Three Knights Opening: Winawer Defense
The Winawer Defense of the Three Knights is 3...f5, a Latvian-style pawn thrust that loosens Black's king. White should open the center at once with 4.d4 or 4.exf5, and Black ends up in clear trouble against accurate play.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 f5
- ECO
- C46
- Engine
- +1.54 · a large advantage for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 980 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 4.d4 is the engine's choice: after 4...exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxf5 White opens lines toward Black's king.
- 4.exf5 is also strong, grabbing the pawn and preparing d4 to open the e-file.
- Use the open e-file and checks on the e8-h5 diagonal against the uncastled black king.
- Develop fast with Bc4 or Bb5 and short castling, keeping every piece aimed at e6 and the king.
Black
- After 4.d4, take with ...exd4 and develop with ...Nf6 before White's pieces arrive.
- ...d5 strikes back in the center and opens the c8 bishop, as in the main engine line.
- ...Bc5 develops the bishop actively, though a check on the e-file can then be very annoying.
- Black must play fast and accurately, because the king is already exposed on the e8-h5 diagonal.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a dubious line for Black. The f5 push weakens e6 and the diagonal to the king. White opens the center with d4 and gains a large edge, with the e-file and quick development as the main weapons. Black's best is to fight with ...Nf6, ...d5 and fast development, hoping to castle before the center opens completely. White's plan is simple: open lines, keep the queen ready for Qe2+, and attack before Black consolidates.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.54: a large advantage for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +1.54 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxf5 d5
- +1.34 4.exf5 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4 Bc5
- +0.48 4.Bb5 fxe4 5.Nxe4 Nf6 6.Qe2 d5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
980 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, play 4.d4 and open the center. Develop with tempo and look for checks on the e-file against the uncastled king. Avoid slow moves like d3 that let Black consolidate with ...Nf6 and ...Bc5. Trade only when it opens more lines.
Questions
What are the moves of the Three Knights Opening: Winawer Defense?
The Three Knights Opening: Winawer Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 f5. Its ECO code is C46.
Is the Three Knights Opening: Winawer Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.54 at depth 20, which is a large advantage for White. In 980 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.9%. A risky try for Black that only works against unprepared opponents; White players who know 4.d4 punish it.
What is the main idea of the Three Knights Opening: Winawer Defense?
Black plays an aggressive ...f5 push, but it weakens the king and the e6 square. White opens the center with d4 and gains a clear advantage with fast development.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is d4, with exf5 and Bb5 close behind. 4.d4 opens the center and exploits Black's weakened king position.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.