Four Knights Game: Complete Repertoire

13. Scotch Four Knights vs 5...Bc5 (6.Be3 Bb6 7.Nf5)

Against the active development 5...Bc5, White plays solid and thematic 6.Be3. When Black’s bishop retreats to b6 to avoid traps, White's knight leaps into f5, simultaneously attacking g7 and kingside castling.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bc5 6.Be3 Bb6 7.Nf5

Move by move

  1. 1.e4 – The initial king's pawn push opens diagonal pathways for both the queen and the dark-squared bishop, staking an immediate claim in the center on e4.
  2. 1...e5 – Black’s classical symmetrical reply: occupies central space on e5, prevents further white expansion with e4, and unlocks diagonals for pieces.
  3. 2.Nf3 – Classical development with a direct threat: the knight attacks the undefended e5-pawn while initiating rapid mobilization toward kingside castling.
  4. 2...Nc6 – The most natural and solid defense: the knight protects the e5-pawn, controls the d4 and b4 squares, and develops a minor piece into the fray.
  5. 3.Nc3 – The Three Knights Game: White brings out the second knight, fortifying e4 and preparing to fight for asymmetric central control with a future d4.
  6. 3...Nf6 – The Four Knights Game! Black develops their final knight, counter-attacking e4 and establishing a position of complete and harmonious symmetry.
  7. 4.d4 – The central Scotch push! White immediately disputes the center with d4, opening lines for major pieces and initiating the Belgrade Gambit.
  8. 4...exd4 – Black captures on d4 surrendering their central pawn, opening the e-file and exposing themselves to White’s energetic dynamic threats.
  9. 5.Nxd4 – Natural and solid recapture in the Scotch Four Knights: the knight retakes on d4, dominating the center and coordinating with kingside pieces.
  10. 5...Bc5 – Aggressive bishop development to c5 targeting the d4-knight and f2, attempting to actively contest White’s central space control.
  11. 6.Be3 – Solid centralizing development: the bishop reinforces d4 and sets up lethal discovered attack threats against the c5-bishop and the king.
  12. 6...Bb6 – Prophylactic bishop retreat to b6 to sidestep discovery tactics, but leaving Black’s kingside vulnerable to an immediate knight incursion.
  13. 7.Nf5 – Lethal knight leap to f5! White simultaneously attacks the undefended g7-pawn and the d6-square, effectively paralyzing Black’s kingside castling.

How to exploit the position

Swift recapture on d4 and positional response 6.Be3 opposing the c5-bishop

Master tips

The knight raid on f5

If Black plays 6...Bb6 to avoid discoveries, 7.Nf5 immediately strikes g7, paralyzing short castling.

Model games