Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bc4/3...Nf6/4. d4

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< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. e4‎ | 1...e5‎ | 2. Nf3‎ | 2...Nc6‎ | 3. Bc4‎ | 3...Nf6
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Two Knights Defence - Classical Variation
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. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4

Two Knights Defence - Classical Variation[edit | edit source]

4. d4[edit | edit source]

This aggressive move frees White's queenside bishop and adds pressure on the center. However, the e4-pawn is left undefended and that gives Black some options to establish a stable center.
  • 4...exd4 is Black's only credible answer.
  • 4...Nxe4 can be meet with 5. dxe5 when White threatens Bxf7+ or Qd5 attacking both the e4-knight and f7.
  • 4...Nxd4 with Nxe5 undermining the knight on d4.
  • 4...Bd6? blockades Black's d-pawn and allows White to take on e5.

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. Bc4 Nf6 4.d4

4

5

6

7

8

9

10
1 d4
exd4
O-O
Nxe4
Re1
d5
Bxd5
Qxd5
Nc3
Qh5
Nxe4
Be6
Bg5
Bd6
=
2 ...
...
...
Bc5
e5
d5
exf6
dxc4
Re1+
Be6
Ng5
Qd5
Nc3
Qf5
=
3 ...
...
e5
d5
Bb5
Ne4
Nxd4
Bd7
Bxc6
bxc6
O-O
Bc5
Be3
Qe7
=
4 ...
Nxd4
Nxe5
Ne6
O-O +/=
5 ...
Nxe4
dxe5
d6
Bxf7
Kxf7
Qd5+
Be6
Qxe4 +/=
6 ...
Bd6
O-O
exd4
e5 +/=

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References[edit | edit source]