Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Tarrasch Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Be6
8. Nd5+0.68
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Tarrasch Variation (C49), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Be6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Nd5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.68).
Top engine moves
- +0.688. Nd5 Bxd5 9. exd5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. a3 Ba5 12. b4 a6
- +0.448. Ne2 h6 9. Bh4 Bg4 10. c3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Ba5 12. d4 Bb6
- +0.428. Ba4 h6 9. Bh4 Bxc3 10. bxc3 Qe7 11. Re1 g5 12. Bg3 Bg4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Tarrasch Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Be6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Nd5 for White, continuing Bxd5 9. exd5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. a3 Ba5 12. b4 a6. White is slightly better (+0.68). The next best moves are 8. Ne2 (+0.44) and 8. Ba4 (+0.42).
Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Tarrasch Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.68: 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, Symmetrical Variation, Tarrasch 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+).