Chessy
English: Four Knights — play Black confidently
After 1.c4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6, White chooses the next move in a position that is balanced and practical. Stockfish rates this +0.21, an edge for White, but the opening is still dead level for you in the game feel. That makes this a great drill position: you need simple, reliable decisions, not memorised tricks. Train the move now, meet White’s most common plans, and get comfortable in the middlegame that usually follows.
Play the English: Four Knights against the engine
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Create a free account →A balanced starting point for Black
The key thing to know is that this position is not one where you are fighting to survive. Stockfish rates it +0.21, an edge for White, and that means you are not worse in any practical sense here. You are in a healthy, playable English: Four Knights structure where piece activity and clean development matter more than sharp tactics. Your goal is to stay coordinated, answer White’s setup sensibly, and avoid giving White an easy lead in development.
What the engine prefers here
The engine’s best move is g3, and the listed continuation is g3 Bb4 Bg2 Bxc3. That tells you what kind of play this position encourages: quick development, pressure on key squares, and a willingness to trade when it helps you keep the position under control. If you want to learn this opening properly as Black, the drill is about recognising that White usually aims for a flexible setup, while you respond with sound development and good piece placement.
White’s main tries you should be ready for
The database shows that White most often continues with g3, e3, d4, d3, e4, or a3. The most played is g3 with 336,640 games, and it scores 53.9% for White, so you should expect it often and know how to meet it calmly. Other common choices are e3 with 242,413 games, d4 with 166,640 games, d3 with 146,357 games, e4 with 133,021 games, and a3 with 36,138 games. You do not need a different plan for each one at this stage — you need a stable understanding of the position and the typical ideas behind White’s setup.
What the numbers say about the position
Across 1,091,242 games at this exact position, White wins 52.4%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 43.5%. That is a useful reminder that White has done a little better in practice, even though the engine still calls the position dead level for you. In other words, this opening is playable, but you should treat it as a real test: if you develop carelessly, White can convert the slight practical pull into a better game.
Results across 1,091,242 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| g3 | 336,640 | 53.9% |
| e3 | 242,413 | 53.7% |
| d4 | 166,640 | 51.8% |
| d3 | 146,357 | 51.4% |
| e4 | 133,021 | 49.0% |
| a3 | 36,138 | 53.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the English: Four Knights good for Black?
Yes, it is playable and the position is dead level for you according to the engine. The practical results still lean a little toward White, so you should handle the opening accurately and focus on solid development.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is g3, with the continuation g3 Bb4 Bg2 Bxc3. That gives you a clear starting point for the drill and shows the type of development the position calls for.
What does White usually play in this position?
White most often chooses g3, followed by e3, d4, d3, e4, or a3. The most common move is g3, so that is the first reply you should know well.
How should I think about the evaluation?
Stockfish rates the position +0.21, which is an edge for White. Even so, the opening is described as dead level for you, so the practical message is that you are fine if you stay solid and develop sensibly.