Always on the lookout for ambitious repertoire books offering a complete system of play, it’s intriguing to see the recommendations of authors, typically strong players, against familiar systems. Such books can provide valuable insights against unconventional systems like 1…b5. However, it’s often surprising to encounter suggestions for suboptimal play. While many authors favor the Italian game, none seem to continue with 4. Ng5! against the Two Knights Defense, even though 4. Ng5! presents a significant challenge to Black’s approach.
Take, for example, the system in Chris Baker’s “A Startling Chess Opening Repertoire,” published by Cadogan in 1998. The author, an English IM, suggests 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. After 3…Nf6, the strategy leans towards a Max Lange Attack with 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O. Given the endorsement of 1…e5 and a personal fondness for the Two Knights, it would be worthwhile to scrutinize Baker’s propositions.
Max Lange vs. Anti-Max Lange
From the given position, the move 5…Bc5 has been a general choice, leading to the Max Lange. This line, notorious for its complexity, does offer Black genuine chances to win. However, 5…Bc5, while potentially offering the best winning chances for Black, is fraught with dangers and complexities. A more stable and equally effective alternative is 5…Nxe4! This move, curiously termed the “anti-Max Lange” by Baker and others, is akin to naming 1. d4 Nf6 the “anti-Queen’s Gambit.” Continuing the sequence with 5…Nxe4! 6. Re1 d5 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 8. Nc3, it’s posited that Black’s most straightforward route to equality is 8…Qh5! (though 8…Qa5 also maintains equilibrium while offering White desired complexities). The game can then unfold with 9. Nxe4 Be6 10. Bg5. Further variations include:
- A. 11. Bf6 O-O 12. Nxd6 cxd6 13. Bxd4 Bg4, leading to equal positions after either 14. Re3 Rae8 or 14. Bc3 d5;
- B. 11. Nxd6 cxd6 12. Bf4 Qd5 (12…Qc5 is viable too) with sub-variations;
- B1. 13. c4?! Qxc4 14. Bxd6 Qd5 allows Black to choose the castling direction based on White’s bishop’s move, promising a favorable game in each case;
- B2. 13. c3 Rc8 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 Qxd4 16. cxd4 Kd7, as seen in Wikner-Wedberg, Osterskars 1995, was satisfactory for Black.
C. 11. c4, as endorsed by Baker from a 1994 game between Sveshnikov and Bezgodov, proceeds with 11…O-O 12. c5 Be5! 13. Nxe5 Qxd1 14. Raxd1 Nxe5 15. Rxd4 f6, wherein 15…Bxa2? would be a blunder due to 16. Be7! leading to a stronger move 16. Nf6!!. The continuation of the game saw equality maintained, but Baker opines that 19. Rd7! might offer White an advantage. However, the efficacy of this move could be open to discussion, particularly considering an immediate 19…Rac8 by Black.
Strategies for Black: Displacing White’s Rook in Chess
It seems that Black can, with careful moves, displace White’s rook. After achieving this, Black may have a slight edge for a potential win based on a superior minor piece, the potential vulnerability of White’s extended c-pawn, and opportunities to form an outside passed pawn. For instance:
- C1. 20. Nb5? Be8;
- C2. 20. Red1? Be6 21. Re7 Rfe8 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8, and capturing the a-pawn would trap the knight: 23. Nb5 c6;
- C3. 20. Nd5? Be6 21. Ne7+ Kf7 22. Nxc8+ Bxd7 23. Nxa7 Ra8 24. Ra1 c6, leading to a trapped knight (25. Ra5 Rd8);
- C4. 20. Rxe5 Rfe8! (Avoiding 20…Rfd8? due to 21. Rxd8+! Rxd8 22. Re7 Re8 23. Rxe8+ Bxe8 23. Nd5 c6 24. Ne7+ Kf8 25. Nc8, where White gains the advantage) resulting in;
- C4a. 21. Rxe8+ Bxe8 22. Re7 Kf8, leading to a balanced position;
- C4b. 21. f4 Rxe5 22. fxe5 Be6! 23. Rd4 (Avoiding 23. Re7? due to Kf8) 23…Kf7, where Black seems comfortable;
- C4c. 21. R5e7 Rxe7 22. Rxe7 Kf8 23. Rd7 Be6, and Black is either equal or holds an advantage;
- C5. 20. Re7 Rfe8 21. R7xe5 (Alternatively, 21. R1xe5 Kf8 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. Rxe8+ Bxe8) 21…Rxe5 22. Rxe5 Kf8 23. f4 Rd8, and the position appears balanced.
Feedback on the evaluation of the aforementioned position would be greatly appreciated. The position after Black’s fourth move holds significance for the theory of open games outside of the Two Knights. This is because it can also arise from both the Scotch Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6) and Bishop’s Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 Nc6).
For now, the belief stands that 4. Ng5! is White’s prime move against the Two Knights. Playing against it can be enjoyable for Black, especially for those who admire the works of the renowned Tarrasch. Despite Tarrasch’s observation that “this move surrenders the initiative, the birthright of the white pieces,” White can employ 4. Ng5! with a hopeful prospect of victory. The delicate equilibrium between White’s additional material and Black’s dominant piece activity in these sequences makes them suitable for either side’s aspirations.
Regarding Black’s response to 4. Ng5!, the prominent choice is the main line, 4…d5 5. exd5 Na5. However, opinions differ. In 1969-70, former World CC Champion Hans Berliner authored columns for the Washington Post advocating “The System,” an opening strategy emphasizing center control and active piece play. Berliner critiqued 5…Na5, suggesting it decentralized a strategically placed piece. He favored the Fritz Variation, 5…Nd4, which he consistently favored in his games with positive outcomes.
While delving into the Fritz Variation’s theoretical intricacies isn’t the focus now, current theory suggests that 5…Nd4 offers White more chances to win compared to 5…Na5. Time will reveal whether Berliner or the broader chess community has assessed the Fritz Variation more accurately. Until a convincing advantage for White against it is demonstrated, the recommendation remains 5…Na5! Despite some positional drawbacks, Black gains initiative, a developmental lead, and open lines for rooks and bishops, which have proven to be ample compensation in practical play.
Conclusion
Two Knights Defense is an engaging and dynamic chess opening, offering tactical challenges for both players. This article explores its history, different lines, and the evolving chess theory. As players continue to experiment with new strategies, the Two Knights Defense reflects the ever-changing nature of the game and the pursuit of excellence on the chessboard.
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