Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 a6 5.Bxc6

ECO C48

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Ranken 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 a6 5.Bxc6.

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

The defining move Bxc6 is chosen by White on move 5.

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.