The Bongcloud Opening: The Internet’s Most Infamous Chess Meme
If you’ve spent more than a few days on Chess.com — or in any online chess community — you’ve probably stumbled across someone gleefully moving their king on move two.
That’s right — you’ve witnessed the Bongcloud Opening in action.
But what is this bizarre chess opening? Why would anyone voluntarily weaken their position so early? And why is it so beloved (and hated) among chess players? Let’s dive in.
What is the Bongcloud?
The Bongcloud is an unorthodox chess opening characterized by the moves:
-
e4 e5
-
Ke2
Yes, you read that right — White pushes the king’s pawn and then immediately walks the king forward to e2, forfeiting castling rights and exposing the monarch to early attacks.
The idea? Well… there’s no serious strategic advantage. The Bongcloud is less about sound chess theory and more about style, humor, and trolling your opponent.
The Origins of the Meme
The Bongcloud’s rise to fame can be traced to the early 2010s in the online chess world, where it began as a running joke among players. Its name comes from a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that only someone "high as a kite" would willingly play such an opening in a serious game.
It truly exploded in popularity when grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura began playing it in online blitz matches — sometimes even against each other — just to entertain viewers. Suddenly, this “joke” opening became a badge of confidence: “I’m so good I can win even with this.”
Why People Play It on Chess.com
-
For the Memes – Half the fun is seeing your opponent’s reaction in chat.
-
Psychological Warfare – Sometimes, breaking all the rules unsettles an opponent more than perfect play.
-
Flexing – Strong players use it as a statement: “I don’t need theory to beat you.”
-
Speedrun Material – Many streamers use the Bongcloud to spice up low-rated speedruns.
The “Theory” Behind It (If You Can Call It That)
While the Bongcloud has no solid theoretical foundation, there is some logic in specific situations:
-
After 2. Ke2, White can quickly play Ke1 to waste moves in certain time formats.
-
In bullet chess, opponents might overextend trying to punish it and fall into tactical traps.
-
Against unprepared players, the weirdness can cause mistakes.
That said, in classical time controls, the Bongcloud is almost always a losing choice against serious opposition.
Famous Bongcloud Moments
-
Magnus Carlsen vs. Hikaru Nakamura (2020) – Both players played symmetrical Bongclouds, leading to the first-ever double Bongcloud draw at the elite level.
-
Hikaru’s Twitch Streams – Turning the Bongcloud into an art form and using it to demolish unsuspecting blitz opponents.
-
Chess.com’s Bongcloud Speedrun Events – Showcasing the pure entertainment value of meme openings.
How to Play the Bongcloud (and Survive)
-
e4 e5
-
Ke2
-
Sometimes f3 or g3 to give the king a hideout on f2 or g2.
-
Develop pieces normally… or as normally as you can with your king in the center.
Pro tip: You will get punished by strong players. So if you’re playing it, commit to the chaos.
Final Thoughts
The Bongcloud isn’t an opening you study to win tournaments. It’s an opening you play when chess stops being just about precision and starts being about fun. It’s a reminder that this 1,500-year-old game still has room for creativity, personality, and a little bit of trolling.
So the next time you’re on Chess.com and feeling mischievous, give it a try — and prepare for confusion, laughter, or a very quick loss.
