Four Knights: Spanish, 4...d6 5.d4
Four Knights: Spanish, 4...d6 5.d4
Definition
The line 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 d6 5. d4 belongs to the Four Knights Game – Spanish Variation. After the traditional Four Knights mirror develops both pairs of knights, White introduces the Ruy Lopez bishop on move 4 (Bb5). Black’s reply 4…d6 shores up the e5-pawn and keeps the position compact, and White immediately challenges the centre with 5. d4. This move order leads to fluid central pawn structures and can transpose to Philidor-type positions, classical Ruy Lopez manoeuvres, or simplified endgames, depending on how pieces are exchanged.
Typical Move Order
Key starting sequence in algebraic notation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 d6 5. d4
Strategic Ideas
- Central Tension: By playing 5.d4, White immediately attacks the e5-pawn and threatens to open the centre. Black must decide whether to capture (5…exd4), maintain tension, or counter-attack elsewhere.
- Philidor Setup for Black: After 5…exd4 6.Nxd4 Bd7, Black often completes development with …Be7, …O-O, and …Re8, reaching a solid but somewhat passive structure reminiscent of the Philidor Defence.
- Bishop Pair vs. Knights: Exchanges on c6 or e5 can leave White with the bishop pair and a spatial edge. However, if Black trades pieces efficiently, the game may simplify into equal endgames.
- Flexible Transpositions: The position can transpose to the Scotch Four Knights, the Giuoco Piano, or even the Petroff if Black later plays …Nxe4 followed by …d5. Hence, move-order nuances matter.
Historical Notes
The Spanish Four Knights was fashionable in the late 19th century when masters such as Wilhelm Steinitz and Joseph Blackburne experimented with early d2-d4 thrusts. The exact 4…d6 sideline never achieved the popularity of the mainline 4…Bb4 (the Rubinstein Variation), yet it has surfaced periodically as a surprise weapon.
A modern revival occurred in the 1990s when Joël Lautier and Alexei Shirov tried the position from the Black side, looking for unbalanced play without deep theoretical preparation.
Model Games
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Capablanca – Blackburne, Hastings 1919
The Cuban world-champion-to-be demonstrated how to exploit central space: after 5…exd4 6.Nxd4 Bd7 7.O-O, he maintained the tension, expanded with f2-f4, and converted a small edge in the endgame. -
Timman – Lautier, Wijk aan Zee 1994
Lautier sacrificed a pawn with 5…Bd7!? 6.d5 Ne7, reaching a dynamic position where Black’s piece activity compensated for the material deficit.
Common Traps & Tactics
- e5-Fork Motif: If Black lazily castles after 5…exd4 6.Nxd4 Be7 7.Nxc6, the recapture 7…bxc6 leaves d6 hanging and White can sometimes fork with 8.Bxc6+ followed by 9.Qxd6.
- Pin on the a4–e8 Diagonal: After 5…exd4 6.Nxd4 Bd7 7.O-O, White’s Bb5 and Nd4 coordinate to pin the c6-knight; if Black replies 7…Nxd4?! 8.Bxd7+ Qxd7 9.Qxd4 wins a pawn.
Interesting Facts
- The line is an early example of hyper-modern thought: Black allows White to build a broad centre with d4 and later targets it from a distance.
- In correspondence play, engines initially preferred 5…exd4 but shifting evaluations now favour holding the tension with 5…Bd7, showing how computer analysis reshapes opening theory.
- Because the move order mirrors the classical Ruy Lopez, some beginners accidentally reach this line by transposition, providing a practical surprise for club players.
When to Use It
Choose 4…d6 5.d4 as Black if you:
- Desire a solid, schematic development plan (…Be7, …O-O, …Re8)
- Are comfortable defending slightly cramped positions
- Want to avoid the heavily-analysed 4…Bb4 Rubinstein mainline
Play 5.d4 immediately as White if you:
- Prefer open central play to slow manoeuvring
- Like obtaining the bishop pair and space advantage
- Know typical Philidor and Ruy Lopez structures