Chess Openings Lab
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French Defense: Bird Invitation

The Bird Invitation is 2.Bb5 against the French, developing the bishop to b5 before playing d4. The bishop has no target there, so Black gains time with ...c6 or ...a6, while White aims for a modest setup with Be2, d3 or d4, Nf3 and castling.

Moves
1.e4 e6 2.Bb5
ECO
C00
Engine
−0.22 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
456 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • When the bishop is hit, retreat to e2 and develop with d3 or d4, Nf3 and O-O, as the engine lines do.
  • Against 2...c5, 3.c4 grabs control of d5, and Ba4 keeps the bishop on the a4-e8 diagonal.
  • If Black plays ...d5, exd5 opens the e-file for a quick O-O and Re1.

Black

  • 2...c6 kicks the bishop and prepares ...d5, giving Black full control of the center.
  • 2...a6 also gains time: after 3.Be2 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4, Black has easy development.
  • 2...c5 leads to a Sicilian-like structure, with ...a6 and ...Nbc6 to follow.
  • The bishop on b5 blocks nothing of yours, so develop normally with ...d5, ...Nf6 and ...Bd6.

Plans and pawn structure

White's early bishop move usually costs a tempo after ...c6 or ...a6, so Black reaches a comfortable game with ...d5, ...Nf6, ...Bd6 and ...O-O. White's best is a quiet setup with Be2, d3, Nf3 and castling, keeping the position closed. In the ...c6 line Black can even play ...Bc7 and ...e5, taking over the center, as the first engine line hints.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.22: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.22 2...c6 3.Be2 d5 4.d3 Bd6 5.Nf3
  2. −0.22 2...a6 3.Be2 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4
  3. +0.06 2...c5 3.c4 a6 4.Ba4 Ne7 5.Ne2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

456 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.0%.

under 120041.1%
1200–159950.3%
1600–199955.4%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

Gain time on the bishop with 2...c6 or 2...a6, then play ...d5. Don't spend more moves chasing the bishop than it spent coming out. If White exchanges on d5, recapture with the e-pawn and develop freely with ...Nf6, ...Bd6 and castling.

Questions

What are the moves of the French Defense: Bird Invitation?

The French Defense: Bird Invitation starts 1.e4 e6 2.Bb5. Its ECO code is C00.

Is the French Defense: Bird Invitation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.22 at depth 20, which is level. In 456 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.0%. A rare offbeat move that gives Black an easy game; it suits White players who want to avoid French theory at any cost.

What is the main idea of the French Defense: Bird Invitation?

White develops the bishop to b5 before committing in the center, but the bishop has no real target. Black gains time with ...c6 or ...a6 and takes the center with ...d5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is c6, with a6 and c5 close behind. 2...c6 hits the bishop and prepares ...d5, so Black builds the center with gain of time.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.