Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights Variation

The Three Knights Variation arises after 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3. White develops the king's knight before choosing between a fianchetto and an early d4, while Black has not yet decided how to treat the center. Because the same position comes from several move orders, it works as a crossroads within the Normal Variation. White scores slightly better in practice, and the engine regards the position as roughly balanced.

The most common reply, 3...Nc6, leads to the Four Knights Variation. Among the engine's preferred moves, 3...e6 keeps the c8-bishop's diagonal flexible and supports either ...d5 or a Hedgehog setup, while 3...g6 prepares a kingside fianchetto. The direct 3...d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 frees Black's game at once. White can then challenge the center with 5. d4 or 5. e4 or play 5. g3, which allows the Rubinstein System with 5...Nc6 6. Bg2 Nc7 and ...e5. The rare 3...e5 commits Black to a fixed structure early, and White scores well against it.