4.Bb5 Nd4: the Rubinstein Variation is variation 3 of 6 in the Four Knights Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C48). It runs 19 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 …. Black answers 4.Bb5 with the active 4...Nd4. The simple 5.Nxd4 leads to a calm game. After the pawn trades White plays dxc3, and the queens come off into a balanced endgame. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks e5.
2... Nc6 – Black defends e5.
3. Nc3 – White develops and protects e4.
3... Nf6 – The Four Knights Game.
4. Bb5 – The Spanish Four Knights. The bishop attacks the c6 knight.
4... Nd4 – The Rubinstein Variation. The knight jumps to a strong central square.
5. Nxd4 – The simple answer. White trades knights at once.
5... exd4 – Black takes back and attacks the c3 knight.
6. e5 – White kicks the f6 knight first.
6... dxc3 – Black takes the c3 knight.
7. exf6 – White takes the f6 knight too.
7... Qxf6 – Black takes back with the queen.
8. dxc3 – White takes back toward the centre. This opens the c1 bishop.
8... Qe5+ – Black checks to slow White's castling.
The lesson goes on for 3 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM