Chessy
How to Play the Italian: Four Knights: Bb4 (5.Nd5) as White
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bb4, you push forward with 5.Nd5, immediately challenging Black's knight and their bishop on b4. This position — Black to move — has been tested over 250,000 times in online games, and Stockfish gives you a +0.38 advantage, a small but real edge for White. That means you are slightly better from the start. The drill below will help you turn that tiny plus into a winning plan, no matter which way Black replies.
Play the Italian: Four Knights: Bb4 against the engine
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Play through these lines in the interactive drill below to build your instincts — and create a free account to track your progress across dozens of openings.
Create a free account →What You're Fighting For
The Italian: Four Knights: Bb4 leads to a tense, open centre. By playing 5.Nd5 you attack Black's knight on f6 and threaten to fork the queen and rook after Nxc6. You're also forcing Black's bishop on b4 to declare its intentions. If Black trades pieces with Nxd5, you recapture with exd5 and gain central space while opening the e-file for your rook. If Black instead tries tactics with Nxe4, you're entering a sharp sequence where king safety and development matter most. Either way, you are the player who dictates the pace — use your slight edge to keep Black on the back foot.
The Engine's Best Answer and How to Handle It
Stockfish's top move for Black is Nxe4, and the engine's continuation runs: 5...Nxe4 6.Nxe4 O-O 7.O-O Nxb4. Black sacrifices a knight for two pawns and leaves your knight on d5 hanging. Don't panic — after you castle and recapture, you have a lead in development and Black's queenside is disorganised. This line scores 48.9% for White from the 49,354 games it's been played, very close to even. The key is to stay calm, complete your development, and exploit Black's loose pawns and lagging pieces. Your extra piece is real compensation; trust the engine's +0.38 evaluation.
What the Numbers Tell Us
From over 250,000 games at this exact position, White wins 51.1% of the time, with only 3.8% draws and 45.2% Black wins. That's a healthy practical edge. The most popular reply, Nxd5 (118,986 games — nearly half of all games), actually gives White a 52.4% score. That's higher than your overall average, so don't fear the knight trade. On the other hand, Nxe4 (49,354 games) and O-O (38,676 games) give White 48.9% and 49.1% respectively — slightly below par but still competitive. The takeaway: you want Black to capture on d5; that's the path where your practical chances are best.
Two Common Mistakes to Punish
Black can go wrong in two ways here, and both cost roughly 0.7 pawns according to Stockfish. 5...d6 is an inaccuracy — Black defends the e5 pawn but weakens their position. Instead of Nxe4, Black misses a chance to complicate things. You can simply retreat your knight (Nxf6+ or another good developing move) and enjoy your edge. 5...Ba5 is also an inaccuracy. Black retreats the bishop to a passive square, losing tempo. In both cases, Black's best move was either Nxe4 or O-O. If you see either of these replies in your games, you know you've already outplayed your opponent in the opening.
Results across 250,073 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nxd5 | 118,986 | 52.4% |
| Nxe4 | 49,354 | 48.9% |
| O-O | 38,676 | 49.1% |
| d6 | 14,668 | 51.1% |
| Bc5 | 11,028 | 48.8% |
| Ba5 | 4,026 | 48.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is 5.Nd5 a good move in the Italian Four Knights?
Yes — Stockfish rates it +0.38, giving you a small but genuine advantage as White. It aggressively attacks the knight on f6 and pressures Black's pinned bishop on b4. Over 250,000 games, White scores 51.1% from this position.
What is the best reply for Black after 5.Nd5?
The engine recommends 5...Nxe4, leading to 6.Nxe4 O-O 7.O-O Nxb4. This sharp line offers Black two pawns for a knight. While it's Black's best try, you still hold a slight edge as White with good development.
How should White play if Black captures on d5?
If Black plays 5...Nxd5, recapture with exd5 to open the e-file and gain central space. This is Black's most common reply (118,986 games), and White scores an excellent 52.4% — making it the best outcome for you.
What are Black's worst moves after 5.Nd5?
Both 5...d6 and 5...Ba5 are inaccuracies that lose roughly 0.7 pawns. They waste time or weaken Black's structure. If your opponent plays either, you've already gained a meaningful advantage that an intermediate player can convert.