Ideas behind the 8.Bd3 line in the 4.Ng5 Two Knights Defenseb n.tSs Uuča Jb p Qqng6e77 Iiěst3.
In the Two Knights Defense, after
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6
8. Bd3 has become fashionable recently, and is considered a serious way for White to play for a win.
Yet, is seems an artificial move, going against basic opening principles, in particular blocking the d-Pawn. What are the main points of this line, especially in comparison to the "old" 8. Be2 move, and are there any typical traps or pitfalls to be aware of?
1 Answer
I think the main reason behind Bd3 is to provide a "safe" retreat for the knight and keeps to e-file open. Both Nf3 and Nh3 have liabilities. A retreat to e4 also allow a further lose of time from f5, but this may be offset by black's LSB having less mobility. The other option is Bf1, which while playable, also goes against basic opening principles.
Although this may apply here, paraphrasing Alekhine, to punish unconventional moves (Na5) you may have to play unconventional moves.
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1Indeed, well put.
8.Bd3is a very concrete move to prevent a poor knight retreat after8...h6.Since black's position has already opened up in this line, white's priorities lie in not having bad pieces and in particular neutralizing black's best piece, the knight onf6.In case black side-steps the trade with9...Nd5white usually ends up finishing development withNg3...Bf5...e3...Nc3.– Phonon 23 hours ago -
What is White doing after 8...h6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 f5? – A. N. Other 22 hours ago
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1@A.N.Other It seems like black's king becomes very unsafe after 10...f5, since Qh5+ is on tap, followed by picking up the pawn on f5 for free. – Scounged 21 hours ago
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Qf3seems to have a similar effect with supporting a retreat to e5, though it looks a bit more dubious. – konsolas 18 hours ago
Bd3is actually favoured by a number of high level engines, so I think it would be very interesting to know about the theory behind that move. – konsolas yesterday