Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O
9… cxd5+0.21
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line (C47), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… cxd5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.21).
Top engine moves
- +0.219… cxd5 10. h3 c6 11. Qf3 Nd7 12. a3 Ba5 13. b4 Bc7 14. Bf4
- +0.309… Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. dxc6 Qd4+ 12. Kh1 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qxc3 14. Rb1
- +0.379… Bxc3 10. bxc3 cxd5 11. Qf3 c5 12. h3 Be6 13. Rd1 Qa5 14. c4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… cxd5 for Black, continuing 10. h3 c6 11. Qf3 Nd7 12. a3 Ba5 13. b4 Bc7 14. Bf4. The position is roughly equal (+0.21). The next best moves are 9… Bg4 (+0.30) and 9… Bxc3 (+0.37).
Is the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.21: the position is roughly equal. 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: Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line?
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+).