Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense
Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation
Definition
The Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4. By thrusting the d-pawn two squares, White breaks the symmetry of the classical Four Knights and transposes to structures reminiscent of the Scotch Game, hence the hybrid name. The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO) classifies the line under code C47.
Typical Move-order
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4
• If Black captures: 4…exd4 5.Nxd4 (main line)
• Alternatives: 4…Bb4 (Schmid Defense), 4…d5 (Gunsberg Variation), or
4…exd4 5.Nd5 (Lasker Variation).
Strategic Themes
- Central tension: White immediately challenges e5 and often leaves a pawn on d4 to be recaptured later, inviting fluid piece play.
- Piece activity: With all four knights developed by move 4, both sides race to place bishops and queens on aggressive diagonals (Bc4, Bb5, …Bc5, …Bb4).
- Open lines for minor pieces: After 4…exd4 5.Nxd4, the c6-knight can head for b4 or e5, while the f3-knight eyes b5 and g5 squares.
- Transpositional value: The variation can transpose into pure Scotch Game positions, Rubinstein-type Four Knights, or even lines that resemble the Italian Game depending on Black’s fifth move.
Historical Notes
Early references go back to 19th-century games of Howard Staunton. Emanuel Lasker experimented with the variation, lending his name to one sub-line. Modern grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian have revived the system as a flexible, surprise choice against the solid 1…e5 repertoire.
Illustrative Example
A thematic main-line sample:
White has regained the pawn, Black owns the bishop pair, and the pawn structure is unbalanced—typical Scotch Four Knights play.
Interesting Facts
- The opening is popular in scholastic circles because it develops four pieces quickly and teaches the value of central pawn strikes.
- In the 2005 World Youth Championship, more than 10 % of the games beginning with 1.e4 e5 reached the Scotch Four Knights by move 4.
- Grandmaster Sergey Karjakin once called it “the Swiss Army knife of 1.e4 players” because of its many possible transpositions.
Schmid Defense (in the Scotch Four Knights)
Definition
The Schmid Defense is Black’s immediate counter-pin 4…Bb4 in the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4. Named after German grandmaster and renowned arbiter Lothar Schmid, it sidesteps the critical 4…exd4 and keeps central tension intact while putting pressure on the c3-knight.
Main Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4
From here typical continuations are:
- 5. Nxe5 Nxe4 6. Qd3 (or 6.Bd2) — White grabs e5 but must justify the knight’s excursion.
- 5. d5 Nxe4 6. dxc6 Nxc3 7. Qg4!? — the sharp Larsen line.
- 5. Bd3 exd4 6. a3! diverting the bishop before recapturing on d4.
Strategic Ideas
- Pin and counter-attack: By pinning the c3-knight, Black threatens …Nxe4, exploiting the fact that the f3-knight is no longer guarding e4 once White’s e-pawn advances or is exchanged.
- Delayed central exchange: Not taking on d4 keeps the position flexible and offers Black the choice of meeting d4xd5 with …Nxe4 in one go.
- Asymmetry: Unlike the symmetrical main line, Schmid’s move commits a bishop early and can lead to doubled c-pawns for Black or structural weaknesses for White, depending on ensuing captures.
Historical & Practical Significance
Although less common at elite level than 4…exd4, the Schmid Defense remains a respected sideline and a potent surprise weapon. Lothar Schmid used it successfully in the 1964 Capablanca Memorial, and modern practitioners such as Alexei Shirov and Etienne Bacrot have employed it to avoid well-trodden theory.
Sample Game
Shirov vs. Bacrot, Grenke 2013 (annotated outline)
Interesting Tidbits
- Because Lothar Schmid was also the chief arbiter of the 1972 Fischer–Spassky match, the line is jokingly called “the referee’s reply” among some club players.
- The idea of delaying the capture on d4 with a pin was first analysed by Russian theoretician Mikhail Chigorin, but Schmid’s independent refinements in the 1950s popularised it.
- Engines evaluate the starting position after 4…Bb4 as roughly equal (≈0.20 pawns for White) but practical results at master level show Black scoring a healthy 48 %.