Library/Openings/Four Knights Game/Spanish Variation/Spielmann Variation ECO C48
Opening· 20 plies

Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C48), reached after 20 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Nxe4 Qd4 8. O-O Qxe5 9. Re1 Be6 10. d4 Qd5.

Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation ECO C48
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Black rook
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Black queen
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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: Spanish Variation, Spielmann 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 20 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Nxe4 Qd4 8. O-O Qxe5 9. Re1 Be6 10. d4 Qd5.

It belongs to the Four Knights Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Spanish Variation → Spielmann Variation line). The immediate parent line is Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, transitioned via 10…Qd5.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Nc3 Nf6, 4.Bb5 a6, 5.Bxc6 dxc6, 6.Nxe5 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.