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Openings 1.e4 e5: open games

King’s Knight Opening (2.Nf3): Every Reply and Third Move

2.Nf3 attacks e5 and develops, so Black has to defend or counterattack right away. 2...Nc6 is played in about two games in three. This page maps the choices for both sides and links each one to its guide.

For White1.e4 e5 2.Nf3Seen in 16.4% of rated games

Lichess rating

C40King's Knight Opening

Games from this position (1600–1999): 841k

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
MovePlayedGamesWhite · Draw · Black
66%555k51%45%
16%132k51%44%
10%81k49%46%
3%25k47%50%
2%19k51%45%
1%10k50%46%
1%9,30849%48%
0.2%2,06959%37%
0.2%1,36152%44%
Practice as WhitePractice as Black

Plans for both sides

White

  • After 2...Nc6, 3.Bc4 (Italian) and 3.Bb5 (Ruy Lopez) are the main moves; 3.d4 (Scotch) and 3.Nc3 (Three or Four Knights) are good, simpler choices.
  • Rare third moves like 3.g3 (Konstantinopolsky), 3.c4 (Dresden) and 3.Be2 (Tayler) are playable surprise weapons.
  • If Black does not defend e5 properly, take it: 2...f6 3.Nxe5! and 2...Qf6 3.Bc4 both punish slow play.

Black

  • 2...Nc6 is the natural defense of e5 and keeps every option open.
  • 2...Nf6 (Petrov) counterattacks e4; 2...d6 (Philidor) is solid but passive.
  • Avoid 2...f6 and early queen moves like 2...Qf6 or 2...Qe7: they defend e5 at the cost of development.

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King’s Knight Opening: 2.Nf3 at each rating

How often the position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.

RatingGames (Share of games)White · Draw · BlackTop next move
<1200672k22.4%52%44%2...Nc660%
1200–15991.2M19.5%51%45%2...Nc665%
1600–1999841k13.1%50%45%2...Nc666%
2000+173k8.5%48%44%2...Nc674%
All2.8M16.4%51%45%2...Nc665%

What usually comes next

The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.

2...Nc665%3.Bc441%3.d420%3.Bb520%2...d614%3.Bc442%3.d431%3.Nc313%2...Nf610%3.Nc335%3.Nxe529%3.Bc418%2.Nf3

Main variations

  • White fianchettoes the king’s bishop: a King’s Indian setup with e4 already played. Black can hit back with ...d5.

    2,171 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 5% were drawn, Black won 46%.

    Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.g3 Nf6 4.d3

  • White grabs d5 with a pawn, like an English Opening with e4 added. It leaves a hole on d4.

    2,175 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 7% were drawn, Black won 44%.

    Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3

  • A very quiet setup aiming for d3, O-O and a slow game. Black equalizes with natural moves.

    8,345 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 5% were drawn, Black won 47%.

    Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2 Nf6 4.d3

  • Black ignores e5 and develops the bishop. After 3.Nxe5 White is a pawn up; Black hopes for tricks on f2.

    959 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 47%, 3% were drawn, Black won 50%.

    Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Bc5 3.Nxe5 Nc6

  • The queen guards e5 but blocks the g8 knight. White develops and aims at f7.

    25k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 4% were drawn, Black won 47%.

    Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Qf6 3.Bc4

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At club level

Below 1200 about one in six players answer 2.Nf3 with a less common move like 2...Bc5, 2...f6 or 2...Qf6; at 2000+ three in four play 2...Nc6.

Practice it

The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.

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