Four Knights

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Four Knights
Pratt's Home Page
White: Bob Garn
Black: John P. Pratt
Date: 20 Sep 1976
Location: Hill Air Force Base, Utah

This game illustrates the need for a castle and also to think from the very beginning where you would like your pieces to maximize their effectiveness. White stifles any chance of his king bishop developing. It also shows how Black develops his attack by threatening possible checkmates.

1. Nb1-c3, e7-e5.

2. e2-e4, Ng8-f6.

3. Ng1-f3, Nb8-c6. This unusual opening turned into the classic four knights position.

4. d2-d3, Bf8-c5. White cuts off his own bishop, whereas Black does not.

5. Bc1-g5, h7-h6. Black calls the bluff of White's attack on the knight.

6. Bg5xf6, Qd8xf6. Black's queen is powerful but is open to attack.

7. Nc3-d5, Qf6-d8. Sure enough, Black wastes time in having to retreat.

8. c2-c4, Nc6-b4. Black can't stand to have White's knight in the center.

9. a2-a3, Nb4xd5. Black destroys the enemy knight, but is losing time.

10. c4xd5, d7-d6. White still has no place to develop his king bishop.

11. Nf3-d2, Qd8-f6. White moves the knight to prevent attack by White's bishop.

12. f2-f3, Bc8-g4. If White takes the bishop he loses on the next move!

13. Bf1-e2, 0-0-0. Finally white tries to get his bishop into the game.

14. Rh1-f1, Qf6-h4+. White's king is finding it hard to breathe now.

15. g2-g3, Qh4xh2. Where's White's castle when he needs it?

16. f3xg4, Qh2xg3+. White's defense is too little, too late.

17. Rf1-f2, Qg3xf2 mate. Black's bishop has penetrated the pawn chain throughout the game.

1. Nb1-c3, e7-e5.
2. e2-e4, Ng8-f6.
3. Ng1-f3, Nb8-c6.	This unusual opening turned into the classic four knights position.
4. d2-d3, Bf8-c5.	White cuts off his own bishop, whereas Black does not.
5. Bc1-g5, h7-h6.	Black calls the bluff of White's attack on the knight.
6. Bg5xf6, Qd8xf6.	Black's queen is powerful but is open to attack.
7. Nc3-d5, Qf6-d8.	Sure enough, Black wastes time in having to retreat.
8. c2-c4, Nc6-b4.	Black can't stand to have White's knight in the center.
9. a2-a3, Nb4xd5.	Black destroys the enemy knight, but is losing time.
10. c4xd5, d7-d6.	White still has no place to develop his king bishop.
11. Nf3-d2, Qd8-f6.	White moves the knight to prevent attack by White's bishop.
12. f2-f3, Bc8-g4.	If White takes the bishop he loses on the next move!
13. Bf1-e2, 0-0-0.	Finally white tries to get his bishop into the game.
14. Rh1-f1, Qf6-h4+.	White's king is finding it hard to breathe now.
15. g2-g3, Qh4xh2.	Where's White's castle when he needs it?
16. f3xg4, Qh2xg3+.	White's defense is too little, too late.
17. Rf1-f2, Qg3xf2 mate.	Black's bishop has penetrated the pawn chain throughout the game.