3...Be7 4.Nbd2: the e4 break is variation 4 of 6 in the Torre Attack course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A46). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 Be7 4. Nbd2 O-O …. Black breaks the pin and castles. White pushes the e-pawn to e4 and then to e5. The game looks like a French Defence where White has more space on the kingside. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes space in the centre and frees the c1 bishop.
1... Nf6 – Black develops and stops White from playing e4 at once.
2. Nf3 – The Torre move order. White develops first and keeps every plan open.
2... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop.
3. Bg5 – The bishop pins the f6 knight.
3... Be7 – Black breaks the pin at once and gets ready to castle.
4. Nbd2 – The knight supports the e4 push. This is White's main plan.
4... O-O – Black castles.
5. e4 – The Torre break. White grabs the centre, and the pin on f6 makes it hard to stop.
5... d5 – Black hits e4 at once.
6. e5 – White gains space and kicks the knight.
6... Nfd7 – The knight retreats. Black wants to strike back with the c-pawn.
7. Bxe7 – White trades the bishops. The dark squares near Black's king get weaker.
7... Qxe7 – Black takes back.
8. Bd3 – The bishop aims at h7.
8... c5 – Black hits the white centre from the side.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM