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| Moves | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | C40 (–C99) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Open Game | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The King's Knight Opening is a chess opening consisting of the moves:
White's second move attacks the e-pawn. Black usually defends this with 2...Nc6, which leads to several named openings. Of the alternatives, the most important are Petrov's Defense (2...Nf6) and Philidor's Defense (2...d6).
This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.Main line: 2...Nc6
Most games (more than 80%) continue with 2...Nc6.
Some moves from here include:
- 3. Bb5: Ruy Lopez
- 3...a6: Ruy Lopez, Morphy Defence (main line)
- 3...Nf6: Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defence
- 3...d6: Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defence
- 3...f5: Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defence
- 3...Bc5: Ruy Lopez, Classical Defence
- 3. Bc4: Italian Game
- 3. d4: Scotch Game
- 3. Nc3: Three Knights Game
- 3...Nf6: Four Knights Game
- 3...g6: Three Knights Game (main)
- 3. c3: Ponziani Opening
Other Black defenses
Of the alternatives, 2...Nf6 (Petrov's Defense) is considered fully respectable and is common in grandmaster games. Philidor's Defense is playable but is seen more rarely.
- 2...Nf6: Petrov's Defense (C42)
- 2...d6: Philidor's Defense (C41)
Less common defenses
A number of less popular continuations are possible. These openings are generally considered to be less sound than those mentioned above. These openings are all categorized in the ECO under code C40.
- 2...f5: Latvian Gambit
- 2...d5: Elephant Gambit
- 2...Qe7: Gunderam Defense
- 2...f6: Damiano Defence
- 2...Qf6: Greco Defence
- 2...Bc5: Busch-Gass Gambit
References
- Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.