The big idea

What the Four Knights Game is really about.

The most symmetrical of the open games: both sides simply bring out all four knights to their best squares before doing anything else. It is calm, principled, and very hard to go wrong with — a model lesson in classical development. White is not chasing a knockout, just a small, durable edge from sound piece play.

White's plan: Complete healthy development, add the king's bishop (usually to b5 or via the centre with d4), castle, and convert a tiny lead in space and coordination into a lasting positional pull.
Black's plan: Match White's development move for move, keep the position solid and symmetrical, and look to free the game with a timely ...d5 break once the pieces are out.

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6

A symmetrical, solid Open Game: everyone develops naturally and castles. White keeps a tiny pull and prepares the central break d4.

In a dead-symmetrical Four Knights, where does White's small advantage come from?

Answer the question to keep going!