17th April 2002

From the 'Guicco Piano', Black has just put white in check.
How best can white reply?

a) Nb1 - c3 Good move - 4 points If black plays Nxe4 then white castles and has good compensation for the lost pawn.
b) Nb1 - d2 Not the best place for the knight - it gets in the way of the bishop- 3 points
c) Bc1 - d2 Good move - 4 points If black plays Nxe4 then white play Bxb4 and after Nxb4 plays Qb3 threatening the knight a the pawn on f7.
d) Nf3 - d2 Wrong knight to move. It is better to move a piece only once in the opening - 2 points
e) Ke1 - e2 Too soon to move the king - better to block the check 1 point
f) O-O (castles) - Illegal move - you cannot castle when in check - 1 point