Exercise 7.1Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Win the pawn back safely.
7
Your First Openings · Kapilash Chess Academy
Black against 1.e4
Answering with 1...e5
In this lesson you will learn
- A simple plan with 1...e5
- The Petrov Defence and its trap
- Légal’s Mate
- What to do against unusual moves
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7.1 Meet the Centre with the Centre
The simplest answer to 1.e4 is 1...e5: Black takes his share of the centre and opens lines for the queen and bishop. Most of the openings in this course start like this. Here are two more ideas Black must know.
Diagram 7.1White to move
The Petrov Defence
Black counter-attacks e4 instead of defending e5. After 3.♘xe5 the safest way is to chase the knight first.
3...d6! first drives the knight back, and only then ...♘xe4. The position is equal and very solid.
Diagram 7.2White to move
The Petrov trap
Black takes on e4 at once. This is playable, but only with exact play — and the natural follow-up loses.
After 4.♕e2 the knight on e4 is pinned against the queen on the e-file. Black must play 4...♕e7; the natural retreat 4...♘f6?? loses to 5.♘c6+, a discovered check that wins the black queen.
Diagram 7.3White to move
Légal’s Mate
Black pins the knight on f3 against the queen and thinks White cannot move it.
White gives the queen! After ...♗xd1 the bishop and knights deliver mate. The lesson: a pin against the queen is not absolute — the queen can be given up.
Remember
- 1...e5 meets the centre with the centre.
- In the Petrov, play 3...d6 before ...♘xe4.
- A pin against the queen is not absolute.
- Know Légal’s Mate — from both sides.
Exercises · Lesson 7
Every exercise has been checked with a chess engine. Find the best move or choose the right answer.
Exercise 7.2Find the move
White to move
White to move. The knight on f3 seems pinned. Find the strong move.
Exercise 7.3Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 7.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 7.5Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 7.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 7.7Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 7.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Find the strongest move.
Exercise 7.9Find the move
White to move
White to move. Find the strongest move.