4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+: the queenless middlegame is variation 2 of 6 in the Old Indian Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A53). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 dxe5 …. White trades queens at once and takes away Black's right to castle. Black does not mind. The king is safe on c7, the pieces develop quickly, and Black gets an active and pleasant game. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – Black develops and watches e4.
2. c4 – White gains space.
2... d6 – The Old Indian. Black prepares e5.
3. Nc3 – White develops.
3... e5 – Black claims the centre.
4. dxe5 – White takes the pawn and invites a queen trade. This is very common.
4... dxe5 – Black takes back. Now the d-file is open between the two queens.
5. Qxd8+ – White trades queens with check. Black can no longer castle.
5... Kxd8 – The king takes back. With the queens gone, the king is safe in the middle.
6. Bg5 – The most common move. The bishop pins the f6 knight to Black's king.
6... Be6 – The best move. The bishop develops and covers the light squares.
7. O-O-O+ – White castles long with check. The rook on d1 takes the open file.
7... Nd7 – The b8 knight blocks the check. The f6 knight cannot move, because the bishop pins it.
8. e3 – White opens a path for the f1 bishop.
8... c6 – Black takes the d5 square from White's knight and makes room for the king on c7.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
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