Opening Overview

Three Knights Opening

6 lines
white repertoire

About This Opening

Three Knights Opening is a practical opening that aims to steer the game into its characteristic structures as early as possible.

The opening's main value is its characteristic move order, which helps steer the game toward familiar structures and plans.

When studying it, focus on the first forcing decisions, the main branching points, and the kind of middlegames the opening is designed to reach.

Key ideas
  • Typical theme: recognize the key move order early.
  • Learn the first critical branching decisions.
  • Best for players who want a repeatable repertoire line.
  • Understand the resulting pawn structure and piece placement.

Choose a variation

Three Knights Opening
C46 5 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3
Three Knights Opening
C46 6 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4
Three Knights Opening: Schlechter Variation
C46 8 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nd5 Nf6
Three Knights Opening: Steinitz Defense
C46 6 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6
Three Knights Opening: Steinitz-Rosenthal Variation
C46 9 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5
Three Knights Opening: Winawer Defense
C46 6 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 f5
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