Three Knights Opening
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3
3… Nf6+0.19
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Three Knights Opening (C46), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.19).
Top engine moves
- +0.193… Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
- +0.543… Be7 4. Bb5 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Nde2
- +0.593… Bb4 4. Nd5 Nf6 5. c3 Be7 6. Bd3 d6 7. Bc2 O-O 8. O-O
Other move orders
- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bb4
All Three Knights Opening variations (4)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Three Knights Opening?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black, continuing 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O. The position is roughly equal (+0.19). The next best moves are 3… Be7 (+0.54) and 3… Bb4 (+0.59).
Is the Three Knights Opening a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.19: 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 Three Knights Opening?
C46. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).