Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Normal Variation › Three Knights Opening › Four Knights Game › Scotch Variation

C47

Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation

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Overview

Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C47), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.

It is reached after 7 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4.

The line refines Four Knights Game, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.

The line splits into 3 documented sub-systems: Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted, Krause Gambit, Oxford Gambit.

In total, the branch covers 8 sub-variations across all depths.

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ECO code: C47
Group: Open Games (C)
Plies: 7
Parent: Four Knights Game
Direct variations: 3
Total in subtree: 8

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

4,956,839 games · White 51.9% / Draw 5.8% / Black 42.3%

Moves	Games	W / D / B
exd4	4,053,494
Bb4	370,562
d6	296,259
Nxd4	76,953
d5	51,972
Bd6	38,622
Bc5	23,207
Nxe4	13,642

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:40:11

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Variations (3)

Show all 8 sub-variations (full subtree)

Overview

Statistics from Lichess

Variations (3)

Related variations at the same level