Tree path 7 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Normal Variation › Three Knights Opening › Four Knights Game › Spanish Variation › Ranken Variation
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game C20
- King's Knight Opening C40
- Normal Variation C44
- Three Knights Opening C46
- Four Knights Game C47
- Spanish Variation C48
- Ranken Variation C48 you are here
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation
Overview
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C48), 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 9 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6.
The line refines Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.
It continues primarily into one named line, Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- C48
- Group
- Open Games (C)
- Plies
- 9
- Direct variations
- 1
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
402,252 games · White 55.8% / Draw 5.1% / Black 39.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| dxc6 | 324,706 | |
| bxc6 | 77,150 | |
| b5 | 170 | |
| b6 | 89 | |
| Bc5 | 37 | |
| Bb4 | 31 | |
| Be7 | 28 | |
| Bd6 | 14 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:05:44
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.