Play in the centre with d4 - for tacticians with a romantic streak
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4
Another important continuation in the two-knight game is 4.d4, with which White initiates a centre game without losing time. Black is practically forced to play 4...exd4, because 4...Nxe4 would already be a serious mistake due to 5.dxe5 with the threat of a double attack against f7 and the knight e4 with Qd5. The modern, positional treatment of the position then begins with 5.e5 and after the typical counter-attack 5...d5 comes 6.Bb5 Ne4 7.Nxd4.
Both after the solid 7...Bd7 and the aggressive 7...Bc5 the position is playable for both sides. The game develops much more wildly in the Max Lange Attack, where 5.0-0 Bc5 follows first and only then the advance 6.e5. After the standard reaction 6...d5, White forces the game with 7.exf6 dxc4 8.Te1+ Le6 9.Ng5.
Now Black must reply 9...Qd5 (for 9...Qxf6 see the tactics page) and after 10.Nc3 Qf5 11.Nce4 0-0-0 we reach the starting position of this variation, which is part of the legacy of 19th century romantic chess.
The main continuation on the diagram is 12.g4 with wild complications.
However, Black can also avoid the confusing positions of the Max-Lange attack by simply eating away the e-pawn after 5.0-0 with 5...Nxe4:
Although this looks dangerous because of the opening of the e-file, it is perfectly okay if played accurately. The pin with 6.Re1 d5 is usually followed by the tactical skirmish 7.Bxd5 Qxd5 8.Nc3 and now Black has to decide whether to place the queen on the queenside with 8...Qa5 or on the kingside with 8...Qh5. Both are recognised continuations, the choice a question of taste.