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Four Knights: Rubenstein's Defense

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White: Thomas L. Sanders
Black: John P. Pratt
Date: 14 Jan 1977
Location: Hill Air Force Base, Utah









This is not a trick opening, useful only once such as is Kostics' Trap. This was my first try at using Rubenstein's defense, and it became my standard defense against the Four Knights opening. It has rich possibilities.

1. e2-e4, e7-e5. 
2. Ng1-f3, Nb8-c6. 
3. Nb1-c3, Ng8-f6. So far this is the 4 Knights opening.
4. Bf1-b5, Nc6-d4. Black's bold attempt to grab the initiative marks Rubenstein's Defense.
5. Nf3xe5, Qd8-e7. Pressuring the knight, hoping to win back the pawn.
6. Ne5-g4, Nf6xe4. It worked! Now Ne4xc3+ would win the Queen.
7. 0-0, Nd4xb5. Preparing to protect the other knight from the rook.
8. Nc3xb5, d7-d5. This knight is worth protecting!
9. d2-d3, Qe7-h4. White wants the troublesome knight gone!
10. Ng4-e3, Bf8-c5. Trading knights just looks too dangerous.
11. Ne3xd5, Ne4xf2! White takes the bait, and now his queen is threatened.
12. Qd1-f3, Nf2-g4+. White's queen is saved, but the game is lost.
13. Bc1-e3, Qh4xh2 mate. None of white's responses could have prevented mate.