splitting the pawns and giving White additional targets to attack.

By playing Nf6, Black aims to develop a piece actively and contest control over the center. Also, the knight on f6 is targeting the newly developed White bishop on d5, forcing it to retreat and losing the tempo. The move Nf6 also defends the central square e5 and prepares for the eventual push of the d-pawn to d4, potentially gaining more space for Black. Nf6 also puts pressure on the pawn on e4, and if this pawn gets isolated, it can provide a strategic target for Black's pieces. Additionally, the move Nf6 provides more control over the d4 square, making it difficult for White to develop their c1 bishop.