Library/Openings/Four Knights Game/Scotch Variation/Schmid Defense ECO C47
Opening· 10 plies

Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C47), reached after 10 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nxe4.

Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense ECO C47
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Black rook
Black bishop
Black queen
Black king
Black bishop
Black rook
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black knight
White knight
Black knight
White knight
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White rook
White bishop
White queen
White king
White bishop
White rook
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End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, Schmid Defense is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C47. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 10 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nxe4.

It belongs to the Four Knights Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Scotch Variation → Schmid Defense line). The immediate parent line is Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation, transitioned via 5…Nxe4.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Nc3 Nf6, 4.d4 exd4, 5.Nxd4 Nxe4. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.