C46
Three Knights Opening
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3
In the Three Knights Opening, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Three Knights Opening is a chess opening classified under ECO code C46. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3: 5 moves in, with Black to play.
Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.
4 named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.
Play the Three Knights Opening? See where you go wrong.
Deepline reviews your real games, finds the exact moves that cost you, and trains the fixes.
Analyze my games free →Variations of the Three Knights Opening
- Schlechter Variation1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nd5 Nf6
- Steinitz Defense1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6
- Steinitz-Rosenthal Variation1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nd5
- Winawer Defense1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 f5