Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Blake Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 7.Bg5 Ne7 8.Nh4 c6 9.Bc4 d5 10.Bb3 Qd6

ECO C49

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Blake 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 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 7.Bg5 Ne7 8.Nh4 c6 9.Bc4 d5 10.Bb3 Qd6.

It is catalogued under code C49 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Qd6 is chosen by Black on move 10.

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.