art of planning (4 knights opening) part 6/25

Please note that all the info. in this post are taken from outside sources, they will be mentionned in the last section (special thanks and others sources section)..AND DON'T FORGET TO ALWAYS LOOK FOR COMMENTS UNDER EACH DIAGRAMS!!!                                                    

                                                 4 Knights opening

   This opening, is often fairly popular with the beginners who strictly adhere to the opening principle "develop Knight before Bishops." This opening can be considered in the family of the Open Game. The Four Knights have the reputation to usually leads to quiet positional play,.. though there are some sharp variations.

Zoom out section:

     In this post, we will study 10 differents variation of this opening.  They will be the scotch variation, the Italian variation, the Capablanca variation, the Gunsberg variation, the Rubinstein variation, the 6.d3-Bxc3 variation, the Alatortsev variation, the Nimzowitsch variation and finnally, the Pillsbury and the d-pinned Metger variation. 

Zoom in section:

1-Scotch variation section:

2-Italian variation section:

 amateur often use this opening without knowing that can easily lead to the Fork trick...let's see...

3- Capablanca variation section:

4-Rubinstein variation section:

    Let's start our analysis with 5. Bc4, since it was played in one of the stem games of the whole variation

The next game is truly unique.  Not only did GM Tkachiev manage to improve the play of the great Rubinstein, but he also beat his opponent (who is a strong GM) in just 12 moves!! 

As you could see, in the above mentioned games Black solved all his problems with the timely d7-d5 break.  The move 5. Ba4 has a goal to prevent or at least delay this break by pinning the d7 pawn.  In the next game Black played 5...c6 still preparing to play d5!

Of course Black can still play the natural move 5...Bc5, then castle, unpinning the d7 pawn and then again play d7-d5! 

5- de-pinned Metger variation section:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7.Bg5 Now it is dangerous for Black to keep copying White's moves by 7...Bg4 as the next game demonstrates

6-Pillsbury variation section: 

In the next game Black tried to deviate by playing 9...Ng6 and bringing the Knight to defend his King. Still White manage to develop a fierce attack even in this case:

 7- Gunsberg variation section:

8- 4.Bb5-Bb4 5.0-0-0-0 6.d3-Bxc3 variation section: 

9- Alatortsev variation section:

10- Nimzowitsch variation section: 

Youtube "excellent link" section: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQGMNPauqVQ

To be avoided section:

Personnal's games section:

This game is an online game played here on chess.com against my friend Pogape.

 More about planning section:

- the scotch variation often leave to a more open game..

-Games played in "4 Knights" are usually balanced because the knights, developed in the first 4 moves, block the "c" and "f" pawns. These pawns are especially useful for breaking enemy's central e-d pawns, leading to a sharper game

 White: -the both knights are developed to their natural squares

            -Centalization of the power of pieces are important in this opening

Black: -the both knights are developed to their natural squares

          - one of the most important problem for Black is to find out how to retake the initiative in a such symmetrical position..

         -Centalization of the power of pieces are important in this opening

Nathalia Pogonina's games section:

Quebecor's games section: 

Special thanks section:

I just wanna said a BIG SPECIAL THANKS at Borgqueen, thanks my friend for give me some good ideas for the structure of this post..

AND ALSO, a BIG THANKS at:  

thamizhan, Gserper, Arunabi, FM_Eric_Schiller, Pogape and Oldbill !! Thank you all for make this topic possible!!! ...The thamizhan, Gserper, Arunabi, FM_Eric_Schiller content's was a GREAT HELP!!!

Others references:

-ChessMaster 10

-Fritz 10

-Chess books       - Chess Master vs Chess Amateur by Max Euwand W. Meiden.

                         - website "federation quebecoise des échecs" database

- youtube                                                         

 -www.pogonina.com

-wikipedia

That's ALL for the 4 knights opening!.. I hope you had appreciated ;)

 C_H_E_S_STAR