Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit, Leonhardt Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Nxe5 Qe7
6. Qd3+0.53
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit, Leonhardt Defense (C47), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Nxe5 Qe7, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Qd3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.53).
Top engine moves
- +0.536. Qd3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 Nxe4 8. Qe3 Nd6 9. Bd3 Nb4 10. O-O f6
- +0.286. Nxc6 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 dxc6 8. O-O Qh4 9. a3 Bxc3 10. bxc3 Bf5
- +0.036. Bd3 Nxd4 7. a3 Ba5 8. b4 Qxe5 9. bxa5 d5 10. f4 Nf3+
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit, Leonhardt Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Nxe5 Qe7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Qd3 for White, continuing Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 Nxe4 8. Qe3 Nd6 9. Bd3 Nb4 10. O-O f6. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 6. Nxc6 (+0.28) and 6. Bd3 (+0.03).
Is the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit, Leonhardt Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: white 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, Krause Gambit, Leonhardt 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+).