Abstract: An internal combustion engine operating with self-ignition which is equipped with a main combustion space including a piston recess and with an auxiliary chamber arranged in the cylinder head an injection nozzle is coordinated to the auxiliary chamber while the chamber includes an insert forming an overflow channel provided with several discharge holes terminating in the main combustion space. The discharge holes are matched as regards their direction and cross section to the main combustion space-air volume component to be seized or impinged upon by the respective jet passing through the corresponding discharge hole. The discharge holes are thereby proportional in cross section to the main combustion space-air volume component located in front thereof when the piston is in a position corresponding to the center point of the full-load heat-release curve and are directed toward the center of gravity of the respective main combustion space-air volume component.