Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nxe4
6. Nxe4+0.34
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense (C47), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Nxe4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.34).
Top engine moves
- +0.346. Nxe4 Qe7 7. f3 d5 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. O-O dxe4
- +0.126. Nxc6 Nxc3 7. Nxd8 Nxd1 8. Nxf7 Kxf7 9. Bc4+ Ke8 10. O-O Be7
- −0.296. Nd5 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 Nc5 8. Be2 c6 9. Nf4 d5 10. O-O Ne6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Nxe4 for White, continuing Qe7 7. f3 d5 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. O-O dxe4. White is slightly better (+0.34). The next best moves are 6. Nxc6 (+0.12) and 6. Nd5 (−0.29).
Is the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.34: 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, Schmid 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+).