Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Janowski Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 Bxc3 7. bxc3 d6 8. Re1
8… a6+0.20
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Janowski Variation (C49), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 Bxc3 7. bxc3 d6 8. Re1, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… a6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.20).
Top engine moves
- +0.208… a6 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. d4 Qe7 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Qd3 h6 13. a4
- +0.248… Bd7 9. a4 a6 10. Bc4 Na5 11. Ba2 h6 12. h3 c5 13. Be3
- +0.398… Re8 9. Bg5 a6 10. Ba4 b5 11. Bb3 h6 12. Bh4 Na5 13. h3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Janowski Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 Bxc3 7. bxc3 d6 8. Re1, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… a6 for Black, continuing 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. d4 Qe7 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Qd3 h6 13. a4. The position is roughly equal (+0.20). The next best moves are 8… Bd7 (+0.24) and 8… Re8 (+0.39).
Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Janowski Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.20: 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: Spanish Variation, Janowski Variation?
C49. 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+).