Alright folks! I’m back, with the next installment of this opening repertoire for beginners!
Last week we looked at the main line of the Four Knights Game, which is the Double Spanish Variation. Now we are going to move on to black’s fourth move alternatives, and for this week we are going to look at the Classical Variation, which begins after the moves: 1. e4. e5 2. Nf3. Nc6. 3. Nc3 . Nf6. 4. Bb4. Bc5.
Here is what that looks like on the board:
Now, here is the line that I suggest you play:
White’s Pros in the Final Position:
Like last time, white has more space.
White has the bishop pair, giving him more scope than his opponent.
White also has a semi-open b-file, which allows him to exert pressure on the b-pawn.
White's Cons:
The doubled c-pawns are weak, and they could potentionally fall if white isn't careful.
The a-pawn is weak as well, being isolated.
Although it isn't a terrible weakness, white has pushed his f-pawn, making his king-side a little loose, so he needs to keep an eye on that.
Black’s Pros the Final Position:
Black has a better pawn structure than white.
Black doesn't really have any weak squares around his king, which means that he is a bit safer than white.
Also black has some pawn islands that he can attack, whereas white really doesn't.
Black's Cons.
Black is lacking a lot a space, his queen is cramped, as is his bishop, and he only has one file for his rooks.
Black is also lacking the bishop pair, which could mean a very bad endgame for him.
If that wasn't enough, black is prevented from moving his knight, which is also preventing him from moving his queen, and so he will have to invest some time into sorting those pieces out.
An Instructive Master Game to Show How White Might Continue:
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this article, and please let me know what you thoughts are, and if you decide to adopt this opening!
Alright folks! I’m back, with the next installment of this opening repertoire for beginners!
Last week we looked at the main line of the Four Knights Game, which is the Double Spanish Variation. Now we are going to move on to black’s fourth move alternatives, and for this week we are going to look at the Classical Variation, which begins after the moves: 1. e4. e5 2. Nf3. Nc6. 3. Nc3 . Nf6. 4. Bb4. Bc5.
Here is what that looks like on the board:
Now, here is the line that I suggest you play:
White’s Pros in the Final Position:
White's Cons:
Black’s Pros the Final Position:
Black's Cons.
An Instructive Master Game to Show How White Might Continue:
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this article, and please let me know what you thoughts are, and if you decide to adopt this opening!