ECO C47 · Four Knights Game

Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit, Modern Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5 Nxe4 6. Qe2 f5

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

7. Nd2−0.40

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit, Modern Defense (C47), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5 Nxe4 6. Qe2 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Nd2 for White. Black is slightly better (−0.40).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.407. Nd2 d3 8. Qxd3 Nb4 9. Nxb4 Bxb4 10. c3 Bd6 11. Be2 Qe7
  2. −0.637. Bg5 Be7 8. h4 h6 9. Bf4 d6 10. O-O-O Bf6 11. g4 Be6
  3. −0.657. Ng5 d3 8. Qxd3 Nb4 9. Nxb4 Bxb4+ 10. c3 Nxg5 11. cxb4 O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit, Modern Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5 Nxe4 6. Qe2 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Nd2 for White, continuing d3 8. Qxd3 Nb4 9. Nxb4 Bxb4 10. c3 Bd6 11. Be2 Qe7. Black is slightly better (−0.40). The next best moves are 7. Bg5 (−0.63) and 7. Ng5 (−0.65).
Is the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit, Modern Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.40: black is slightly 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: Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit, Modern Defense?
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+).