Chessy
Playing Black Against the English: Four Knights: d4
You've reached one of the most balanced crossroads in the English Opening. After 1.c4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4, the position is dead level — Stockfish gives -0.12, which is basically a perfect handshake for both sides. The database backs this up: across over 108,000 games, Black wins 44.4% of the time, White wins 50.8%, and draws are rare at just 4.8%. This page will show you how to handle what comes next, what to look for, and which moves to avoid.
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Create a free account →The Tabiya: What You're Fighting For
This position is the gateway to a tense, strategic middlegame where neither side gets an easy ride. The open d-file and the central tension mean piece activity matters more than pawn grabbing. Black has comfortable development, good central control, and the potential to strike back quickly. Your main fight is for the dark squares around White's position — the bishop on f8 will become a key piece once it gets to b4 or c5. White's space advantage in the centre is real but temporary; if you develop accurately, you'll have equal chances before long.
The Engine's Choice: Nxd4
The top move here — played in over 106,000 games — is 4...Nxd4. This recapture is simple, natural, and keeps the balance. You take with the knight, White will likely capture back with 5.Nxd4, and then you reply 5...Bb4, pinning the knight on c3. After 6.Nxc6 Bxc3+, the dark-squared bishop delivers a check, forcing White to decide how to recapture. This exchange simplifies the position slightly while leaving you with the bishop pair and no structural weaknesses. The resulting middlegame is rich but comfortable for Black — exactly what you want from a dead-equal opening.
Spotting White's Mistakes
White has several tempting alternatives that are actually serious errors. You need to know how to punish them. If White plays 5.Nb5, it's a mistake that loses about 1.3 pawns — the knight ends up misplaced on the rim. White's best reply was simply Nxd4. Even worse are 5.Qxd4 (a blunder losing roughly 5.6 pawns) and 5.Bg5 (a blunder losing about 4.9 pawns). The database confirms how rare these are: Qxd4 appears in only 58 games (White scores 15.5%) and Bg5 in 55 games (White scores 23.6%). If your opponent plays one of these, stay alert and aim to win material.
What the Statistics Reveal
The numbers tell a clear story: this opening rewards solid play, not tricks. The most common move Nxd4 gives White a 51.0% score — right around expectation from a balanced position. But interestingly, the less common lines are tougher for White to handle. After 5.Nd5 (1,475 games), White's score drops to 43.3%, meaning Black wins more often than not. If you study the Nxd4 line deeply, you'll be well-prepared for the main road. But knowing a little about the Nd5 sideline can give you an edge if your opponent goes off the beaten path.
Results across 108,556 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nxd4 | 106,542 | 51.0% |
| Nd5 | 1,475 | 43.3% |
| Nb5 | 281 | 44.8% |
| Qxd4 | 58 | 15.5% |
| Bg5 | 55 | 23.6% |
| e3 | 33 | 27.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the English Four Knights: d4 line good for Black?
Yes, this line is perfectly playable and leads to equal chances. Stockfish evaluates it at -0.12 (essentially dead level), and Black scores 44.4% across over 108,000 games — very healthy for a balanced opening.
What is the most common reply for White after 4...exd4?
White's most common move is 5.Nxd4, played in over 106,000 games. After that, the typical sequence continues 5...Bb4, pinning the knight on c3, followed by 6.Nxc6 Bxc3+, which simplifies into an equal middlegame.
What should Black do if White plays 5.Nb5?
5.Nb5 is a mistake that loses about 1.3 pawns. You should treat it as a gift — develop naturally and exploit the knight's poor placement. The database shows White scores only 44.8% from this line, so Black has good winning chances.
What are White's worst moves in this position?
Both 5.Qxd4 and 5.Bg5 are blunders, losing about 5.6 and 4.9 pawns respectively. White scores just 15.5% after Qxd4 and 23.6% after Bg5. If your opponent plays either, stay sharp and look to win material quickly.
How many games feature the English: Four Knights: d4?
Over 108K Lichess games have reached the English: Four Knights: d4 position. White wins 50.8%, Black wins 44.4%, with 4.8% draws — based on real rated games.