4.Bb5 Bc5 5.Nxe5: the fork trick is variation 4 of 6 in the Four Knights Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C49). It runs 17 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 …. Black answers 4.Bb5 with 4...Bc5. White takes on e5 at once and forks the bishop and the knight with 6.d4. Black gets the piece back, but White has the two bishops. 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.
4... Bc5 – The Classical Variation. The bishop aims at f2.
5. Nxe5 – The fork trick. White gives the knight for a moment.
5... Nxe5 – Black takes the knight.
6. d4 – The fork. The pawn attacks the bishop and the knight.
6... Bd6 – The best answer. The bishop protects the knight.
7. dxe5 – White takes the knight back.
7... Bxe5 – Black takes back. Material is equal.
8. Bd3 – The bishop goes to a good diagonal. White has the two bishops.
8... O-O – Black castles.
The lesson goes on for 1 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM