Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Be2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 d6 9. Na4 Bb6
10. Nxb6+0.50
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy Variation (C48), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Be2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 d6 9. Na4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 10. Nxb6 for White. White is slightly better (+0.50).
Top engine moves
- +0.5010. Nxb6 axb6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 Be6 13. a4 g5 14. Bg3 Qd7
- +0.3610. c3 h6 11. Be2 c6 12. Nxb6 Qxb6 13. Qc2 d5 14. a4 a5
- +0.2910. Bd2 h6 11. Nxb6 axb6 12. a4 Re8 13. c4 c6 14. Be3 d5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Be2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 d6 9. Na4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10. Nxb6 for White, continuing axb6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 Be6 13. a4 g5 14. Bg3 Qd7. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 10. c3 (+0.36) and 10. Bd2 (+0.29).
Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy 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+).