1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 (more moves may take place in here) ...e5
Where does the Knight go, and why? I've seen him flee to b3 usually in book lines if I remember correctly, but I have no clue why he doesn't just go back to f3. Anyone have any preferred squares and reasons for why the Knight goes to that particular square?
after 5 ....e5, your knight has a good (temporary) square: Nb5
at this point you're now threatening an invasion of the d6 square with that same knight (guarded by your queen). Black usually now pushes d6 to rid himself of that threat. Now, white can go on to Bg5, etc.... but once black pushes a6, that same knight now goes to Na3. It's a bum-looking square, but eventually you should be able to get that same knight back into the game via c4, or sometimes c2...depends. The other knight, of course, wants to get to the nice d5 square.
Hope it helps....I had that same question recently myself....looked it up!
steely 🙂
Originally posted by AThousandYoung
If the Knight goes to a3, ...b5 keeps him locked in. c2? There's a Pawn there, and where is he going to go from there? I am not convinced Nb5 is a good idea.
when you have your knights on a3 and c3 at that point, if black pushes b5, THAT'S when you move your c3 knight to d5. That way you avoid a pawn fork of both your knights. Once black pushes to b4, then your a3 knight has the c4 square.
I mentioned c2 as a possibility only after the other knight moved to d5 and you move your c-pawn outta the way for the a3 knight to jump to c2.
This is all a type of Sveshnikov variation. It usually starts out:
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6 (not d6) ....etc. etc.
i know it's weird, but it's theory
hell, have you ever looked at the Caro-Kann? play through the first 8 or so moves of the main line and tell me that aint weird! 🙄
Originally posted by LordOfTheChessboardActually Nb5 is not main line in the variation given at the start: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6
you can also move the knight to f3 f5 b3 or e2, its all theory only nb5 is the main line.
Nb5 is the main line in this variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6, and then follow the same moves as before.
In the variation in question with the move 2...d6, there are a few moves after 4...e5. One of the main lines is Bb5+, which i think is the best.
Originally posted by Fireswordyes you are right . i was talking about the sveshnikov ( e4-e5 nf6 nc6 d4 cxd4 nxd4 nf6 nc3 e5)😀
Actually Nb5 is not main line in the variation given at the start: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6
Nb5 is the main line in this variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6, and then follow the same moves as before.
In the variation in question with the move 2...d6, there are a few moves after 4...e5. One of the main lines is Bb5+, which i think is the best.
Originally posted by AThousandYoung
I don't see Black playing b4 if keeping it on b5 hems the a3 Knight in.
b4 is only a vice grip if white doesn't get his c3 knight to d5 and then pushes his c-pawn, thereby clearing a space for his a3 knight on c2!
and yes, the Sveshnikov mail line starts:
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6 (not d6)
all those other knight spots pointed out have theoretical variations too...just a little more involved if white wants to have a solid game. 🙂
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThis is a model game that might help you:
The problem with moving the N on c3 to d5 is that it's protecting the e P. What if Black develops Nf6 before pushing b5?
[Event "Horgen CS"]
[Site "Horgen"]
[Date "1994.09.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kasparov,Garry"]
[Black "Shirov,Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Eco "B33"]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 a6
9.Na3 b5 10.Nd5 Be7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.c3 Bb7 13.Nc2 Nb8 14.a4 bxa4 15.Rxa4 Nd7 16.Rb4 Nc5
17.Rxb7 Nxb7 18.b4 Bg5 19.Na3 0-0 20.Nc4 a5 21.Bd3 axb4 22.cxb4 Qb8 23.h4 Bh6 24.Ncb6 Ra2
25.0-0 Rd2 26.Qf3 Qa7 27.Nd7 Nd8 28.Nxf8 Kxf8 29.b5 Qa3 30.Qf5 Ke8 31.Bc4 Rc2 32.Qxh7 Rxc4
33.Qg8+ Kd7 34.Nb6+ Ke7 35.Nxc4 Qc5 36.Ra1 Qd4 37.Ra3 Bc1 38.Ne3 1-0
It is superbly annotated at Nun's Understanding Chess move by move (or something like that...)