The aim of the sideline 4...Bf5 in the KID is crystal-clear: Black doesn't want to see 5.e2-e4 on the next move and is probing for their opponent's intentions.
One of the easy, sharp and semi-rare options is the Popov variation. It starts with 6.Be3 a6 7.Qd2, which seems like white is intending to go for an English Attack set-up, but then after 7…Nf6 8.f4 will follow, the Popov variation.
After 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 e4 Black is giving up a pawn. By sacrificing the e-pawn, Black gains a lot of time harassing the white knight and seizes the initiative in the centre.
The Kupreichik starts with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bd7. It is a flexible move, as it doesn’t tell white much about the set-up black will choose. Most often black goes for a Dragon or a Classical Sicilian set-up.
Looking for some action against the Ruy Lopez? The Delayed Jaenisch, arising from the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 f5, will be your choice from now on!
The Hungarian variation provides white an attacking plan against the KID. With 5.Nge2 White will play 6.Ng3, close the centre with d5 after …c5/…e5 and start playing on the kingside for an attack.
On this 60 minutes video, we will cover a surprise weapon known as the 'Glek' Four Knights with 4.g3, named after inventor, Grandmaster Igor Glek. This is an excellent anti-Petroff device, perfectly sound and can come as a shock to the unprepared.
We refer to the line that begins 1 e4 c6 2 Nf3 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 Ne5!? There are various ideas associated with this move; tricks on c6 and f7, the reinforcement of the knight with f2-f4 leading to White kingside pressure, the annexation of the two bishops.
In the Italian Opening with 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4 the move 7.Nbd2 has replaced the alternatives 7.Nc3 and 7.Bd2 as the new main line. A new idea was recently introduced by Mamedyarov and successfully employed by Jorden van Foreest.
