Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code C47, part of the Four Knights Game family. It goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e5. After 7 moves it is Black to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.
The moves
1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
1... e5 – Black plays the pawn to e5
2. Nf3 – White plays the knight to f3
2... Nc6 – Black plays the knight to c6
3. Nc3 – White plays the knight to c3
3... Nf6 – Black plays the knight to f6
4. d4 – White plays the pawn to d4
In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 4... exd4.
About the Four Knights Game
Both sides bring out both knights: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6. It is a classical, healthy opening that follows the basic rules.
White chooses 4.Bb5 (Spanish), 4.d4 (Scotch) or 4.Bc4 (Italian) style.
Black can answer 4.Bb5 with ...Bb4 (copying) or the sharp ...Nd4.
Watch the pin Bg5 on the f6 knight in symmetrical lines.
chessGM