Four knights game
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The basic position of the four knights game
The four knights game is an opening of the chess game , which is divided into several variants. The four knights game is an open game and is classified in the ECO codes under the keys C47 – C49.
The four knights game usually begins with the moves
- 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6
However, it can also develop from the three-finger game , the Russian defense or the Viennese game by changing moves .
variants
The following main variants are known:
- Scottish four knights game: 4. d2 – d4 often leads after 4.… e5xd4 5. Nf3xd4 to the main variation of the Scottish game 5. Nc3 – d5 is the Belgrade gambit.
- Spanish four knights game : 4. Bf1 – b5
- Italian four knights game: 4. Bf1 – c4 (4.… Bf8 – c5 see Italian game 4. Nc3 Nf6) the dummy offering Nf6xe4! 5. Nc3xe4 d7 – d5 result in Black having the upper hand in the center. 5. 0–0 Ne4xc3 6. d2xc3 would result in the subsequent acceptance of the Boden-Kieseritzky gambit of the Russian Defense, named after Lionel Kieseritzky and Samuel Boden .
- Gunsberg variant: 4. a2 – a3 waits for the f8 bishop to develop. With 4.… d7 – d5 Black can take on the role of White in the Scottish Four Knights Game.
- Glek variant: 4. g2 – g3
- Van der Wiel variant: 4. Bf1 – e2
The four knights game is considered a calm, positional opening. However, with the risky Halloween gambit (4.Nf3xe5) White can aggravate the game by sacrificing pieces .
See also
literature
- Paul Keres : Four knights game to Spanish . 2nd edition Sportverlag Berlin , 1979.
- Lev Gutman : 4. d4 in the four knights game . Lev Gutman Verlag, Kassel 1993, p. 200 .
- Andrey Obodchuk : The Four Knights Game . A New Repertoire in an Old Chess Opening. New In Chess , Alkmaar 2011, ISBN 978-90-5691-372-4 , pp. 238 (English).
Instructional videos
- Valeri Lilov : Secret Weapon Four Knights (Original title: Secret Weapon Four Knights Game ). ChessBase , Hamburg 2013, DVD-ROM, ISBN 978-3-86681-364-9 (English).