Four Knights Game

Play as WhiteClassical

A sensible, symmetrical opening where both sides develop naturally.

The main line, move by move

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Qe7

1. 1. e4 — Claim the center and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... e5 — Black claims the center too.
3. 2. Nf3 — Brings the knight into the game.
4. 2... Nc6 — Brings the knight into the game.
5. 3. Nc3 — Brings the knight into the game.
6. 3... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
7. 4. Bb5 — Brings the bishop into the game.
8. 4... Bb4 — Brings the bishop into the game.
9. 5. O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
10. 5... O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
11. 6. d3 — A quiet move: support e4 and free the c1 bishop.
12. 6... d6 — Support e5 and free the c8 bishop.
13. 7. Bg5 — Brings the bishop into the game.
14. 7... Bxc3 — Takes the knight on c3.
15. 8. bxc3 — Takes the bishop on c3.
16. 8... Qe7 — Guard the e5 pawn and prepare to castle.

Related openings

• Italian Game
• Ruy Lopez (Spanish)
• Scotch Game
• Ruy Lopez Exchange
• Vienna Game

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