3...Bc5 4.Nxe5: the fork trick is variation 5 of 6 in the Four Knights Game course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C46). It runs 17 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bc5 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 …. Black skips 3...Nf6 and plays 3...Bc5. White uses the fork trick at once. After 4.Nxe5 and 5.d4 White gets the piece back and the two bishops. Black must answer the fork with 5...Bd6. 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... Bc5 – Natural, but an inaccuracy here. The bishop and the e5 pawn become targets.
4. Nxe5 – The fork trick. White takes the pawn and gives the knight for a moment.
4... Nxe5 – Black takes the knight.
5. d4 – The fork. The pawn attacks the bishop and the knight.
5... Bd6 – The only good answer. The bishop protects the knight.
6. dxe5 – White takes the knight back.
6... Bxe5 – Black takes back. Material is equal again.
7. Bd3 – The bishop protects e4. White has the two bishops.
7... Nf6 – Black develops the last knight.
8. O-O – White castles.
8... d6 – Black protects the e5 bishop with a pawn.
The lesson goes on for 1 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM