Chessy
Four Knights Game: d4 – Black's Playbook
The Four Knights Game usually feels quiet, but after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 Bb4 the temperature rises fast. Your bishop pins the knight on c3, and White has to make a decision. Statistically this position is close — White wins 49.9%, Black wins 46.0%, and 4.1% end in draws over nearly 700,000 games. Stockfish gives +0.40, a small edge for White, meaning you are slightly worse but far from lost. The drill below will teach you how to handle White's most popular replies and where they can go wrong.
Play the Four Knights Game: d4 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play through the key lines in the interactive drill below. See how Black punishes dxe5, handles Nxe5, and scores from this sharp position. Create a free account
Create a free account →The Big Surprise: White Hangs a Knight
The engine's best move here is Nxe5 — yes, White just gives up a knight. After Nxe5 Qe7 Qd3 Bxc3+ the dust settles and White has some compensation, but you're the one who won a piece. The scary part is that many White players don't find this. Instead, they reach for moves like dxe5 or Bd2, both of which the engine calls mistakes that lose over a pawn. In the drill you'll face the scary Nxe5 and learn to reply accurately with Qe7 and the quick Bxc3+.
The Critical Moment: White's Most Popular Replies
Over 288,000 players have played dxe5 here — it's by far the most popular move. But it is a mistake, losing about 1.1 pawns. White thinks they're winning a piece back, but your bishop on b4 gives you strong counterplay. The second-most-popular move is d5 (151,874 games, White scores 52.6%), which is solid but not a mistake. You'll also face Bd2 (a mistake losing ~1.2 pawns), a3 (an inaccuracy losing ~0.9 pawns), Bg5, and Bd3. Each leads to a different type of middlegame, and the drill adapts to whichever White chooses.
Where White Falters — and How You Punish It
The three most common errors are clear from the database. Against dxe5, Black hasn't won yet, but you have the more comfortable side — the engine says White made a mistake, and Black's 46% win rate in this position shows real chances. Against Bd2, you should be ready to take on c3 and enjoy a healthy pawn and piece structure. Against a3, the inaccuracy, your best continuation is to keep the tension. The drill will show you the exact follow-ups.
Why This Opening Suits You
If you like sharp positions where your opponent can easily go wrong, the Four Knights Game: d4 is a great weapon as Black. White has to know the Nxe5 idea to stay equal — otherwise they're down a pawn. You get to play actively with your queen and bishop, and the statistics show Black scores well in practice. Even in the engine line you come out a piece ahead, though White gets some compensation. It's an opening where knowing one or two precise replies gives you excellent results at club level.
Results across 694,613 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxe5 | 288,388 | 50.5% |
| d5 | 151,874 | 52.6% |
| Bd2 | 81,946 | 45.3% |
| a3 | 35,981 | 44.3% |
| Bg5 | 31,149 | 52.3% |
| Bd3 | 29,505 | 43.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is dxe5 really a mistake for White in the Four Knights d4 line?
Yes. Stockfish evaluates dxe5 as a mistake that costs White about 1.1 pawns. White's best move is the counter-intuitive Nxe5, giving up the knight. Over 288,000 players have played dxe5 in practice, but it gives Black a clear edge.
What should Black do if White plays Nxe5?
You reply Qe7, attacking both the knight on e5 and threatening the king. White typically answers Qd3, and then you play Bxc3+ to shatter White's queenside pawns. You come out a piece up, though White gets some compensation.
Why do White players avoid Nxe5 and play dxe5 instead?
Nxe5 looks like a blunder — it just hangs a knight. Many club players don't analyse far enough to see that after Qe7 Qd3 Bxc3+ White has some play for the piece. The straightforward dxe5 feels natural but is actually inferior.
What is Black's winning chance in the Four Knights d4 line?
Black wins 46.0% of games in the database, compared to White's 49.9%, with 4.1% draws. Considering White has the first-move advantage, Black's results are very respectable, especially since White often misplays the position.
How many games feature the Four Knights Game: d4?
Over 694K Lichess games have reached the Four Knights Game: d4 position. White wins 49.9%, Black wins 46.0%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.