Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4

ECO C47

The Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation is a chess opening line in the Four Knights Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4.

It is catalogued under code C47 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d4 is chosen by White on move 4.

4 named continuations branch from this position, including the Belgrade Gambit and the Krause Gambit.

Named variations

• Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Belgrade Gambit — ECO C47
• Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Krause Gambit — ECO C47
• Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Oxford Gambit — ECO C47
• Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense — ECO C47

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Scotch Opening course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.