Variable valve device for internal combustion engine

it variable valve device for an internal combustion engine includes cam phase variable mechanism for varying a phase difference (split) between first and second, intake cams. Under predetermined operating conditions of the internal combustion engine, the second intake cam is controlled to take a phase (split) (S1) which is within a predetermined pumping-loss reduction operation phase, range and entails a minimum fluctuation (oscillation width) of drive torque on an intake camshaft.