Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack

The Bowdler Attack is 2.Bc4 against the Sicilian, putting the bishop on the f7 diagonal before any knight moves. White wants quick development and a direct attack, but Black can blunt the bishop with ...e6 and ...d5, gaining time and reaching an easy game.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Bc4
ECO
B20
Engine
−0.17 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
40,318 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop with Nf3, Nc3 and O-O, keeping the bishop aimed at f7.
  • If Black plays ...e6 and ...d5, take on d5 and use Re1+ to keep the e-file open.
  • Against ...Nf6, push e5 and retreat the bishop to e2, then support e5 with f4 and Nf3.
  • Consider c3 and d4 later to build a center when Black's pieces are slow.

Black

  • 2...e6 is the engine's best: it takes the sting out of Bc4 and prepares ...d5.
  • Follow with ...a6 and ...d5, hitting the bishop and winning a tempo.
  • 2...Nc6 followed by ...e6, ...Nf6 and ...d5 is a solid setup that hits the bishop later.
  • 2...Nf6 hits e4 at once; after e5 ...d5, the bishop must retreat.

Plans and pawn structure

The bishop on c4 is vulnerable to ...d5 and ...e6, so Black's main plan is to gain time against it. After ...e6, ...a6 and ...d5, Black often gets an open game with free pieces. White aims for active development with Nf3, O-O and Re1, using the e-file if the center opens. White scored 47.5% in this sample, showing Black is comfortable.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.17: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.17 2...e6 3.Nf3 a6 4.O-O d5 5.exd5
  2. −0.10 2...Nc6 3.Nf3 e6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.d4
  3. −0.10 2...Nf6 3.e5 d5 4.Be2 Nfd7 5.f4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

40,318 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.5%.

under 120046.9%
1200–159947.7%
1600–199947.5%
2000 and up48.2%

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

How to play against it

With Black, play 2...e6, then ...a6 and ...d5, hitting the bishop with tempo. Avoid passive setups that let White build a center with c3 and d4. With White, develop fast with Nf3 and O-O and do not let Black gain too many tempos on the c4 bishop.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack?

The Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Bc4. Its ECO code is B20.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.17 at depth 20, which is level. In 40,318 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.5%. A harmless surprise for club players, as Black gets an easy game with ...e6 and ...d5.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack?

White aims the bishop at f7 early. Black answers by blunting it with ...e6 and ...d5, gaining time.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e6, with Nc6 and Nf6 close behind. 2...e6 takes the f7 sting out of the bishop and prepares ...d5 with tempo.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.