Four Knights: 6.Be3 Bb4 is variation 6 of 6 in the Sicilian Kalashnikov and Four Knights course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B45). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. White develops the bishop to e3. Black pins the c3 knight with ...Bb4 and then plays ...e5 to kick the d4 knight. After the trade on c6 Black castles and strikes with ...d5. 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... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 from the side.
2. Nf3 – White develops and prepares to open the centre.
2... Nc6 – Black develops and watches d4.
3. d4 – White opens the centre.
3... cxd4 – Black takes and gets the half-open c-file.
4. Nxd4 – White takes back with the knight.
4... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
5. Nc3 – White defends e4.
5... e6 – The Four Knights. Black frees the f8 bishop.
6. Be3 – White develops the bishop and protects the d4 knight.
6... Bb4 – Black pins the c3 knight and puts pressure on e4.
7. Bd3 – White defends the e4 pawn with the bishop.
7... e5 – Black kicks the d4 knight at once and takes space.
8. Nxc6 – White trades knights.
8... bxc6 – Black takes back toward the centre.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
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