Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6
5… dxc6+0.56
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation (C48), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… dxc6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.56).
Top engine moves
- +0.565… dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Nxe4 Qd4 8. O-O Qxe5 9. d4 Qd5 10. Re1
- +1.125… bxc6 6. Nxe5 Bb4 7. O-O O-O 8. f3 Qe8 9. d4 d5 10. Bg5
- +3.575… Bb4 6. Ba4 O-O 7. O-O Bxc3 8. dxc3 d5 9. Nxe5 b5 10. Bb3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… dxc6 for Black, continuing 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Nxe4 Qd4 8. O-O Qxe5 9. d4 Qd5 10. Re1. White is slightly better (+0.56). The next best moves are 5… bxc6 (+1.12) and 5… Bb4 (+3.57).
Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.56: 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: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation?
C48. 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+).