Villiers,Thomas vs. Safarli,Eltaj - Reykjavik Open 2025 0-1
In the Reykjavik Open 2025 on 2025.04.09, White player Villiers made the move b4, which led to several critical assessments of their decision.
The knight's natural upgrade was overlooked in favor of this move.
This choice prevented a straightforward escape from potential attacks, leaving Black with an opportunity to counter-attack.
However, by defending the bishop on b4, White safeguarded the piece from immediate harm.
Despite offering some protection, the bishop still remains underdefended and could have benefited from additional support.
Furthermore, the knight's development was sacrificed in favor of active play, which may prove detrimental down the line.
By playing b4, Villiers developed a piece for potential future use.
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[Date "2025.04.09"]