3.Bc4 Be7: the calm answer is variation 6 of 6 in the Philidor Defence course, a beginner opening course for Black (ECO C41). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. d4 exd4 …. White's most common third move puts the bishop on c4. Black answers calmly with 3...Be7. After d4 and the trades in the centre, Black uses the fork trick. The moves ...Nxe4 and ...d5 free the game. 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... d6 – Black defends e5 with a pawn.
3. Bc4 – The bishop aims at f7.
3... Be7 – A calm move. Black gets ready to castle and keeps g5 under control.
4. d4 – White opens the centre.
4... exd4 – Black takes the pawn.
5. Nxd4 – White takes back.
5... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
6. Nc3 – White defends e4.
6... O-O – Black castles.
7. O-O – White castles too.
7... Nxe4 – The fork trick. Black takes e4 and wins the piece back at once.
8. Nxe4 – White takes the knight.
8... d5 – The fork. The pawn attacks the c4 bishop and the e4 knight.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM