Three Knights Opening: Schlechter Variation
Three Knights Opening: Schlechter Variation
Definition
The Schlechter Variation is a branch of the Three Knights Opening that arises after the moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6
Instead of mirroring White’s third-move knight with 3…Nf6 (which would transpose to the Four Knights), Black plays the quiet pawn move 3…d6. It is named after the Austrian grandmaster Carl Schlechter (1874-1918), who employed the line as a solid alternative to the then-popular Open Games.
Move-Order Context
- Three Knights: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3
- Schlechter: 3…d6
The move 3…d6 has two main ideas:
- Reinforce the e5-pawn so that Black can later develop the king’s knight to f6 without worrying about Nxe5.
- Keep the position flexible—Black can aim for …g6, …Bg7 and a Pirc/Modern-style structure, or remain in Philidor-type setups with …Nf6 and …Be7.
Typical Strategic Ideas
- Philidor Transposition: After 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6, both sides reach a Philidor-like position but with White’s knight already on c3 instead of b1, slightly reducing his options to push c2-c3.
- Flexible Pawn Chain: …d6 and …e5 give Black a solid central wedge. Black often delays castling to see whether kingside or queenside play will be safer.
- Counterpunching: Black typically avoids premature pawn breaks, waiting for White to commit the center. When the moment is right, …d5 or …f5 can strike back.
- Pirc-like Setup: If Black follows up with …g6 and …Bg7, structures and plans resemble the Pirc Defence, but without the usual …d7-d6 tempo cost—because …d6 has already been played.
Main Options for White
- 4.d4 – the principled try. After 4…exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.O-O Be7, play resembles a quiet Spanish/Philidor hybrid.
- 4.Bb5 – pinning the c6-knight and keeping d2-d4 in reserve; play may transpose to the Spanish Four Knights after …Nf6.
- 4.g3 – Kingside fianchetto, supporting d2-d4 later and eyeing the h1-a8 diagonal.
- 4.d3 – a slower approach, heading toward a Closed Ruy-Lopez-style maneuvering battle.
Historical Notes
Carl Schlechter was renowned for his solid, almost error-free style. The variation bearing his name reflects that ethos—sound, flexible, and slightly understated. While it never became mainstream at top level (the more dynamic Four Knights or Petroff often overshadow it), it appeared in several pre-World-War I tournaments and Olympiads.
Illustrative Game
Schlechter’s own handling (although not the earliest) remains instructive:
C. Schlechter – R. Charousek, Budapest 1896
[[Pgn| e4|e5|Nf3|Nc6|Nc3|d6|d4|exd4|Nxd4|g6|Be3|Bg7|Qd2|Nf6|O-O-O|O-O|f3|Re8|h4|h5|Be2|d5|exd5|Nxd5|Nxd5|Qxd5|Kb1|Be6|c4|Qa5|Qxa5|Nxa5|Nxe6|Rxe6|b4|Rxe2|bxa5|Nxc4|Rhe1|Rb2|Kc1|Rxa2|Bd4|Bxd4|Rxd4| fen|r4rk1/1pp2pb1/3ppn2/q7/N1PN4/P3BP1P/2PQR1P1/1K6|arrows|d4f5,c6d4|squares|e4 ]]The game showcases a Pirc-like setup (…g6, …Bg7) and Schlechter’s patient queenside expansion culminating in a successful transformation to a better endgame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because 3…d6 sidesteps the Fried Liver-style tactics of the Four Knights, some club players call it the “lazy man’s Petroff.”
- In correspondence chess, engines often rate the position after 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 ≈ 0.00, reflecting the line’s toughness to crack.
- Modern grandmasters occasionally adopt the Schlechter as a surprise weapon in rapid and blitz, hoping to lure opponents out of heavy preparation—e.g., Grischuk vs. Aronian, Paris Rapid 2019.
Summary
The Schlechter Variation offers Black a low-maintenance but fully respectable response to 3.Nc3, steering play away from heavy theory while retaining multiple strategic plans. For White, the best practical try is the direct 4.d4, aiming for a space advantage before Black’s flexible position solidifies.