Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Blake Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Ne7 8. Nh4 c6 9. Bc4 d5 10. Bb3 Qd6
11. f4+0.27
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Blake Variation (C49), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Ne7 8. Nh4 c6 9. Bc4 d5 10. Bb3 Qd6, Stockfish 18 recommends 11. f4 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.27).
Top engine moves
- +0.2711. f4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 exf4 13. Qe1 dxe4 14. Bxf4 Qc5+ 15. Be3 Qd6
- −0.0611. Qf3 d4 12. Nd1 Ba5 13. c3 c5 14. Rc1 Bd7 15. Bxf6 Qxf6
- −0.2011. exd5 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nexd5 13. Re1 Nxc3 14. Qf3 a5 15. a4 Nfd5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Blake Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Ne7 8. Nh4 c6 9. Bc4 d5 10. Bb3 Qd6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 11. f4 for White, continuing Bxc3 12. bxc3 exf4 13. Qe1 dxe4 14. Bxf4 Qc5+ 15. Be3 Qd6. The position is roughly equal (+0.27). The next best moves are 11. Qf3 (−0.06) and 11. exd5 (−0.20).
Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Blake Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.27: 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, Symmetrical Variation, Blake 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+).