Chess Openings Lab
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Four Knights Game: Naroditsky Variation

The Naroditsky Variation is 4.Nd5 in the Four Knights, moving the c3-knight a second time and leaving e4 without protection. White offers the pawn for quick development and play on the e-file, while Black can grab it and must then get the king out of the center.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nd5
ECO
C47
Engine
−0.30 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • If Black takes on e4, 5.d4 opens lines at once and frees the c1-bishop.
  • Bc4, O-O and Re1 put pressure on the e-file, aimed at a black king still sitting on e8.
  • Nxf6+ is always available to remove the knight that guards Black's kingside, especially after it returns to f6.

Black

  • Take the pawn with 4...Nxe4. After 5.d4, 5...d6 holds e5 and keeps the position closed enough to finish development.
  • The move order 4...d6 first is also fine, planning ...Nxe4 once the bishop comes to c4.
  • Develop with ...Be7, bring the knight back with ...Nf6 and castle. The knight on f6 blocks the e-file and guards h7.
  • 4...Bc5 5.c3 Nxe4 also wins the pawn, but it lets White play d4 with gain of time.

Plans and pawn structure

After ...Nxe4 and d4, White is a pawn down but has the d5-knight in the center and the e-file ready for Re1. Black should keep the pawn on e5 or trade it carefully, play ...Be7 and ...O-O, and return the e4-knight to f6. If Black castles safely, the extra pawn is a real plus. If Black dawdles, Bc4, Re1 and Bg5 build heavy pressure on e7 and f6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.30: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.30 4...Nxe4 5.d4 d6 6.Bc4 Be7 7.O-O
  2. −0.27 4...d6 5.Bc4 Nxe4 6.d4 Be7 7.O-O
  3. −0.16 4...Bc5 5.c3 Nxe4 6.d4 exd4 7.Bd3

Pawns, from White's side.

How to play against it

Take the pawn. 4...Nxe4 or the order 4...d6 and ...Nxe4 both give Black a sound extra pawn. Then castle before anything else: ...Be7, ...Nf6 and ...O-O. Avoid opening the e-file with ...exd4 while your king still stands on e8, because Re1 would then pin pieces against it.

Questions

What are the moves of the Four Knights Game: Naroditsky Variation?

The Four Knights Game: Naroditsky Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nd5. Its ECO code is C47.

Is the Four Knights Game: Naroditsky Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.30 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. A rare offbeat try for White players who enjoy a pawn-down initiative; disciplined Black players should be glad to accept.

What is the main idea of the Four Knights Game: Naroditsky Variation?

White gives up the e4 pawn for speed, using the d5-knight, d4 and Re1 against Black's uncastled king. Black should take the pawn and castle quickly.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxe4, with d6 and Bc5 close behind. 4...Nxe4 takes the free pawn, and 5...d6 next keeps e5 solid while Black develops.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.