Method for operating an internal combustion engine

The method of running a spark-ignited internal combustion engine entails when under part load closing one of two inlet ports by a throttling device with a predetermined leakage opening, and opening or keeping open the other inlet port, and phase-displacing the camshafts (1,2) in relation to the crankshaft so that both the inlet timing and also the exhaust timing is retarded by a crank angle of preferably between 40 and 80 degrees. An Independent claim is included for a four-stroke internal combustion engine with spark ignition and in which at least one camshaft is phase-adjustable in relation to the crankshaft.