Four Knights Game (C47–C49)
A symmetrical opening leading to equal but interesting positions. Good for beginners.
Every line in this family begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3, then branches. Each variation below has its own page with the full move order, the position it reaches, and a Stockfish evaluation.
All 36 lines can be practised free in the browser: pick a variation, walk it move by move in Learn mode, then drill it from memory until you can play it without prompting.
All 36 variations of the Four Knights Game Glek System C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 d5 Gunsberg Variation, Provincial Opening C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. a3 d6 Halloween Gambit, Oldtimer Variation C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 Halloween Gambit, Plasma Variation C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5 Nxe5 Italian Variation, Noa Gambit C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nxe4 Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit, Modern Defense C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit, Leonhardt Defense C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 Scotch Variation, Oxford Gambit C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense C47 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nd4 Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation Accepted C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Henneberger Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nd4 Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Gambit C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation C48 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 Spanish Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Alatortsev Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Double Spanish C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Gunsberg Counterattack C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Janowski Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Svenonius Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Blake Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Metger Unpin C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Tarrasch Variation C49 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bb4 Frequently asked questions
What are the main moves of the Four Knights Game?
The Four Knights Game begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3. From there it branches into 36 named variations, each with its own move order and typical plans.
What is the ECO code for the Four Knights Game?
The Four Knights Game is catalogued under ECO codes C47–C49. Individual variations list their own specific code on their page.
How can I practise the Four Knights Game for free?
Open any variation on Chess Ramp and use Learn mode to walk the line one move at a time, then Drill mode to replay it from memory. Practice runs in your browser with no account required.
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