Four Knights Game Four Knights Game The Four Knights Game is a chess opening that begins with the moves: This is the most common sequence, but the knights may in any order to reach the same position. The opening is fairly popular with beginners who strictly adhere to the opening principle: "Develop knights before bishops." It was one of the workhorses in the family of the Open Game, at even the highest levels, until World War I. Thereafter it fell by the wayside, along with a number of open games. In this period ambitious players explored the Ruy Lopez, believing it a better
Ruy Lopez, Noah's Ark Trap and José Capablanca at the Budapest tournament in 1929: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. d4 5... b5 6. Bb3 Nxd4 7. Nxd4 exd4 8. Qxd4?? 8... c5 9. Qd5 Be6 10. Qc6+ Bd7 11. Qd5 c4 (see diagram) A variation of this trap can occur in the Sicilian Defense after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 (the Rossolimo Variation) a6 4.Ba4?? (4.Bxc6 is necessary and the point of 3.Bb5 itself) b5 5.Bb3 c4 (see diagram) and the bishop is similarly trapped. Bibliography Ruy Lopez, Noah's Ark Trap The Noah's Ark Trap