Portuguese Opening

The Portuguese opening is a rarely played chess opening. It is one of the open-ended play and is classified in the ECO codes under the key C20.

The basic position of the Portuguese opening arises after the moves (see also: Chess notation):

In contrast to the Ruy Lopez kept white by the delay of Sg1 - f3 is the option to play d2 -d3 and f2 - f4. However, exercise white here any pressure on the black center of what black leaves open many possibilities. In the tournament practice scored White with this opening only 49 percent of the points, which is not a good value because of his suit advantage.

If Black 2 ... Ng8 - f6 answers, White can play with 3 d2 -d4 a Gambit. Another answer is black 2 ... Sb8 - c6, which can pass through diverter in the Spanish -opening after 3 Sg1 -f3. The most popular train ... c7 - c6 is second in order to attack the white bishop and to gain time. The game could go with 3 Bb5 -a4 Ng8 - f6, after 4 Nb1 - c3 or 4 Dd1 - e2 are possible.

• Chess opening