Two Knights Defense : Ask Biography

Home | chess opening | Two Knights Defense

The Two Knights Defense is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

:1. e4 e5

:2. Nf3 Nc6

:3. Bc4 Nf6

First recorded by Polerio

(c.1550 - c.1610) in the late 16th century, this line of the Italian Game was extensively developed in the 19th century.

Black's third move is a more aggressive defense than the Giuoco Piano which would result from 3...Bc5.

In fact, Bronstein suggested that the term "defense" does not fit,

and that the name "Chigorin Counterattack" would be more appropriate.

The Two Knights has been adopted as Black by many aggressive players including Chigorin and Keres, and World Champions Tal and Boris Spassky.

The theory of this opening has been explored extensively in correspondence chess by players such as Berliner and Estrin.