White normally plays 5.c3, once again attacking the bishop and preparing d4. The black bishop must retreat, and where it goes decides what path the game takes.
Ba5:
This is known as the "Normal Variation" because it was the most popular of the 1800's, and was thought to be best.
Pros:
It gets out of the way of the pawns, and takes up an active position at a5 or b6. It aims at the enemy king, giving chances of counterattack.
Cons:
It gets in the way of a Na5 defensive move. With a bishop at c4 and Queen at b3, ...Na5 is often helpful. And it is like a wasted tempo playing ...Bb6, which is a crime punishable by death in open, tactical positions that are normal.
Also, Ba5 or Bb6 do not really help defend the Kingside assault by White that follows, and even impedes Na5.
Bc5:
For a long time thought to be the most laughable of all of the retreats, because white can play d4 and bust open the center and attack. But, in my new book by GM Michael Rohde, he says this may be the best retreat. I have not looked at the variations at all.
Bd6:
The Stone-Ware variation, trys to capitalize on an e5 strongpoint. It does however, block the d pawn.
Be7:
Is preferred by modern players, but is not any better that Ba5 or Bc5.
Bf8:
The Mayet defense also trys to capitalize on e5, with Qe7, d6, g6 and Bg7.
Ok, lets get serious: After
4.b4 Bxb4
White normally plays 5.c3, once again attacking the bishop and preparing d4. The black bishop must retreat, and where it goes decides what path the game takes.
Ba5:
This is known as the "Normal Variation" because it was the most popular of the 1800's, and was thought to be best.
Pros:
It gets out of the way of the pawns, and takes up an active position at a5 or b6. It aims at the enemy king, giving chances of counterattack.
Cons:
It gets in the way of a Na5 defensive move. With a bishop at c4 and Queen at b3, ...Na5 is often helpful. And it is like a wasted tempo playing ...Bb6, which is a crime punishable by death in open, tactical positions that are normal.
Also, Ba5 or Bb6 do not really help defend the Kingside assault by White that follows, and even impedes Na5.
Bc5:
For a long time thought to be the most laughable of all of the retreats, because white can play d4 and bust open the center and attack. But, in my new book by GM Michael Rohde, he says this may be the best retreat. I have not looked at the variations at all.
Bd6:
The Stone-Ware variation, trys to capitalize on an e5 strongpoint. It does however, block the d pawn.
Be7:
Is preferred by modern players, but is not any better that Ba5 or Bc5.
Bf8:
The Mayet defense also trys to capitalize on e5, with Qe7, d6, g6 and Bg7.
We will look into all of these in depth soon.