Chessy
Portuguese Opening: play the bishop move with purpose
The Portuguese Opening starts with a direct bishop move, but the position is already sharp enough that Black has a clear answer ready. In the drill below, you play White and must choose a plan after 1.e4 e5 2.Bb5 with Black to move. Stockfish gives this -0.35, a small edge in your opponent's favour. That does not mean you are lost, but it does mean you need to know what you are aiming for and which replies you should expect.
Play the Portuguese Opening against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise the Portuguese Opening. Create a free account to save your progress.
Create a free account →What this opening is really about
With the Portuguese Opening, White makes an early bishop sortie instead of a quieter developing move. The idea is simple: ask Black a question and steer the game into an unusual structure. That can work well if you are comfortable playing a position where the bishop has moved twice only after Black’s reply and where simple development still matters more than tricks. The drill helps you learn how to handle the position when Black responds accurately and does not allow easy surprises.
The main reply you should expect
The engine’s best move here is c6. In the line given, it continues c6 Ba4 Nf6 d3. That is the reply you should be ready for first, because it is also the most common continuation in the database. Against this setup, keep your focus on calm development and on preserving your active bishop while you complete your own pieces. If you are playing this opening, you need a practical plan, not a one-move idea.
What the numbers say
Across 1,166,997 games at this exact position, White wins 43.0%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 52.8%. Those results fit the engine’s view that the position is slightly better for Black. The opening is playable, but it is not an easy equality grab for White. If you choose it, do so because you want an active, offbeat game and you are ready to handle an early test.
The replies to know
Several moves show up again and again, so it is worth knowing them before you start guessing.
- c6: 340,163 games, White scores 43.3%.
- Nf6: 331,884 games, White scores 42.3%.
- a6: 169,040 games, White scores 44.7%.
- Nc6: 125,726 games, White scores 43.6%.
- Bc5: 107,089 games, White scores 40.1%.
- Qf6: 23,428 games, White scores 38.6%.
The key lesson is that Black has several sensible ways to meet your bishop move, so your comfort with the resulting positions matters more than memorising one line.
Common mistakes to punish
Two replies are marked as mistakes in this exact position. Nc6 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; c6 was better. Qf6 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.9 pawns; again, c6 was better. That tells you something practical: if Black tries to get clever too early, you may be able to gain a little extra value from the opening. Still, the safest way to use that knowledge is to stay disciplined and not waste the chance with loose development of your own.
Results across 1,166,997 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| c6 | 340,163 | 43.3% |
| Nf6 | 331,884 | 42.3% |
| a6 | 169,040 | 44.7% |
| Nc6 | 125,726 | 43.6% |
| Bc5 | 107,089 | 40.1% |
| Qf6 | 23,428 | 38.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Portuguese Opening good for White?
It is playable, but the numbers here do not show a White edge. Stockfish gives -0.35, which means the position is slightly better for Black, and the database results also favour Black overall. If you choose it, you should be happy to play an active but slightly unfavourable opening position.
What is the best reply to 1.e4 e5 2.Bb5?
The engine’s best move is **c6**. In the line provided, that leads to **c6 Ba4 Nf6 d3**. It is also the most-played continuation in the database, so it is the move you should prepare first.
Which replies occur most often against the Portuguese Opening?
The most-played continuations here are **c6**, **Nf6**, **a6**, **Nc6**, **Bc5**, and **Qf6**. Among them, **c6** and **Nf6** are by far the most common. That means you should expect Black to develop naturally and challenge your bishop early.
Which mistakes should I watch for in this position?
The listed inaccuracies are **Nc6** and **Qf6**. Both are worse than **c6**, with **Nc6** losing about **0.6 pawns** and **Qf6** losing about **0.9 pawns**. If Black chooses either one, you may get a slightly better version of the position than usual.
How many games feature the Portuguese Opening?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Portuguese Opening position. White wins 43.0%, Black wins 52.8%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.