Chess opening · ECO C42

Petrov's Defense: Three Knights Game

The Petrov's Defense: Three Knights Game starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3. It ranks #95 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
  5. 3. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Nc6 is the most popular next move in every rating band.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200Nc6 38%d6 15%Bc5 14%
1200–1399Nc6 39%Bb4 17%d6 16%
1400–1599Nc6 39%Bb4 27%d6 18%
1600–1799Nc6 47%Bb4 26%d6 14%
1800–1999Nc6 57%Bb4 27%d6 11%
2000 and upNc6 74%Bb4 23%d6 3%

Related openings

Petrov's DefenseThe line this one grows from

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