Bongcloud Nomenclature

There are many unnamed variations within this opening.  I think we need to come to a consensus on some names.  Here are the known variations.

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nf6 3.d3 d5 4.f3-Fortress Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nf6 3.Qe1 Nxe4 4.Kd1-Bongcloud Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nf6 3.Kf3-Outflank Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nf6 3.Ke3-Kamikaze Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nf6 3.Kd3-Bongcloud Zigzag Attack.

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nf6 3.Ke1-Boncloud: Bongcoward/Light-Weight/Yellow Variation

1.e4 e4 2.Ke2 Ne7-Bongcloud: Alapin Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Ke2-King David Attack

1.e4 e6 2.Ke2-French: Bongcloud Napoleon Attack

1.e4 d5 2.Ke2-Scandinavian Defense: Cheese Danish Attack

1.e4 d5 2.Ke2 Kd7-Scandinavian Defense: Raspberry Danish Counterattack

1.e4 Nf6 2.Ke2 Alekhine's Defense: Bongcloud 420 Variation

1.e3 e5 2.Ke2 d6 3.Kd3 d5-Ricecake9 Burrito Attack

1.f4 d5 2.Kf2-Bird: Bongcloud Flying Kite Variation

1.c4 c5 2.Qa4 Nc6 3.Kd1-English: Pseudo-Bongcloud

Some unnamed variations

1.e4 c6 2.Ke2

1.e4 Nc6 2.Ke2

1.e4 d6 2.Ke2

1.e4 b6 2.Ke2

1.e4 b5 2.Ke2

1.e4 g6 2.Ke2

There is room for more names if I missed any.  In addition you can lay claim to your own variation if it has not already been claimed.

I think we need this stickied  it's surprising that so many variations of this opening are still unnamed, especially since it is White's best plan.

Amazing stuff! This will be for diamond members only any day soon!

There's little need for names, since after 1.e4 e5 2.Ke2, there are mountains of theory.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-openings/bongcloud-opening2?lc=1#last_comment 

MyCowsCanFly wrote:  "Especially against black developing and castling king-side (including KID), I might play:

1. e3 2. Ke2 3. Kd3 4. kc4 5.kb5

Staying on the light colored diagonal keeps the king safe.

It may incorporporate some modern ideas in that it provides black no targets for it's developed pieces. In this position, the king is now ideally positioned to distrupt the pawn structure of the queen-side. Obviously, if needed, the king can side step, revealing an attack by the bishop. In the absence of a reference, I've called this the "My Cows can Fly" variation.

Although this variation violates one of the principles attributed to Lenny, "Don't go straight, man."

The English Bongcloud has delayed effects and is known to be much weaker than other variations.  It might be described as a psuedo-Bongcloud.  1. c4 c5 2. Qa4 Nc6 3. Kd1?!

It looks dubious, but the art of sneaking around the back for a crafty Bongcloud is somewhat in keeping with the spirit of the opening.

1.e4 d5 2.Ke2 can be called the Scandinavian Defense: Cheese Danish Attack.

The response Ke7 turning it into a Raspberry Danish, of course.

possible names:

Bongcloud:

• 420 Variation
• Puff Puff Gambit
• Cough Defense
• Smoke Attack
• Doobie Defense
• Red-Eye Advance Variation
• Reefer Formation
• Munchies System
• Stoned Game

I'm curious, having just started a Bongcloud game myself - is the rule that you just have to play Ke2 and then continue the game as normal, or do you have to continue to try and advance the king to your opponent's back rank? Is it considered bad form if you return the king to his home shortly after? Has anyone codified the rules regarding Bongcloud play?

(1. e4 e5 2. Ke2 Nf6 3. Ke1) - The Bongcloud: Light-Weight Variation

Haha or the Bongcoward.

1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nf6 3.Ke1-The "Yellow" Variation.

Yeah, it's usually played by preppy college kids in sweater-vests, who want to play a little dangerously, but worry what their parents might think.

It's all about the back-rank.  I think retreat is OK, provided it's in support of a more strategic drive towards your objective.

It would be neat if Chess.com could implement the Bongcloud opening in our official list, as a site in-joke.

It would begin the game in the Ke2 position, be unrated, and actually resolve win conditions if ever your King does reach the back rank.

It could be an option in the same dropdown that offers 960.

That would be cool -- if you recall we had to rely on the honour system:

http://www.chess.com/tournament/bongcloud-invitational

Yep...returning home is legit. It's one of the most clever variations, imo. Some call it the "Homer." Mmmmm home.

Part of the Bongcloud's effectivness may be psychological. Observe the face of your opponent when they first see Ke2....priceless.

I, for one, consider it shameful to move your king to any square his own back rank, something to be done only to avoid massive losses. Returning to the home square must be followed by seppuku.