Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
73,309 games: White 41.1% / Draw 8.3% / Black 50.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 53,86854K | ||
| 18,70619K | ||
| 412412 | ||
| 8787 | ||
| 3535 | ||
| 3131 | ||
| 3030 | ||
| 2020 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 24, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.12 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. Nxe4 Qe7 7. Bd3 Nxd4 8. O-O d5 9. Bc4 Nf3+ 10. Qxf3 Qxe4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense (ECO C47, Open Games) is a variation of the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nxe4 (5 moves).
In 73,309 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 41.1%, Black 50.6% and 8.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nxe4, in 73% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense
6. Nxc6 scores best for White: 46.0%, with White winning 40.6% and Black 48.6% of 19K games. The most played answer, 6. Nxe4, scores lowest: 45.0% in 54K games. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Nxe4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense (C47)”. Lichess data as of 24 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/four-knights-game-scotch-variation-schmid-defense