Have any of you heard of the four knights opening??? Along with the Scotch Variation, I think it is a very powerful and establishing sequence of moves. Many say it usually leads to a draw, but I beg to differ. Anyway, if you could post your opinions, it would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I really like the Scotch Game... (with 3.d4 instead of 3.Nc3)... but they are very similar...

It is perfectly logical... Developing pieces and attacking the center... It is true that it tends to lead to a drawish game, but I reckon that happens among masters, not club-level players... :)

Perhaps an even bolder approach would be 5.Nd5?!, the Belgrade Gamit :D Something surely worth giving a try in an unrated game :)

I used to play this when I was a 4th grader in scholastic tournaments, and I don't know why I stopped using it.I enjoyed it then, and probably would now.

I thought the main line was 5. ... Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6, by the way.

Yes, that's the line I knew... :) That and the Belgrade Gambit one... Although I must admit 5...Bc5 has its own merits...

Well, Angelo, I certainly think there's an opportunity however, I like the assualt on the knight. I also don't like how it crowds the bishop, queen, and king. But, I will try it out. Hey, you never know what could happen!!!

:) As an opening surprise in an informal game, it might work :P

However, don't use it at a tournament! :P (Unless it's a fast time control tourney, then it's ok... I remember using the Fregatello as a weapon in fast scholastic tourneys as a youngster... It consumed most of my opponents' time and gave me a lot of points....)

Maybe it's just me, but I dont think I've heard of the Fregatello before. Could you clear this up for me. Possibly a diagram???

I like and play both the Four Knights and the Scotch Game. Too bad more players here don't play the Four Knights.

Yes, I think the Scotch is also a well rounded opening.

Damm... I lost my analysis... :( I had created a complete analysis of the Fregatello in a diagram, but I lost it when I tried to send it... :(

Anyway, I send you just the moves... If you want the full analysis tell me.... :) I'll be happy to create another diagram later... (It's kinda late over here and I really need to get out of this office)

Who knows, maybe I can write an article about it or something... :D

Pretty cool, huh? :D And that's just part of one of the lines... :P Calculating all this during a blitz game is almost impossible, so most players deviate from the main line (which is slightly better for black but drawish) and end up in a hopeless position :) Great weapon for rapid games!

Man, that is amazing. It's totally radical, but I like how it keeps black on his toes. I agree that the Fregatello is a pretty clever opening. I really gotta try that out. Thanks Angelo.

That's the Fried Liver. There have been some quite in depth conversations about it on this forum if you do a search.

Marvellosity, that's correct. The Fegatello Attack is the same thing as the Fried Liver Attack. Fegatello is Italian for "dead as a piece of liver," so you can see how they relate.

Well, my bad, but doesn't the Fregatella have a few twists that are different from the fried liver???

I ve played the Scotch game as white in OTB tournaments.My assessment of it, is that it allows black to equalise with few effort, and also gives black many counterplay.It s a nice opening overall,but if u want to go for a win, choose something else...

The 4 knights scotch is also reachable via:

This is my favorite opening

If you like the Scotch Four Knights, check out the book and Fritztrainer DVD by Nigel Davies. He covers the line in depth, and builds a repitoire around it.

Yes, I suppose that could reach the four knights two, but i don't like d4 that early. I prefer to put my bishops and knights into play before directly attacking the center.