Three Knights Game
MICOS Opening Group C15.TH – Three Knights Game begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3. White develops the queenside knight naturally, strengthens control of the centre and keeps several possibilities available for further development. The position is generally less forcing than some other Open Games and allows both sides considerable flexibility in choosing their next moves.
The Three Knights Game can develop into positions also reached through different move orders, including positions associated with the Four Knights Game. Its relatively quiet beginning often produces strategically rich play where piece development, central control and careful manoeuvring are more important than immediate tactical confrontation. Use the searchable table below to find openings by opening name, chess notation or MICOS code and train individual openings interactively with MICOS CAP.
| Opening Name | Chess Notation | MICOS Code | MICOS CAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Knights Opening | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 | C15.001.TH | |
| Three Knights Opening: 3…Bb4 | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Bb4 | C15.002.TH | Explore ▶ |
| Schlechter Defence | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nd5 Nf6 | C15.003.TH | Explore ▶ |
| Winawer Defence | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 f5 | C15.004.TH | Explore ▶ |
| Steinitz Defence | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 | C15.005.TH | Explore ▶ |
| Steinitz Defence - Rosenthal Attack | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nd5 | C15.006.TH | Explore ▶ |
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