Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C48), reached after 8 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4.

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5.Ba4 1 line
- C48 Marshall Gambit
5.Be2 1 line
- C48 Maróczy Variation
5.Nxe5 1 line
- C48 Marshall Variation
5.O-O 1 line
- C48 Henneberger Variation

About this opening

Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C48. 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 8 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4.

It belongs to the Four Knights Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Spanish Variation → Rubinstein Variation line). The immediate parent line is Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, transitioned via 4…Nd4.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Nc3 Nf6, 4.Bb5 Nd4. From this position 4 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.