The Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation is a variation of the Four Knights Game, catalogued as ECO C48. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. d4 Bd6 8. f4 Nc6 9. e5 Bb4, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move after nine moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.
On the Four Knights Game generally: A symmetrical opening leading to equal but interesting positions. Good for beginners.
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The Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. d4 Bd6 8. f4 Nc6 9. e5 Bb4. It is a variation of the Four Knights Game and is catalogued as ECO C48.
The Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation is ECO C48. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Four Knights Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. d4 Bd6 8. f4 Nc6 9. e5 Bb4 at +0.75 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.