Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. d4/4...exd4

Scotch variation accepted C47 Four knights game → Scotch variation 4...exd4 · Scotch variation accepted Black accepts the d4-pawn. Unlike in the Scotch game (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4), taking the d4-pawn comes with tempo on White's knight. White must retake the pawn or move the knight to avoid losing material. 5. Nxd4 recovers the material. If Black elects to trade knights, 5...Nxd4?! 6. Qxd4 is better for White as White's queen becomes activated and Black cannot gain tempo on it. On the other hand, White is very happy to trade the knights on c6 with tempo on Black's queen and inducing Black to double their c-pawns. The main line continues 5...Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6, avoiding the queen trade after 6...dxc6, and 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 cxd5 allows Black to un-double their pawns. An alternative is the Schmid defence, 5...Nxe4, a temporary knight sacrifice. 5. Nd5!? is the Belgrade gambit. White moves their knight out of danger but gives up the e-pawn. White is usually quite happy for Black to take it, hoping to build a lead in development and to recover at least one pawn soon enough. The Belgrade gambit is usually answered 5...Be7, a quiet move that avoids complications, or the more testing 5...Nb4. 5. e5?, counterattacking Black's knight, is inferior as White is already down material. 5...dxc3! 6. exf6 Qxf6 7. bxc3 --. Black is up a pawn, while White has doubled isolated c-pawns, one of which is hanging. 5. Nb5?, intending to recapture the pawn with the b5 knight, allows 5...Bb4+ and ...Nxe4 and Black can exploit their increased control of c3 and d2, e.g. 5...Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Nxe4 (attacks d2) 7. Bxb4 Nxb4 8. Nbxd4 O-O --, Black is up material, has castled, and has the bishop pair. Theory table References See also