Four Knights Game

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 both sides have developed their knights to their most natural squares, and the position is symmetrical. White's 3.Nc3 defends e4 and keeps options open, delaying the choice between Bb5, d4 and a kingside fianchetto. The opening is solid rather than sharp: White aims for a small, lasting edge from the extra tempo instead of an early attack.

Three fourth moves for White are covered. The Spanish Variation, 4.Bb5, pins the c6-knight in the style of the Ruy Lopez. Black can answer with the Rubinstein Counter-Gambit, 4...Nd4, offering the e5-pawn for quick activity, or with the Symmetrical line 4...Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6, where both sides copy each other and the play turns on who first breaks the symmetry, often with Bg5 or Bxc6 to damage Black's pawns. The Scotch Four Knights, 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3, opens the centre at once. Black is left with doubled c-pawns and often plays ...d5 to use the extra central pawn, accepting a weakness on c6 or c7 in return for open lines for the pieces. The fianchetto line, 4.g3, puts the bishop on g2 and supports a later d3 or f4, a slower setup aimed at the light squares.

Start with “Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation”, which covers 4.Bb5, the most common fourth move. The Rubinstein and Symmetrical lines branch from that position.