The problem with playing for this position via the Four Knights Game is that after 4.

Nc3 (the last would transpose to the Four Knights Game).

The Four Knights Game is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

The game soon turned into a sort of Four Knights Game where Carlsen finally prevailed.

There are also the Rubinstein Variation of the Four Knights Game, which arises after 1.

The opening is an offshoot of the normally staid Four Knights Game and is defined by the moves:

Bxc6, a favorable variation for White in the Four Knights Game, which was named the Ranken Variation after him.

His name is attached to the Metger Variation in the Four Knights Game (C47): (with the idea of playing this Knight to e6)

The ECO codes for the Four Knights Game are C49 (Symmetrical Variation, 4.

Nf3 transposes to the Three Knights Game, which with 3...Nf6 usually promptly leads to the Four Knights Game.

Used only for some of the oldest openings, for example Scotch Game, Vienna Game, and Four Knights Game.

The similar position with Black having moved ...Nf6 is called Petrov's Three Knights Game, although it too usually leads to the Four Knights Game.

During the game, Kasparov, playing Black, chose a different opening, the Four Knights Game, from the Sicilian Defence he had played in games one and three and came on top.

His opening repertoire has remained relatively consistent throughout his career, and he is well known as an expert on the Dutch Defense and the Belgrade Gambit of the Four Knights Game.

In the Three Knights Game, Black chooses to break symmetry in order to avoid the main lines of what is often considered the drawish Four Knights Game after the usual 3...Nf6.

Cox, however, wrote that many White players are bluffing, and in fact know nothing about either the Vienna Game or the Four Knights Game, to which the game can easily transpose if Black plays 2...e5, citing one book which recommended 2.