Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5
4… Nxe5−1.26
Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit (C47), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nxe5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−1.26).
Top engine moves
- −1.264… Nxe5 5. d4 Ng6 6. e5 Ng8 7. Bc4 d5 8. Bxd5 N8e7 9. Bg5
- +0.394… Nxe4 5. Nxc6 Nxc3 6. Nxd8 Nxd1 7. Nxf7 Nxf2 8. Nxh8 Nxh1 9. Bd3
- +1.204… Nd4 5. Nf3 Bc5 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. Ne2 Bb6 8. Ng3 O-O 9. d4
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nxe5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nxe5 for Black, continuing 5. d4 Ng6 6. e5 Ng8 7. Bc4 d5 8. Bxd5 N8e7 9. Bg5. Black is clearly better (−1.26). The next best moves are 4… Nxe4 (+0.39) and 4… Nd4 (+1.20).
Is the Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −1.26: black is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Four Knights Game: Halloween Gambit?
C47. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).