Chess @ 4

The general standard of play in the daily Chess @ 4 tournaments run by Kids Unlimited has really increased throughout the year. The players are working on their game and improving all aspects of it. There is deeper understanding of openings and knowledge of traps, more middlegame pattern recognition and strategic understanding, and even some endgame knowledge more than the basic checkmates.
New players need to adapt fast. First they must learn how to think quickly as the time limit is only 4 + 2. Secondly, they need to bring some weapons into their games that will help them beat those players with more experience. This has led to the increase in strength of all players.
​It is now not good enough for the young players to know the 4 move checkmate or the Fried Liver. They have to be aware of a lot of traps in the opening. Here's an example.

The same players played another game in the week with the same opening, with different plans and a different result. You can learn some theory, and see the game here.