Normal Variation

The Normal Variation, 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6, is the most frequently reached position after two moves by each side. It ranks among the handful of most common named positions on Lichess. The knight guards e5 while also bearing on d4, and Black keeps the d- and f-pawns flexible instead of committing to a pawn defense such as ...d6. The burden of choice now passes to White, and the engine considers the position close to level, with White holding only a nominal edge.

Most games continue with a bishop move. Delaying Nc3 leaves White free to play c3 and d4 later and build a pawn center. On Lichess the most frequent choice is 3. Bc4, the Italian Game, which aims the bishop at f7. Black usually answers with 3...Bc5, the Giuoco Piano, or 3...Nf6, the Two Knights Defense. 3. Bb5, the Ruy Lopez or Spanish Game, is the more theoretical alternative. By hitting the c6-knight, White indirectly threatens the e5-pawn it protects. The resulting games tend to be strategic, and Black's principal answers are 3...a6 and 3...Nf6. Engines prefer 3. Bb5 slightly, and it is the main choice in serious play, while the Italian is especially common among amateurs.

White can also strike at the center with pawns. 3. d4, the Scotch Game, opens the position immediately. After 3...exd4 White either recaptures or offers the pawn for development, and the Scotch scores best for White of the main third moves in the Lichess database. 3. c3, the Ponziani Opening, prepares d4 so that White can keep a pawn there after exchanges. It is seen much less often. 3. Nc3, the Three Knights Opening, gives up the c3 option for straightforward development. It usually transposes to the Four Knights after 3...Nf6 and has a reputation for quiet, drawish play.

The remaining moves account for a tiny fraction of games. 3. Be2 (the Tayler Opening) and 3. g3 (the Konstantinopolsky, with Bg2 to follow) place the king's bishop on a less active square. 3. c4, the Dresden Opening, controls d5 and lets the queen's knight develop behind the pawn. Two gambits are considered unsound. 3. Nxe5, the Irish or Chicago Gambit, gives up a whole piece for central pawns, and Black wins about six games in ten with it. 3. b4, the Pachman Wing Gambit, offers a pawn after 3...Bxb4, and Black also scores well against it.