Three Knights Opening
What is the Three Knights Opening?
The Three Knights Opening is a chess opening that begins with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3. It is classified under ECO C46 and has 6 named variations. White chooses it with the move Nc3.
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3
ECO: C46
Chosen by: White
Main variations
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 f5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nd5 Nf6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5
All 6 variations
| ECO | Variation | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| C46 | Main line | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 |
| C46 | Main line | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4 |
| C46 | Steinitz Defense | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 |
| C46 | Winawer Defense | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 f5 |
| C46 | Schlechter Variation | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nd5 Nf6 |
| C46 | Steinitz-Rosenthal Variation | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5 |
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: where the pieces go, which pawn breaks matter and what the typical middlegame plans are. Then play it, and after each game look up the point where you or your opponent left the known moves. MentoChess shows that point automatically for every game you import.
Opening lessons: Three golden opening rules · Scholar’s mate and how to stop it · Italian Game: plans, not just moves · Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined · Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 · From moves to structures