Two Knights Defence

Two Knights Defence
	a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h
	Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r1bqkb1r/p4ppp/2p2n2/nB2p1N1/8/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w
	Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5 c6 7. dxc6 bxc6

7...bxc6

This is the main line of the Two Knights Defence. Black has sacrificed a pawn but in return has gained a lead in development, as well as a better central situation.

White's bishop is attacked. It may be moved, or the attacking pawn may be pinned instead.

Move the Bishop:

8. Be2 is the old main line. White retreats the bishop to a square where it doesn't block any of white's pawns, but on the other hand, the white knight on g5 is vulnerable to being chased all around the board.

8. Bd3 is the modern main line. White blocks the d-pawn, but in return, gains the e4 square available for the knight to retreat, therefore this discourages 8...h6 because of 9. Ne4! in which White would gain an advantage.

8. Ba4? looks to be natural, but is in fact a blunder because of 8...h6 9. Nf3 e4!, in which white's knight either has to go back to g1, or move to e5, in which 10...Qd4 wins material.

Pin the pawn:

8. Qf3 pins the c6 pawn to the rook on a8, and also attacks the c6 pawn for the second time. Black can in fact play 8...cxb5 sacrificing the exchange for a massive lead in development, but more often continues with 8...Be7 or 8...Rb8.