4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4: Scotch Four Knights is variation 1 of 6 in the Four Knights Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C47). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 …. White opens the centre with 4.d4. After 5...Bb4 White trades on c6, puts the bishop on d3 and castles. The pin with the bishop to g5 and the queen on f3 put pressure on the f6 knight. 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 and opens lines for the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks the e5 pawn.
2... Nc6 – Black defends e5 and develops a knight.
3. Nc3 – White develops the other knight and protects e4.
3... Nf6 – The Four Knights Game. All four knights are out.
4. d4 – The Scotch Four Knights. White opens the centre at once.
4... exd4 – Black takes the pawn.
5. Nxd4 – White takes back with the knight.
5... Bb4 – The main line. Black pins the c3 knight and eyes e4.
6. Nxc6 – White trades knights and splits Black's pawns.
6... bxc6 – Black takes back toward the centre.
7. Bd3 – The bishop protects e4 and gets ready for castling.
7... d5 – Black strikes in the centre.
8. exd5 – White trades in the centre.
8... cxd5 – Black takes back with the pawn and keeps a strong pawn on d5.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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