Four Knights Game: Double Spanish & Nimzowitsch Variation
Four Knights Game
Definition
The Four Knights Game is an Open Game that starts after the symmetric sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6. All four knights are developed to their most natural squares, giving the opening its name.
Typical Continuations
- 4. Bb5 – the Spanish (Ruy Lopez) Variation, leading to several sub-lines such as the Double Spanish and the Nimzowitsch Variation.
- 4. d4 – the Scotch Four Knights, immediately challenging the centre.
- 4. g3 – the Glek (or Duras) System, aiming for a fianchettoed bishop and long-term pressure.
Strategic Themes
- Symmetry: Because both sides have copied each other’s moves, small nuances often decide the struggle.
- Rapid Development: All minor pieces are already out by move 4, so both sides look for constructive plans rather than just finishing development.
- Central Tension: Moves like …d5 or d4 tend to break the symmetry and can lead to open, tactical play.
Historical Significance
The opening was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—Tarrasch, Capablanca, and Rubinstein all used it—before falling out of fashion when sharper openings took centre stage. Its soundness and relatively low theoretical burden have brought it back into modern repertoire books as a solid alternative to heavily analysed main lines of the Ruy Lopez and Italian Game.
Illustrative Game
Capablanca – Marshall, San Sebastián 1911, followed the line 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 and showed how quickly the position can resemble a Ruy Lopez while remaining fully symmetrical.
Interesting Facts
- Because every minor piece is already in play, castling and pawn breaks occur much earlier than in many other openings.
- Computer engines rate the starting Four Knights position as almost dead-even, making it attractive to players who enjoy balanced strategical battles.
Sample Line
Double Spanish (Four Knights Game)
Definition
The Double Spanish (ECO C49) is a sub-variation of the Four Knights that arises after:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4
Both sides pin the opponent’s c-knight to the king, mirroring the hallmark bishop-on-b5 idea of the Ruy Lopez. Because each player has “played a Spanish,” the line is nicknamed the Double Spanish.
Strategic Ideas
- Pin Battles: Each bishop exerts long-term pressure on a knight that defends centre-pawn e4/e5.
- Pawn Structure: Exchanges on c6/c3 can lead to doubled pawns, echoing typical Ruy Lopez structures from both perspectives.
- Castling Race: With both bishops active early, each side often castles quickly (4…Bb4 5. O-O O-O) and then decides whether to play d3/d6 or break in the centre.
Theoretical Status
The line is considered sound and relatively low-maintenance for both colours. White can aim for a slow build-up with d3, Re1, or choose sharper play with d4. Black enjoys complete equality if development is completed without concessions.
Model Game
Caruana – Nakamura, London Classic 2015, featured 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 and displayed classic manoeuvring on the light squares.
Interesting Tidbits
- Because the line mirrors the Ruy Lopez from both sides, commentators sometimes joke that the board looks like a “mirror within a mirror.”
- Club players often stumble into the Double Spanish by accident when Black answers 4. Bb5 with “symmetry first” rather than deep theory.
Sample Line
Nimzowitsch Variation (Four Knights Game)
Definition
Named after the hyper-modern pioneer Aron Nimzowitsch, this aggressive counter-punch arises from the Spanish Four Knights after:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 d5!?
Black breaks the symmetry at once, challenging the centre and offering a pawn sacrifice in some lines.
Main Line Continuation
5. exd5 Nxd5 leads to dynamically balanced play where:
- Black has rapid development and central influence.
- White often targets the advanced knight with 6. Nxe5 or 6. O-O, aiming at c6 and e5.
Strategic Concepts
- Immediate Central Clash: …d5 directly contests the e4-pawn, questioning White’s setup before it can consolidate.
- Tactical Resources: Early piece activity may compensate for structural weaknesses if Black recaptures with a piece rather than a pawn.
- Transpositional Freedom: Depending on White’s reply, positions can transpose to Scotch-type structures, Ruy Lopez themes, or even Petroff-like endgames.
Historical & Modern Use
Nimzowitsch himself employed the idea in the 1910s, notably against Salwe (Łódź 1916). In modern practice, the line is an occasional surprise weapon—Wesley So and Levon Aronian have both tried it in rapid events—to avoid heavier theory while still playing for the win.
Illustrative Game
Nimzowitsch – Salwe, Copenhagen 1916:
Fun Facts
- The move …d5 was considered “heretical” in Nimzowitsch’s time because it ignored classical rules about fully completing development first—perfect fodder for a hyper-modern experimenter.
- Even engines evaluate the line as roughly equal, but only if Black follows up precisely; one slip can hand White a significant advantage, which is why the variation is more popular in blitz and rapid chess.