Four Knights Game:

The Four Knights Game, is a popular 'Open Game' opening played by white, which usually leads to tactical positions - giving plenty of options for White. The opening is fairly popular with beginners who strictly adhere to the opening principle: "Develop knights before bishops." It was one of the workhorses in the family of the Open Game, at even the highest levels, until World War I. Thereafter it fell by the wayside, along with a number of open games.

     

Here is a list of the 4 most popular continuations in the Four Knights Game:

a) Scotch Variation
b) Halloween Gambit
c) Winaver Defense
d) Steinitz Defense
 

 Scotch Variation

Exchange.jpg

Halloween Gambit

Berlin.jpg

Winaver Defense

Spanish.jpg

Steinitz Defense

Famous Games with the Four Knights Game:

1) Scotch Variation - Srbis, J. vs Rambaldi, Francesco
2) Halloween Gambit - Klepaczka, T. vs Bulski, K. 
3) Winaver Defense - Bodek, Michael H vs Salimbagat, R. 
4) Steinitz Defense - Bereslavsky, M. vs Bunyatov, Rustam