The Complete Chess Course From Beginning To Winning Chess! (2016)

Book Seven

How to Play the e-pawn Openings

Two Knights’ Defense

This is a line of play selected by those who wish to evade the Giuoco Piano or Evans Gambit. This defense calls for enterprising play, as many variations necessitate a pawn sacrifice on Black’s part.

(a) 4.Ng5 Variation

Two Knights’ Defense

White - Black

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 (D)

Position after 5.exd5

Black’s best is 5…Nxd5!, for if 6.Nxf7?! (the Fried Liver Attack) 6…Kxf7 7.Qf3+ Ke6 8.Nc3 Ncb4! 9.Qe4 c6 10.d4 Kd7! and Black is safe.

5…Na5 6.Bb5+

After 6.d3 h6 7.Nf3 e4 Black has the initiative in return for his sacrificed pawn; for example 8.Qe2 Nxc4 9.dxc4 Bc5 10.Nfd2 0-0 11.Nb3 Bg4! etc.

6…c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Be2

On 8.Qf3 Black can try the venturesome 8…cxb5! 9.Qxa8 Qd7 with a notable lead in development against White’s disorganized forces.

8…h6 9.Nf3 e4 10.Ne5 Bd6 11.f4! 0-0 12.0-0 Bxe5 13.fxe5 Qd4+ 14.Kh1 Qxe5 15.d4! (D)

Position after 15.d4!

White has benefited considerably by returning the pawn at move 12.

White has the better game whether Black retreats his queen or captures the d-pawn in passing. White’s positional advantages are well defined: he has an open f-file; two aggressive bishops; and the queenside majority of pawns. Black’s queenside pawns are split and his queen knight is sadly out of play.

(b) 4.d4 Variation

Two Knights’ Defense

White - Black

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.0-0 Nxe4

The alternative 5…Bc5 6.e5 d5 may lead to the Max Lange Attack.

6.Re1 d5 7.Bxd5 Qxd5 8.Nc3 (D)

Position after 8.Nc3

White makes use of a piquant double pin to win back the sacrificed material.

8…Qh5 9.Nxe4 Be6 10.Bg5 Bb4 11.Nxd4

White has regained his pawn with an even game. The continuation might be 11…Qxd1 12.Rexd1 Nxd4 13.Rxd4 Be7.