Kalashnikov: 6.c4 Be7 is variation 1 of 6 in the Sicilian Kalashnikov and Four Knights course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B32). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 …. White grabs space with 6.c4. Black develops with ...Be7, sends the knight to a3 with ...a6 and breaks with ...f5. Black's pieces become active, and the game is balanced. 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 and opens lines for the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 from the side and keeps the game unbalanced.
2. Nf3 – White develops and prepares to open the centre.
2... Nc6 – Black develops and watches the d4 and e5 squares.
3. d4 – White opens the centre.
3... cxd4 – Black trades a wing pawn for a centre pawn and gets the half-open c-file.
4. Nxd4 – White takes back with the knight.
4... e5 – The Kalashnikov move. Black kicks the knight at once, before developing the g8 knight.
5. Nb5 – The most active retreat. The knight eyes the d6 hole.
5... d6 – The Kalashnikov. Black covers d6, so the knight cannot land there.
6. c4 – White grabs space with the c-pawn and clamps the d5 square.
6... Be7 – Black develops and gets ready for the f5 break.
7. N1c3 – White develops the other knight.
7... a6 – Black sends the b5 knight to the edge.
8. Na3 – The knight retreats to a3. From there it can come back through c2.
8... f5 – The main break. Black fights for e4 and opens the f-file.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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