Three Knights Opening
Three Knights Opening (C46) starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3. In 12,232 games between strong players, White wins 43%, 18% are drawn and Black wins 39%; the most played move is 3…Nf6 (92%).
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3
- ECO
- C46
- Games between strong players
- 12,232
- To move
- Black
White wins, draws and Black wins, from this position.
What strong players play next
The moves played most from this position in over-the-board broadcasts and the Lichess Elite Database, how often, and how the games ended.
| Move | Played | Results | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3…Nf6 | 92% (11,253) | Four Knights Game | |
| 3…Bc5 | 2% (258) | – | |
| 3…g6 | 2% (239) | Three Knights Opening: Steinitz Defense | |
| 3…d6 | 2% (197) | – | |
| 3…Bb4 | 1% (152) | – | |
| 3…f5 | 0% (38) | – |
Where it comes from and where it goes
Branches from King's Knight Opening: Normal Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
- Four Knights Game 15,371 games
- Three Knights Opening: Steinitz Defense 241 games
Every Three Knights Opening line
- Three Knights Opening: Steinitz Defense 241 games
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