developing dark squared bishop - Chess Forums

jimmyjetset

Jul 1, 2020

0

#1

After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bc5 (order not important)

What is the best move to release the dark squared bishop?

I often play h3 before d3 because I don't know how to handle ...Ng5

Or is d4 still a better move even though black has two pieces and a pawn controlling d4

KetoOn1963

Jul 1, 2020

0

#2

"What is the best move to release the dark squared bishop?

5.d3 Activates the bishop, supports the e4 pawn.

"I often play h3 before d3 because I don't know how to handle ...Ng5"

Nothing wrong with playing 5.h3. But you always want your moves to do as many thing as possible. So compare the following, and what they do?

5.h3 Controls the g4 square, gains a bit of space, but also weakens the king side a bit too.

5.d3 Supports the e4 pawn, activates the bishop, gains a bit of space in the center.

5.0-0 King safety, activates the rook.

Now as far as "handling" 5...Ng5

5.d3 Ng5 As you improve, you will begin to understand that this move isn't blacks best. But why? It violates opening principles by moving the same piece twice needlessly. So in essence, you gain a tempo. 6.d3 Now if you're afraid of 6...Ng5? 7.0-0 And if 7...Bf2+ 8.Rf2 Nf2 9.Kf2. minor pieces are better that a pawn and rook. And what does the position tell you?

White has 3 pieces developed, while black has 1 piece developed. And you have some "tricks" available.

"Or is d4 still a better move even though black has two pieces and a pawn controlling d4"

The answer this question is to count. Count how many defenders black has defending d4, and count how many attackers you have attacking d4. You always want to have more attackers than defenders. If you dont, then you know it wont work.

jimmyjetset

Jul 1, 2020

0

#3

Thank you

KetoOn1963

Jul 1, 2020

0

#4

jimmyjetset wrote:

Thank you

KetoOn1963

Jul 1, 2020

0

#5

Can you see the verbiage, and the diagrams? I can see the verbiage for a couple of seconds, and then it disappears???

jimmyjetset

Jul 1, 2020

0

#6

I highlight it with the mouse then I can see it

KetoOn1963

Jul 1, 2020

0

#7

jimmyjetset wrote:

I highlight it with the mouse then I can see it

Sorry 'bout that. No idea why its acting up.

maddymoon

Jul 1, 2020

0

#8

yep, it's like that for me too

TeacherOfPain

Jul 1, 2020

0

#9

I feel like as long as you develop the bishop to an active square that the position calls for, you will be fine.

Sometimes in different positions you will not be able to put your bishop on c4 or b5(for white) or c5 or d6(with black) for example.

It takes some knowledge of positions to know how to develop your pieces properly and understand how you can use them to the best of their ability and due to this it determines where a piece such as the dark squared bishop could be and where it could be best placed in the position(typically in the opening and middlegame phases of the game.)

Hopefully this was helpful to someone.