Chess Openings Lab
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Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation

The Scotch Variation of the Four Knights is 4.d4, opening the center before the bishops come out. Black chooses between 4...exd4 into the Scotch Four Knights, the sharp Oxford Gambit with 4...Bb4, or the passive 4...d6.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4
ECO
C47
Engine
+0.03 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
3,359 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 4...exd4 5.Nxd4, the knight is centralized and Bd3 and castling follow quickly.
  • Against 4...Bb4, grab the pawn with 5.Nxe5. After 5...Qe7 6.Qd3, the queen guards both e4 and c3.
  • Against 4...d6, 5.h3 stops ...Bg4 and keeps the tension. After ...exd4 and Nxd4, White has easy development.
  • While Black delays ...exd4, the option dxe5 hangs over the position and can hit the f6-knight.

Black

  • 4...exd4 is the cleanest choice. After 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5, Black has a healthy share of the center.
  • 4...Bb4 gives up e5 for activity: 5.Nxe5 Qe7 attacks the knight, and after ...Bxc3+ the f6-knight can take on e4.
  • Avoid 4...d6 if you dislike passive play: after 5.h3 exd4 6.Nxd4 Nxe4 7.Nxe4 Qe7 8.f3, White keeps the better game.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black takes on d4, the center opens and the play is about piece activity: White wants Bg5 and e5, while Black wants ...d5 and the b-file after ...bxc6. If Black holds e5 with ...d6, White gains space and decides when to release the tension. In the 4...Bb4 line, material evens out but both queens and two knights end up on the e-file, so pins there decide the game.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.03: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.03 4...exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3
  2. +0.27 4...Bb4 5.Nxe5 Qe7 6.Qd3 Bxc3+ 7.Qxc3
  3. +0.60 4...d6 5.h3 exd4 6.Nxd4 Nxe4 7.Nxe4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

3,359 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.6%.

under 120054.4%
1200–159956.0%
1600–199954.4%
2000 and up50.2%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Scotch Variation Accepted4...exd4 · 6,902 games
  • Scotch Variation Accepted, Main Line4...exd4 · rare
  • Scotch Variation, Oxford Gambit4...Bb4 · rare

How to play against it

4...exd4 is the simplest answer: take, pin with ...Bb4 and prepare ...d5. If you play 4...Bb4, know the follow-up with ...Qe7 and ...Bxc3+. Avoid passive ...d6 lines unless you are happy to defend a cramped position, since 5.h3 and a later f3 leave White with more space.

Questions

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

The Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4. Its ECO code is C47.

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.03 at depth 20, which is level. In 3,359 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.6%. A direct, low-theory choice for White that leads to open positions; Black players should prepare 4...exd4 and its ...d5 follow-up.

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

White opens the center early to use the lead in development. Black can take with 4...exd4 for a normal Scotch Four Knights or try the Oxford Gambit 4...Bb4; the passive 4...d6 gives White a pleasant edge.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is exd4, with Bb4 and d6 close behind. 4...exd4 releases the tension, and after 5.Nxd4 Bb4 Black pins the c3-knight and prepares ...d5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.