Four Knights: 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 is variation 5 of 6 in the Sicilian Kalashnikov and Four Knights course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B45). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. White trades knights and chases the f6 knight with e5. Black jumps to d5, hits e5 with the queen and stops White from castling short. The game gets sharp. 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. Nxc6 – White trades knights first.
6... bxc6 – Black takes back toward the centre.
7. e5 – White chases the f6 knight.
7... Nd5 – The knight jumps to the centre.
8. Ne4 – White avoids the knight trade and eyes the d6 square.
8... Qc7 – The queen attacks the e5 pawn.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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