Chess Openings Lab
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Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation

The Three Knights Variation is 4.Nf3 in the Grünfeld, developing the king knight and keeping many options. Black usually replies 4...Bg7, after which White chooses between e3, Bg5, cxd5 or Qb3, while Black prepares ...c5 or ...O-O.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3
ECO
D90
Engine
+0.27 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,518 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 transposes to the Exchange Variation with Nf3.
  • e3 props up d4 and prepares Be2 and short castling.
  • Bg5 pressures the f6 knight and the defense of d5.
  • Keep the c4 and d4 pawns flexible so you can choose the right moment for cxd5.

Black

  • 4...Bg7 is the main move, preparing to castle and ...c5.
  • 4...c6 and 4...e6 keep d5 protected but are more passive.
  • ...c5 hits d4 and opens the long diagonal for the g7 bishop.
  • ...dxc4 can win time when White's queen leaves d1.

Plans and pawn structure

The Three Knights keeps White flexible. With e3, White builds a solid center and develops calmly. With cxd5 and e4, White gets the Exchange structure with a big center. With Bg5, White pressures d5. Black castles and hits back with ...c5 or ...dxc4. The main fight is for the d4 square and the long diagonal of the g7 bishop.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.27: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.27 4...Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3
  2. +0.51 4...c6 5.h3 Ne4 6.e3 e6 7.Be2
  3. +0.63 4...e6 5.Bg5 Bg7 6.e3 O-O 7.Rc1

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,518 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.5%.

under 120053.1%
1200–159949.9%
1600–199951.7%
2000 and up49.1%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, play 4...Bg7 and castle, then break with ...c5 or ...dxc4. Avoid early ...e6 if you want active Grünfeld play. As White, choose a system you know and keep d4 solid.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7.

Questions

What are the moves of the Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation?

The Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3. Its ECO code is D90.

Is the Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.27 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,518 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.5%. A flexible choice for White players who want to choose a system later, while Black needs to know the main Grünfeld breaks.

What is the main idea of the Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation?

White develops the king knight and waits to choose a setup. Black plays ...Bg7, castles and breaks with ...c5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bg7, with c6 and e6 close behind. 4...Bg7 develops and prepares short castling and the ...c5 break.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.