Four Knights Game C47
C — Open games & French · Family: Four Knights Game
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6
The Four Knights Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6) follows the classical principle of developing knights before bishops — resulting in one of the most solid, symmetrical openings in chess. For a century it was a mainstay of players who valued safety and clarity.
White's main choices: the Spanish Four Knights (4.Bb5) with the sharp 4...Nd4 5.Nxe5 Qe5 complications, the Scotch Four Knights (4.d4) that transposes to open centers, and the gambit surprises like the Halloween 4.Nxe5!? that club players spring in blitz. Plans revolve around the d5-square and patient maneuvering — a perfect first opening for learning classical development.
Play through the moves on the board above, explore the variations tree below — click any move of any branch — then test yourself against the engine from the position you picked.
- Position after 6 half-moves — White to move.
- Material is balanced.
- Family “Four Knights Game” contains 49 recorded variation(s) here.
Variations tree of the Four Knights Game family
Click any move to jump to that position; switch branches at any point with the alternative moves. Test your knowledge plays the shown position against the engine.
Variations of this family
| Name | ECO | Main line length |
|---|---|---|
| Four Knights Game: Glek System | C47 | 7 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Glek System | C47 | 13 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Gunsberg Variation | C47 | 7 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Gunsberg Variation, Provincial Opening | C47 | 9 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit | C47 | 7 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit, Oldtimer Variation | C47 | 16 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit, Plasma Variation | C47 | 22 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Italian Variation | C47 | 7 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Italian Variation, Noa Gambit | C47 | 9 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Naroditsky Variation | C47 | 7 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation | C47 | 7 plies |
| Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted | C47 | 8 plies |
Related puzzles
Lichess tactics played in this opening — solve them right on the board:
Related openings
Nearby ECO codes in the C — Open games & French volume — compare the move orders: