Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxe5 Bc5 6. O-O O-O
7. Bc4+0.49
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Variation (C48), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxe5 Bc5 6. O-O O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Bc4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.49).
Top engine moves
- +0.497. Bc4 d6 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. Be2 Nxe2+ 10. Qxe2 Nh5 11. d3 Qd7
- +0.107. Be2 d5 8. d3 Re8 9. Nf3 dxe4 10. dxe4 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Rxe4
- +0.027. a4 c6 8. Be2 Re8 9. Nf3 Nxe2+ 10. Qxe2 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 d5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxe5 Bc5 6. O-O O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Bc4 for White, continuing d6 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. Be2 Nxe2+ 10. Qxe2 Nh5 11. d3 Qd7. White is slightly better (+0.49). The next best moves are 7. Be2 (+0.10) and 7. a4 (+0.02).
Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.49: 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, Marshall 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+).