Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
Three Knights Opening
The fourth knight stays at home
- Classical
- Symmetry
White develops the knights to f3 and c3 and does not force matters. Black does not answer symmetrically with …Nf6, which would lead to a quiet game of the Four Knights type. Instead Black picks another set-up, such as …g6 or …Bb4. The opening is little known, but gives White comfortable play on familiar plans.
6…Nf6
Moves
(12 plies • 6 moves)- 1–6moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
Defining move
3.Nc3 — the second knight, with d4 held back
The move that sets it apart from the Scotch and the Italian
White does not strike at the centre at once and does not aim a bishop at f7. It simply develops a knight and keeps d4 for later. Black has to decide whether to play …Nf6 for a Four Knights, or to take a less travelled road.
Tabiya
The Steinitz Defence: a fianchetto and an open centre
After 3…g6 White opens the centre: 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4. Black puts a bishop on g7 and gets a position that looks like a Pirc. White has more space, the e3 bishop and the better piece activity. Black has no weaknesses, but the game is cramped. White wants to develop and use the space; Black plays for a counterstrike.
White’s plan
- Open the centre with d4 and gain space.
- Develop the bishops to e3 and c4 and castle.
- Use a knight on d5 or d4 to pressure Black.
Black’s plan
- Avoid symmetry and the quiet Four Knights game.
- Fianchetto the bishop to g7 and counterstrike in the centre with …d6 and …Nf6.
- Stay free of weaknesses and wait for a slip.
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