English Opening: King's English Variation, Three Knights System
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3
3… Nf6+0.11
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the English Opening: King's English Variation, Three Knights System (A27), reached after 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.11).
Top engine moves
- +0.113… Nf6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. a3
- +0.243… Bb4 4. Nd5 e4 5. Nd4 Nxd4 6. Nxb4 c6 7. e3 Ne6 8. d3
- +0.343… f5 4. e3 Be7 5. Be2 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 e4 8. Ng5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the English Opening: King's English Variation, Three Knights System?
After 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black, continuing 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. a3. The position is roughly equal (+0.11). The next best moves are 3… Bb4 (+0.24) and 3… f5 (+0.34).
Is the English Opening: King's English Variation, Three Knights System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.11: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the English Opening: King's English Variation, Three Knights System?
A27. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).