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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Nc3/3...Bc5
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Three knights game King's Knight Opening
3...Bc5
Black chooses to develop their bishop instead of developing their knight with 3...Nf6. Now, White can play 4. Nxe5, the centre fork trick. Black's knight was not really defending the e5 pawn because after 4...Nxe5 5. d4! wins back the material with a fork. Black isn't down material, but it's a small positional mistake.
Theory table
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bc5
4
5
Four Knights Game
Nxe5Nxe5
d4Bd6
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See also
Three Knights Game