Externally ignited combustion engine with partial shut-down and method for operating such a combustion engine

The engine (10) has two cylinders (14) forming two groups, where each group comprises a cylinder portion activated in a load-dependent manner and deactivated, if a predefined load is undershot. The groups have different compression ratios, and the cylinder portion of one of the groups has a higher compression ratio, and the other cylinder portion of other group has a lower compression ratio and comprises activatable and deactivable cylinder portions. Each cylinder portion is equipped with a spark plug (192) and an injection nozzle for direct fuel injection. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for operating an internal combustion engine (2) a system for operating an internal combustion engine.