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Named after the positional deployment of three knights in play
by completion of move 3w (shown left)
following an initial couple of moves along the
"Épine Dorsale" (a set of moves
seen in many king's pawn openings). |
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Although not an aggressive (ie. sharp attacking) opening, it enables
rapid development of pieces for open play
on a non-symmetrical basis (assuming 3..Kt-KB3 is rejected)
and is useful for beginners to study as the first few moves obey the general
principles of development for chess
opening theory.
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Regarded as somewhat mild, it has never been popular in master play (Black usually
preferring the Four Knights continuation),
although departures from the "non-symmetrical" main line
include
Steinitz,
Schlechter and
Italian variations as well as the
inferior Winaver Defence. |