Four Knights Game: Scotch Krause Gambit
```html
Four Knights Game
Definition
The Four Knights Game is a classical open-game opening that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6. With all four knights developed in only three moves, both sides reach a balanced, symmetrical position renowned for its solid yet flexible character.
Typical Move-Order & Main Branches
- Spanish (Ruy Lopez) Four Knights: 4. Bb5
- Italian Four Knights: 4. Bc4
- Scotch Four Knights: 4. d4
- Quiet Systems: 4. Be2 or 4. g3
Each branch steers play into very different middlegames, ranging from the calm maneuvering of the Spanish Four Knights to the razor-sharp Scotch lines.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: Because both e-pawns are fixed in the center, a timely d2–d4 or …d7–d5 break is often decisive.
- Piece Activity versus Structure: Many lines feature doubled pawns (after Nxc6 or Bxc6) that grant the opponent the bishop pair or freer piece play in compensation.
- Symmetry Management: The opening is naturally equal, so plans revolve around disturbing the balance at the right moment.
Historical Significance
The Four Knights was popular in the 19th century but declined when hyper-modern openings emerged. It has since served as a reliable weapon for World Champions such as José Raúl Capablanca (who defeated Cohn in Berlin 1913 with it) and is frequently chosen by modern grandmasters to avoid the heavily analyzed Ruy Lopez.
Illustrative Mini-Game
In this 14-move fragment, White ruptures Black’s kingside after accepting doubled c-pawns—an instructive illustration of structure vs. activity.
Interesting Facts
- Because development is so rapid, both sides can castle on move four.
- The symmetrical setup makes the opening a favorite teaching tool for beginners, yet its subtleties can engage grandmasters for hours.
Scotch Game
Definition
The Scotch Game is an open, central-oriented opening beginning 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4. Named after the 1824 Edinburgh vs. London correspondence match, it immediately opens the center and avoids the labyrinth of Ruy Lopez theory.
Main Ideas
- Immediate Central Control: By playing d2–d4 in one go, White challenges the e5-pawn and accelerates piece activity.
- Piece-Pressure on f7 & c7: Knights on d4 and f3, plus a potential Bc4, target Black’s weak points.
- Dynamic but Sound: Compared to gambits such as the Danish, the Scotch gives White healthy pawn structure at the cost of early simplification.
Popular Variations
- Classical Scotch: 4…Bc5
- Schmidt (Mieses) Variation: 4…Nf6
- Scotch Four Knights: 3…Nc6 4.Nf3 … Nc6 4.d4 (transposing from the Four Knights)
Revival in the 1990s
Garry Kasparov resurrected the Scotch in his World Championship clashes with Anatoly Karpov (e.g., Game 20, Lyon 1990). His enthusiasm triggered a surge of modern analytical work that re-established the line as a top-level weapon.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Lyon) 1990
Kasparov sacrifices structure to seize space and eventually overwhelms the Black center.
Interesting Facts
- Because captures occur so early, a full endgame can emerge by move 12—rare for an open game.
- Modern databases show the Scotch scoring fractionally better for White in blitz than in classical play, reflecting its practical punch.
Krause Gambit (Scotch Four Knights)
Definition & Move-Order
The Krause Gambit is a combative sub-line of the Scotch Four Knights that begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3. Despite the name, no pawn is actually sacrificed; instead White “gambits” the bishop pair and structural purity to accelerate development and harass Black’s doubled c-pawns.
Key Strategic Concepts
- Doubled Pawns as Targets: By forcing …bxc6, White establishes c6 & c7 as long-term weaknesses.
- Bishop on d3: Eyes both h7 and the open a6–f1 diagonal, preparing e4-e5 breaks.
- Bishop Pair Compensation: Black’s two bishops can become strong if the position opens, so White often keeps the center closed temporarily.
Sample Continuation
A common sequence is 7...O-O 8.O-O d5 9.exd5 cxd5 10.Bg5, after which White pins the f6-knight and activates every piece.
[[Pgn| e4|e5|Nf3|Nc6|Nc3|Nf6|d4|exd4|Nxd4|Bb4|Nxc6|bxc6|Bd3|O-O|O-O|d5|exd5|cxd5|Bg5 |arrows|g5f6,d4f5,c3d5|squares|d5,f6]]Historical Notes
The line is named after the German theoretician Hermann Krause, who analyzed it extensively in the early 20th century. Although it never became mainstream, legends such as Alexander Alekhine and, more recently, Levon Aronian have adopted it when striving for fresh positions.
Practical Evaluation
Modern engines consider the gambit approximately equal (≈ 0.00 to +0.20 for White) but see rich, unbalanced play—an attractive choice for White players who relish “playing against structure.”
Trivia
- Many amateurs mistakenly call 6.Nxc6 in the Italian Four Knights the “Krause Gambit.” The authentic Krause only appears after …Bb4 & 7.Bd3.
- Because neither side castles long, opposite-wing attacks are rare; instead, endgame advantages (weak pawns, minor-piece activity) decide most Krause Gambit games.