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Italian: Four Knights — White’s practical guide
The Italian: Four Knights starts quietly, but the position after 4.Nc3 is already a real test of understanding. It is Black to move, and the engine says the opening is basically balanced. That makes this a great drill position: you need to know the plans, the common replies, and which moves Black should not drift into. Play the line below, then see whether you can keep control of the middlegame without handing Black easy relief.
Play the Italian: Four Knights against the engine
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Create a free account →What this position is really about
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3, you have developed quickly and aimed pieces at the centre and kingside. Nothing dramatic has happened yet, which is exactly why this position matters: both sides can still choose a direction for the game. Stockfish rates this -0.24, a small plus for Black. That means you are only slightly worse here, so your job is to stay accurate and keep the position playable.
What Black usually plays
In the database, the most common continuations are Bc5, Bb4, h6, Nxe4, d6, and Be7. The most popular move is Bc5, and Bb4 and h6 are also very common, so you should expect them often in the drill. The engine’s best move is Nxe4, and that is the move Black should know if they want the cleanest reply. If Black chooses that path, the line continues Nxe4 Nxe4 d5 Bd3.
Why some replies are punished
The statistics show a clear warning sign: Nxe4 is the engine’s best move, and some other moves are not as good. Bb4 is an inaccuracy, h6 is an inaccuracy, and d6 is a mistake. That does not mean those moves lose on the spot, but they give White a better chance to seize the initiative. As White, you should be ready to meet them with calm development and active piece placement rather than rushing for tactics that are not there.
What the numbers say in practice
Across 22,712,834 games at this exact position, White wins 48.6%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 47.1%. Those numbers fit the engine’s view that the position is very close. In other words, this is not an opening where White can expect a big edge for free, but it is also not a position where you are in trouble if you know what you are doing. The opening is a fair fight.
Results across 22,712,834 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bc5 | 9,307,828 | 48.6% |
| Bb4 | 3,124,603 | 49.8% |
| h6 | 2,743,385 | 49.2% |
| Nxe4 | 2,712,820 | 38.6% |
| d6 | 1,843,027 | 52.5% |
| Be7 | 1,205,416 | 46.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Italian: Four Knights good for White?
It is a perfectly playable choice for White. The engine rates the position -0.24, a small plus for Black, so White is not better, but the game remains very balanced. If you know the main replies, you can steer the middlegame into something comfortable.
What is Black’s best move here?
The engine’s best move is Nxe4. The line given continues Nxe4 Nxe4 d5 Bd3. In the drill, this is the move you should be ready for first.
Which replies are most common?
The most-played continuations are Bc5, Bb4, h6, Nxe4, d6, and Be7. Bc5 is the most popular, with Bb4 and h6 also appearing a lot. That makes them the main moves to know before you start guessing.
Are there any clear mistakes to punish?
Yes. Bb4 is marked as an inaccuracy, h6 is marked as an inaccuracy, and d6 is marked as a mistake. Since Nxe4 is the engine’s best move, those alternatives give White a better practical chance than the strongest defence.
How many games feature the Italian: Four Knights?
Over 23 million Lichess games have reached the Italian: Four Knights position. White wins 48.6%, Black wins 47.1%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.