Chessy
Bongcloud Attack: play the White side with a plan
The Bongcloud Attack starts with an eye-catching king move, but the drill below is not about jokes — it is about understanding what happens when you choose 1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 as White. You are immediately behind in development and your king is awkward, so Black gets the easier game. Your task is to recognise the pressure, meet the most common replies, and learn what the engine considers the cleanest answer in the critical position.
Play the Bongcloud Attack against the engine
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Play the drill below and test your defence against Black's most practical replies. Create a free account to train this opening again anytime.
Create a free account →The most important reply to know
The engine's best move here is Nf6, and the listed continuation is Nf6 Nc3 d5 exd5. That is the main idea to understand in the drill: Black develops quickly and opens the position while your king is still in the centre. As White, your goal is not to pretend this is fine — it is to stay organised, keep pieces active, and make sure you do not fall behind even further in development.
What the database says people actually play
The most-played continuations are Nc6 (28,532 games, White scores 33.2%), Nf6 (24,735 games, White scores 32.1%), d6 (14,053 games, White scores 35.8%), d5 (9,488 games, White scores 31.7%), Bc5 (7,552 games, White scores 30.8%), and Ke7 (4,196 games, White scores 34.7%). These numbers are useful because they show what you are most likely to face in practice. The exact move is less important than the general pattern: Black develops naturally and keeps the pressure on your exposed king.
Common slips you can punish or avoid
The known mistakes in this position are clear. d6 is an inaccuracy, and the better move was Nf6. Ke7 is a mistake, and the better move was Nf6. If you are playing White in the drill, learn to notice when Black chooses a move that is a little too slow or too passive, because that is often your chance to activate your pieces and stop the position from drifting further against you.
Results across 98,585 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 28,532 | 33.2% |
| Nf6 | 24,735 | 32.1% |
| d6 | 14,053 | 35.8% |
| d5 | 9,488 | 31.7% |
| Bc5 | 7,552 | 30.8% |
| Ke7 | 4,196 | 34.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bongcloud Attack sound for White?
The numbers here are not encouraging for White. The evaluation is -1.17, and Black scores 62.5% across 98,585 games in the exact position after 1.e4 e5 2.Ke2. So you should treat it as a risky surprise, not a reliable opening.
What is the best move for Black after 1.e4 e5 2.Ke2?
The engine's best move is Nf6. The listed continuation is Nf6 Nc3 d5 exd5, which shows Black using development and central play to keep the pressure on your king.
Which replies do players choose most often against the Bongcloud?
The most-played continuations are Nc6, Nf6, d6, d5, Bc5, and Ke7. Nc6 is the most common by game count, while Nf6 is also very popular and is the engine's top choice.
What should White focus on after moving the king early?
You need to stay practical and avoid falling even further behind. Since your king is already awkward, your best chances come from quick development, accurate piece play, and understanding the common Black replies in the drill.
How many games feature the Bongcloud Attack?
Over 98K Lichess games have reached the Bongcloud Attack position. White wins 32.9%, Black wins 62.5%, with 4.6% draws — based on real rated games.