Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bc5 5.O-O O-O 6.Nxe5 Nxe5 7.d4 Bd6 8.f4 Nc6 9.e5 Bb4

ECO C48

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation is a chess opening line in the Four Knights Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bc5 5.O-O O-O 6.Nxe5 Nxe5 7.d4 Bd6 8.f4 Nc6 9.e5 Bb4.

It is catalogued under code C48 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bb4 is chosen by Black on move 9.

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.