Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Bc4/4...Nxe4

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< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. e4‎ | 1...e5‎ | 2. Nf3‎ | 2...Nc6‎ | 3. Nc3‎ | 3...Nf6‎ | 4. Bc4
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Four Knights Game
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bc4 Nxe4

Four Knights Game, Italian Variation, 4...Nxe4[edit | edit source]

Black makes a temporary sacrifice of the knight, and if White plays 5.Nxe4, Black can play ...d5 with a fork which wins back the piece. This tactical trick does not win any material for Black, but knocking out the important White center pawn on e4 has secured Black a good foothold in the center.

Even so, 5.Nxe4, falling in with Black's plan is White's best move. 5.Bxf7+ looks good at first glance because Black's king gets slightly exposed, but White is not developed enough to sustain an attack. 5.O-O can cause problems for black if they are not careful.

The tactic employed by Black is called the "Fork Trick" and pops up in a number of openings, but it is particularly potent in the Four Knights.

Theory table[edit | edit source]

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4.Bc4 Nxe4!

. 5 6 7
1 Nxe4
d5
Bd3
dxe4
Bxe4
Bd6
=
2 Bxf7+
Kxf7
Nxe4
d5
Neg5+
Kg8
-/+

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References[edit | edit source]

  • Evans, Larry D. The Fork Trick. Published in two parts (April 2000 and May 2000) issues of Chess Life. Online facsimiles of the articles are available at chesscamp.net.