Four Knights Game
ECO C47-C49intermediate
The Four Knights, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6, is chess development in its purest form — all four knights out before any commitments. Its reputation for quietness is only half true: the Spanish Four Knights (4.Bb5) leads to subtle maneuvering where the symmetric ...Bb4 lines hide real venom, and the Scotch Four Knights (4.d4) gives White an easy initiative that has become a staple recommendation for improving players. A perfect opening for learning piece coordination.
Main line
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 7.Bg5 Bxc3
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 62 | 50% | 11.3% | 38.7% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O |
| 600-800 | 52 | 59.6% | 5.8% | 34.6% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 |
| 800-1000 | 56 | 48.2% | 12.5% | 39.3% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 |
| 1000-1200 | 92 | 53.3% | 10.9% | 35.9% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 |
| 1200-1400 | 98 | 46.9% | 4.1% | 49% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6:
- Bg5 — played 48% of the time (White wins 51.1%, draws 2.1%, Black wins 46.8%)
- Bd2 — played 17.3% of the time (White wins 47.1%, draws 11.8%, Black wins 41.2%)
- a3 — played 13.3% of the time (White wins 38.5%, draws 0%, Black wins 61.5%)
Frequently asked questions
Is the Four Knights too drawish?
At grandmaster level the symmetrical lines can be sterile, but at club level the positions are full of life — and full of instructive mistakes to punish. The Scotch Four Knights in particular generates lasting pressure with simple, repeatable plans.
What is the best line in the Four Knights for White?
The Scotch Four Knights: 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.exd5 cxd5 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bg5 — White develops with small threats, plays against the hanging center pawns, and the plans (Qf3, Rae1, Ne2-g3) repeat from game to game.
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