English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights Variation
1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3
3… d5+0.29
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights Variation (A34), reached after 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).
Top engine moves
- +0.293… d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Bb5+
- +0.383… e6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. d4 Nc6 7. Bg2 cxd4 8. Nxd4
- +0.413… Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 Bc5 7. Nb3 Bb4 8. Bg2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights Variation?
After 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black, continuing 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Bb5+. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 3… e6 (+0.38) and 3… Nc6 (+0.41).
Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: 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: Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights Variation?
A34. 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+).