In the case of a multicylinder IC engine of the piston type with a stroke charging means (12), and in which branch ducts (16, 18, 20 and 22) extend from at least one air inlet duct (149) to the individual engine cylinders (24, 26, 28 and 30) and at the associated cylinder such ducts are able to be shut by at least one inlet valve (32, 34, 36 and 38), in order to reduce the amount of dead space each branch duct (16, 18, 20 and 22) is provided with a further valve (58, 60, 62 and 64).