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Bongcloud Attack C20

The king leads from the front

Final position of the Bongcloud Attack main line

The Bongcloud

After 1.e4 e5, White advances the king to e2 on move two, voluntarily forfeiting castling rights. A beloved meme opening famously played between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura in a rapid game - where both players responded with the Bongcloud.

The Bongcloud Attack is the internet's greatest chess meme. 2.Ke2 voluntarily abandons castling and centralises the king. It's objectively terrible but psychologically devastating. Play it to tilt your opponent, to meme on stream, or when you want the most chaotic position possible.

Key strategic ideas

  • 2.Ke2 is the defining move. White brings the king to the centre early, giving up castling rights in exchange for confusion and chaos.
  • The Bongcloud is a meme, not a serious opening. Its only value is psychological and it is only recommended in blitz or for entertainment.
  • After 2.Ke2, White often follows up with d4, h4, or g4. The goal is to keep the opponent off balance.

Common mistakes & traps

  • The Double Bongcloud (2.Ke2 Ke7) is the rarest response. Both sides lose castling rights and the game becomes total chaos.
  • If Black tries to play normally with 2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5, the king on e2 is surprisingly safe. There is no easy way to punish the exposed king.

Pawn structure notes

The Bongcloud ignores normal chess principles. The pawn structure is whatever develops, because the king's position makes standard opening concepts irrelevant.

Name origin

Emerged from internet chess forums in the early 2000s. The name suggests the player must be under the influence to play such a move. It gained mainstream fame after the famous Carlsen vs Nakamura game in 2021.

Famous practitioners & games

Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Andrew Tang (penguingm1)

Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
Meltwater Champions Chess Tour · 2021 · ½-½

Both players played the Bongcloud (the Double Bongcloud!) - Carlsen with 2.Ke2, Nakamura with 2...Ke7. They agreed a draw shortly after, sending the chess world into chaos.
Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
Chessable Masters · 2022 · 1-0

Carlsen played the Bongcloud in a rapid game against Nepomniachtchi and won, cementing the opening's legendary status.

Lines

The Bongcloud beginner
1. e4 e5
2. Ke2
White's king marches to e2, abandoning castling rights and blocking the bishop. The king becomes an aggressive piece. Or something like that.
Practice
The Double Bongcloud beginner
1. e4 e5
2. Ke2 Ke7
Both players advance their kings to the second rank. A completely equal and completely ridiculous position. Famously played by Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura in a 2021 rapid game - they agreed a draw immediately.
Practice