Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a crankshaft, at least one compression piston which is housed in a compression cylinder, and at least one working piston which is housed in a working cylinder. Movement of the compression piston and of the working piston are coupled kinematically to movement of the crankshaft, so that the compression piston moves back and forth during a single revolution of the crankshaft in an intake stroke and a compression stroke and that the working piston moves back and forth during a single revolution of the crankshaft by a working stroke and an exhaust stroke. The compression cylinder has at least one inlet valve for drawing-in air into the compression cylinder during downward movement of the compression piston, and the working cylinder has at least one outlet valve for discharging combustion gases from the working cylinder during upward movement of the working piston.