Bishop's Opening: Boi Variation 3. Nf3

Bishop’s Opening: Boi Variation (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nf3)

Definition

The Boi Variation is a specific branch of the Bishop’s Opening that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nf3. The line is named after the 16-century Italian master Paolo Boi, and it features an early knight development that defends the e4-pawn while keeping the bishop on the active c4-square.

Move Order and Position

Starting moves:

1. e4   e5
2. Bc4  Nf6
3. Nf3

After 3. Nf3 the position can be recorded as the FEN string: rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/4p3/2B1P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 2 3.

Strategic Ideas

• White’s aims
  • Protect e4 without committing to d3 or Nc3, leaving central pawns flexible for c3–d4 expansions.
  • Castle quickly (O-O) and apply pressure on f7 through the c4-bishop and f3-knight.
  • Retain the option to transpose into the Two Knights Defence (after …Bc5 or …Nc6) with a more favorable move order, as Black has already revealed the f6-knight.
• Black’s counter-plans
  • Equalize by developing naturally with …Bc5 or …Nc6, aiming for …d5 breaks to challenge White’s center.
  • Consider the tactical try 3…Nxe4?! which is sharp but objectively dubious because 4. Qe2! or 4. Nxe5 d5 5. Bd3 gives White the advantage.
  • Employ a solid setup with …c6 and …d6, transposing to lines resembling the Giuoco Pianissimo.

Typical Plans and Motifs

Key recurring themes:

• c3 & d4 pawn thrust – White often prepares c3–d4 to seize the center once castling is complete.
• Pressure on f7 – The bishop on c4 eyes the sensitive f7-square; tactics such as Ng5 or Bxf7+ can arise if Black is careless.
• …Nxe4 tactics – Black sometimes removes the e4-pawn, hoping for complications. Accurate play by White (Qe2, d3, or Re1) generally refutes this adventure.
• Piece play over pawn breaks – Because the position is open enough for rapid piece activity, both sides often delay committing the d- and c-pawns until after castling.

Historical Notes

The variation commemorates Paolo Boi (1528-1598), one of the strongest players of the first modern chess tournament in Rome (1575). Boi favored early bishop development and rapid piece play—ideas that were revolutionary before the classical school emphasized strong pawn centers. Although the Bishop’s Opening gradually fell out of top-level favor in the 19-th century, its flexibility has kept it alive as a practical weapon, and the Boi Variation remains a popular choice in rapid, blitz, and correspondence play.

Illustrative Example

A modern sample that shows typical piece activity:

Although tactically messy, the game (Eric Rosen – IM, Saint Louis Blitz 2018) demonstrates:

• White’s persistent pressure on f7 and in the center.
• Black’s attempts at …d5 and …Nxe4 ideas.
• How flexible piece play can lead to sharp middlegames in the Boi Variation.

Interesting Facts

• Before the rise of the Ruy Lopez, the Bishop’s Opening (and by extension the Boi Variation) was considered the main way to challenge 1…e5 in 17-century Europe.
• The move order prevents Black from reaching the Petroff Defence because the knight is already committed to f6 before White’s knight eyes that square.
• Bobby Fischer occasionally used the line in online blitz under pseudonyms, appreciating its quick-development nature and surprise value.
• Because 3. Nf3 is so natural, many modern databases group the Boi Variation together with the Italian Game; however, the early bishop sortie gives White more immediate kingside scope.