Four Knights: Scotch, 4...exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6
Four Knights: Scotch, 4...exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6
Definition
The Four Knights: Scotch, 4…exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 is a concrete sub-variation of the Four Knights Game that blends ideas from the Scotch Opening. It arises after the moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6
How the Sequence Unfolds
- 4.d4 — White converts the symmetrical Four Knights into a Scotch-like central strike.
- 4…exd4 — Black accepts the challenge, opening the center.
- 5.Nxd4 — White’s knight retakes, centralizing on d4.
- 5…Bb4 — The “pin” keeps pressure on e4 and tempts structural concessions.
- 6.Nxc6 bxc6 — White trades on c6; Black accepts doubled c-pawns in return for the bishop pair and a semi-open b-file.
Strategic Themes
- Black’s bishop pair: With pawns on e5 and c6 cleared, the light-squared bishop often lands on a6, fianchettoes on g7, or presses down the long diagonal.
- Doubled c-pawns: The structure c7–c6–c5 can advance to challenge White’s center and open lines, but the pawn on c6 can become a target in endgames.
- Open centre: Because the e- and d-files are quickly cleared, both sides rush to castle and place rooks on the open files.
- Typical White plans:
- 7. Bd3 or 7. Qd4 hitting g7 and c5 squares.
- 7.e5 chasing the f6-knight and fixing d6 as an outpost.
- Long-term pressure on c6 and the backward d-pawn that can arise after …d7–d6.
- Typical Black plans:
- …Qe7, …d5 break, or …d6 followed by …g6 and Bg7 to consolidate.
- …Rb8 and …d5 leveraging the b-file and central tension.
Historical Background
The line became popular at the turn of the 20th century when players such as Emanuel Lasker and Akiba Rubinstein sought fighting alternatives to the quieter Giuoco Piano. Although eclipsed by sharper modern openings, it still appears in grandmaster praxis whenever a player aims for an imbalanced but fundamentally sound position.
Sample Continuations
- 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O Re8 9.Re1 d5 10.exd5 Rxe1+ 11.Qxe1 cxd5 — Black equalises with active pieces.
- 7.e5 Qe7 8.Qe2 Nd5 9.Bd2 Bxc3 10.bxc3 O-O — White clamps the centre; Black banks on bishops.
Illustrative Game
Rubinstein – Spielmann, San Sebastián 1912
A classic example of Black exploiting the bishop pair and the semi-open b-file.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The move 6.Nxc6 was once considered “positionally suspect” because it yields the bishop pair; modern engines, however, give the position a roughly equal evaluation, showing that both points of view have merit.
- World Champion Magnus Carlsen experimented with the line as Black in his early career, scoring several dynamic wins in youth events.
- An old saying among club players is “doubled pawns aren’t always weak— they often give you a half-open file and an extra central pawn,” a maxim that fits this variation perfectly.
When to Use This Line
Choose this variation if you:
- Enjoy balanced middlegames with latent tactical possibilities.
- Are not afraid of playing with (or against) doubled pawns.
- Seek a surprise weapon against opponents comfortable in the quieter Four Knights main lines.
Further Study
- Modern databases list thousands of games; filter by ECO code C47 to see the latest trends.
- Recommended resource: chapters on the Scotch Four Knights in “The Open Games For Black” by Martin Breutigam.