4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5: main line is variation 1 of 6 in the Two Knights Defence course, a beginner opening course for Black (ECO C59). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 …. White attacks f7 with 4.Ng5. Black blocks with 4...d5 and, after 5.exd5, gives a pawn with 5...Na5. Black chases White's pieces with ...c6, ...h6, ...e4 and ...Bd6, and gets active play for the pawn. 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... e5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks the e5 pawn.
2... Nc6 – Black defends e5 and develops a knight.
3. Bc4 – The Italian bishop. It aims at f7, a pawn that only Black's king defends.
3... Nf6 – The Two Knights Defence. Black develops the second knight and attacks e4 straight away.
4. Ng5 – White's sharpest try. The knight and the bishop both attack f7.
4... d5 – The right answer. The pawn blocks the bishop's path to f7.
5. exd5 – White takes the pawn. Black is now a pawn down.
5... Na5 – The main line. The knight attacks the c4 bishop. Black plays for quick development instead of the pawn.
6. Bb5+ – The bishop escapes with check.
6... c6 – Black blocks the check and attacks both the bishop and the d5 pawn.
7. dxc6 – White takes, so that Black cannot open the d-file with ...cxd5.
7... bxc6 – Black takes back. Black is a pawn down but develops quickly.
8. Be2 – The usual retreat. The bishop stays close to its king.
8... h6 – Black chases the g5 knight to gain more time.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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