White's Fourth Move Tutorial



1.
[{F:W}{B:r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R}
{QB:176. After 1. e4 e5  2. Nf3 Nc6  3. Bb5 a6, which is the better retreat?{W:176}{A:Wb5c4}{H1:c4}{W:176a}{A:Wb5a4}{H1:a4}{W:176b};4. Bc4;
{B:r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R}{S:b5c4}{W:176I}Incorrect. None of the professional players I know of play 4. Bb5-c4 here. Either they take the Black knight {N1:c6}{W:176Ia}(4. Bb5xc6) or they withdraw the bishop to queen-rook-four {N1:a4}{W:176Ib}(4. Bb5-a4), both of which are typical responses in the Ruy Lopez (1. e2-e4 e7-e5  2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6  3. Bf1-b5). Dropping the king-bishop back to {C}{W:176Ic}c4 puts White in a different opening all together -- the Italian Game, which is characterized by the placement of the light-square bishop on c4. It's usually arrived at in three moves after 1. e2-e4 e7-e5  2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. Bf1-c4. Here it turns out that the extra move 3... a7-a6, gotten for free because White wasted a tempo moving the king-bishop twice (3. Bf1-b5 and 4. Bb5-c4), is a handy add-on. If White wants to set up an Italian Game, he should go directly into it at move three, rather than backing into it at move four with loss of space and time, which is what Black gains by being able to play a7-a6 without having to use a tempo to do it.;
4. Ba4;{B:r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R}{S:b5a4}{W:176C}Correct. The right withdrawal is 4. Bb5-a4, remaining on the {N1:a4b5c6d7e8}{W:176Ca}a4-e8 diagonal and staying lined up with Black's {N1:c6}{W:176Cb}c6-knight. Just because White doesn't take Black's c6-knight on move four doesn't mean he never will. Once White supplements the indirect coverage on the e4-pawn by {C}{S:e1g1}{S:h1f1}{W:176Cc}castling kingside, which gets the king out of the center, he will indeed be thinking about the possibility of taking on c6. By removing the Black queen-knight {S:a4c6}{W:176Cd}(Ba4xc6) White might thereafter be able to plunder the e5-pawn with the f3-knight {A:Wf3e5}{N1:e5}{W:176Ce}. It's this latent threat to win the Black king-pawn by exchanging off its protector (the c6-knight) that fuels White's play in the Ruy Lopez.}]

2.
[{B:r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R}
{QB:177. After 1. e4 e5  2. Nf3 Nc6  3. Bb5 a6, should White capture the knight or retreat?{W:177}{A:Wb5c6}{H1:c6}{W:177a}{A:Wb5e2}{H1:e2}{W:177b};4. Bxc6;{B:r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R}{S:b5c6}{W:177C}Correct. The bishop for knight trade (4. Bb5xc6) brings about pluses and minuses for both sides. Black gets the two bishops, which is a potential advantage for the future. If the situation becomes conducive, the bishops can explode with across-the-board action. On the other hand, White inflicts permanent damage to Black's queenside pawn structure, whether Black answers 4. Bb5xc6 by taking back toward the center {A:Bb7c6}{N1:c6}{W:177Ca}(4... b7xc6) or away from it {R}{A:Bd7c6}{W:177Cb}(4... d7xc6). It turns out that in the Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez (Bb5xc6), most players handling Black prefer taking away from the center for tactical reasons, in that it opens the d-file so that Black's queen has access to the central square d4. This is important in the following line, 4. Bb5xc6 {R}{C}{S:d7c6}{W:177Cc}d7xc6 {S:f3e5}{W:177Cd}5. Nf3xe5 {S:d8d4}{W:177Ce}Qd8-d4, which forks White's king-pawn and king-knight {A:Bd4e4}{A:Bd4e5}{N1:e4e5}{W:177Cf}and therefore regains, on the next move, the pawn that White tried to steal.;
4. Be2;{B:r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R}{S:b5e2}{W:177I}Incorrect. The move that is not well thought of is 4. Bb5-e2. What is this bishop supposed to be doing on e2 anyway? Take it back a move. Does White play {A:Wf1b5}{W:177Ia}3. Bf1-b5 for real or is it a bluff? You shouldn't play this type of aggressive move without having a planned response to the opponent's natural follow-up, "putting the question" to the bishop by 3... a7-a6. If White really wants to develop his bishop to {R}{N1:e2}{W:177Ib}e2, he should do it directly on move three, and avoid giving Black the opportunity to add the useful move 3... a7-a6 without loss of tempo. But the truth is, White shouldn't be playing the bishop to e2 on move three or move four, for it's just too passive to support White's natural ambitions.}]

3.
[{B:r1bqkbnr/pppn1ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}
{QB:178. After 1. e4 e5  2. Nf3 d6  3. d4 Nd7, should White develop or exchange?{W:178}{A:Wf1c4}{H1:c4}{W:178a}{A:Wd4e5}{H1:e5}{W:178b};4. Bc4;{B:r1bqkbnr/pppn1ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:f1c4}{W:178C}Correct. The move with more promise is 4. Bf1-c4. It develops a new piece, targets {N1:f7}{W:178Ca}f7, and prepares kingside castling. White holds the possible exchange, {C}{A:Wd4e5}{N1:e5}{W:178Cb}d4xe5, in reserve for when it pays dividends. Meanwhile, the situation after 4. Bf1-c4 is treacherous for Black. One careless slip and White is ready to strike at f7. The natural developing move {R}{C}{S:g8f6}{W:178Cc}4... Ng8-f6, for example, is a mistake. White can gain the advantage by taking on e5, {S:d4e5}{W:178Cd}5. d4xe5, and it doesn't matter how Black takes back. If Black takes back with the d-pawn, {A:Bd6e5}{N1:e5}{W:178Ce}5... d6xe5, White scores on the square f7 by {A:Wf3g5}{N1:g5}{W:178Cf}6. Nf3-g5. And if Black instead takes back on e5 with the queen-knight {R}{C}{S:d7e5}{W:178Cg}(5... Nd7xe5), White trades knights {S:f3e5}{W:178Ch}(6. Nf3xe5 {S:d6e5}{W:178Ci}d6xe5) and then captures the f7-pawn with check {S:c4f7}{W:178Cj}(7. Bc4xf7+). This deflection appears to win Black's queen {S:e8f7}{W:178Ck}(7... Ke8xf7 {S:d1d8}{W:178Cl}8. Qd1xd8), but Black has the rejoinder {S:f8b4}{W:178Cm}8... Bf8-b4+, unveiling a discovery to White's queen from the rook at h8. So in order to get anything for the queen, White has to retreat the piece to block the check {S:d8d2}{W:178Cn}(9. Qd8-d2). Black indeed gets the queen back {S:b4d2}{W:178Co}(9... Bb4xd2+), but after the queen-knight recaptures {S:b1d2}{W:178Cp}(10. Nb1xd2), the only material difference is the extra pawn occupying {N1:f2}{W:178Cq}f2, and this belongs to White. Our variation is long-winded, but it shows the kind of pitfalls into which Black can fall.;
4. dxe5;{B:r1bqkbnr/pppn1ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:d4e5}{W:178I}Incorrect. The pawn trade (4. d4xe5) is more helpful to Black than it is to White. White shows his cards too soon. After Black retakes on e5 {S:d6e5}{W:178Ia}(4... d6xe5), the f8-bishop, previously hemmed in by the d6-pawn, is now released from captivity, ready to travel beyond the confines of the e7-square. For instance, after {S:f1c4}{W:178Ib}5. Bf1-c4, the dark-square bishop could start to reside at queen-three {S:f8d6}{W:178Ic}(5... Bf8-d6), when the invasion of White's f3-knight {S:f3g5}{W:178Id}(6. Nf3-g5) can be met by developing the king-knight {S:g8h6}{W:178Ie}(6... Ng8-h6). It's okay that Black's king-knight moves to the edge of the board (for now), inasmuch as this adds defense to {N1:f7}{W:178If}f7 and prepares castling. In fact, it's all right violate any general principle if the specific circumstances require it.}]

4.
[{B:r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}
{QB:179. After 1. e4 e5  2. Nf3 Nc6  3. d4 exd4, should White take the pawn or attack Black's queen?{W:179}{A:Wf3d4}{H1:d4}{W:179a}{A:Wc1g5}{H1:g5}{W:179b};4. Nxd4;{B:r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:f3d4}{W:179C}Correct. First White should take care of business by recapturing the pawn (4. Nf3xd4), which takes priority over the development of the queen-bishop. Once White has reestablished material equality, then he can turn his attention to mobilizing the rest of his forces. After 4. Nf3xd4, White holds the central trump cards, with a knight occupying {N1:d4e4}{W:179Ca}d4 and a pawn on e4. Meanwhile, none of Black's forces sit on any of the four middle squares. But Black does have a temporary initiative, which he can use to start the attack against White's king-pawn. For example, {C}{S:g8f6}{W:179Cb}4... Ng8-f6 develops a piece toward the center and issues a threat to the pawn in question.;
4. Bg5;{B:r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:c1g5}{W:179I}Incorrect. Bringing out the c1-bishop here (4. Bc1-g5) is a delinquent idea. The attack on Black's queen is easily met by interposing the king-bishop {S:f8e7}{W:179Ia}(4... Bf8-e7). After the exchange on e7 {S:g5e7}{W:179Ib}(5. Bg5xe7 {S:d8e7}{W:179Ic}Qd8xe7), White's king-pawn is suddenly menaced by Black's queen. This means there is no time to take back the pawn on d4 {S:f3d4}{W:179Id}(6. Nf3xd4) because the king-pawn is hanging to Black's queen {S:e7e4}{W:179Ie}(6... Qe7xe4+). The outcome of this sortie (4. Bc1-g5) is that Black winds up gaining time, not White. Moreover, Black may very well retain his captured booty on {N1:d4}{W:179If}d4, thanks to White's imprudent delay in recapturing. Now, it may be too late. Hanging pawns wait for no one.}]

5.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3P4/5p2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR}
{QB:180. After 1. e4 e5  2. f4 d5  3. exd5 exf4, should White advance a pawn or develop a knight?{W:180}{A:Wd2d4}{H1:d4}{W:180a}{A:Wg1f3}{H1:f3}{W:180b};4. d4;	
{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3P4/5p2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR}{S:d2d4}{W:180I}Incorrect. Definitely not 4. d2-d4. No matter how commendable White's intentions, and regardless how thematic the two-square advance of the d-pawn may be, this is the wrong time to move out the queen-pawn. Of greater importance is stopping the portentous check of Black's queen at h4. If Black gets the opportunity to play this queen check {S:d8h4}{W:180Ia}(4... Qd8-h4+), White must answer it by making a concession. He'll have to move his king to safety, forfeiting the castling privilege. The alternative way of ending the check, blocking on g3 {S:g2g3}{W:180Ib}(5. g2-g3), fails to the capture, {S:f4g3}{W:180Ic}5... f4xg3, when White can't take back on g3 because the h-pawn is pinned to the h1-rook by Black's queen. So White will have to move his king {B:rnb1kbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3P4/3P1p1q/8/PPP3PP/RNBQKBNR}{S:e1e2}{W:180Id}(5. Ke1-e2), which disrupts the harmony in the White camp and confers the advantage on Black. The moral? Don't allow a queen check at h4 in the King's Gambit Accepted (1. e2-e4 e7-e5  2. f2-f4 e7xf4). Avert this possibility by developing the king-knight to f3. Then you can pursue central activity with d2-d4, if and only if the advance fits in.;
4. Nf3;{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/3P4/5p2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR}{S:g1f3}{W:180C}Correct. The knight move (4. Ng1-f3) is called for. This stops the intrusion of Black's queen at {A:Bd8h4}{N1:h4}{W:180Ca}h4. Moreover, this is the destination square for White's king-knight anyway (the square f3), so why not get it there expeditiously? It's important to realize that once Black's king-pawn captures on f4 it guards {R}{C}{N1:g3}{W:180Cb}g3, which dissuades White from blocking on this square with a pawn. So the capture (e5xf4) is a signal that should alert White to an impending queen check at h4. The proper response to this signal is to develop the king-knight to f3.}]

6.
[{B:r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}
{QB:181. After 1. e4 c5  2. Nf3 Nc6  3. d4 cxd4, should White recapture or develop a new piece?{W:181}{A:Wf3d4}{H1:d4}{W:181a}{A:Wf1b5}{H1:b5}{W:181b};4. Nxd4;
{B:r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:f3d4}{W:181C}Correct. White should just get his pawn back by 4. Nf3xd4. There's nothing fancy about it, it's simply a chore that must be honored. The only reason to deviate from such a course is because something better comes along, and here nothing has. What White does get after retaking on d4 is a beautifully placed knight to go with his centered king-pawn. He need not fear the possibility of Black taking on d4 {S:c6d4}{W:181Ca}(4... Nc6xd4), for this would bring White's queen to the middle {S:d1d4}{W:181Cb}, where it domineers in all directions, and poor Black would have no recourse. He wouldn't be able to drive off White's queen, and he couldn't position his own queen comparably.; 
4. Bb5;{B:r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:f1b5}{W:181I}Incorrect. Developing the bishop to queen-knight-five here (4. Bf1-b5) looks like a gambit (of the d-pawn), but it's more than that. It's a blunder. Nothing defends the bishop, so that when Black checks with the queen {S:d8a5}{A:Ba5e1}{N1:e1}{W:181Ia}(4... Qd8-a5+), he also attacks the vulnerable {A:Ba5b5}{N1:b5}{W:181Ib}light-square bishop. After White ends the check, Black collects a minor piece. In similar situations, such a queen check can be met by the interposition {R}{A:Wb1c3}{W:181Ic}Nb1-c3, which simultaneously blocks the check and guards the b5-bishop. But Black's pawn on d4 usurps c3, preventing White's queen-knight from going there safely. Therefore, however White replies to 4... Qd8-a5+, he must lose a minor piece. If White wants to offer a legitimate gambit, he can play {B:r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:c2c3}{W:181Id}4. c2-c3. After Black takes {S:d4c3}{W:181Ie}(4... d4xc3) and White retakes {S:b1c3}{W:181If}(5. Nb1xc3), White has a big lead in development, with a grip on the center and strong attacking possibilities. But there's no need to risk material sacrifice in order to get an active game. White can stay with the main line (4. Nf3xd4) and do just fine.}]

7.
[{B:rnbqk1nr/ppp2ppp/4p3/3p4/1b1PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:182. After 1. e4 e6  2. d4 d5  3. Nc3 Bb4, should White attack the bishop or end the tension?{W:182}{A:Wa2a3}{H1:a3}{W:182a}{A:We4e5}{H1:e5}{W:182b};4. a3;
{B:rnbqk1nr/ppp2ppp/4p3/3p4/1b1PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:a2a3}{W:182I}Incorrect. Attacking the bishop with 4. a2-a3 is a decent move, but lays no claim to being White's best. Essentially it comes down to an exchange of pawns, White's e-pawn for Black's g-pawn. At first 4. a2-a3 seems to lose a pawn, for Black trades bishop for knight {S:b4c3}{W:182Ia}(4... Bb4xc3+ {S:b2c3}{W:182Ib}5. b2xc3) and then seizes the unprotected king-pawn  {S:d5e4}{W:182Ic}(5... d5xe4). But White has an adequate counter to this in the form of a double attack {S:d1g4}{W:182Id}(6. Qd1-g4), hitting undefended pawns at {A:Wg4e4}{A:Wg4g7}{N1:e4g7}{W:182Ie}e4 and g7. Usually Black develops the king-knight {R}{C}{S:g8f6}{W:182If}(6... Ng8-f6), which guards e4 and threatens White's queen. White follows by capturing the king-knight pawn {S:g4g7}{W:182Ig}(7. Qg4xg7), threatening the cornered rook. The standard response is {S:h8g8}{W:182Ih}7... Rg8, and after {S:g7h6}{W:182Ii}8. Qg7-h6, the position offers about equal chances to both sides. Black's position is a little looser, but he has a protected pawn at e4 and aggressive chances stemming from the open g-file. White has the advantage of the two bishops, but his queenside pawn structure is disordered and his queen is subject to probing threats (Rg8-g6, for instance), so neither player is ready to give up.;
4. e5;{B:rnbqk1nr/ppp2ppp/4p3/3p4/1b1PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:e4e5}{W:182C}Correct. Decreasing the tension with 4. e4-e5 appears to serve White's cause better than any other move. White eliminates once and for all Black's threat to gain a pawn by capturing the opposing king-pawn (d5xe4). By advancing the pawn to e5 White picks up space in the center and on the kingside. Equally important is the e5-pawn's influence over the dark squares, which increases in significance once Black exchanges off his dark-square bishop for White's c3-knight (Bb4xc3). This could result in the dominance of White's dark-square bishop along the a3-f8 diagonal, if White can shift the c1-bishop to a3. For example, after 4. e4-e5, Black can pressure the center with {S:c7c5}{W:182Ca}4... c7-c5. To compel a decision with the bishop, White might "put the question" to it {S:a2a3}{W:182Cb}(5. a2-a3), resulting in the exchange of bishop for knight {S:b4c3}{W:182Cc}(5... Bb4xc3+  {S:b2c3}{W:182Cd}6. b2xc3). If Black then develops the queen-knight {S:b8c6}{W:182Ce}(6... Nb8-c6), White pushes the queen-rook pawn again {S:a3a4}{W:182Cf}(7. a3-a4). Why? To clear the square a3 for the c1-bishop, which will soon move {S:c1a3}{W:182Cg}to a3 to wreak havoc along the deadly {N1:a3b4c5d6e7f8}{W:182Ch}a3-f8 diagonal. From a3 it will make its statement, cutting right into the heart of Black's position, with Black unable to challenge it now that his own dark-square bishop is gone. But Black's not out of it either, for there are ways to drum up counteractivity against White's pawn weaknesses, such as moving the queen to {C}{A:Bd8a5}{W:182Ci}a5.}]

8.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/3p4/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR}
{QB:183. After 1. e4 c6  2. d4 d5  3. exd5 cxd5, which is the better bishop move?{W:183}{A:Wf1d3}{H1:d3}{W:183a}{A:Wf1b5}{H1:b5}{W:183b};4. Bd3;
{B:rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/3p4/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:f1d3}{W:183C}Correct. If you chose 4. Bf1-d3, you found the better placement. At d3 the bishop is in contact with the center square {N1:e4}{W:183Ca}e4, which is a splendid tip-off that the move has quality. The move of the bishop to d3 also counteracts Black's plan to develop the queen-bishop {C}{A:Bc8f5}{W:183Cb}to f5, for this square is now guarded by White. But if White on move four instead brings out the king-knight {R}{S:d3f1}{S:g1f3}{W:183Cc}(4. Ng1-f3), delaying the development of the light-square bishop, Black can answer in either of two ways. He can play the c8-bishop {A:Bc8f5}{W:183Cd}to f5 , neutralizing the possibility of 5. Bf1-d3. Or he can even move the light-square bishop {R}{A:Bc8g4}{W:183Ce}to g4 , pinning the f3-knight. This goes to shows the importance of timing and move order. Often, when analyzing the games of my students, I will ask in certain situations why a particular move hadn't been played. It's not unusual for the student at hand to reply, "But I did play the move, later on. Wait a few moves and you'll see. Look down the score sheet." I have to laugh at this, for the student has failed to grasp that the same move played later is not necessarily the same move. It might not be the same move if the other circumstances on the board are different. The timing of a tactical possibility is often (though not always) the critical thing. The given example is a case in point. By playing {B:rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/3p4/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:f1d3}{W:183Cf}Bf1-d3 on move four, White controls {N1:f5}{W:183Cg}f5 and therefore stops Black from safely playing his bishop to this square (4... Bc8-f5 would then lose a piece to 5. Bd3xf5). But by playing the same development a move later (5. Bf1-d3), it's too late, for Black has already positioned his bishop on f5 {C}{S:d3f1}{S:c8f5}{W:183Ch}(4... Bc8-f5) before White can prevent this placement by attacking the f5-square. If White then plays {S:f1d3}{W:183Ci}5. Bf1-d3, Black has the time to defend his bishop (say {A:Be7e6}{W:183Cj}5... e7-e6) or to trade it for White's {R}{S:f5d3}{W:183Ck}(5... Bf5xd3). If you don't play a move when it works, it might not work when you play it.;
4. Bb5+;{B:rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/3p4/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:f1b5}{W:183I}Incorrect.  No strategic purpose is accomplished with 4. Bf1-b5+. It's played just for the sake of giving check, which doesn't have intrinsic merit. If anything, it entices Black into playing the queen-knight {A:Bb8c6}{W:183Ia}to c6, the very square it would go to anyway. Nor does White achieve anything by taking the c6-knight. After 4. Bf1-b5+ {R}{C}{S:b8c6}{W:183Ib}Nb8-c6 {S:b5c6}{W:183Ic}5. Bb5xc6+ {S:b7c6}{W:183Id}b7xc6  {S:g1f3}{W:183Ie}6. Ng1-f3, Black can deploy his queen-bishop on the a6-f1 diagonal {S:c8a6}{W:183If}(6... Bc8-a6), preventing White from castling kingside. This is because the a6-bishop then guards f1 {A:Ba6f1}{W:183Ig}, a square in the path of the White king in the act of castling. The rules of chess prevent castling if in doing so the king would pass over a square controlled by an enemy unit. You can't castle "through check." Generally, there aren't too many lines where White endeavors to check on b5 with the light-square bishop, to exchange it early on for a Black minor piece. This bishop is usually too valuable in the opening to be surrendered that easily. It's a required piece for certain kinds of attacks, and it's an able defender of the kingside, typically guarding vulnerable points and thwarting invasions.}]

9.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/1n6/4P3/2P5/8/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKBNR}
{QB:184. After 1. e4 Nf6  2. e5 Nd5  3. c4 Nb6, which is the better pawn move?{W:184}{A:Wf2f4}{H1:f4}{W:184a}{A:Wc4c5}{H1:c5}{W:184b};4. f4;
{B:rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/1n6/4P3/2P5/8/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:f2f4}{W:184I}Incorrect. The wrong pawn move is 4. f2-f4. White envisions a huge central phalanx of pawns at {N1:c4d4e5f4}{W:184Ia}c4, d4, e5, and f4. Under the right conditions, this "four pawns attack" can be imposing. One problem is that White must be careful to avoid overextension, where the pawns are weak and can't be adequately supported. Another problem is that it's not always possible to set up this formation to begin with, and this is the case after Black continues {C}{S:c7c5}{W:184Ib}4... c7-c5, essentially holding back the enemy queen-pawn. Thereafter Black will follow with moves like {A:Bb8c6}{W:184Ic}Nb8-c6 and {A:Bd7d6}{W:184Id}d7-d6 to break up the White center. If White isn't cautious, the entire edifice could topple just because White never had the opportunity to place the queen-pawn on d4{R}{C}{A:Wd2d4}{W:184Ie}. But change White's fourth move from f2-f4 to {B:rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/1n6/4P3/2P5/8/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:d2d4}{W:184If}d2-d4 and that's a different story. Then White's center does begin to mean something.;
4. c5;{B:rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/1n6/4P3/2P5/8/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:c4c5}{W:184C}Correct. The very best move for White is 4. d2-d4, but a reasonable alternative is 4. c4-c5. This pushes the Black knight back to the center {S:b6d5}{W:184Ca} (4... Nb6-d5), where it can be attacked again by White's king-bishop {A:Wf1c4}{W:184Cb}(Bf1-c4) and queen-knight {A:Wb1c3}{W:184Cc}(Nb1-c3). Sooner or later the d5-knight will be constrained to take on {R}{A:Wd5c3}{W:184Cd}c3, and with the clearing of lines White will obtain excellent play for his pieces. What's the downside for White? The shaky pawns at {R}{N1:c5e5}{W:184Ce}c5 and e5. White could become a little stressed out trying to safeguard them. So a game of mutually balanced chances ensues, but this is all Black asks for when he chooses to play Alekhine's Defense (1. e2-e4 Ng8-f6).}]

10.
[{B:rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/q7/8/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:185. After 1. e4 d5  2. exd5 Qxd5  3. Nc3 Qa5, which is a better move?{W:185}{A:Wg1f3}{H1:f3}{W:185a}{A:Wd2d4}{H1:d4}{W:185b};4. Nf3;{B:rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/q7/8/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:g1f3}{W:185I}Incorrect. The move of the knight, 4. Ng1-f3, while quite good, ends up in second place. And it's not because of {S:g8f6}{W:185Ia}4... Ng8-f6, activating the king-knight toward the center, when {S:d2d4}{W:185Ib}5. d2-d4 results in a transposition back into the main lines. But developing the queen-knight instead {B:rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/q7/8/2N2N2/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKB1R}{S:b8c6}{W:185Ic}(4... Nb8-c6) is a slightly different story. Now if White follows with a two-square advance of the queen-pawn {S:d2d4}{W:185Id}(5. d2-d4), Black mobilizes the c8-bishop (possibly pinning the f3-knight by {S:c8g4}{W:185Ie}5... Bc8-g4) and quickly castles on the queenside (perhaps {S:a8d8}{S:e8c8}{W:185If}6... 0-0-0). After castling, Black's d8-rook pins and threatens the d4-pawn {A:Bd8d4}{N1:d4}{W:185Ig}, which in the course of time Black can mount additional pressure against. In some situations, for example, Black's g4-bishop can remove the f3-knight{R}{A:Bg4f3}{N1:f3}{W:185Ih}, or the king-pawn can advance to e5{R}{C}{A:Be7e5}{W:185Ii}, both of which menace d4. It's a matter of timing and circumstances, but White has to be wary of making a wrong step.;
4. d4;{B:rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/q7/8/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:d2d4}{W:185C}Correct. Advancing the queen-pawn two squares (4. d2-d4) is the better play. It's really the only way White can try to maintain his opening initiative. Black indeed will find life quite difficult if he force-feeds his queen-knight into action {S:b8c6}{W:185Ca}(4... Nb8-c6), because White can then strike with {S:d4d5}{W:185Cb}5. d4-d5, attacking the knight and driving it out of position. This pestering push (d4-d5), with its attendant disruption, is only possible because White essayed the earlier advance, 4. d2-d4. Had he instead developed his king-knight {B:rnb1kbnr/ppp1pppp/8/q7/8/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:g1f3}{W:185Cc}(4. Ng1-f3), he'd have to think of something else to keep the position alive and to deal with Black's impending plan to castle queenside.}]

11.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/p1p1pppp/8/1p6/2pP4/4P3/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR}
{QB:186. After 1. d4 d5  2. c4 dxc4  3. e3 b5, which is the superior undermining advance?{W:186}{A:Wa2a4}{H1:a4}{W:186a}{A:Wb2b3}{H1:b3}{W:186b};4. a4;
{B:rnbqkbnr/p1p1pppp/8/1p6/2pP4/4P3/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:a2a4}{W:186C}Correct. If White wants to regain his sacrificed pawn he should play 4. a2-a4, trying to sabotage Black's support for c4. Taking White's a-pawn {S:b5a4}{W:186Ca}(4... b5xa4) fails abysmally to the marauding of White's queen. It starts with the queen taking on {S:d1a4}{W:186Cb}a4, giving check, and finishes with the queen taking the pawn on c4{S:a4c4}{W:186Cc}. Nor does guarding the b5-pawn by {B:rnbqkbnr/p1p1pppp/8/1p6/P1pP4/4P3/1P3PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:a7a6}{W:186Cd}4... a7-a6 succeed, for White captures the b-pawn {S:a4b5}{W:186Ce}(5. a4xb5) and Black can't take back because the a6-pawn is pinned along the a-file to the a8-rook by White's a1-rook {S:a6b5}{W:186Cf}(5... a6xb5?  {S:a1a8}{W:186Cg}6. Ra1xa8). Finally, trying to support the b-pawn by {B:rnbqkbnr/p1p1pppp/8/1p6/P1pP4/4P3/1P3PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:c7c6}{W:186Ch}4... c7-c6 also falters, for White exchanges pawns {S:a4b5}{W:186Ci}(5. a4xb5 {S:c6b5}{W:186Cj}c6xb5) and then zooms in on the cornered rook by {S:d1f3}{W:186Ck}6. Qd1-f3. Now here's a case where moving the queen early does make sense, inasmuch as Black will have to ditch a minor piece {S:b8c6}{W:186Cl}(6... Nb8-c6  {S:f3c6}{W:186Cm}7. Qf3xc6+) in order to save the rook {S:c8d7}{W:186Cn}(7... Bc8-d7). In summary, the move 4. a2-a4 insures that White will get back the gambited pawn. Curious thing is, White gains the upper hand by transgressing two ostensible principles. You're not supposed to move the queen early, but here White does to win a piece. And you're not supposed to move rook-pawns in the first few moves either, but here White does to undermine Black's pawn structure. Perhaps we should reconsider these generalities. Maybe each of them has another side.;
4. b3;{B:rnbqkbnr/p1p1pppp/8/1p6/2pP4/4P3/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:b2b3}{W:186I}Incorrect. The clever idea behind 4. b2-b3 is just a bit too clever for White's own good. The notion is to answer {S:c4b3}{W:186Ia}4... c4xb3 by the interjecting {S:f1b5}{W:186Ib}5. Bf1xb5+. The problem is that Black can block the check with a gain of time, {S:c7c6}{W:186Ic}5... c7-c6, threatening to take White's b5-bishop. White must be careful. If he retreats the bishop back to the rook-file {S:b5a4}{W:186Id}(6. Bb5-a4), Black wins a minor piece by checking on a5 with his queen {S:d8a5}{W:186Ie}(6... Qd8-a5+). Meanwhile, withdrawing the bishop to the c-file {B:rnbqkbnr/p3pppp/2p5/1B6/3P4/1p2P3/P4PPP/RNBQK1NR}{S:b5c4}{W:186If}(6. Bb5-c4) enables Black to capture again {S:b3a2}{W:186Ig}(6... b3xa2), so that he keeps a couple of extra pawns. This brings us to the clever trick. In response to the block, {B:rnbqkbnr/p3pppp/2p5/1B6/3P4/1p2P3/P4PPP/RNBQK1NR}{W:186Ih}5... c7-c6, White could simply take back the b-pawn {S:a2b3}{W:186Ii}(6. a2xb3). The point is that {S:c6b5}{W:186Ij}6... c6xb5, apparently winning the bishop, is met by {S:d1f3}{W:186Ik}7. Qd1-f3, once again exploiting the cornered rook. After jettisoning the queen-knight {S:b8c6}{W:186Il}(7... Nb8-c6  {S:f3c6}{W:186Im}8. Qf3xc6+), Black introduces the queen-bishop {S:c8d7}{W:186In}(8... Bc8-d7), and his position is quite playable. White is doing okay, but so is Black, who at the end of the variation gains time on White's exposed queen. Final assessment, though both moves (4. a2-a4 and 4. b2-b3)regain the pawn, White does better with the first choice -- the move of the queen-rook pawn.}]

12.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/4p3/2pPP3/8/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR}
{QB:187. After 1. d4 d5  2. c4 dxc4  3. e4 e5, should White develop a new piece or take the king-pawn?{W:187}{A:Wg1f3}{H1:f3}{W:187a}{A:Wd4e5}{H1:e5}{W:187b};4. Nf3;
{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/4p3/2pPP3/8/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:g1f3}{W:187C}Correct. In this instance development by the king-knight (4. Ng1-f3) gets the nod. White's intention is to answer {S:e5d4}{W:187Ca}4... e5xd4 by taking the queen-bishop pawn {S:f1c4}{W:187Cb}(5. Bf1xc4), which also activates the king-bishop. White thereby hopes to pick up the d-pawn a little later. One thing you should know. Black shouldn't play {S:c7c5}{W:187Cc}5... c7-c5, trying to hold onto the d4-pawn, for White invades by {S:f3e5}{W:187Cd}6. Nf3-e5, menacing the f7-pawn. If Black guards it with {S:c8e6}{W:187Ce}6... Bc8-e6, White trades bishops {S:c4e6}{W:187Cf}(7. Bc4xe6 {S:f7e6}{W:187Cg}f7xe6) and then checks with the queen {S:d1h5}{W:187Ch}(8. Qd1-h5+). Black can block the check with the g-pawn {S:g7g6}{W:187Ci}(8... g7-g6), but this runs into {S:e5g6}{W:187Cj}9. Ne5xg6, when taking the knight {S:h7g6}{W:187Ck}(9... h7xg6) loses the h8-rook {S:h5h8}{W:187Cl}(10. Qh5xh8). So after 9. Ne5xg6, Black must counterattack by developing the king-knight {B:rn1qkbnr/pp5p/4p1N1/2p4Q/3pP3/8/PP3PPP/RNB1K2R}{S:g8f6}{W:187Cm}(9... Ng8-f6), which gains time on White's queen and clears the square g8 for the rook. After White withdraws the queen to safety by maintaining the pin {S:h5h3}{W:187Cn}(10. Qh5-h3), and after Black shifts his rook out of danger {S:h8g8}{W:187Co}(10... Rh8-g8), White captures the e-pawn {S:h3e6}{W:187Cp}(11. Qh3xe6+). This leads to the trade of queens and leaves White a pawn ahead. Not bad for a day's work.;
4. dxe5;{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/8/4p3/2pPP3/8/PP3PPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:d4e5}{W:187I}Incorrect. The capture 4. d4xe5 has been known to be weak for at least 150 years, but not in all that time by the same person. The opening of the d-file permits Black to trade queens {S:d8d1}{W:187Ia}(4... Qd8xd1+  {S:e1d1}{W:187Ib}5. Ke1xd1), depriving White of the ability to castle by forcing the king's movement. Then, in the race to develop pieces, Black has the lead. First he gets out the queen-knight, then the queen-bishop, and then he castles queenside, activating the queen-rook and getting the king to safety. A sample variation might go, {S:b8c6}{W:187Ic}5... Nb8-c6 (attacking the king-pawn) {S:f2f4}{W:187Id}6. f2-f4  (or {A:Wc1f4}{W:187Ie}6. Bc1-f4,  when Black continues {A:Bc8e6}{W:187If}6... Bc8-e6) {R}{S:c8g4}{W:187Ig}6... Bc8-g4+  {S:g1f3}{W:187Ih}7. Ng1-f3 {S:a8d8}{S:e8c8}{W:187Ii}7... 0-0-0+.  It's clear by the end of this analysis that Black has seized the initiative and it's White who must now struggle to equalize.}]

13.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:188. After 1. d4 d5  2. c4 e6  3. Nc3 Nf6, should White develop the queen-bishop or prepare to develop the king-bishop?{W:188}{A:Wc1g5}{H1:g5}{W:188a}{A:We2e3}{H1:e3}{W:188b};4. Bg5;
{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:c1g5}{W:188C}Correct. Go with the queen-bishop (4. Bc1-g5). This was the choice of the American Champion, Harry Nelson Pillsbury (1872-1906). At the 1895 Hastings tournament Pillsbury whipped out 4. Bc1-g5, scored a number of striking wins, and it's been the main line ever since. The idea is to keep Black bottled up by putting indirect pressure on the d5-pawn, which results from the pinning attack on Black's f6-knight. Here's how it works when Black gets too frisky and tries to bust out. If Black answers 4. Bc1-g5 by {S:c7c5}{W:188Ca}4... c7-c5?, White starts by exchanging pawns on d5 {S:c4d5}{W:188Cb}(5. c4xd5 {S:e6d5}{W:188Cc}e6xd5). From this position White then trades bishop for knight {S:g5f6}{W:188Cd}(6. Bg5xf6 {S:g7f6}{W:188Ce}g7xf6). Black must take back with the g-pawn in order to avoid losing his d-pawn. The point is that if Black takes with the queen {S:f6g7}{S:d8f6}{W:188Cf}(6... Qd8xf6), White captures the queen-pawn {S:c3d5}{W:188Cg}(7. Nc3xd5), threatening Black's queen and the sensitive c7-square. At the end of the line, Black has managed to retain his d-pawn (by virtue of 6... g7xf6), but at the expense of a busted kingside, which means that castling kingside incurs a certain element of risk for the Black king.;
4. e3;{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:e2e3}{W:188I}Incorrect. Not at all bad is 4. e2-e3. It's just not aggressive enough. Black pretty much equalizes the situation by advancing the queen-bishop pawn {S:c7c5}{W:188Ia}(4... c7-c5), when White's first-move advantage can only be seen under a microscope. The old-time masters who championed 4. e2-e3 understood very well that the move hems in the {N1:c1}{W:188Ib}c1-bishop. But the thinking in those days was that the bishop had to remain at c1 to protect White's queenside. The plan was later to develop the c1-bishop at {A:Wc1b2}{N1:b2}{W:188Ic}b2 by a fianchetto, subsequently playing b2-b3 and Bc1-b2. But the entire notion was challenged by the brilliant Pillsbury, who demonstrated the virtues of 4. Bc1-g5 and thereby impressed the world. The move 4. e2-e3 has been on the back burner ever since.}]

14.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/2p2n2/3p4/2PP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R}
{QB:189. After 1. d4 d5  2. c4 c6  3. Nf3 Nf6, should White advance or develop?{W:189}{A:Wc4c5}{H1:c5}{W:189a}{A:Wb1c3}{H1:c3}{W:189b};4. c5;
{B:rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/2p2n2/3p4/2PP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:c4c5}{W:189I}Incorrect. Moving the pawn forward (4. c4-c5) is a step in the wrong direction. The advanced c-pawn then becomes a target for Black's b-pawn {S:b7b6}{W:189Ia}(4... b7-b6). The move of the b-pawn threatens to exchange on c5 {S:b6c5}{W:189Ib}(5... b6xc5 {S:d4c5}{W:189Ic}6. d4xc5) and to gain a pawn with a forking queen check {S:d8a5}{W:189Id}(6... Qd8-a5+, followed by {S:a5c5}{W:189Ie}7... Qa5xc5). White would like to support the beleaguered c-pawn by the advance {B:rnbqkb1r/p3pppp/1pp2n2/2Pp4/3P4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:b2b4}{W:189If}5. b2-b4, but it doesn't succeed, for Black undermines the effort with {S:a7a5}{W:189Ig}5... a7-a5, and White's whole structure on the queenside collapses. The best that White can do in reply to the counter 4... b7-b6 is to exchange pawns himself {S:b4b2}{S:a5a7}{S:c5b6}{W:189Ih}(5. c5xb6 {S:a7b6}{W:189Ii}a7xb6), but this is an admission of failure. The pawn shouldn't have gone to c5 in the first place.;
4. Nc3;{B:rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/2p2n2/3p4/2PP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:b1c3}{W:189C}Correct. Better than moving the c-pawn is developing a new piece (4. Nb1-c3). White can decide what to do with his c-pawn later. Perhaps it will go to c5, or perhaps it will capture on d5. Maybe instead it will be Black who captures it {S:d5c4}{W:189Ca}(4... d5xc4). This latter contingency is not to be feared, for White can answer the capture by {S:a2a4}{W:189Cb}5. a2-a4, preventing Black from upholding {N1:c4}{W:189Cc}c4 with the b-pawn (by advancing it to b5{A:Wb7b5}{W:189Cd}). Thereafter, White can regain the c4-pawn by moving the king-pawn {R}{C}{S:e2e3}{W:189Ce}(6. e2-e3), which releases the bishop to play {S:f1c4}{W:189Cf}7. Bf1xc4. Overall, White is doing quite well, but Black's still in the fight, too.}]

15.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pppp/8/3p2B1/3Pn3/5N2/PPP1PPPP/RN1QKB1R}
{QB:190. After 1. d4 d5  2. Nf3 Nf6  3. Bg5 Ne4, should White defend the bishop or retreat it?{W:190}{A:Wh2h4}{H1:h4}{W:190a}{A:Wg5h4}{W:190b};4. h4;
{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pppp/8/3p2B1/3Pn3/5N2/PPP1PPPP/RN1QKB1R}{S:h2h4}{W:190I}Incorrect. Pushing the rook-pawn (4. h2-h4) is somewhat precarious. The point is to answer the capture {S:e4g5}{W:190Ia}4... Ne4xg5 by {S:h4g5}{W:190Ib}5. h4xg5, opening the h-file for White's king-rook. But Black doesn't have to play along. He can turn down the exchange of knight for bishop, at least temporarily. Instead he can switch his attention over to the queenside and the advance {B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pppp/8/3p2B1/3Pn2P/5N2/PPP1PPP1/RN1QKB1R}{S:c7c5}{W:190Ic}4... c7-c5. This looks to knock out White's d-pawn. The conclusion is that White's rook-pawn move is quite weakening. It saddles White with a permanent liability while offering nothing independent of Black making a mistake -- a mistake that Black doesn't have to commit.;
4. Bh4;{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pppp/8/3p2B1/3Pn3/5N2/PPP1PPPP/RN1QKB1R}{S:g5h4}{W:190C}Correct. The simplest response is to withdraw the piece, 4. Bg5-h4. In this way White preserves his dark-square bishop while maintaining the pin on Black's {N1:e7}{W:190Ca}e7-pawn. (Also good is withdrawing the bishop to f4, but this abandons the pin on e7.) By retreating the bishop to h4, White accomplishes his aims without having to make a debilitating concession (such as an indelible pawn move like 4. h2-h4). In the opening, try to operate mainly with pieces, moving only those pawns that attack or defend the center, whether directly or indirectly. Wing pawns are generally held back to defend entry points on the third rank.}]

16.
[{B:rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/1bPP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:191. After 1. d4 Nf6  2. c4 e6  3. Nc3 Bb4, should White develop a knight or defend one?{W:191}{A:Wg1f3}{H1:f3}{W:191a}{A:Wc1d2}{H1:d2}{W:191b};4. Nf3;
{B:rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/1bPP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:g1f3}{W:191C}Correct. The more aggressive move is 4. Ng1-f3, developing a piece to an active square. In this variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, the c1-bishop is destined to take up an enterprising post at g5, where it pins the f6-knight. White is unconcerned about receiving doubled pawns here {S:b4c3}{W:191Ca}(4... Bb4xc3+  {S:b2c3}{W:191Cb}5. b2xc3) because Black must make a concession to inflict them. He must cede the two bishops, which can be a tangible advantage in many situations. But if White can't open the game adequately, so that the bishops can flex their muscles, the liability of the doubled {N1:c3c4}{W:191Cc}c-pawns may begin to tell.;
4. Bd2;{B:rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/1bPP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:c1d2}{W:191I}Incorrect. The safe move, 4. Bc1-d2, is also the most passive and defensive development that White can choose. The intention is to answer a capture on c3 by taking back with the bishop (Bd2xc3), avoiding doubled pawns. On the negative side, however, the bishop has reduced scope on this square, so it's difficult for White to maintain the initiative. If White really wants to avoid doubled c-pawns, then it should be remedied by the queen, by moving it to {A:Wd1c2}{W:191Ia}c2. On this square the queen hasn't strayed far from home, so it's not especially exposed to danger. Meanwhile, the queen-bishop still retains the option of moving to an active square, such as {N1:g5f4}{W:191Ib}g5 or f4. Both of these placements are more energetic than moving the bishop to d2, and both preserve White's first-move superiority.}]

17.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pp1p/5np1/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:192. After 1. d4 Nf6  2. c4 g6  3. Nc3 d5, how should White take the d-pawn in this Gruenfeld Defense?{W:192}{A:Wc3d5}{H1:d5}{W:192a}{A:Wc4d5}{W:192b};
4. Nxd5;{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pp1p/5np1/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:c3d5}{W:192I}Incorrect. Do not take the pawn with the knight, 4. Nc3xd5, and not just because it breaks the rule that advises capturing with the least valuable unit when multiple captures are possible. Rather it has to do with the outcome in the center. After 4. Nc3xd5 {S:f6d5}{W:192Ia}Nf6xd5  {S:c4d5}{W:192Ib}5. c4xd5 {S:d8d5}{W:192Ic}Qd8xd5, Black's queen gets to establish itself on a centralized post, without fear of being driven off, at least for the next few moves. Things would be different if White had taken initially with the c-pawn, {B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pp1p/5np1/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:c4d5}{W:192Id}4. c4xd5. Then, after the recapture, {S:f6d5}{W:192Ie}4... Nf6xd5, there would be no need to take on d5 again, and Black's queen wouldn't have a centered invitation. White, therefore, would be free to pursue his great central plan, the two-square advance of the king-pawn {S:e2e4}{W:192If}(5. e2-e4). Clearly, the thing you take with can be just as significant as the thing taken.;
4. cxd5;{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp1pp1p/5np1/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:c4d5}{W:192C}Correct. Commence your d5-captures with the pawn, 4. c4xd5, signaling the Exchange Variation of the Gruenfeld Defense. After Black's f6-knight recaptures {S:f6d5}{W:192Ca}(4... Nf6xd5), White puts a temporary halt to the exchanges, instead chasing Black's knight with a two-square advance of the king-pawn {S:e2e4}{W:192Cb}(5. e2-e4). This gives White an ideal pawn center, with an array of pawns on {N1:d4e4}{W:192Cc}d4 and e4. If Black then takes White's knight {C}{S:d5c3}{W:192Cd}(5... Nd5xc3), White takes back {S:b2c3}{W:192Ce}(6. b2xc3), solidifying d4. But Black is not without opportunities, especially if he can pressure the center into premature advances, so that weaknesses are engendered and the pawns become closer and easier to attack. Still, White's middle pawns are impressive, and the onus is on Black to prove their potential fallibility, which is usually the case in the Gruenfeld Defense.}]

18.
[{B:rnbqk2r/ppppppbp/5np1/8/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:193. After 1. d4 Nf6  2. c4 g6  3. Nc3 Bg7, which is the better move with the e-pawn?{W:193}{A:We2e4}{H1:e4}{W:193a}{A:We2e3}{H1:e3}{W:193b};4. e4;
{B:rnbqk2r/ppppppbp/5np1/8/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:e2e4}{W:193C}Correct. The ambitious player will tend to go for 4. e2-e4. It seizes space in the center and menaces aggression with an eventual advance {N1:e5}{W:193Ca}to e5. This will drive off Black's f6-knight. Black will no doubt react by advancing the queen-pawn one square, {C}{S:d7d6}{W:193Cb}4... d7-d6, which keeps the White e-pawn at bay. But White still has the spatial edge, which gives him more room for maneuvering, greater options, and superior attacking chances. For these reasons we prefer the two-square movement of White's king-pawn (4. e2-e4).;
4. e3;{B:rnbqk2r/ppppppbp/5np1/8/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:e2e3}{W:193I}Incorrect. The conservative player's move is 4. e2-e3. The one-step advance of the king-pawn forgoes any aspirations in the center. Instead White opts for caution. This needless safety play, positioning a pawn to guard {N1:d4}{W:193Ia}d4, comes at the expense of the {N1:c1}{W:193Ib}c1-bishop, which becomes penned in by the {N1:e3}{W:193Ic}e3-pawn. With the White king-pawn on {N1:e4}{W:193Id} e4, or yet on {N1:e2}{W:193Ie}e2, this dark-square bishop could still come out and be active. But with the pawn at {N1:e3}{W:193If}e3, the c1-bishop's scope is greatly reduced, and so are White's chances to build a winning game.}]

19.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/pp1p1ppp/4pn2/2pP4/2P5/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR}
{QB:194. After 1. d4 Nf6  2. c4 c5  3. d5 e6, should White trade or defend?{W:194}{A:Wd5e6}{H1:e6}{W:194a}{A:Wb1c3}{H1:c3}{W:194b};4. dxe6;{B:rnbqkb1r/pp1p1pp/4pn2/2pP4/2P5/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:d5e6}{W:194I}Incorrect. Trading pawns by 4. d5xe6 is weak, though Black must exercise judgement on how he takes back. If he recaptures with the queen-pawn {S:d7e6}{W:194Ia}(4... d7xe6), away from the center, then White trades queens {S:d1d8}{W:194Ib}(5. Qd1xd8+ {S:e8d8}{W:194Ic}Ke8xd8) and Black forfeits the right to castle. But if Black retakes with the king-bishop pawn {B:rnbqkb1r/pp1p1ppp/4Pn2/2p5/2P5/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:f7e6}{W:194Id}(4... f7xe6), capturing toward the center, Black obtains much the better of the bargain, especially in two ways. First he amasses a preponderance of pawns in the middle zone, three pawns to White's two. This should enable Black to eventually push his queen-pawn to d5{A:Bd7d5}{W:194Ie}, appropriating control of key central squares. The other gain is that Black creates an open f-file, which can be used by a rook to attack the White position. To deploy a rook effectively on the f-file, all Black has to do is castle kingside. Since Black develops this f-file activity quite naturally, as a consequence of taking back on e6 the right way, with the f-pawn (4... f7xe6), it makes sense for White to avoid it by not succumbing to the lure of a trade (by not playing 4. d5xe6).;
4. Nc3;{B:rnbqkb1r/pp1p1ppp/4pn2/2pP4/2P5/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR}{S:b1c3}{W:194C}Correct. White should back-up his d-pawn by 4. Nb1-c3. With the knight on c3, White has the attractive possibility of further support for his queen-pawn in the subsequent advance of the king-pawn, {S:e2e4}{W:194Ca}e2-e4. This advance may become necessary if White is to bolster the {N1:d5}{W:194Cb}queen-pawn, which really is his only claim to any advantage. It's this advanced d-pawn, across the demarcation line on d5, that gives White more operating territory while concomitantly cramping Black. Generally, the more advanced your center pawns, the greater your space, and the more room you'll have behind the lines to maneuver. Note, in the situation at hand, White's d5-pawn deprives Black's pieces of the use of two vital squares, {N1:c6e6}{W:194Cc}c6 and e6. So without question this queen-pawn must be upheld and supported if White is to maintain a playing edge based on superior space.}]

20.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/3p1n2/4p3/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:195. After 1. d4 Nf6  2. c4 d6  3. Nc3 e5, which is the better move with the d-pawn?{W:195}{A:Wd4e5}{H1:e5}{W:195a}{A:Wd4d5}{H1:d5}{W:195b};4. dxe5;
{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/3p1n2/4p3/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:d4e5}{W:195C}Correct. The slightly preferable choice is 4. d4xe5, opening the d-file. After Black recaptures {S:d6e5}{W:195Ca}(4... d6xe5), White will trade queens {S:d1d8}{W:195Cb}(5. Qd1xd8+ {S:e8d8}{W:195Cc}Ke8xd8) and Black loses the castling privilege. Actually, losing the ability to castle here is not that big a deal, as it is in other openings and situations. The Black king can easily find shelter at {N1:c7}{W:195Cd}c7 by first advancing the c-pawn to c6{C}{S:c7c6}{W:195Ce}. Also, even with Black's king confined to the center, it's hard for White to manufacture real threats against it. His {N1:f1}{W:195Cf}f1-bishop, for example, cannot even get to {N1:c4}{W:195Cg}c4, for this square is blocked by a White pawn. Still, whatever advantage there is in the position probably belongs to White.;
4. d5;{B:rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/3p1n2/4p3/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR}{S:d4d5}{W:195I}Incorrect. Locking the pawn structure with 4. d4-d5 is okay, but it doesn't offer White much in the way of opportunity. Black will follow with {S:c8f5}{W:195Ia}4... Bc8-f5, making it difficult for white to get a pawn up {N1:e4}{W:195Ib}to e4. True, Black has less maneuvering space on the queenside, but he makes up for it in the center and on the kingside, where he's at least equal. For the record, the main move here is 4. Ng1-f3, which leaves the fate of White's d-pawn pending for a bit. This is more flexible, and offers White more options. White can advance (d4-d5), trade (d5xe6), or continue to maintain the status quo. It gives Black something to think about, for he can't be sure just what White intends to do. No one is immune from doubt.}]

21.
[{B:r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4p3/2P5/2N2N2/PP1PPPPP/R1BQKB1R}
{QB:196. After 1. c4 e5  2. Nc3 fn6  3. Nf3 Nc6, where should White move the d-pawn?{W:196}{A:Wd2d4}{H1:d4}{W:196a}{A:Wd2d3}{H1:d3}{W:196b};4. d4;
{B:r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4p3/2P5/2N2N2/PP1PPPPP/R1BQKB1R}{S:d2d4}{W:196C}Correct. To try for an advantage White should play 4. d2-d4, a two-square shot with the queen-pawn. It's a more forcing move than its one-square alternative (4. d2-d3), and Black must play sharply himself to stay level. Black's most promising continuation is to exchange pawns {S:e5d4}{W:196Ca}(4... e5xd4  {S:f3d4}{W:196Cb}5. Nf3xd4) and to follow with a pin on White's queen-knight {S:f8b4}{W:196Cc}(5... Bf8-b4). In order to press his initiative, White will have to accept doubled c-pawns, allowing Black's b4-bishop to take the c3-knight, {S:b4c3}{W:196Cd}when only the b2-pawn can take back{S:b2c3}{W:196Ce}. White thereby acquires structural impediments, such as doubled {N1:c3c4}{W:196Cf}c-pawns and an isolated {N1:a2}{W:196Cg}a-pawn, but White's attack should count for more than these.;
4. d3;{B:r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4p3/2P5/2N2N2/PP1PPPPP/R1BQKB1R}{S:d2d3}{W:196I}Incorrect. The quiet response is 4. d2-d3, a one-square advance of the queen-pawn. In its own way it's just as good as the two-square advance (4. d2-d4), but it has a drawback. It doesn't place any real pressure on Black's center. Rather it presents the opponent with plenty of options because nothing is threatened, so Black can pursue his own plans unimpeded. The purpose of d2-d3 is two-fold. At d3 the queen-pawn joins the fight against the central light squares, in particular by guarding {N1:e4}{W:196Ia}e4. Secondly, the move lets out the queen-bishop by unblocking the {N1:c1d2e3f4g5h6}{W:196Ib}c1-h6 diagonal. This helps in the fight to counter Black's potential pin on the {N1:c3}{W:196Ic}c3-knight. If Black were to play {C}{S:f8b4}{W:196Id}4... Bf8-b4, White could reply with {S:c1d2}{W:196Ie}5. Bc1-d2, overprotecting c3 and avoiding doubled pawns (not that doubled pawns signal the end of the world). As a final piece of advice, it's better for improving players to take the more active course with 4. d2-d4. You will learn a lot faster when you try to make things happen, if you play aggressively, even when the moves you select falter. In failing, either you'll learn how to make them work, or you'll realize the time has come to let them go.}]

22.
[{B:rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/5n2/2pp4/2P5/2N3P1/PP1PPP1P/R1BQKBNR}
{QB:197. After 1. c4 c5  2. Nc3 Nf6  3. g3 d5, should White take with the knight or the pawn?{W:197}{A:Wc3d5}{H1:d5}{W:197a}{A:Wc4d5}{W:197b};4. Nxd5;
{B:rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/5n2/2pp4/2P5/2N3P1/PP1PPP1P/R1BQKBNR}{S:c3d5}{W:197I}Incorrect. On the surface, taking with the knight (4. Nc3xd5) looks like an error, and it actually is. Generally you're supposed to start a series of captures (two or more) by taking with the unit of lowest value. This suggests taking here with the pawn (4. c4xd5), not the knight. Specifically, the effect of taking with the knight (4. Nc3xd5) is to bring Black's queen powerfully to the center {S:f6d5}{W:197Ia}(4... Nf6xd5  {S:c4d5}{W:197Ib}5. c4xd5 {S:d8d5}{W:197Ic}Qd8xd5). Both sides participate in the captures, but only Black's last move develops a piece - the queen to d5, which menaces the rook at {A:Bd5h1}{N1:h1}{W:197Id}h1. This gains time, in that White must spend a move responding to the threat. And this is the chief way to gain time in the opening, by developing new pieces with threats.;
4. cxd5;{B:rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/5n2/2pp4/2P5/2N3P1/PP1PPP1P/R1BQKBNR}{S:c4d5}{W:197C}Correct. Take back with the pawn (4. c4xd5). This provides White with more options. After Black retakes {S:f6d5}{W:197Ca}(4... Nf6xd5), White doesn't have to continue the exchanges, drawing Black's queen to the center, for Black's {N1:d5}{W:197Cb}d5-knight doesn't threaten anything, inasmuch as White's {N1:c3}{W:197Cc}c3-knight is dependably guarded by two pawns. Instead of taking on d5 a second time, White should use the move to complete the fianchetto of the king-bishop {C}{S:f1g2}{W:197Cd}(5. Bf1-g2), trying to gain time by attacking Black's d5-knight. Will Black's d5-knight capture White's c3-knight {S:d5c3}{W:197Ce}(5... Nd5xc3)?. This exchange strengthens White's center after he takes back with the queen-knight pawn {S:b2c3}{W:197Cf}(6. b2xc3). Will Black invest a move to defend the d5-knight with the king-pawn {S:c3b2}{P:BNd5}{A:Be7e6}{W:197Cg}(5... e7-e6)? This advance obstructs the c8-h3 diagonal. Or finally will Black retreat the threatened knight to safety {R}{A:Bd5c7}{N1:c7}{W:197Ch}(5... Nd5-c7)? This withdrawal forfeits a tempo while opening the g2-b7 diagonal for White's flanked bishop. Black is surviving in all these cases, but it's White who has control of his chessic life.}]

23.
[{B:rnbqk2r/ppppppbp/5np1/16/5NP1/PPPPPPBP/RNBQK2R}
{QB:198. After 1. Nf3 Nf6  2. g3 g6  3. Bg2 Bg7, should White castle or develop a new piece?{W:198}{A:We1g1}{A:Wh1f1}{H1:f1g1}{W:198a}{A:Wb1c3}{H1:c3}{W:198b};4. 0-0;
{B:rnbqk2r/ppppppbp/5np1/16/5NP1/PPPPPPBP/RNBQK2R}{S:e1g1}{S:h1f1}{W:198C}Correct. Castling (4. 0-0) is the fundamentally sounder move. It's also what White intends to do anyway. Playing it now therefore reveals practically nothing, for in this line Black expects White to castle kingside sooner or later. But developing the queen-knight to {A:Wb1c3}{N1:c3}{W:198Ca}c3 is more committal, for in this type of position c3 is not the only useful deployment for the queen-knight. Sometimes it provides fruitful service at d2, after White first has played d2-d3. It depends how the game evolves. By not yet activating the queen-knight on move four, White retains more options and thereby binds his opponent, who must stay ready for either contingency (Nb1-c3 or Nb1-d2). Finally, there's a related problem with 4. Nb1-c3, in that it needlessly blocks {N1:c2}{W:198Cb}the c-pawn. White may need the ability to move this pawn if he is to get active play in the center. For these reasons it makes greater sense on move four to delay the queen-knight's development in favor of castling kingside.;
4. Nc3;{B:rnbqk2r/ppppppbp/5np1/16/5NP1/PPPPPPBP/RNBQK2R}{S:b1c3}{W:198I}Incorrect. The immediate 4. Nb1-c3 may appear to be a fine developing move, but it walls in the {N1:c2}{W:198Ia}c-pawn. In flank openings, as in queen-pawn openings, it's generally undesirable to block the c-pawn, especially early in the game. If White wants to develop the queen-knight to c3, it's best to move out the c-pawn first {A:Wc2c4}{N1:c4}{W:198Ib}(4. c2-c4). Once the c-pawn has staked out its territory, then White can develop the queen-knight behind it, to c3 with no loss of harmony. But after the antithetical 4. Nb1-c3, Black has the riposte {C}{R}{S:d7d5}{W:198Ic}4... d7-d5!, with the option of advancing the d-pawn even further (d5-d4) if it's deemed desirable. If White's c-pawn were already on c4 however{A:Wc2c4}{W:198Id}, it could now be exchanged for Black's d-pawn. This action would destroy the potential invader (the Black d-pawn), and it would also give White a central pawn majority of two pawns to one (White's d- and e-pawns vs. Black's e-pawn). But alas, such is not the case. White's c-pawn is not on c4, and it's not about to get there soon. So Black finds himself in the enviable situation of being able to fight for the center with three pawns, {R}{N1:c7d5e7}{W:198Ie}the c-pawn, the d-pawn, and the e-pawn. Contrast this with White, who is handicapped in that he can use only two central foot soldiers, {N1:d2e2}{W:198If}the d-pawn and the e-pawn. His c-pawn is rendered at least temporarily useless in consequence of the awkward c3-knight's obstruction. Obviously, not all developing moves are good. Some are even quite bad.}]

24.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/16/2P5/4pN2/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKB1R}
{QB:199. After 1. Nf3 d5  2. c4 d4  3. e3 dxe3, which is a better way to take back?{W:199}{A:Wd2e3}{H1:e3}{W:199a}{A:Wf2e3}{W:199b};4. dxe3;
{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/16/2P5/4pN2/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:d2e3}{W:199I}Incorrect. Certainly not with the d-pawn (4. d2xe3?). This take-back opens the d-file, permitting Black to exchange queens to White's detriment {S:d8d1}{W:199Ia}(4... Qd8xd1+  {S:e1d1}{W:199Ib}5. Ke1xd1). The result is that White loses the right to castle. This reduction in capability should be significant here, for Black can muster considerable pressure against the exposed king by positioning a rook at {N1:d8}{W:199Ic}d8 (possibly by castling queenside). There's another problem in the cumbersome situation of White's king. It gets in the way of the rooks, so that they can't directly support each other or freely move along the home rank. When the rooks acquire this ability to function unhindered along their original rank, we say they are "connected," and "connecting the rooks" is one of the primary opening objectives. Obviously, White here is going to have some difficulty achieving this aim with his own king blocking the way. Instead of taking back the right way {C}{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/16/2P5/4pN2/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKB1R}{A:Wf2e3}{N1:e3}{W:199Id}(4. f2xe3), toward the center, White recaptures the wrong way {R}{A:Wd2e3}{W:199Ie}(4. d2xe3), away from the center, which violates the principle concerning direction of capture. It also leads to an inferior position with complex problems to solve. We wish him well.;
4. fxe3;{B:rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/16/2P5/4pN2/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKB1R}{S:f2e3}{W:199C}Correct. If White wants to emphasize the error of Black's approach, he should take back toward the center (4. f2xe3). By taking White's king-pawn (3... d4xe3), Black has surrendered his hold over {N1:d4}{W:199Ca}d4. White will expropriate the d4-square for himself by the subsequent push {A:Wd2d4}{W:199Cb}d2-d4. Black can do little to stop the oncoming advance, for White's queen-pawn already has the backing of three supporters, {R}{N1:e3f3d1}{W:199Cc}the e3-pawn, the f3-knight, and the queen. Many players would be fearful of making a capture such as 4. f2xe3, thinking that by moving the f-pawn early they would be endangering the safety of their own king. Of course they're right to be sensitive to the king's predicament, but they shouldn't pass up a golden opportunity for attack without concretely analyzing the situation. Here, with the king-knight in place at {N1:f3}{W:199Cd}f3, there's no immediate way for Black to exploit the weakened {N1:e1f2g3h4}{W:199Ce}e1-h4 diagonal, the typical line of vulnerability entailed by an early f-pawn move. White's king-knight is a sound insurance policy against a Black queen check at h4. We're not suggesting that you become a chess gambler, and assume needless risks. But if you want to be a consistent winner, you should regularly experience what it's like to take calculated chances -- not by guess work, but by reasoned analysis.}]

25.
[{B:rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4B3/1b6/8/P1PPPPPP/RN1QKBNR}
{QB:200. After 1. b4 e5  2. Bb2 Bxb4  3. Bxe5 Nf6, which is a better move?{W:200}{A:Wc2c3}{H1:c3}{W:200a}{A:Wg1f3}{H1:f3}{W:200b};4. c3;{B:rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4B3/1b6/8/P1PPPPPP/RN1QKBNR}{S:c2c3}{W:200I}Incorrect. The advance of the queen-bishop pawn, 4. c2-c3, commences a bad plan. The move denies White the optimal square for his queen-knight {N1:c3}{W:200Ia}(c3). It also cuts off the retreat of the e5-bishop on the {N1:a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8}{W:200Ib}a1-h8 diagonal. White plays this push to chase Black's dark-square bishop, but the scheme flops if pursued rigidly. For example, let's say Black retreats the bishop, {S:b4a5}{W:200Ic}4... Bb4-a5. White continues with {S:b1a3}{W:200Id}5. Nb1-a3, which for now is the only way the queen-knight can come out. Black answers {S:d7d6}{W:200Ie}5... d7-d6, hitting White's e5-bishop, and in order to gain time to fuel his assault, White trades bishop for knight {S:e5f6}{W:200If}(6. Be5xf6). After Black takes back {S:d8f6}{W:200Ig}(6... Qd8xf6), White forks king and bishop by {S:d1a4}{W:200Ih}7. Qd1-a4+, though Black can save both with the interposition, {S:b8c6}{W:200Ii}7... Nb8-c6. This is where White's queen-knight can suddenly transfer back to the center by {S:a3c4}{W:200Ij}8. Na3-c4. (Sometimes it's perfectly plausible to develop a knight to the edge, knowing that you can soon maneuver it toward the middle.) If Black responds by withdrawing the bishop to the third rank {S:a5b6}{W:200Ik}(8... Ba5-b6), White inflicts serious pawn weaknesses with {S:c4b6}{W:200Il}9. Nc4xb6, when Black is forced to take back with his c-pawn {S:c7b6}{W:200Im}(9... c7xb6). The pin on the a-pawn makes it unthinkable for Black to take back toward the center {X:a7}{P:BPc7}{W:200In}(9... a7xb6), for this loses the a8-rook to White's queen {A:Wa4a8}{N1:a8}{W:200Io}(10. Qa4xa8). Therein lies the rub, for Black doesn't have to retreat the bishop to b6 when White's knight assails it from c4 {B:r1b1k2r/ppp2ppp/2np1q2/b7/Q1N5/2P5/P2PPPPP/R3KBNR}{A:Wc4a5}{W:200Ip}(8. Na3-c4). Instead he can pull the trigger on the sacrificial bolt, {R}{S:a5c3}{W:200Iq}8... Ba5xc3!, which wins a pawn, for White can't safely take the bishop. If he does remove the offered piece {S:d2c3}{W:200Ir}(9. d2xc3), Black's queen gains the cornered White rook by taking on c3 with check {S:f6c3}{W:200Is}(9... Qxc3+) and on the next move swallowing the cornered rook {S:c3a1}{W:200It}(10... Qc3xa1). But White can assuage his embarrassment by admitting his error and changing plans. After {B:rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/5n2/b3B3/8/2P5/P2PPPPP/RN1QKBNR}{W:200Iu}4. c2-c3 Bb4-a5, he can get back on track with the surprising {S:c3c4}{W:200Iv}5. c3-c4!. He's wasted a tempo (because the c-pawn moves twice in reaching c4), yet he's corrected the problems created by his previous play. He's cleared {N1:c3}{W:200Iw}c3 and given the {N1:e5}{W:200Ix}e5-bishop a diagonal of retreat. Sometimes, to save yourself, you have to admit your mistake and start all over again.;
4. Nf3;{B:rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4B3/1b6/8/P1PPPPPP/RN1QKBNR}{S:g1f3}{W:200C}Correct. The sensible move is 4. Ng1-f3. It's reasonable to assume that Black will soon castle and then place a rook on the open e-file (open for Black because his king-pawn is gone). This will create some potential danger for White's king if it stays in the center a while longer. But 4. Ng1-f3 begins to cope with this possibility, for by developing the king-knight White is a tempo closer to castling kingside. If everything goes White's way, he will follow with a one-square advance of the king-pawn {S:e2e3}{W:200Ca}(5. e2-e3). He will continue with a quiet, sheltering development of the king-bishop {S:f1e2}{W:200Cb}(6. Bf1-e2). And he will complete the move trio by the deliberate act of castling {S:e1g1}{S:h1f1}{W:200Cc}(7. 0-0). If in the process his {N1:e5}{W:200Cd}e5-bishop comes under attack, he can retreat it to relative safety at {A:We5b2}{W:200Ce}b2. This is a trustworthy way to go if White wants to avert early mishaps so that he can attain a playable middlegame.}]