Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Nd4

ECO C48

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein 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 Nd4.

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

The defining move Nd4 is chosen by Black on move 4.

4 named continuations branch from this position, including the Henneberger Variation and the Marshall Gambit.

Named variations

• Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Henneberger Variation — ECO C48
• Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Gambit — ECO C48
• Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Marshall Variation — ECO C48
• Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy Variation — ECO C48

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.