Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Nc3
| Three Knights Game | |
|---|---|
|
a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h | |
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
| Moves: 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 | |
| ECO code: C46 | |
| Parent: King's Knight Opening | |
Three Knights Game
[edit | edit source]Black can copy White's moves with 3...Nf6, leading to a very quiet game.
Other alternatives include bishop moves:
- 3...Bb4 is playable, but it may be too early because White can play 4. Nd5 (the knight is not pinned yet).
- 3...Bc5 is dangerous because White can play 4. Nxe5; after 4...Nxe5, White can play 5.d4, winning back the material with a fork. However, it's not really a mistake, because Black will be able to take a pawn during the process. In this line, 4...Bxf2+ is playable and does not lose material.
It's also possible to play 3...g6. It may prepare f5. It may also transpose into Scotch Game as the d4 counterattack is often seen.
Theory table
[edit | edit source]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3
| 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Knights Game | ... Nf6 |
d4 exd4 |
Nxd4 Bb4 |
= |
| ... Bb4 |
Nd5 Ba5 |
Bc4 | +/= | |
| ... Bc5 |
Nxe5 Nxe5 |
d4 Bd6 |
+/= | |
| ... g6 |
d4 exd4 |
Nxd4 Bg7 |
+/= | |
| Winawer Defense | ... f5 |
Bb5 fxe4 |
Nxe4 Nf6 |
+/= |
References
[edit | edit source]- Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
- Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.