Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Four Knights Game

Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation, Maróczy Variation

C48positionalsolid

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Nc3Nf6
  4. 4.Bb5Nd4
  5. 5.Be2Nxf3+
  6. 6.Bxf3Bc5
  7. 7.O-OO-O
  8. 8.d3d6
  9. 9.Na4Bb6

No game statistics for this position yet.

A quiet branch of the Rubinstein Four Knights where White meets 4...Nd4 with 5. Be2, leading to a symmetrical e4/d3 versus e5/d6 maneuvering game.

Train it in Theoria

About the Maróczy Variation

The Maróczy Variation arises when White answers the Rubinstein's 4...Nd4 with the modest retreat 5. Be2. After 5...Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 d6, a pair of knights is gone and Black's bishop eyes f2. 9. Na4 chases that bishop, aiming to trade it for the knight, and 9...Bb6 keeps it on the a7–g1 diagonal. The symmetrical center produces slow, maneuvering play.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.