Games 19–27: Four Knights, Three Knights and French
The author's own games in the Four Knights and Three Knights, then the French Defence: Tartakower mated by a storm of pawns, Emanuel Lasker's quick win against Tarrasch, Capablanca's "beautifully concise" game against Blanco, and Niemzowitsch's slow squeeze against Tarrasch.
Every example is on its own board: click a move or use the arrows, and the notes appear beside the board. The number under the board is Stockfish's evaluation for White (minus means Black is better), or the exact result when few enough pieces are left.
Game 19. Four Knights' Game
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Janowski.
Game 19
Ed. Lasker – Janowski
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 20. Four Knights' Game
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Englund.
Game 20
Ed. Lasker – Englund
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 21. Three Knights' Defence
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Aljechin.
Game 21
Ed. Lasker – Aljechin
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 22. French Defence
White: Forgacz. Black: Tartakower.
Game 22
Forgacz – Tartakower
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 23. French Defence
White: Yates. Black: Esser.
Game 23
Yates – Esser
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 24. French Defence
White: Atkins. Black: Barry.
Game 24
Atkins – Barry
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 25. French Defence
White: Emanuel Lasker. Black: Tarrasch.
Game 25
Em. Lasker – Tarrasch
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 26. French Defence
White: Capablanca. Black: Blanco.
Game 26
Capablanca – Blanco
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.
Game 27. Sicilian Defence (French Formation)
White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch.
Game 27
Niemzowitsch – Tarrasch
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
+0.4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
Step through the moves with the arrows, or click a move.