Ponderchess / Openings
Play the guided film, or select a scene to pause and study its position.
Opening
The Three Knights Opening in 3D
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3. White develops a third knight and waits. Black can enter the Four Knights with 3...Nf6 or choose an independent line.
Rebuild the sequence yourself. The board responds to each move, and hints are available.
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Your turn · white to play
Select a piece, then its destination. Switch to 2D for a clear overhead view or rotate the 3D board to explore the position.
Three Knights Opening: Steinitz-Rosenthal Variation, move by move: e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Nc3 g6 d4 exd4 …
The white pieces
Stay flexible. If Black plays ...Nf6, choose your favourite Four Knights line with Bb5 or d4. Against early bishop moves, look for Nd5 and central tactics on e5.
The black pieces
3...Nf6 is the most reliable answer. If you choose 3...Bb4, be ready for 4.Nd5 and keep the e5 pawn protected.
Look a little deeper · 01
Most games transpose: 3...Nf6 is the Four Knights Game, and White can then choose between the Spanish (4.Bb5) and Scotch (4.d4) treatments.
Look a little deeper · 02
3...Bb4 is the main independent try, pinning the c3 knight. White often answers with 4.Nd5, hitting the bishop, as in the Schlechter Variation 4...Nf6.
Look a little deeper · 03
3...g6, the Steinitz Defense, fianchettoes the bishop. A sharp answer is 4.d4 exd4 5.Nd5, the Steinitz-Rosenthal Variation, putting a knight on a strong central square.
Look a little deeper · 04
3...f5, the Winawer Defense, is a Latvian-style counter that strikes at e4 but loosens Black's kingside.
Three Knights Opening: Steinitz-Rosenthal Variation, move by move: e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Nc3 g6 d4 exd4 …
Keyboard: Space pauses, the arrow keys step. Gold arrows are White's moves, violet are Black's, red rays are threats, green shows support, blue shows plans.
