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

Two Knights Defence - Classical Variation
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4p3/2BPP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQK2R b
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4

Two Knights Defence - Classical Variation

4. d4

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

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	+/=

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.